by G. A. Hauser
He laughed. “Nothing there, eh?”
“No.” She smiled shyly.
“See? We can’t be together like that.”
“I expected to hit the moon.”
“Ha…oh well.” He chuckled.
She wiped at his mouth. “We look like we made out. Toby will be jealous.”
Gavin allowed her to remove the lipstick mark. He asked,
“Are you okay with him now?”
“Is he nice to you?” She used her thumb to rub against his lips.
“Yes.”
“I never kissed him on the lips, Gavie.”
“I know, sweetie.”
“You do make a cute couple.”
Gavin brightened up. “Thank you, Trina.”
“Look at you smile! Uh oh! Gavin and Toby sitting in a tree…”
Gavin felt his cheeks blush.
“K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Trina sang, teasing him.
“Shut up and let’s grab dinner. I’m starving.”
“I love you, Gavie.”
“I love you too, Trina.”
She stood off his leg and held his hand as they entered the restaurant. “Let me go to the ladies room and fix my face.”
“Okay, sweetness.” He kissed her hand and stepped into the men’s room to make sure her lipstick was no longer on his mouth. Staring at his light eyes in the mirror, Gavin exhaled in relief. The worst was over. Right?
~
Toby finished his beer and ordered another. He tapped his fingers on the table in anxiety.
“Are you and Gavin a couple?” Brook asked.
“Yes. Don’t tell Trina unless Gavin says it’s okay.”
“I had a feeling you were.”
“Everyone but Trina seems okay with that feeling.” Toby took another look in the direction Gavin and Trina went. “You drove, right?”
“Why,” Brook said, smiling, “You think they’ll ride off into the sunset, happily ever after?”
“My guess it’s what Trina wants.”
The waitress brought his fresh beer. “Did we lose someone?”
she asked.
“They just stepped out.” Toby eyed the empty bread basket.
“Did you guys eat all the bread?”
“Sorry.” Brook smiled.
“I’ll bring more.” The waitress picked up the empty basket.
“Anything else?”
Toby asked Brook, “Do you want another glass of wine?”
“I’d better not.”
Turning to the waitress, Toby said, “We’re good.” When the waitress left, Toby drank his second beer.
“You said that’s what Trina wants, to ride off into the sunset with Gavin, and you’re right.” Brook leaned her elbows on the table.
“I’ve heard of fag hags who think they can seduce gay men.”
Brook recoiled. “That’s a nasty way to refer to Trina.”
“It’s just an expression. I don’t mean anything by it. But judging by the closeness she and Gavin have…” Toby tilted his head. “She would love to walk him down the aisle.”
“That would be her fifth fiancé.”
“Shut up,” Toby laughed as he spoke.
Brook held up her hand. “I swear. Trina has four engagement rings in her possession. I helped her pick them all out.”
“Jesus!” Toby sat back, feeling nervous suddenly. “I had no idea.”
“She’s a man magnet. Guys fall over their tongues when they see her. Me? Invisible.”
“Don’t say that. You’re very pretty, Brook.”
“Thanks, but next to that Japanese goddess?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m plain Jane.”
Toby checked his watch again. “What the hell is taking so long? Is she proposing?”
Brook giggled.
The waitress brought them a basket of bread.
Toby said to her, “You know what? Brook and I would like to split an appetizer.” He opened the menu and leaned closer to Brook.
“Mm, look, Toby. They have an Oregon Coast Dungeness Crab appetizer, with avocado, Marcona almonds, chervil, cocktail sauce aioli. It’s just like you were back home.”
“Perfect.” Toby said to the waitress, “For two please?”
“Coming right up.” She smiled and left.
Toby buttered a roll. “Share this too?”
“Wow. You’re a doll. And really gay, right?”
“Like, really, really gay.” He cut the roll and handed her half. They both stuffed it into their mouths and laughed. He asked,
“Can I tell you a secret and you promise not to tell Trina?”
“Yes!” She rubbed her hands together eagerly.
“Gavin is the most amazing man I have ever met.”
“Aw, that’s so cute.”
Toby drank his beer and thought about him. “I’m completely smitten.”
“Look at how you’re glowing. Ah, true love.”
“I’m serious. I’m crazy about the guy. He’s so friggin hot.”
“I know.” Brook sighed loudly. “I think the two of you are made for each other.”
“Thank you, Brook.” He buttered another roll, sharing it as well. “I like you.”
“I like you too. I can see why Trina fell for you.”
Toby glanced back to see if they were coming yet. He said to Brook, “It sounds like she falls for anything with a trouser snake.”
“Not really. She’s picky, but when she sets her sights on someone, she gets them.”
“She really was engaged four times?”
“Yes. And she broke the last guy’s heart really badly. He was crazy about her. I felt so sad for him.”
“Jeez.” Toby ate his bread.
“You know what I think?” Brook was about to say, when the waitress brought over their appetizer.
She set it between them and gave them each plates. “Should I come back to take your dinner order?”
“Yes, our friends are still having a pow-wow.” Toby glanced at Brook who laughed.
“Okay. I’ll check back.”
Toby split the appetizer between them.
“Mm, that looks so good.” Brook took a taste and hummed in excitement.
“Okay,” Toby ate a bite and asked, “What do you think?”
“Oh…I think Trina is in love with Gavin and wants to marry him.”
Toby nearly choked on his swallow, quickly washing it down with beer. He met Brook’s gaze and they stared at each other. Then, they cracked up with laughter. Toby didn’t know why. Maybe it was the beer, maybe the irony of the alliances that had formed, or maybe it was the magic of Oregon Dungeness crab meat, but they couldn’t stop laughing.
~
Gavin walked Trina back inside the restaurant. As the neared the table, he spotted Toby doubled over, wiping at his eyes, and Brook dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
He helped Trina to her chair, pushing it in for her, before sitting down. Toby and Brook struggled to keep a straight face. Gavin noticed they had eaten a plate of food down to scraps.
“Did we miss something?” Gavin asked.
“Gavie! They ate dinner.” Trina pouted out her lower lip in exaggeration.
Brook said, “We had the Dungeness appetizer,” and started laughing again.
Gavin and Trina exchanged looks in confusion.
Toby managed to control himself and sat up. “So? Am I dead? Have you guys decided to run off and elope?”
Brook cackled with laughter, hitting Toby playfully on the shoulder.
“Did we do what?” Gavin raised Toby’s beer up and sniffed it. “What’s in this stuff anyway? Laughing gas?”
“Sorry.” Toby obviously struggled to remain serious. “Well, Trina? Are you still not talking to me?”
“I am so over you.” She flipped her wrist dismissively.
“Phew!” Toby wiped his brow in an equally comical gesture. The waitress returned. “Are we ready yet?” She smiled. Everyone grabbed a menu.
Trina said, “The king salmon.”
“Of course!” Gavin was relieved to see everyone finally laughing. “I’d like the cioppino.”
“Make that two,” Toby handed her the menu as he ordered. Brook hummed and finally said, “Fried chicken with the polenta, please.”
The waitress took their menus. “Anyone need another drink?”
“I’m good.” Brook held up her hand.
“Another martini.” Trina gulped the one in front of her down. Gavin had no idea what he had missed between Toby and Brook, but said, “I’m good.”
“I’ll say.” Toby grinned wickedly.
Brook snorted as she tried to stifle her laugh.
Gavin waited for Trina to explode in anger. Instead she stayed calm and replied, “I kissed Gavin.”
Gavin shook his head to explain the reason to Toby when Trina added, “And he’s a crappy kisser.”
“Hey!” Gavin laughed but he had no idea how Toby would react.
Toby said, “Yeah? Well, he’s one hell of a hot fuck!”
Gavin cringed as Brook and Toby both roared in hilarity. He met Trina’s eyes and waited for the fallout.
She said, “I bet you are.”
“Sorry.” He felt sheepish.
Trina gave Toby a long hard look and then said, “I knew you were gay.”
Gavin kicked Toby under the table so he’d not take the bait and make a sarcastic comment. And obviously knowing it was still a sensitive area, Toby said, “Yes. I’m so obviously a flaming fag.”
Brook’s cheeks were beet red either from the wine or her laughter. “You okay, Trina?”
“Yes. Oh, I need to tell you, Gavie. A man I sold a Cartier watch to today asked for my number.”
“I want to know all about him.”
“Me too,” Toby said a little too enthusiastically.
“You.” Trina pointed at him. “You treat my best friend good or else.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Toby saluted her.
Gavin slung his arm around Trina and kissed her head. “My sweetheart.”
“Eh!” Toby wagged his finger. “You’re mine, ‘Gavie’.”
“I can be both of yours.” Gavin couldn’t remember feeling so wanted and loved. He was eating it up.
“Uh hum?” Brook pouted her bottom lip.
Both Trina and Toby went to hug her, rocking her side to side.
“I love you guys!” Brook smiled happily.
Gavin raised his beer in a toast. “To best friends.”
“To best friends!” Everyone tapped their glass.
Chapter 13
During dinner, Gavin thought Trina was unusually quiet. Brook and Toby seemed at ease, discussing work, the weather, the Mariners…
But Trina stayed silent, poking at her salmon, barely eating. Gavin had thought it was a done deal, but as the evening wore on, he had a feeling Trina was putting on a brave face. Toby was attentive towards him without being overtly affectionate. He touched Gavin when he was speaking to him and squeezed his thigh under the table. Each time Toby gave him a smile, Gavin could feel the icy chill from Trina. It was one thing to pretend, to not make a scene, but whatever Trina was going through inside her mind, Gavin had a feeling he would find out eventually.
Toby and Gavin offered to split the check. Brook was grateful, hugging each of them in front of the restaurant as they began ending the evening.
“Trina?” Gavin brushed her hair back behind her shoulder.
“You were quiet tonight.”
She didn’t reply but met his eyes for a brief moment. When Toby reached to hold Gavin’s hand, Trina recoiled. Gavin moved his arm away and shook his head at Toby, trying to communicate to him politely, no.
Toby looked confused then he turned his attention to Trina, as if trying to see what she had done to dissuade Gavin. Brook held her car keys and said, “Thanks, guys. I had a great time. I hope we can do this again soon.”
Gavin stared at Trina. “I’d like that.”
Trina didn’t respond.
“So,” Gavin said, “I’ll call you?” He touched Trina’s arm lightly.
“I don’t know. Come on, Brook. I have a headache.”
“One martini too many?” Toby teased.
Gavin elbowed him in the ribs. Toby appeared to be confused but shut up.
Brook waved as she and Trina headed to her car. Gavin watched them go, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Toby brushed up against him, making Gavin look his way.
“She’s still pissed,” Toby said, watching Brook’s car drive out of the lot.
“Yup.”
Toby jingled his keys and rested his hand on Gavin’s low back, gently coaxing him to his car. “Give her a few days.”
“I can’t remember anything upsetting her this badly.” Gavin put his arm around Toby’s waist as they walked.
“She loves you. She had an idea in her head she could convert you and marry you.” Toby unlocked the passenger’s door for Gavin, then walked around to the driver’s side.
Once they had fastened their seatbelts, Toby started the car.
“Did she tell you that?” Gavin asked.
“No. I can see it a mile away. She had four years invested in you, and Brook told me she had four fiancés that she never took to the altar. I don’t need her to tell me what’s really going on here.”
Gavin slouched in the seat as they drove back to Phinney Ridge. He wondered why it was obvious to Toby, but he never would have imagined Trina had those expectations.
“She knew I was gay. I never made a pass or even a lewd comment regarding us touching. Never.”
Toby laughed softly, reaching out to rest his hand on Gavin’s thigh.
“I’m not going to be able to keep her as a friend if I date you, am I?”
“Have you dated anyone since you’ve known her?”
Gavin thought about it. “No.”
“So this is the first time you’ve dated since you and Trina became friends?”
“Like I told you, I was entrenched in training for the last few years. I didn’t think I had it in me to begin a love affair and work simultaneously, as well as go to night class… Not to mention…”
Gavin kissed Toby’s knuckles. “I hadn’t met anyone I wanted to be with.”
“Lucky me. I can’t believe my timing is right for a change. It’s usually the pits.”
Gavin held Toby’s hand on his lap, watching the traffic as they made their way through Ballard back to the ridge. He was worried that Trina and he would become at odds over this relationship with Toby. “What am I supposed to do? Never fall for anyone?”
“Huh? Are you talking to me or yourself?” Toby squeezed his hand. “Did you say never fall for anyone?”
“I’m talking to myself. Ignore me.”
“Gav, she’ll meet someone new in a week. Believe me, I’m already ancient history.”
Gavin assumed Trina would get over Toby rather quickly. After all, it was only a week and they didn’t even kiss. But what worried Gavin was Trina thinking her relationship with him was over as well.
“Babe.”
Gavin looked at Toby.
“You have to think of yourself.”
“I know. But…”
Toby drove down Phinney Avenue, turning onto Fifty-Ninth and stopping as he hit the remote and the gate drew back. “Can you come up to my ‘penthouse’?”
Gavin nodded at Toby, smiling, but in his heart he was worried.
Once inside the building, Gavin checked his cell phone. No calls, no text messages. He followed Toby up the stairs to the third floor.
“Call her.” Toby obviously could tell Gavin was preoccupied.
“I don’t think it’ll do any good.”
Toby stopped short and faced Gavin. “You don’t have to come to my place. If you aren’t into it, it’s okay.”
“Huh?” Gavin forced himself to concentrate. “No. I’m good if you are.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” Gavin nodded his head and gestured for Toby to op
en the unit door.
It was nearing ten and the summer night had crept into the long day. Not a trace of the setting sun could be seen over the peninsula. Toby turned lights on as he entered, taking off his shoes at the door. Gavin did as well, admiring the similar décor of both their units. “It’s weird. I feel like I’m home.”
“I like that.” Toby spun around and held Gavin’s hips. “Can I get you anything? A nightcap? Water? A blowjob…?” Toby ran his finger up Gavin’s zipper flap.
“Oh, the BJ, definitely.”
“Step into my boudoir, lover boy.” Toby hooked a belt loop and brought Gavin into his bedroom.
Gavin took Toby’s glasses off, trying them on. “Shit. Are you blind without them?” Teasing Toby, Gavin held his hands out in front of him like he was blind. “You’re Velma!”
“My glasses. Where’s my glasses?” Toby played along, reaching out for them. “Give me those, wise-guy.” Toby removed them from Gavin’s face and set them aside. “They’re Prada. My mom and dad bought them for me when I got the new job.”
“Sweet.” Gavin sat on the bed and held Toby’s hips, bringing him between his knees. “Do you get along good with your family?”
“Yes. Mom was crushed when I moved.”
“You’re a drive away.”
“It’s a pretty long haul to Corvallis. Not like here to Portland.” Toby caressed Gavin’s hair.
“Still. You didn’t move to Hawaii or anything.”
Toby stopped short and said, “You’re still thinking about Trina.”
“Did she tell you about the management job over there if her company opens up a store in Honolulu?”
“Are we really going to discuss Trina as foreplay?”
Was Gavin doing that? He softly focused his eyes, ending up staring at Toby’s mid-section. Instead of stewing on a problem he had no control over, he tugged Toby’s shirt out of his trousers and kissed his navel.
“Get naked. Why do we still have clothing on?”
“I don’t know.” Gavin laughed and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Toby tugged off his socks, then his briefs with his trousers. As Gavin stripped, he watched Toby’s body as it was revealed. Every sinewy abdomen muscle showed through Toby’s smooth skin. His chest hair was sparse, and a delicious line ran under his belly button to his pubic hair. A treasure trail to follow…with his tongue. Gavin grabbed Toby roughly as he folded his slacks. He threw Toby on the bed and began licking his way down his washboard abs.