Page 46 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“Man, what’s gotten into you? You can do one more shot. For Asa’s birthday,” he pleaded.

Weren’t all the previous shots for Asa’s birthday? I played the good soldier and marched into the kitchen. I didn’t want to be accused of being a party pooper. We clinked shot glasses. Fortunately, since I was drunk, the alcohol didn’t burn on its way down my throat.

When I stumbled back to the couch, Lilly the Loophole was there to comfort me. She massaged my shoulders.

“You’re a lot of fun, Charlie.” She nudged her lips up against my ear. “We can have more fun.”

A beautiful woman wanting to have sex with me. I’d hit the jackpot.

Right?

“Can we take a raincheck? I’m not feeling so hot.” I bolted into the bathroom.

Confession: I wasn’t going to hurl.

But I still felt off.

I didn’t want the delicate touch of a woman.

I wanted…

The bathroom was especially white, and all the brightness made me dizzy and heightened my drunkenness.

“Porterfield, what the fuck is up with you?” I asked myself in the grimy mirror dotted with dried toothpaste splatter. I wasn’t able to give mirror me an answer.

In the haze of liquor, the fog in my head cleared. I came up with a genius, brilliant, foolproof idea.

I dialed Mitch.

15

MITCH

Charlie’s name buzzed on my phone. I sat up straight, my body poised and tense.

“Charlie? Is everything okay? Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I’m all right. I’m great! Just hanging out in my friend’s bathroom. How are you, Boss?”

“I’m good. I got back from closing up a little bit ago.” He sounded like his happy-go-lucky self, allowing me to relax. It was a comfort to hear the lightness in his voice. We’d barely spoken this week, and I knew why.

I had enjoyed our fake kiss a little too much. Fuck, enjoy was too soft a word. It had lit me up inside, and I couldn’t find the damn dimmer switch.

“Was it a busy night?”

“Yeah. A bachelorette party came in. Haven’t had one of those in a long time.” My regulars weren’t thrilled about a bunch of squealing girls at first, but they brought a fun energy with them. Soon, they were giving out sashes to random patrons.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

“Don’t be. Enjoy your weekend with friends. Are you having fun?”

“Totally. It’s been a banger. I’ve had a little too much to drink.”

Was it possible to hear someone smile over the phone? Because I did. Charlie’s dimpled grin played in my head. I relaxed on my couch, the history show I was watching on mute.

“Did you call just to say hi?” I asked.

“I’m in the bathroom, hiding out.” He had the sing-songy, super gregarious tone of a definitely drunk person. “Can I be really honest with you, Boss?”

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