Chapter 57
The server returned Erik’s scant smile with interest. “Great choice!” He turned his attention to Ted. “You?”
Ted felt miffed that the guy would pick Erik, the soon-to-be-married straight guy, over him, the seasoned rent boy. This guy’s gaydar must be seriously out of whack, he thought. Then he chastised himself for having such stupid feelings. He hoped to God that he wasn’t catching the overinflated ego syndrome of some of the other escorts and porn actors.
Realizing the guy was waiting for his order, Ted said, “I’ll have the Oktoberfest Stout.”
“You got it,” the server said with a wink at Erik.
After he left, Erik leaned over to Ted and asked in a hushed voice, “Was he coming on to me?”
Ted chuckled. “Yeah, I think he was.”
“Is this a gay bar?” Erik asked, looking around.
“No. Why would I bring you to a gay bar?”
The server was back in record time. He sat the mugs down on the table and turned to Erik. “I’m Greg, by the way, and if you need anything, just let me know.”
Both Ted and Erik exchanged grins as Greg walked off.
Ted picked up his mug. “Here’s to your coming to see me.”
Erik raised his mug. They touched them together and each took a deep drink.
Setting his brew down, Ted asked, “When did you get the tat?”
Erik pulled up the sleeve of his tee so Ted could see the entire tattoo.
Ted looked at it. “What is it?
Erik laughed. “That’s what Jennifer asked.” In a subdued tone, he added, “After she got done chewing me out for getting it. Anyway, it’s water, a wave.”
“A wave?”
Erik smiled again. “Yeah, a wave. I wrote you I was on the swim team at school, right?”
“No,” Ted said. “You’re a lousy correspondent. But you mentioned it last summer though.”
“Look who’s talking. You’re my best friend and I hardly ever hear from you.”
They both agreed they hadn’t kept in touch as much as they should have.
Erik went on. “The swim team was at an away meet. We won big so we all went out to celebrate. After a few drinks we all thought it would be a great idea to get matching tats. The closest the tattoo parlor guy could come to a swimmer on short notice was this wave. Sort of cheesy, huh?”
“No. It actually looks good. You got the arm for it.”
Their eyes met briefly. Erik looked away and took another swig of his beer.
“Okay, tell me what’s up. You didn’t drive all this way just to show off your tat,” Ted said.
Greg returned to the booth. “Ready for another round?” he asked, again giving Ted only perfunctory attention while concentrating his gaze on Erik.
Erik finished the last of his ale in a big gulp and said, “Sure.”
“I’m good for now,” Ted added, knowing he should go slowly as he was driving.
Greg picked up Erik’s empty stein and left.
“So you gonna tell me, or do I have to beat it out of you?” Ted laughed, but cut it off when he saw Erik wasn’t smiling.
Erik took a deep breath, looked up at Ted, and said, “Jennifer and I broke up.”
“What?” Ted asked, setting his mug down hard. “Why?”
“I know she looks sweet on the outside but Jennifer is pretty demanding. She has definite ideas of what a relationship should be like, and…I just couldn’t give her what she wanted…or needed.” Erik sounded wistful. He paused for a moment and then said, “So we called it off. Probably for the best.”
Greg returned and put Erik’s fresh mug down. Laying his hand on Erik’s shoulder again, he looked at Ted. “You ready now, or are you gonna make your handsome stud friend drink all by his lonesome?”
God, tone it down a bit, queen! The man’s not interested, Ted thought. “Yeah I’ll have another.”
After Greg retreated, the men talked more about Erik and Jennifer’s breakup. Then Ted excused himself to go to the john. While he stood and pissed, he thought about how Erik must be feeling. He could surely relate. He’d just come out of a relationship, or an almost relationship, himself. He washed his hands and headed back to Erik. As he came out of the hallway from the restrooms, he saw Greg standing at their booth talking to Erik. That guy’s sure hot for ole Erik. I hope Erik lets him down easy.
Just then Ted saw Erik touch the guy’s arm and, at the same time, hand him a piece of paper. They both nodded. Greg squeezed Erik’s shoulder and walked away.