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A wave of panic passed through Craig. He hadn’t been on the market for eight years and this was moving much too fast for him. “Uh, a drink, sure.” He didn’t think he was capable of casually entering into a one night fling. “Look, I should tell you something. I’m not a freak who pours out his soul to strangers, but the reason I moved in with my friend is because I just got out of an eight year relationship.”

Peter’s eyes widened. “Eight years? That’s like sixty years for straight people.”

Craig laughed. “I guess so.”

“So, what you’re trying to say is, I shouldn’t be hitting on you so blatantly.” Peter’s mouth widened into a crooked grin once again.

Relieved Peter was being cool, Craig smiled back. “Not that I don’t think you’re hot, cause you are, but yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

“Not a problem. You seem like a decent guy.” Just then, two customers who couldn’t have been a day over twenty waved to get Peter’s attention. He rolled his eyes.

“Who do they think they’re kidding?” He shook his head and turned back to Craig.

“I’m off in an hour and we can hang out. No pressure.”

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Craig smiled. “Thanks Peter.” He took his beer and headed over to the pool table, and leaned against the wall to watch a game already in progress.

* * * * *

Relieved he and Andrew had ended things without hurting one another, Jeremy needed to get out and clear his head. He had overcome one hurdle, but still had one more to tackle. Craig took up every ounce of space in his mind and he didn’t want to waste another minute wondering whether Craig would want him back.

He hopped on the bus heading downtown, took out his cell, and he dialed Spectacular Designs. Janet picked up the phone. “Hello, Janet? It’s Jeremy. I was wondering if Craig is available.”

Janet was quiet for a moment. “Jeremy? No, I kicked him out of here. He’s been moping around like the living dead for the past week.”

Jeremy’s heart sank. Craig’s out? After a moment, Janet’s words registered with him.

“Wait, he’s been moping? Why?” He was pretty sure he could guess the reason, but didn’t want to assume anything.

Janet sighed with exasperation. “Why the hell do you think? He was crushed when you said you needed space from him. He’s nuts about you. Geez guys are stupid.”

Jeremy’s heart began to race. A smile spread across his face so wide it hurt. Trying to conceal some of his excitement, he recomposed himself. “Um, can you tell me where I might be able to find him?”

“You gay boys are going to be the death of me. Look. I’ve already said more than you deserve to hear.” Janet’s voice wasn’t angry, but wasn’t friendly either. “Before I tell you anything else, tell me how you feel about him.”

The words spilled out of his mouth and he made no effort to stop them. “I love him.

I’m totally, head-over-heels in love with him. Andrew and I broke things off and the only thing I want is to find out if Craig still wants me.”

Janet was silent and Jeremy wasn’t sure whether she was getting ready to hang up on him or tear him a new one. “Well it’s about fuckin’ time the two of you came to your senses. That boy hasn’t shut up about you ever since you came back into the picture. I love Craig, but in twelve years, I’ve never seen the side of him that showed up once you came around.”

Jeremy’s heart beat even faster, although he didn’t how that was possible. “Janet, where can I find him?”

“Honestly, honey, I’m not sure. I live on Thirteenth Street and Avenue A. There’s a bar across the street called, oh I keep forgetting, the name of some bird.”

“Phoenix?” Jeremy was shouting into the phone.

“Yeah, Phoenix.” Janet’s voice was definitely friendly now. “And don’t scream in my ear.”

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“Sorry. Listen, I appreciate you telling me he’s receptive. I’m freaking out hoping I’m not too late to fix the way I fucked things up.”

Janet laughed. “I think I’m gonna like you. You’ve got some balls on you. Go get him. Snap him out of his funk.”

“I’ll do my best. Wish me luck.” Jeremy was so excited and his heart was racing so fast he broke out in a cold sweat.

“Good luck, honey.” Janet hung up and Jeremy replaced his cell into its holder.

Each stop the bus made caused him to become more and more anxious. He needed to get to the bar and to Craig. At one point he almost considered getting off and running, but thought better of it and waited, cursing each new passenger that slowed his progress to his destination. God I hope he’s at Phoenix.

* * * * *

Craig had already had four beers by the time Peter finished his shift. He hadn’t paid for a drink after the first beer and although he wasn’t drunk, he was pretty buzzed and very relaxed. Craig surveyed Peter who had put on a white tank top and decided he looked even sexier with the shirt than without. His skin was rich with his tan and the way the white contrasted against his olive skin gave him a Mediterranean appearance.

Peter put another Bud Light in front of Craig and brought his Captain and Coke to his lips. “I’m glad you decided to wait. I’ve been staring at you from the bar counting the minutes until my shift ended.”

The genuineness of his words touched a part of Craig that needed touching. It was so completely opposite from Robert’s behavior and, without Jeremy to provide the sense of belonging, Peter’s words nourished a starving piece of him. His body reacted physically as well and Craig’s cock shifted in his pants. Without his boxer briefs to serve as a barrier, it had free reign to move around, the rough sensation of his jeans wasn’t helping to reduce the stimulation. “Thanks for the beers. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to get me drunk.”

Peter smiled. “Maybe I am.” Craig shifted uncomfortably and Peter became serious.

“Craig, you said you weren’t looking for anything. You seem like a good guy and I did ask you to meet me after my shift. Consider the beers like me paying for the date.”

Craig relaxed. “Thanks.”

“So, you were in an eight-year relationship which just ended. Want to tell me about it?” His smile receded just slightly. “Of course, I don’t mean to pry. If you don’t want to talk about it just tell me to mind my own business.”

Normally Craig wouldn’t pour his soul out to complete stranger, but Peter seemed genuinely interested and was being so nice to him. “I dated this guy, Robert. He was more interested in money than me. I stuck around for way too long and finally smartened up. I’m glad about ending things, but I’m left questioning why I allowed myself to stay with someone who treated me like such shit.”

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“We do lots of things that aren’t in our own best interest. You certainly wouldn’t be the first person to fall victim.”

“That’s not the worst of it.” Again, Craig surprised himself by pouring out all of his thoughts. “I had this friend growing up. Jeremy. He and I were best friends and spent all our time together, but he moved when we were fifteen. We ran into each other here in the city a couple of months ago and everything clicked into place like no time had passed. Things I had forgotten about myself came bubbling back to the surface.”

Peter took a sip of his drink, quietly listening. Craig continued. “Jeremy and his boyfriend Andrew were also having difficulties, but they’re working on things now.

The problem is, while our boyfriends were gone on a trip, Jeremy and I got drunk and hooked up. Now Jeremy doesn’t want to be around me while he tries to fix things with his boyfriend.”

Craig realized he had been prattling on and embarrassment washed through him.

“I am so sorry. I’m sure the last thing you want to hear is my fucked up life after having worked a shift.”

Peter laughed. “Hey, I’m a bartender. It’s a hazard of the trade.”

Craig smiled. “Listen, you’re not working. Let me go and buy us another round.”

Craig walked over to the bar to order two more drinks. When he returned, Peter was sitting on a stool, leaning against the wooden ledge. The position highlighted how his shoulder muscles bulged, tapering into his lateral muscles and angling towards his narrow waist. Craig placed the drinks on the ledge and stepped up to sit on the stool.

His foot caught on one of the stool legs and he tripped, falling into Peter’s arms.

Craig steadied himself and looked up. Peter’s eyes smoldered as he leaned in, bringing his face closer to Craig’s. Not knowing how to respond, Craig turned his head.

“Jeremy!”

Jeremy was staring at the two of them, emotions passing over his face. Shock gave way to understanding, which seemed to shift into sadness.

Peter kept his hold on Craig, but only to help him sit upright on the stool. “Uh, no.

The name’s Peter.”

Craig never removed his gaze from Jeremy as he responded to Peter. “No. Jeremy just walked into the bar.” Jeremy remained where Craig had first spotted him, as if his feet had been cemented to the spot.

Craig turned to face Peter, whose eyes reflected understanding along with what seemed like disappointment and he released Craig. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry.” His words were sincere, although he was sure they did nothing to sooth Peter’s ego. Craig then turned back to Jeremy who still stood in the middle of the bar, looking at the two of them. His shoulders slumped. Shit.

Peter stood up. “I’ll give you two some space. I’m glad we met, Craig.”

Craig turned to Peter. “Y-Yeah. Thanks for the drinks. Sorry.”

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Peter smiled. “Don’t be sorry.” He leaned in and gave Craig a kiss on the cheek.

Before pulling away he whispered in Craig’s ear. “I’ll still be here if you want to continue where we left off.”

Craig nodded and Peter walked off to the bar. He turned back to Jeremy and had to shake his head before he was able to form words. He was drunker than he had realized.

He took several steps towards Jeremy.

As if Craig’s movement had unlocked him, Jeremy took the last few steps to close the distance between them and peered at him for a moment. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…I hope I didn’t…were you—“

Craig instinctively grabbed Jeremy’s hand in his own. “Oh, no. It’s nothing like that. We were just…he was…never mind. What are you doing here?”

Relief seemed to flood through Jeremy as his face and shoulders relaxed. He stepped closer to Craig. “I’m here for you.”

Craig blinked. Did I hear him correctly? “I’m sorry. Did you say you were here for me?”

Jeremy smiled. “Yes. I’m here for you.” He swallowed and squared his shoulder, his mouth fixing into a tight line and his brows furrowing. “I’m an idiot. The moment you showed up in my life once again, I knew things weren’t going to work out between me and Andrew. We broke up.”

The sounds of various men chatting around the bar, the sharp crack of pool balls connecting, the various songs emitting from the jukebox coalesced in Craig’s mind. That and the alcohol caused him to question what he had just heard. He couldn’t have said what I think he just said. “You and Andrew what?”

“We broke up.” Jeremy wasn’t smiling. He was completely serious. “We broke up because all I can think about is you. You are the person who I woke up thinking about and went to bed dreaming about as a kid. Seeing you now, as an adult, all of those feelings are as real to me as they were then. I don’t care how much time has passed; I’m more myself when I’m with you. You get me. You‘re home to me and I’m home to you.

I know who you were and I love how your history has turned you into the incredible man you are.”

Jeremy reached out and touched the side of Craig’s face. Craig nestled into the warmth of Jeremy’s palm. “I came here because I need to find out if I’m too late. I fucked up. I loved you when we were kids and I still love you now.” He took a deep breath. “Am I too late? Do you still want to be with me?”

Jeremy’s words cleared Craig’s head and he was able to think more coherently.

“When you showed up at Boris’s party, I couldn’t believe it was really you. When I walked up to you, something which had been buried at the bottom of a chest became uncovered, like finding treasure I feared I had lost forever. When we started spending time together, a dormant part of me woke up. You reminded me of how confident and 168

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vibrant I used to be and I began to view the world through innocent, fifteen-year-old eyes again. I felt like a kid, but with all of the lessons I had learned through the years. I wanted you back the moment I saw you at Boris’s party. It could never be too late. I love you too. I always have and I always will.”

Craig kept his eyes fixed on Jeremy, whose expression lit up, as if happiness had filled his entire body. Before Craig managed to say anything, Jeremy closed the distance between them, grabbing Craig and pulling him into a fierce kiss. He wrapped his arms around Craig, pressing their mouths together and grinding his hips into Craig’s. Craig felt Jeremy’s excitement through his pants and wrapped his hands around Jeremy’s waist to pull them together so Jeremy could feel that he was aroused as well.

Jeremy pulled back and stared at Craig. “Your cock is harder than mine.”

Craig smiled. “I’m not wearing any underwear. My cock is pressing against the inside of my zipper right now.”

Jeremy pulled back. “Shit. I’m sorry.” A smile crept across his face. “Why aren’t you wearing underwear?”