Page 58 of The Bartender Special

“I don't know,” Ethan responded. “Maybe the boat is a penis?”

“Why would we need to see Roger for that? Do we want to see his penis?”

“Maybe the boat represents the idea of sex instead?”

“So we're going to see another man about the two of us having sex?”

Ethan groaned.

“Dammit, man. I just called to let you know the mayor wants a piece of you. I'll text you the number, but I have to go now. Dante just woke up and I have two point five seconds to get him to the potty before both of our afternoons are ruined.”

The call ended in a laugh from Benny.

The sound drew Jack's and Roger's attention back to him.

Roger wasn’t a bad guy, but Benny wasn’t sure he’d be the one he’d come to for help when he wanted to have sex with Jack.

Because you don’t want to have sex with Jack, Benny quickly mentally amended.

But you’re thinking about it, his own thoughts shot right on back.

Benny didn’t give the too-familiar heat any time to sprout in his cheeks before he was standing with his hand out to Roger with a smile.

“Hey, Benny. Long time,” the man greeted. He grinned. “I heard you've been setting the internet on fire lately.”

“I guess someone has to do it,” Benny joked. “I just wish it was under less embarrassing terms.”

Benny gave Jack a quick, questioning look. The bartender seemed more tense than normal. Annoyed? He was smiling, sure, but it wasn’t a Jack special.

When he caught his eye, he explained what Benny had missed.

“So, I told Roger here about Ms. Peggy referring us to him for his boat and he says he's game. But, wouldn't you know it, there's a catch.”

Ah. There it is.

Benny turned to Roger.

“A catch?”

Roger held his hand up, phone with it, to explain.

“Not a catch, really, more like I need a favor first.”

“A favor,” Benny repeated.

“Aren’t we here because Ms. Peggy called in something you owed her?” Jack asked.

Roger was sheepish with it, at least.

“Yeah, she did—that’s the boat thing. But listen, before you take it, I’m desperate. Zelda is due in three weeks and I'm swamped with work because of the festival and, well, the boat is all yours for however long you want it, if you help me with something first.”

His smile turned truly apologetic.

Benny’s panic meter rose once again.

“Okay, so what's the favor, then?”

* * *