Half an hour later, I notice Charlie’s eyes tracking someone over my shoulder. Jordy notices as well and turns in his seat to check it out.
“Is that. . .” Charlie trails off, shaking his head. “Nah. Can’t be.”
Jordy’s lips draw up into a grin I know too well. He’s a trouble-maker.
Dennis puts his phone down and joins the conversation. “Who? Where?”
“It’s kind of dark in here, but look by the door. Why does he look familiar?”
I begin to shift around so I can see who the hell they’re talking about, but Jordy slaps a hand on my shoulder.
“What?” I ask.
“He’s tall. Broad. Jesus,” Dennis breathes. “He looks lost. If he would just turn this way a little bit. . .”
I twist around, ignoring Jordy’s protests and spot Merrick at the door. When my jaw drops, I spin back and face Jordy. “What did you do?”
He bites his lip. “Nothing.”
Snatching my phone from the table, I go through the messages and find that during the time Jordy was in the bathroom, he took my phone and held a text conversation with Merrick, posing as me. He invited him here. To a gay bar. I’m going to kill him.
“What were you thinking?” I seethe. “He’s fucking famous, and you invite him to a gay bar? What if someone takes his picture? Do you know what this could do to him?”
Jordy’s face pales a little. “I didn’t mean. . .”
I push out of my seat and head straight for Merrick. When he finds me, his face shows relief. I quickly grab him by the arm and pull him outside. “Come on.”
“What. . .what’s happening?” he asks.
I don’t say anything until we’re out on the street and halfway down the block. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming. My friend was the one who texted you. He plays around a lot. That’s a gay bar.”
Merrick’s eyes widen slightly. “Oh.”
“Yeah. I’m so mad. I can’t believe he did this. I don’t want you to be seen or photographed there. You know, it’ll just start rumors.”
“Not really rumors,” he says with a wry grin.
“I know, but—”
I’m cut off by Jordy’s voice as he comes running down the street.
“Wait!”
I watch as he makes his way closer, slowing down his pace. Dennis and Charlie are a few feet behind him.
He sucks in a deep breath. “God, why did you come this far? You know I hate running.” He fans himself dramatically. When he’s done with his show, he makes eye contact with Merrick and grins. “Wow, you’re even better looking in person.”
Merrick chuckles. “Uh. Thanks.”
“Look, I’m sorry I invited you out here. Alejandro told me y’all were friends. . .kinda. And I’m a jokester.”
“Shit-starter,” Charlie adds as he steps us.
“Anyway, I didn’t think about the fame and being at a gay establishment. I just don’t think of it as being wrong, you know?” Jordy looks at me. “I’m sorry, Al, seriously. I wasn’t thinking. Well, I was thinking I’d meet a celebrity, but that’s it.”
Merrick clears his throat. “It’s okay. I’m Merrick,” he says, holding his hand out to Jordy.
Jordy smiles flirtatiously and takes his hand. “I’m Jordy. I’m Al’s best friend.”
“I used to be his best friend,” Merrick adds with a small grin.
“This is Charlie and Dennis,” I say, gesturing to them. “I knew Merrick back in school.”
They all shake hands, and then Charlie faces me. “Oh, we’re gonna talk about this later.”
“Want a gyro?” Jordy asks Merrick. “We’re gonna go get something for Dennis to eat, because he doesn’t know how to properly prepare for a night of drinking. Then we’re gonna go to Shamrocks. Don’t worry, it’s not a gay bar.”
I’m a few steps behind them, watching Jordy walk as close as possible to Merrick all while gazing dreamily at his face.
Merrick glances over his shoulder at me. “Uh, sure? If it’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay, sweetie,” Jordy says, touching his arm. “I need to buy you a drink to make up for my antics.”
“Jordy, what are you doing?” I groan.
“Honey, if you’re not gonna be friends with him, I will.”
Charlie chuckles behind me and I settle in for what’s definitely going to be a long and annoying night.
20
Merrick
Present Day
Shamrocks isn’t too bad of a spot. The lighting is sparse, so I feel confident I won’t be noticed. It’s not extremely crowded, but there’s definitely a good amount of people in here.
I pull the bill of my cap low and keep my head down as I follow Ali and his friends. They find us a booth all the way in a corner, behind the bar and away from the dance floor. I’m sure it’s for my benefit.
“This isn’t the most prime spot for scouting out the potentials, but I don’t know how many gay people are here anyway,” Jordy says, scooting to the middle. “We come here for Charlie, because he swings both ways, and I like the challenge of seeing how straight the straight ones really are,” he says with a wink.
“Oh God,” Ali groans, rolling his eyes.
I scoot in toward the middle and have Jordy on one side and Ali on the other. Dennis and Charlie went straight to the bar for drinks.
“What? I’m not trying to turn your friend,” Jordy says, looking up at me. “Unless you’re interested.”
“Don’t answer that,” Ali says. “Don’t even pay attention to Jordy.”
Jordy pouts. “Meanie. I said I was sorry, and you know I don’t do that often.”
“You see why I laughed when you said you wanted to hang out with my friends?” Ali asks, a smirk on his face.
Jordy scoffs. “He acts like we’re so embarrassing.”
I grin. “Well, I’m not embarrassed or uncomfortable. I’m just ready to drink.”
“Yes! Where are those two with our drinks?” Jordy questions. “I’ll go help them out. Be right back, kids.”
Ali sighs. “Sorry. He’s a handful, but he’s been a good friend. You just gotta get used to the way he is.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him with a grin.
“I can’t
