Page 91 of The Broposal

Getting shoes on was tough with my ankle the way it was. I kind of wished I could go out without a shoe on that foot, but Leti refused to entertain that idea. Once I got my outfit together, I splashed some water on my face and ran some pomade through my hair. For some reason, I agreed with Leti on one thing: I wanted to look good tonight. It wasn’t like we were going to a fancy club or anything—we were just going to Leti’s favorite bar—but still. I hadn’t worn anything but basketball shorts and tank tops since I left the apartment and started staying here, and I was ready to branch out. What was the saying? If you looked good on the outside, you’ll feel good on the inside? Cheesy, but it was worth a shot. Not like I could do anything else to change my situation.

“All right, let’s go get that sad look off your face,” Leti said as I came out the bathroom.

“I’m not sad.” I rolled my eyes. I wasfine.

“Good.” Tatiana grinned as she pulled out a half-full bottle of Fireball from her bag. “Pregame?”

“Oh, hell yes! Drinks are expensive, and I’m paying for llorón over here.” Leti pointed at me with their thumb as they went over to the kitchen. Tatiana followed, so I reluctantly did, too. I wasn’t a fan of moving around on crutches, but I’d have to suck it up if we were going out. I was pretty sure there wouldn’t betoomuch moving around—I’d do my best to just sit at the bar, alone if I had to—but I still had to be prepared, right?

Leti took out six shot glasses, and Tatiana carefully poured three of them with Fireball while Leti poured the rest with Coke.

“To Han,” Leti said, holding up their glass. Tatiana held hers up, too, and both of them stared at me, waiting for me to follow.

I hesitated for a second before shrugging. What the hell. It felt kind of ridiculous, making a toast to myself, but hell if I didn’t deservesomethingnice right now.

“To me.” I chuckled as I clinked my glass with theirs and downed the spicy drink, immediately chasing it with Coke. I tried my best not to scrunch up my face when I took the shot. Fireball was a little strong for me, but it was better than nothing. I already felt my body relaxing, and I leaned more of my weight on the crutches instead of balancing on one foot. I was used to the crutches enough by now that I felt like being tipsy wouldn’t be too much of a hazard anymore, so I gave myself permission to let loose.

“Okay, one more, and then let’s go,” Leti said, and this time Tatiana filled our glasses to the brim.

Before I knew better, I’d expected Leti’s favorite bar to be a drag bar or at least a super-queer space, but no. Their favorite spot was just a regular old hole-in-the-wall, nothing fancy. They saidit was because they liked the drinks, the prices were good, and that it was nice not running into anyone from the scene sometimes. For as extra and outgoing and dramatic and loud as Leti could be, sometimes they just wanted to be with a close circle and chill. They didn’t always want to have to put on a show, and this regular old bar was a place they could go where none of the people they usually performed with would ever show up. I’d been here plenty of times with Leti, and I could definitely see why they liked it so much.

There was only one other person at the bar, which was kind of nice. It almost felt like we had it to ourselves. I had to admit, the dude looked vaguely familiar—white guy, blond hair, brown eyes—but I couldn’t figure out how I knew him, so I brushed it off and sat down on one of the empty stools.

The place gave off a kind of old-school vibe, which I liked. The bar itself was made of brick with wooden barstools dotted around the rim. There was other seating around the room, too, but Leti always wanted to sit at the bar. Faster service, they said. The music was good, too. Lots of oldies: Destiny’s Child, Ciara, Mariah Carey—that kind of vibe. And of course there was a dance floor that Leti would always drag me onto when they got way too drunk, but that obviously wouldn’t be happening tonight.

“Hey, Dion,” Leti said to the bartender when he came over to us. From what I understood, Dion was the bartenderandthe owner. He loved me and Leti, but especially Leti, since they were such a loyal patron.

“Leti!” he said in a low, friendly voice. “And Han! Good to see you, man. And I’m guessing you’re Tati, right?” Dion asked, winking at Tatiana. “Leti told me all about you! Nice to finally put a face to the name. So what can I get you all to drink?”

“Do you trust me to pick a drink for you?” Leti asked Tatiana.

“Obviously.” Tatiana grinned.

“Okay. We’ll have three Blue Coconuts,” Leti said, and Dion gave a thumbs-up as he got to work making the drinks.

“I never said I trusted you to pickmydrink,” I said under my breath, but I really couldn’t complain, and I was too tipsy to care anyway. I actually liked the drink they picked and they knew it, even if my go-to was always something a bit simpler.

“I already know you trust me,” Leti said with confidence, and I rolled my eyes.

Before we knew it, our drinks were ready. “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey was playing in the background, and we all started singing along, arms around each other’s shoulders, swaying side to side.

I sang my heart out, fueled by nostalgia and drunkenness, before it hit me like a punch in the gut how close to home the lyrics got. Then I sang harder, just to get the feeling out. Hell, I was drunk as hell at this point, so I couldn’t have cared less who saw me crying about Kenny.

“Who else am I gonna lean on when times get rough?” I sang, shaking Leti by the shoulders. “Who, Leti?”

Leti pointed their thumbs at their chest with a huge grin.

“This guy!” they said, still swaying to the music. Leti was clearly as drunk as I was. They stood up and threw their arms around Tatiana’s shoulders, then looked longingly over at the dance floor.

I sighed. I knew it would happen eventually; might as well give them permission. “Go ahead and dance. I’ll be fine.”

“Dance with us!” Tatiana said. I knew they weren’t just forgetting about my ankle. Technically, I could have gone to thedance floor to get down with my crutches. I’d seen people do it before. But I was never that coordinated. Walking around was one thing, but with how drunk I was, dancing would just be tempting fate.

“Nah, I’m good. Y’all go have fun, though.”

Leti held out a finger. “One dance,” they slurred, and I shooed them away.

With them gone, I sipped my bright blue drink alone. Well, almost alone. There were a few more people now than when we’d gotten here. And that vaguely familiar guy was still sitting across the bar.

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