Home Again

The red headed Texan bartender leaned against the wrong side of the bar, the heel of one hot pink cowgirl boot hooked on the brass rail. She watched BBC News on the wall- mounted television. Alex and Mack stopped at the door end of the bar. “You going to get us beers or do I have to get them myself?”
“Oh shit, sugar, I didn’t hear you come in.” Laura gave Alex a hug, her bouncing red curls just brushing his chin. “I forgot I had unlocked the doors.” Laura turned her attention to Mack. “Who’s this?”
“Mack.” Mack extended his hand to shake. Laura pulled him into a hug.
“Handsome, I’m a Texas debutante. I either hug you or slap you!” Laura laughed as she made her way behind the bar. “Two Stellas coming up.”
“Actually I would love a Bud.”
“You got it.”
“Laura, you better change the channel. It’s 6:02. Harry will be in shortly.” Alex pulled two stools out and the two men sat. He turned to Mack. “If it’s not on ESPN, it’s not news to Harry.”
Laura smiled. “I met him earlier today for the keys. He’s out of town all weekend!”
“Who’s out of town all weekend,” Beatriz asked from the door. “And I can only have one drink. I have to be at work early.” She hugged Alex and threw her bag and coat over a barstool. “So make it a triple, ok Laura?”
“Sure thing, sugar.”
“Hi sexy, I’m Beatriz.” She eyed Mack up and down.
“Mack. It’s nice to meet you at last”
“I’ve been dying to meet you. Alex has told us a lot about you.” Beatriz stressed a lot.
“Thanks. I’ve heard Friday night stories since my first date with Alex!”
“Funny, the way I heard the story, there wasn’t much time for talk on your first date.”
“So you tell her as much about us as you tell me about her,” Mack asked. Beatriz and Mack both looked at Alex.
“Don’t worry, Beatriz, I edited a lot.” Alex leaned over and kissed the air near Beatriz’s face, always careful to never mess up the make up on a work night.
“Bitch.” Beatriz downed her scotch in one long shot. “Ahhhh.”
“You drink like my dad,” Michael said from behind her, bailing Alex out of the hot seat.
“Somebody has to,” Alex smiled sweetly and sipped his beer with his pinky out while Michael kissed the air an inch from Beatriz’s face.
“He’s in a mood tonight,” Beatriz warned Michael.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Michael grabbed Alex’s beer and took a long pull. “Laura, when you get a minute.” She waved from the other end of the bar. “Beatriz, I thought you had to be at work early?”
“I have fifteen minutes before I need to leave, Dad. Laura, can I get a send off?”
Laura came down to the gang’s end of the bar. “ One triple Scotch, a Bud, a Stella, and an Amstel.” She jumped up and gave Michael a kiss. “Carl called, he said your cell phone is in his pocket and he’s running late. Something about a project manager, a dump truck and a street vendor.” She grabbed the empties and headed back to the group at the other end of the bar.
Mack turned to Michael, “Hi. I’m Mack.” Once again he extended his hand.
“Ohh, you are hot.” Once again Mack got a hug instead of a handshake. “Alex, really! You could’ve brought him out to meet us sooner.”
“I was afraid Beatriz would overheat. You know it’s been awhile for the poor old dear.”
“I heard that.” Beatriz set her empty glass back on the bar. “If you come into the club tonight you will pay the full cover.” Beatriz grabbed her bag and coat and smiled at Mack. “You, my dear, are always welcome free of charge.” She kissed air all around, yelled her farewell to Laura and was out the door.
“It’s 6:45. What the hell does she do that getting to work by 7:00pm is early,” Mack asked Michael and Alex.
Both men laughed. Michael replied. “Beatriz passes herself off as the hostess and greeter at Scandals. Do you know it?”
“He better not,” Alex said. Mack sat between them looking lost. “Ok, Scandals,” Alex continued, “is an anything goes after hours club. The dancers in the cages and on the bar are naked; there is no last call; and there are lots of dark corners for engaging in nefarious activities.”
“And it’s where he met James,” Michael chimed in.
“Thanks for reminding me.”
“Sorry.” Michael apologized.
Mack cut in to change the subject. “ Why did you say she passes her self off as the hostess?”
Alex started again, “She really owns the place. Don’t breath a word of that to anyone else you meet. Michael, his partner Carl, and I are the only ones who know.”
“And now you,” Michael finished.
“Boy Scouts Honor.” Mack promised. “And if I can have one more question…”
“Yes, you can wear your uniform when ever you want” Alex said.
“That’s a pretty picture.” Michael sipped his beer.
“Alex said something bitchy…” Mack continued, ignoring them both.
“That’s no surprise” Michael cut in with a beer bottle salute. Alex smiled proudly.
“True. But his comment implied she wasn’t young,” Mack finished.
“And you were wondering how old she is,” Michael clarified.
“We all are,” Alex added. “I’m 29 and I know she has at least 8 years on me.”
“He was 29 five years ago,” Michael told Mack.
“Boys,” Mack cut in before Alex could retort. “Alex and I grew up together; we are only a month apart in age. He’s really th...”
“Don’t even think of finishing that sentence!”
All three were laughing when a deep bass voice interrupted. “Sounds like you three are having fun.”
Michael jumped up and threw his arms around his partner’s neck. “Carl, meet my new best friend! This is Alex’s Mack.”
“Mack, it’s a pleasure.” He extended his hand and they shook.
“The pleasure’s mine. Can I get you a drink?”
“No need,” Laura said as she dropped off a fresh round. “I gave him your message.” She winked at Carl and took off.
Carl took Michael’s seat between Mack and Alex and Michael moved to the other side of Alex. The two quickly fell into a work/people-we-hate conversation, leaving Mack and Carl on their own. “Please, do me a favor, Mack, and tell me we can talk sports, or cars, or bikes.” Carl glanced to his right and smiled at the two gossips.
“Sure,” Mack said. “Let’s start with sports.”
“Sports?” Alex piped up. “Did you really just say sports?” He turned back to Michael. “Maybe we should move to a table. I don’t think I can sit next to a sports conversation.”
Carl pulled Alex to him in a headlock. “Don’t even think of it. I know you love soccer.”
“No. I love sweaty guys running around in short damp shorts.” Alex and Michael both laughed.
“Are they always like this,” Mack asked.
“No. They’re being well behaved tonight.” Carl released Alex and rubbed his back. “They’ve been friends for years.” Alex smiled at him before turning back to Michael. Carl just shook his head. “Ever since these two worked together for GiGi.”
“When was that?”
“Well, I know how sensitive these two are about age, so all I’ll say out loud is their first year out of college. You know how old Alex is, so I’ll let you do the math. ”
“And you and Michael?” Mack looked at Carl and smiled at the look of love he cast at his partner before answering.
“It will be ten years in June.” The two men clinked their bottles in a toast.
“Congratulations.” Mack sent a look of his own at Alex. Ten years, he thought. After a month with Alex, he could easily see ten years. The conversation rolled comfortably along. Every so often Alex would catch Mack’s eye and smile. It thrilled him that Mack appeared so comfortable with his two best friends in the world.