He'd said that, multiple times, while Jenna was getting ready. Had listed all the reasons why staying home was the better option; he was tired, he had work tomorrow, he didn't really feel like being around people. Jenna had ignored every single one of them.
"You need fresh air," she'd said, pulling on her jacket. "You need to be around people. You can't stay home again, waiting for your asshole boyfriend to call."
So here he was.
Pressed against the edge of a crowded bar, nursing a drink he hadn't really wanted, letting the noise wash over him without really participating. It wasn't terrible, actually. The music was loud enough to drown out his thoughts. The crowd meant no one was paying attention to him. And the two drinks he'd had were doing their work, loosening his shoulders, dulling the sharp edges of the world.
He was almost relaxed.
Almost.
Then he looked toward the bar and saw Zach.
He was standing near the bar with a group of friends, laughing at something, that familiar easy confidence radiating off him.
Relief flooded through Adriel. He hadn't expected to see him here. Hadn't known Zach was coming out tonight.
"Oh," Adriel said, already smiling. He turned to Jenna, gestured toward the bar. "Zach’s here."
Jenna followed his gaze, raised her eyebrows.
"Go say hi," she said.
Adriel hesitated for half a second. His hand went to his shirt, smoothing it down.His hair?Probably fine. He took a breath.
The crowd parted around him. His focus had narrowed to a single point; Zach, at the bar, laughing with his friends. Getting closer step by step.
"Hey," he said, touching Zach's arm lightly. "I didn't know you were coming out tonight."
Zach turned.
For a fraction of a second, less than a second, really, Adriel saw something flicker across his face. Then it was gone.
Zach's expression shifted into something flat. Irritated. His eyes flicked past Adriel, scanning the people around them.
"Do I know you?" Zach asked.
The words didn't make sense at first. Adriel laughed. Confused. It had to be a joke; dry humor Zach sometimes used, the kind that took a second to land.
"What?" he said. "It's me."
Zach's mouth tightened. He stepped back. Created distance between them. One of his friends looked between them, curious.
"I think you've got the wrong person," Zach said. His voice was sharp now. Cutting. "I don't know you."
The floor seemed to tilt. Adriel's smile faded. He felt it go, felt his face shift into something else, something he couldn't control.
"What are you talking about?" he asked quietly. His voice came out smaller than he meant it to. "Zach, it's me.”
Nothing. No crack in the mask. No flicker.
"We've been together for over a year," Adriel said, and he hated the way his voice sounded; pleading, thin, desperate. "You were at my apartment on Tuesday. You…" His voice wavered. "Why are you doing this?""
Zach cut him off.
"Look," he said, louder now, "I don't know who you are. I've never seen you before in my life."
"That's not true," Adriel whispered. His eyes were burning. "You know that's not true. Zach, please…"
