Page 41 of Jack Frosting

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“No complaints.” I shrugged. A smaller menu fell out of the larger one and into my lap. It was for Happy Hour, which – I checked my phone – was happening now. “Ooh, a single cheeseburger is five bucks. Sweet.”

“What about one in a committed relationship?”

What about one–oh good Lord. “That was a terrible dad joke.” I ran my hand through my hair.

“I beg to differ. And so what if it is? Maybe I’m okay making terrible dad jokes.”

I caved. “It was kind of funny.”

Gareth continued, “I don’t want to jinx it or anything, but Eli and I have been together for almost a year now.”

“Has it been that long? Wow. I’m happy for you guys.”

“Speaking of happiness, you seem pretty smiley. How’s your dating life?”

I knew he was fishing, but I also knew Clayton had fucked me twice. And now that I had that thought, I was definitely smiling.

“I know you have something to tell me. I’ve known you too long and we’ve shared way too many stories. Someone is taking care of your business.”

There was no point in lying, but it wasn’t my place to out Clayton.

“If you must know…” I considered how much to say. “Yes, I’m…enjoying myself.”

The server came to take our order, but Gareth wasn’t deterred.

“It’s more than that. I’ve seen you enjoy yourself.”

“It’s not like we’ve discussed our relationship status,” I said. “We’ve only really been-”

“Intimate?”

“Physical,” I corrected. “It’s really just physical at this point.”

“And the mystery man is?” Gareth asked.

I took a sip of my juice, then said, “It’s, uh, complicated.”

“It always is with you.”

“I’m not sure if he’s really out to anyone, and his son-”

“His son?!”

“Shit!”

“It’s Clayton, isn’t it?” Gareth said, not missing a beat.

“No!”

Gareth shrugged. “Your secret’s safe with me. I mean, Eli mentioned some sort of leather cross in his basement, but I never thought-”

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I asked.

“Warn you?! It doesn’t seem like you’re that torn up about it, and I knew I was right.”

“You can’t say anything, Gareth.”