Gabriel was unsurprised by some of this, but shocked by the implication that Drew had one, told his identity to Gabriel, and two, come out to him. If Gabriel understood what Drew was saying, this was a first for Drew.
“Well,” he said. “Thank you for trusting me with all that. I’ll protect that trust.”
“I had a feeling you would,” Drew said. “You seem like an honest person, and I’m interested in you.”
He was forward and direct, but not in a way that was overwhelming. It was refreshing to talk to someone who was so clear.
“Thank you,” Gabriel said. “I hope I live up to your interest.” He had more questions. For instance, if Drew wasn’t out, what were his intentions in going on a date with Gabriel? He decided not to pursue that line of questioning. He sensed it would lead to another unhelpful spiral. Right now, it didn’t matter. This was one night of drinks, and it might not need to be any more than that. If they continued seeing each other, maybe he would raise questions about goals and intentions, but they didn’t seem important right now.
They drank their beers and talked for a while. Drew was easy to talk to. He asked good questions and genuinely listened when Gabriel responded. He wanted to know about Gabriel’s childhood in Orion and shared a bit about his own childhood in New Hampshire. They learned that there were some similarities between how they’d been raised. Both had grown up in athletic, hockey-loving families, though Gabriel remained far closer with his parents than Drew did. He said he rarely saw his family anymore, not even on holidays. He spent most of his holidays with his teammates and their families, or with other friends in Boston. They had both grown up in rather small towns, close to water and to nature, and there were certain similarities between New England and northern Michigan that made Gabriel feel like he was talking to someone who naturally understood what it had been like to grow up here.
They ordered food, and their conversation lulled for a bit while they attacked their meals. Both had large appetites. Gabriel had been working outside all day, and he was famished. He wasn’t precious or self-conscious about how he ate, and he devoured his burger and fries in only a few minutes, while Drew tucked into a massive plate of nachos and a brisket sandwich.
“I love food,” Drew said dreamily, licking his fingers when he’d finished. It was a simple, silly thing to say, but Gabriel found it endearing.
“Do you cook?” he asked.
“Not as much as I’d like, but it is one of the few things my mother taught me that I’m thankful for.”
Their age difference didn’t get in the way of their conversation. They were from different generations, but only barely, and occasionally poked fun at each other when talking about the differences in their childhood, specifically with the technology they’d grown up with. Drew was old enough that he still remembered having a “computer room” in his house, and hadn’t gotten a cell phone until he was in middle school, while Gabriel admitted that he had been an iPad kid, which Drew found very funny.
Drew had a great laugh, deep and quick, and he laughed easily at Gabriel’s stories. Each laugh was like a win for Gabriel, a prize he didn’t know he had been competing towards. He liked making Drew laugh and decided he would be very happy if he got the chance to keep doing it.
Overall, Gabriel felt very relaxed and at ease talking to Drew. He was undeniably attracted to the hockey player, and he wanted to keep seeing him. All signs pointed to Drew wanting the same thing. They didn’t touch each other, but they both often leaned close against the table, as if they would reach for each other if they could.
Gabriel imagined what it would be like to feel Drew’s hands on him. He imagined Drew would be strong but kind, maybe a little dominant in the bedroom. Or perhaps he would be soft, not timid but definitely gentle, uncertain of each movement. Either way, Gabriel would be eager to find out if he had the chance.
He got the sense that Drew wasn’t telling him everything, specifically aboutwhyhe was in Orion for the summer. From what he’d said, it seemed unusual that he was completely isolating himself for the summer. He had friends back in Boston, besides just his team, and the stories he told about previous summers always involved other players, or friends, except for the solo trips he mentioned offhand. Those trips, Gabriel deduced, were the times that Drew normally let himself loose and hooked up with other men. If that was what he did on his solo vacations normally, why was he spending an entire summer alone in Orion? There were better places,farbetter places, to go if he wanted a summer of gorgeous men. But a hot boy summer didn’t appear to be Drew’s reason for coming to Orion. No, it was almost like he had wanted to get away from something. But what? Gabriel didn’t ask, and Drew didn’t volunteer the information.
At 10:30, the staff at the Biergarten did last call. Gabriel stood to go to the bar and pay the tab, but Drew reached for his arm. Gabriel’s skin pricked like with an electric shock when Drew’s fingers touched his bare forearm.
“Wait,” Drew said. “Let me get it.”
Gabriel started to argue, but Drew was firm.
“I really enjoyed tonight,” Drew said, “and I’d like to pay for your meal.” It sounded like courtesy, rather than control, so Gabriel relented.
When Drew returned to their table, he helped Gabriel stack their trays of food to make them easier to bus, a sign of social and professional awareness that Gabriel appreciated.
“I really did have a good time tonight,” Drew said as they walked out of the Biergarten together. The sky was dark gray, and the air was cool and refreshing. A perfect Michigan summer night.
Gabriel ignored Aubrey, who was behind the bar, craning her neck to watch them.
“I did, too,” he said, and didn’t bother to hide his smile. He was genuinely very happy. This had been one of the best nights he’d spent in Orion in a long time, and it was completely thanks to Drew’s company.
They were lingering outside the Biergarten. There weren’t many other customers around, and Gabriel was glad for it. He didn’t want other nosy locals watching him while he was on a date.
“I’d like to see you again,” Drew said, with what Gabriel now recognized as his characteristic directness. “If you’d like that.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
Drew grinned. “Good. Maybe you can show me some of the other wonderful things this area has to offer.”
“My schedule gets a bit busier next week with camp, but I’ll let you know when I’m free,” Gabriel said. He didn’t say that he would make damn sure he had plenty of free time to see Drew, even if it meant he had to work his ass off at camp to get his duties done early.
He didn’t know how to end the night. A hug? A kiss? A simple goodbye?
“I should probably get going,” he said. “I have an early morning tomorrow for camp stuff.”
