Page 117 of Roommate
“Really. We don’t have to go now, but I heard there's live music tonight.”
“Yeah? Okay. That’s an easier decision. Although you’re probably right about the bank-account thing, too.”
He grins. “Of course I am.”
“We both know I’d go anywhere with you, or do anything you asked me to. Sometimes I just need a minute to get used to the idea.”
“You don’t say.”
I give him a gentle kick under the table. “Be grateful. And now tell me about this new place,” I demand. “How’d you hear about it?”
“On VPR. It’s called Vino and Veritas. One side is an LGBTQ friendly bar, specializing in wine. Or what I’d call a gay bar. And the other side is an inclusive bookstore.”
“Huh. Isn’t that kind of a strange combo?” But let’s face it, I rarely leave Vermont. And I’ve never been near a gay bar. “And what makes a gay bookstore gay?” I have to ask.
“Oh, not much,” he admits. “The difference probably comes down to this—the LGBTQ books are in the front of the store instead of in back. And there will probably be rainbows all over the kids’ section.”
“Fair enough. And the bar?”
“Eye candy and a comfortable space. Those are the parameters.”
“I like it already.”
“See? You’re a cheap date,” Roderick says, reaching over to squeeze my thigh.
“Get a few drinks in me, and I’ll be even cheaper.”
“I like the sound of that,” Roddy says. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
Roderick
We stroll up the marketplace a few minutes later. “See? There’s the place.” I point at a large brick building with a Vino and Veritas sign in neon outside. And then I reach for Kieran’s hand.
Holding Kieran’s hand is something I do as often as possible. Although my reason for doing so right now is a little shallow. Maybe Kieran hasn’t been to a gay bar before, but I have. And anyone with eyes will be checking out my guy the moment we set foot in that place.
“Place looks nice,” he says, oblivious to my machinations. “And you were right about one thing—there are lots of rainbows in the window on the bookstore. But check it out—farming books, too.”
He’s right. One of the window displays is dedicated to chicken farming. Go figure.
When we reach the door, Kieran holds it open for me. Inside, the bar is to the left and the bookstore to the right. The store is just closing, though, so we'll have to check that out another time.
But the bar is just heating up. The tables and stools are maybe three quarters full. There's a guy on the stage playing his guitar and singing, with a bass player and a percussionist accompanying him.
I like the place already.
I scan the room and then nudge Kieran toward two open seats at the end of the bar. As soon as I sit down, a very hot, tattooed bartender slides a drink menu between us. “Evening, boys. Is this your first time to Vino and Veritas?”
“Why, yes it is,” Kieran says quietly. “What do you recommend?”
“Depends what you're in the mood for. Our wine list is second to none. We have Goldenpour on tap, as well as a full selection of other Vermont craft beers. There’s also Shipley cider and…” The tattooed hottie frowns at my boyfriend. “Now, hang on. You’re a Shipley, right? You look familiar. I went to high school in Colebury for a year.”
“Oh, of course,” Kieran says slowly. I’m getting the feeling that he doesn’t quite remember the guy, but he doesn’t want to sound impolite. “How’ve you been?”
And now that I’m paying attention, this dude’s face does look familiar. “I went there for two years, too, and I think maybe you were in my class. Is your name Tanner? And didn’t you have a brother?”
Kieran shoots me a look of relief, happy that one of us knew the guy’s name.
