Tyler got dressed quickly, wanting to get to the bar early. The sooner Jaime and he parted ways with Randy and Sarah, the sooner they could be alone, and Tyler could give Jaime proper congratulations. One with fewer clothes and more roughhousing. Jaime’s technique was improving so quickly it wouldn’t be long before he was testing for black belt.
“Testing went well,” Randy said as Tyler entered the changing room. All the other students had finished and were headed home.
“Sarah did great.” Tyler wanted to say something about Jaime, but he worried what Randy might think.
“So did Jaime.”
“He’s come a long way.” Tyler tried to sound as impartial as he could, even though he couldn’t have been happier about Jaime’s advancement.
Randy nodded. “Did you notice Steve didn’t congratulate him?”
Tyler had been so focused on congratulating Jaime without betraying too much of his excitement that Jaime had managed to grade two levels in one test that he had forgotten all about everyone else.
“Do you think he’s going to have a hard time being the same rank as Jaime until he grades?” Randy asked. “He looked kind of pissed that he didn’t get to grade.”
“He wasn’t ready. Jaime was.”
Randy shrugged. “Maybe, but he might not see it that way.”
Usually it was the white belts that had a hard time understanding not everyone graded at the same time or by the same standard. Tyler felt some responsibility to helping each student understand that everyone was equally judged by his or her own ability in the dojo.
“I’ll talk to him before next class.” Tyler felt a little guilty for not noticing Steve’s reaction. As head black belt, Tyler should have taken him aside and assured him that Jaime’s progress was not a mark against his own accomplishments. Everyone’s path was different, as hard as that might be to accept. “Did you invite him to go for a drink at Chummy’s?”
“He left before I could.”
“I hope he understands. It will be his turn before he knows it.” Tyler pulled on a sweatshirt and started thinking about the night ahead. A little socializing could do him some good, especially if Jaime was going to be there. Tyler could wait to get him alone another hour. “It’s been ages since I’ve been out to the bar.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think you went out in public anymore,” Randy said as Tyler stuffed the gi into his bag. “You aren’t turning into a hermit, are you?”
“No, no.” Tyler zipped up the bag and swung it over his shoulder to make a quick exit. He had the feeling there was a lecture about his social life coming. “I’ve been hanging out with Jaime.”
When Randy didn’t say anything, Tyler knew his answer wasn’t going to be sufficient. Randy was too good of a friend to let that slide and Tyler felt like he needed to reassure the man he was all right.
“I thought I’d try being a bachelor for a while instead of jumping into another dead-end relationship.” Tyler cringed internally. Wasn’t that exactly what he was doing with Jaime? Where could that go? “I’m just taking a break.”
“A break is one thing,” Randy said, “but it’s been months since you’ve gone on a date. Sooner or later you are going to have to get back on that horse.”
For once in his life, Tyler was in no hurry to look for a girlfriend. What harm was there in having fun with Jaime? It wasn’t serious. At least that’s what he had been telling himself all along when they were fooling around or sneaking touches in the concealing shadows of a darkened movie theater. It was just another part of their game. He didn’t want to see Jaime get hurt. But that was just who Tyler was. He was always looking after the person he was with.
“Sarah’s friend is going to be at the bar.” Randy interrupted Tyler’s thoughts. “Just be nice and be open to getting to know someone new.”
“All right,” Tyler said if only to close the subject. “I’ll be nice.”
* * * *
Sarah’s friend, Erica, was waiting outside Chummy’s. Tyler hadn’t had the opportunity to warn Jaime. He seemed to be handling it. Maybe he didn’t care that Randy and Sarah were trying to set Tyler up with Erica. She turned out to be smart, interesting, and loved triathlons. Randy hadn’t undersold her. The problem was the only person Tyler could think of going home with that night was on the other side of her chatting with Sarah about campus life.
“Have you ridden the Schoodic extension trails?” Erica drew Tyler’s attention away from Jaime.
“They’re good.” Tyler tried to recall the last time he had been there. Mountain biking was just not something Jaime had any interest in. Tyler had tried to talk Jaime into it once, but Jaime was adamant he liked his bones in their original configuration. “Mostly packed dirt trails with some obstacles.”
“Sounds like fun. Road cycling gets boring.” Sarah leaned toward him as she spoke. “I’d love to try out my new hybrid on some trails.”
She seemed to be really interested in the cycling. It made Tyler want to get out there this weekend and see if it was as fun as he remembered it being.
“I thought triathlons were mainly street events.”
“They are.” Erica gave him a sly smile. “But I like a little more challenge sometimes.”
As much as Tyler hated to admit it, he liked her enthusiasm.
“Good,” Sarah joined in. “Because there’s no way I’m letting him take Randy out mountain-biking again.”
“It was just a broken arm.”
“You weren’t the one who had to take care of the big baby.” Sarah tossed a coaster at Tyler.
“I wasn’t that bad,” Randy said, but the look from Sarah shut him up. “How about another round?”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Sarah stood up as Randy did. “I’ve got to visit the lady’s room.”
“I’ll join you,” Erica said.
Before Tyler knew it, Jaime and he were alone at the table. Jaime was being particularly quiet. Other
