Page 98 of Head Over Feels
“Andy.He’sinto extreme ironing.”
“Oh, yeah, you told me about him.Ineed to look that up.Okay, who else?”
“Um,James.He’sinto conspiracy theories, like secret cabals running the government, that sort of thing.”
Iwas pretty sureFosterhad gone on a blind date with that guy, butIdidn’t want to derailFelix’srundown to mention it.
“Andthen there wasShawn.Hetried to act like we were perfect for each other, but at the same time he was a complete jerk.Hewas rude to the server, and he made all these comments about how we were going to have sex right after dinner.”
Iwanted to growl. “Hopefullyhe won’t show up.”Orif he did, hopefullyI’dget to punch him.
“Yeah, he was an ass.”
“Allright.Goon.Bymy count there are two of them left.”
“Yep.ConradandGarrett.Conrad...”Felixlaughed. “Duringour dateIthought he had a child and was some sort of helicopter parent.Hekept checking in with thesitter.”Felixmade air quotes. “Iasked about his kid and he finally admitted it was a monkey.”Heshook his head. “Conradshowed me a picture.Themonkey was cute and all, butI’veheard horror stories about having them as pets.”
“Andwho did you say is the last one?Garrett?”
“Garrett,”Felixconfirmed as we pulled intoHenry’sparking lot. “He’sinto all-natural stuff.Hempclothing.He’svegan.Livesoff the grid, talks aboutMotherGaia.Likea modern hippieIguess.”
“Thatdoesn’t sound too bad,”Iremarked.
Felixscoffed. “Hemade his own soap.Ifhe comes tonight,Ihope he’s gotten better at it.”
Igrinned, pleased he was able to make a joke when we were about to walk into the lion’s den.I’dbeen worried all the talk of guns earlier would bring back memories of whenFelixandWillhad been shot at last year in this very parking lot.I’dchosen to pull into a handicapped spot for once, in the hopes it would help avoid any sort of flashback.
Pluswe could make a quick getaway if we had to.
Ihung the handicapped tag from the rear view mirror and flipped theBuick’skill switch.Inthe interest of speedIdecided to leave the top down.Thedelay to put it up might giveFelixtoo much time to get nervous again.
Acouple of people by the entrance were already pointing at theBuick.Iwas going to think twice before doing a favor for any famous people in the future.
Felixwaited for me on the sidewalk, andIheld his hand as we went intoHenry’s.Therestaurant wasn’t too full, but the bar was crowded with happy hour drinkers.Thehostess directed us to the back room, where we foundTylerwith his boyfriend and two other men standing around one of the bar-height tables scattered throughout the space.
“Hey,Felix.Malcolm.”Tylerwaved us over. “Felix, this is my boyfriendKaito.Andyou rememberHaydenandGarrett, right?”
We’dseenKaitofrom across the restaurant a few weeks ago.Upclose, he had deep brown eyes and a slightly apprehensive expression, like he was concerned he’d climbed aboard the crazy train.Heacted at ease with the other two, so they’d likely met before.
Haydenhad dark red hair, nowhere near as attractive asFelix’sbrighter copper, and a slightly bushy beard.Hewas the vampire guy.Garrett, whose baby face didn’t go with his lanky frame, had his dark blond hair in a man bun.Hewas the possibly stinky vegan.
Iscanned them all for signs of weapons—damn that fuckingCal—but other thanGarrett’smessenger bag, none of them had anything on them.
Felixintroduced me andIcaughtHaydenstaring at my neck.Washe looking for puncture wounds or a pulse?
“Felix,”Garrettsaid. “I’mso sorry things got out of hand with the glitter bombs.And...Trent.”
Felixput up a hand. “Please,Trentaside,I’mto blame as well.Iwant to apologize to everyone together later, butI’mvery sorryIgave my sister information about you for her show.”
Garrettexchanged a look withTylerandHayden, and they all smiled. “Thething is,Felix, if you hadn’t done that, none of us would’ve met each other.Andnow we’ve got this great friend group.”Garrett’sattention went to the doorway and his smile got wider. “James!Yousaid you’d be late!I’mglad you made it.”
Jamesthe conspiracy guy was here.Hewas exactly likeFosterhad described him, mid-thirties with blond hair and blue eyes.Puthim in a suit and he would’ve blended in at any hedge fund annual meeting.Atleast his jeans were tight enoughIcould tell he wasn’t carrying.
Jamesshook hands with everyone, including me andFelix.Haydensaid, “Wewere just tellingFelix, as much as we hated being misrepresented on the show, we love the friends we made because of it.”
James, who’d maneuvered himself to stand very, very close toGarrett, nodded. “We’reonDiscordall the time.It’sso nice having a place we can vent about our day or ask the other guys for advice or recommendations.”
Huh.Basedon whatFosterhad told me about this guy,I’dbeen expecting a lot more suspicion and less normal talk.Maybehe’d mellowed since last fall.Ormaybe hanging out with this group of guys had been good for his growth as a human being.Ididn’t see any indications he had a weapon.
