Drew grabs my arm. “You didn’t tell them we’re coming?”
Red has a glass of whiskey in his hand, which he throws back while he eyes Drew. “You’re Mack’s kid,” he says. “I knew your dad.”
“Oh.” Drew rubs the back of his head, obviously caught off guard.
Red nods, one hand buried in his big white beard. “Let me get you a shot.”
Drew looks to me for help. “Oh, I’m not sure—”
“Two,” Red says to the bartender, ignoring Drew.
Drew gives me an impatient glare, and I remember that I have a job to do. “Drew, this is Red, Rafael, and uh, the artists.”
“Sometimes I wonder if he still forgets my name,” Stone grumbles to Billie, who laughs and punches his shoulder.
“Caesar didn’t tell anyone we were coming out tonight?” Drew asks.
“I don’t know if you’ve met the guy,” Stone deadpans, “but he’s not exactly a chatterbox.”
“We’re glad you came out!” Rafael says brightly, leaning against the bar. He gives me a wide smile, then turns it to Drew. “We’re here all the time, but Caesar never comes. How’d you lure him out?”
Red turns with the shots right as Rafael asks the question. He freezes, and I know what he’s thinking. Pretty much the only thing that can ever lure me out of the house is a good-looking man, and here I am with Drew.
Shit. I really didn’t think this through.
Comprehension crosses over Red’s weathered mug. He gives me a look, likeMack’s kid, really? But I don’t know what to say so I just take another gulp from my beer.
Rafael leans forward. “Show me those spaceships,” he says to Drew. “Caesar did that?”
Drew looks to me like he’s asking for permission. That satisfies something deep inside me, and I grunt as I nod. He pulls his sleeve up the rest of the way, showing off the ink.
“We’re going to finish it in a few days,” he says, “but it’s from an arcade game, Nebula Invaders.”
“Nice ships,” Rafael nods. “Love that retro sleek aesthetic.”
Drew grins, quite pleased. “Thanks. I do, too!”
I cross my arms over my chest. After the initial burst of annoying attention, everyone’s quickly split up into side conversations. Rafael and Drew are going deep on the finer points of old spaceship design while Joey and Billie argue about the dart game.
Stone sits up against the bar, casually listening in on both conversations. His shaggy hair hangs past his ears, and his slim arms are covered with intricate, dark tattoos.
I slide in on the stool next to him, then grunt my hello.
Stone lifts his beer in response. “Caesar.”
I lift my beer and chug.
Easily, I slip into a comfortable silence next to Stone. Billie, Rafael, and Drew all get animated, carrying on multiple conversations, and it’s nice to see how happy Drew is. He stays right by my side, lost in conversation with Rafael, and somehow, that makes it even easier for me to just relax and enjoy myself.
“The Fifth Element,” I grunt, after they misremember the name of the movie for the third time.
“That’s right!” Rafael says. “The Fifth Element.Of course.”
“Thanks, Caesar!” Drew says, then laughs as he lays his hand on my arm. “Sometimes I forget you’re still listening.”
Rafael purses his lips. I see something dawning in his wide eyes, but I’m not going to push Drew away, so I just grit my teeth and bare it.
I’m not used to people knowing shit about me. But now when I look over at Drew, I know the truth is written all over my face.
