“So, you and Josh skip out to the bathroom for a little tryst?” Joey asked with a grin as Lance walked over to the coffee machine.
“No. Actually, his ex decided to eat here tonight, and right now? Josh is joining him and his boyfriend.”
“Ouch,” Joey said, while Lance tried to get the machine to work. Joey could tell his friend was frustrated and gently pushed him to the side, pushing the button gently. Coffee started to flow from the machine, and Lance sighed. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Seriously, though, Lance, I’ve seen you two together. Josh loves you. He’s crazy about you. Head over heels, man.”
Lance sighed again. “I know that I shouldn’t be worried, or jealous, or anything like that, but this guy, Danny, he... he was Josh’s first serious boyfriend. He was in love with this guy and they... he was Josh’s first.”
“Well, it’s not like you and Josh haven’t... you know... slept together.”
“I know, but I mean, your first... you never forget your first. They have so many things that tie them together, and what if this guy wants to get back together with Josh?”
“I thought you said that Danny had a boyfriend.”
“He does, but the guy looks miserable. Danny probably came here to dump him and try and get Josh back.”
“He’s not going to leave you, Lance. He‘s not.”
Lance just looked away, and Joey could tell that he didn’t believe it.
*
“So, where do you work?” Dan asked as he took a bite of his cheeseburger.
“I‘m still over at the Middle School, teaching music.”
“Well, that always was your passion,” Dan said, giving Josh a smile.
“I’ve always been interested in music. If I hadn’t gone into psychology, I would’ve liked to have gone into the music field of business,” Chris said.
“I’m sure JC doesn’t care about that, Chris,” Dan remarked.
“No, I do. And I go by Josh now,” Josh told him, turning back to Chris. “So, who’s your favorite artist?”
Chris saw the scowl that crossed Dan’s face and he smiled inwardly. “Well, Janet for one, is awesome.”
“Dude, no way! I love Janet, she’s like a music evolution man!”
“I know!” Chris exclaimed, finally glad he had someone to share this particular interest with.
“Okay, the Backstreet Boys. Lame or not?” Chris asked. “Oh, so lame,” Josh said with a laugh, and Chris could feel some of that energy he used to have come back to him. “Yes! You rock,” he said. Josh just laughed again, and Dan’s scowl grew.
Josh found it odd that he was feeling more and more at ease with the situation, seeing Dan again, by just talking to Chris. Someone he was supposed to hate. But how could he hate the person that made it possible for him to find Lance? It was like Dan was old water under the bridge, and Josh could just act like a friend around him.
“So, Jace, how long have you been dating that waiter?” Dan asked, cutting into the conversation Josh and Chris had been having about Madonna.
“Lance? We just had our six month anniversary last week. He‘s really great.”
“So, how did you meet him?” Chris knew when Dan was jealous, and at that moment, Dan was jealous. And he was going to try and ease that by asking questions about Lance, trying to find some flaw or imperfection about him. “I need to use the restroom,” Chris muttered, getting up.
“I met him here, actually,” Josh replied after Chris had left. “Right after... you know, you left.” The air suddenly became thick with tension, but Josh continued. “He basically picked me up when I was down. He was there for me.”
Dan let out a low whistle. “Man, you’re pretty blunt, JC.”
“You broke my heart,” Josh said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Dan reached over across the table and rested his hand on top of Josh’s. “I’m sorry,” he whispered softly.
And Lance watched ten feet away as Josh didn’t pull away.
*
