Page 37 of The Barkeep and the Bro

Natasha came in to help Penny with the overflow, and Charlie held court at the bar, running that thing like he’d been born there. He made all kinds of drinks while keeping his composure and cocky smile. He was extra-friendly, utilizing his good ole boy charm for maximum effect.

Charlie read the room and made sure to wear his tightest black T-shirt, emphasizing the muscular curves of his chest and arms. It was a good thing I jerked off before coming into work tonight. Though that was becoming a bad habit of mine, the needing to crank it anytime I knew I was going to see Charlie.

He looked so damn sexy behind that bar. His skill level caught up with his cocksure attitude, making him confident and fun with customers.

I floated around the tavern, making sure all the customers were happy. Unlike game nights or packed heterosexual crowds, there was very little risk of fights breaking out tonight.

On the screens, “Defying Gravity” fromWickedcame on, and the crowd went wild. I’ll admit, while I wasn’t a musical theater superfan, there were some tunes I couldn’t help but sing under my breath.

Leo’s boyfriend, Dusty, swung an arm around me and pulled me to their high top where Cal and Russ sat.

“Mitch, will you do a duet of ‘Defying Gravity’ with me?” Dusty asked. Even after being a Sourwood resident for almost six months, he still had the sun-kissed skin of his Los Angeles roots. “Leo is being a stick in the mud.”

“I thinkWickedis overrated.” Leo shrugged.

“Leo, since you have aspirations of running for governor one day, I suggest you keep that opinion to yourself.” Dusty messed up his carefully coiffed hair, which Leo smoothed back into place.

“His favorite isRock of Ages,” Cal said.

Dusty played a bit of air guitar. “I can see that.”

Leo used to play guitar in a band in college. He brought out his guitar skills last fall during a concert that was a game-changer for his re-election campaign. It became a tradition that the mayor play at all public events. Precedent had been set.

On screen, Idina Menzel burst into the chorus of “Defying Gravity,” and the crowd sang right along with her. Dusty and Cal put their fists to their mouths and belted out the words. It was a painful reminder that only Idina should sing this song.

Cal held his fist to my mouth, expecting me to sing. I arched an eyebrow at him.

Girl, please.

He took it back.

“Cal, isn’t the point to listen to Idina Menzel sing?” Russ asked.

“No.” He pecked his boyfriend on the lips.

I was happy to be a spectator and bask in the glow of paying customers having a blast. Charlie seemed to be enjoying the scenery, too. A sneaky smile danced on his lips as he watched the room blare the lyrics in unison. His dark, transfixing eyes found me.See, they seemed to say.Success.

“You’ve been looking over at your bartender an awful lot tonight,” Leo said.

Heat flashed on my cheeks. “I like to keep tabs on what’s going on at my establishment.”

“Sure,” Cal said. “Tabs.”

“He’s still new.”

“He seems to be doing a good job. You don’t need to keep watching him. I think he’s got it.” Leo had a devious grin on his thin lips as he sipped his Martini. That was the problem with best friends; they could see through all your bullshit.

“He’s cute,” Russ said. “I don’t think his shirt is tight enough, though.”

Now Russ was getting in on giving me shit?

“You bitches can defy gravity on your own.”

Penny came by to check on refills. “You should cut them off,” I told her. They booed at me. “I’m kidding.”

But not by much.

My eyes instinctively found Charlie again, and he was being aggressively hit on by one of his customers. The guy followed him up and down the bar. It looked like he was in trouble.

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