Joey stares at Lee for a brief moment, then drags his gaze from Lee, settling it back on me. “I know.”
“Are we all just going to drink and stare at one another?” Lee’s gaze flits over the crowd as he sips at his beer.
“We’re not staring at one another,” I point out.
Lee fake laughs. “Beau, the jokester.”
“You know me.” I smirk softly, enjoying the gentle ribbing.
“Savi starts first grade in just a few weeks.” Joey pulls out his phone to show us a picture of his six-year-old as if we don’t see her frequently at the farm. Slim to none passing up seeing a new photo though.
Her grin is just as wide as Joey’s, curls just as dark, but her light green eyes belong solely to her mother. A truly awful woman that I could never stand and can stand even less now that she’s putting Joey through a hellishly contentious divorce. Joey is an amazing man, one of my very best friends, and he married a pregnant Danica after dating only a few months. The man is a saint.
“First grade.” Lee stares down at the photo, throat bobbing, before taking another slow sip of his beer. “Seemed like she was just born the other day.”
“Yeah,” Joey agrees fondly.
“Divorce final yet?” I ask, trying to be delicate, to not put pressure on what was a gaping wound just a few months ago.
Joey sighs loudly, obviously still frustrated. “Mostly. Just finalizing up the custody split now. I want fifty-fifty but Danica wants sole custody. She makes everything so damn difficult.”
“You need anything from us?” Lee angles his body on the metal chair to fully face Joey and puts a gentle hand on Joey’s shoulder.
They’ve always been more touch oriented than me. Even back in high school. Lee and I were some of the only queer kids at our small rural school. Lee’s closeted though, was back then too, whereas I had the support of family to come out, Lee most definitely did not. Coming out didn’t go as well as it could’veconsidering I was the star quarterback, but it’s over now. Life goes on. Lee though, I’m not sure he’ll ever have the comfort of coming out. No matter how much support I offer him.
The thing is that Lee’s parents aren’t as accepting as mine and Colby’s. His dad is a real piece of work. Most evenings when we were kids, Lee was at my family’s table for dinner, then at my house for sleepovers. I guess that’s what happens when your dad is known as the town drunk. An angry drunk at that. I can’t blame Lee for living life in the closet, not with the drama his father can so easily bring. All I can do is be his friend.
“I heard about your secret gardening project,” Joey teases, eyes full of amusement.
I grunt. “Andy?”
Joey nods rapidly, then taps his beer against mine. “She loves to tattle.”
My heart thuds dangerously in my chest. “She say anything else?”
Joey’s head cocks to the side, his eyes narrowing at me in question. “No. Should she?”
“Nope.” I bottle everything back up and focus on the chilled beer in my hand.
The guys know when I’m done, no more words, so they don’t push for more. Quiet overtakes us for a little bit until Lee and Joey get to talking about Savi. The hum of their conversation floats over me, giving me the sense of peace their company usually does. Usually, my loneliness is at an all-time low when I’m with them. The two of them never push, never ask me for more than I can give. True friends.
“All done?” Lee nods towards my now empty beer.
I push the empty beer glass towards him, watching quietly as he heads towards the brewery to return all three of our glasses. Joey watches him go; some emotion that is impossible for me to place etched across his face. For the first time tonight, I noticehow tired he looks. Not physically tired, but just sort of done. I know that feeling better than most.
“You okay?” I ask in a hushed whisper.
Joey’s gaze slides back to me as he rubs at the shadow of his dark beard thoughtfully. “Me? I’m great. Good. No complaints.”
“Sounds a little over the top.”
A startled laugh shakes out of him, making my lips tilt up. “I’m alright, Beau. Promise.”
I don’t quite believe him. “If you say so.”
Lee returns with his hands empty, a pleased grin painted on his wide lips. “Ready to go?”
Joey stares up at Lee for one tortured moment. Seemingly shaking himself, he slowly rises from the table. I follow along behind them toward the parking lot. They split off towards their vehicles with waves, and I walk the rest of the way alone.
