Page 41 of Out of the Storm

“Yeah, I could come,” Jeff said.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Brandon’s voice cut through the clamor of the cafeteria.

“Dirty talk in the food court now, eh?” Brandon asked from just behind him.

With a roll of his eyes, Jeff turned to face Brandon as his friend stepped up alongside him. “What happened to the pretzels?”

“Manager said I could leave early.” Brandon smiled wolfishly. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your beau? I could hear that cool voice of his from across the food court.”

Jeff smiled and said, “Gary, this is Shithead.”

“I prefer Brandon.”

“Hey there, Brandon,” Gary said in that overly enthusiastic way of his. “I was telling Jeff that my friend is having a little party tonight.”

“Great, what time are we heading over?” Brandon asked.

God, what a terrible friend.

“We?” Jeff asked. “Don’t tell me you want to come all the way from Newton Falls.”

“Perfect opportunity for me to chat with the infamous Graham Cracker. Make sure he’s treating you right.”

Gary caught Jeff’s eye. “He’s welcome to come.”

“Fine,” Jeff relented. “But that means you’re staying sober, Bran. You can be my ride.”

“What about Gary? Who’shisride?” Brandon asked.

“Oh, I’ll bike over,” Gary said.

“Hey, look, if Jeff’s making me be his chauffeur, I might as well take you too. You two love birds can even sit in the back together, make out and shit.”

“Bran,” Jeff scolded, leveling a look while trying to keep his panic in check. He’d told Brandon that Don was horrible, but he hadn’t told him exactly what had happened between the two of them. And that meant that Brandon didn’t really know about his crippling intimacy issues either. “Leave.”

“Okay, okay. What time can I pick you two up?”

Jeff looked to Gary for the answer.

“Nine?”

“Damn, that’s kinda early,” Brandon said.

“It’s not the type of party you’re probably hoping for,” Gary said.

“Oh well, nine it is.” Brandon started walking away. “I’ll honk the horn.”

Once Brandon was out of earshot, Jeff pulled out a chair next to Gary and sat.

“Sorry about him. He’s... I’ve known him since we were kids.”

“Jeffrey, I’m just happy he isn’t shitting on us for being together. Or, uh, sorry, not together, but...” Gary paused, which made Jeff feel like crap. Yeah, they weren’t together, but what were they supposed to call each other? He’d almost worked up the courage to ask what Gary thought—whether they were indeed boyfriends—when Gary continued, “Anyway, I know how most people are. I’m lucky to have Mel, for instance, no matter how much she likes to razz me. I mean, she isn’t the least bit bothered by my sexuality.”

“Yeah, that’s how I feel about Brandon.”

“Mel’s friends are cool too. Or, that’s what she tells me.”

Not like we’ll be crossing the line of acceptable PDA,Jeff nearly blurted out, but he stopped himself. God, he hated this bullshit.

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