"It doesn't look like it's going well," Charlie said to Hunter as he came out of his room. He knew he shouldn't be looking down on Andy and Tyler's conversation from the apartment window, but he was worried.

"What's up?" asked Hunter, probably the most words Charlie had heard him say all week. He was still wearing the same gym shorts and ratty t-shirt from two days ago. Hunter joined Charlie and watched Tyler approach Andy, trying to embrace him. Andy gently unwrapped Tyler's arms from around him and pushed him gently away.

"It's that boy that Tyler's been seeing. They're ‘talking'."

"Fuck," said Hunter, watching Tyler go in for another embrace and Andy pushing him off a bit more forcefully. Tyler began crying and Andy began pacing, with his hand to his brow. Hunter became enraged at seeing Tyler like this. "I'll kill him."

"Stop," Charlie said, stopping Hunter from going to the front door. "Kicking this kid's ass isn't gonna stop him from breaking up with Tyler."

"It'll sure make us both feel better though."

"What's going on with you? You've been moping around all week, barely leaving your room. Is everything... ?" Tyler came in, his eyes red with crying.

"Hey dude," Hunter said.

"Hey," Tyler sniffed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Charlie.

Tyler wiped his eyes and took a breath. "Do we have anything to drink?"

*

Charlie uncorked a third bottle of pinot grigio as the three of them sat on the couch, Tyler between them, his head on Hunter's shoulder.

"He said I didn't inspire him," Tyler finally said, pouring himself another glass of wine.

"What a perfect asshat," Hunter said.

"He said things were moving too fast and that he didn't feel what I was feeling for him."

"And what was that?" asked Charlie, stroking Tyler's hair as he sipped his wine.

"I was falling in... "

"Stop. Stop right there." Hunter commanded. "You were not. It's too soon."

"Was it though?" Charlie asked. "Tyler, was he your first... ?"

"He was my first everything."

"I'll kill him," said Hunter.

Charlie realized that Hunter wasn't the best guy to be giving advice or support at the moment. Obviously things had gone south with that hipster guy from the other night. And truthfully, Charlie's own romantic history didn't lend him any credibility either. But he hated to see them both so hurt and he was the only one that could think objectively enough to get them out of this funk. So he turned to his last resort in situations like this.

"All right, that's enough moping. Tyler, without fail, nine times out of ten, your first guy will break your heart. And Hunter, that guy was a douchebag. I could tell even in the two minutes I saw him at The Pitstop. You're both awesome and amazing guys, don't let some idiots who can't figure that out get you down. You can sit around here and sulk and be sad or you can get back on that horse, grab life by the balls, and dance it out with me. What do you say?"

"I dunno... " said Tyler.

"He's right," Hunter said, jumping up. "For once, Charlie's right."

"Thanks?" said Charlie.

"Fuck those guys. We're better than that."

Tyler chugged his glass of wine and jumped up. "All right. Let's go dancing."

*

They sat in the patio of Roscoe's, passing their third pitcher of Long Island around.

"You guys, this is counter-productive," said Charlie. "We should be in there, living it up. We could be just sitting there at home."

"What if I run into him?" said Tyler.

"Who cares?" said Charlie. "Give him a reason to regret his decision Let's go out there, live it up, dance our asses off, make out with some random!"

"That's your solution to everything," said Hunter.

"Come on guys, let's make this a proper boys night out. Everyone is responsible for talking to at least one new guy. Double points if you make out with him."

"Oh god, if one of you ends up making out with Andy, I'll barf."

"That's in the gay code, Tyler. Thou shalt not hook up with your boys' ex. So to be safe, let's avoid all hipster types."

"Death to all hipsters!" toasted Hunter.

"What about yours?" asked Tyler. "We all know what Andy and Scott look like. Is there someone WE should avoid?"

"There's one," said Charlie. "But he never comes to Roscoe's. In the off chance, I'll point him out."

"Alright boys," said Charlie, chugging his Long Island. "Let's make this count."

A remix of "Somebody That I Used to Know" was waiting for them on the dance floor. Hunter moved naturally to the music, hazard of his former profession to be sure. Tyler was stiff and awkward so Charlie tried loosen him up by grabbing his wait and playfully grinding on him. Hunter grabbed Charlie from behind grinded up on him too. As the beats of the dance remix sped up to the lyrics "but you didn't have to cut me off", they grinded up harder on each other. Hunter's breath tickled Charlie's neck as he leaned his head back against Hunter's sweaty cheek. There was nothing but the beats and the autotune and Hunter's breath on his neck. And Tyler getting hard as he finally found his rhythm grinding up on Charlie's crotch.

Charlie opened his eyes and found Tyler staring at the both of them; in a drunken, animalistic predatory gaze he'd never thought he'd see in him. Hunter matched the look, kept his cheek firmly against Charlie's, but grabbed the back of Tyler's head. The three of them grinded harder on each other, nothing but the beats, and the autotune, and the sweat and each other. Tyler's face leaned in closer to Charlie's as Hunter started to nibble on Charlie's ear. There was nothing but them.

And the guy that bumped into them, spilling his drink on Charlie.

"Excuse me," said the guy with shaggy brown hair, shrugging sheepishly. As he walked away, Charlie realized why he looked familiar.

"Omigod, it's Dr. Fargo!"

"Who?!" asked Hunter and Tyler.

"The hot intern from when I was... "

"Omigod, it is!" said Tyler.

"Man he is so fucking hot!"

"Whatever," said Hunter.

"Are you gonna talk to him?" asked Tyler.

"I dunno, I mean he was my doctor. Sort of. "

"But isn't that the point of why we're here? And what about that story you told me, about not living with regret. That guy, Seabring or whatever?"

"Yeah Charlie," said Hunter. "What are you gonna do?"

In the moments before, Charlie thought it could be the chance to make things right with Hunter. Even with the replay of the threesome shower dream with Tyler, there was just something about that moment that... But Hunter was in rebound mode. Even if they'd only hung out once, something about this hipster guy really did a number on Hunter. This wasn't their moment; it had to be just right.

"Alright," said Charlie. "I might even go for the double point." He headed for the bar, reluctant at first, but realizing it was for the best. Give Hunter some time to get over hipster guy, give them some space. How much damage could be done in one night?

*

Tyler was lost by himself, but Hunter was so grumpy when Charlie went after Dr. Fargo, that when he suggested they go after their own points, he agreed. Tyler sipped at his drink, lost and alone in a crowded bar. Everyone was coupled or cliqued up, except for this random guy leaning on the wall of the dance floor texting on his phone.

"Hi," said Tyler.

"Hey," said random guy, not looking up for his phone.

"You playing ‘Words With Friends'?" Tyler asked, though as he looked on the phone, he noticed a grid of pictures of guys.

Random guy scoffed. "It's Grindr."

"What-her?"

"It's an app. You meet guys off of it."

"Oh. But you're in a bar, full of people. And hey, you can meet me."

Random guy looked Tyler up and down and scoffed, "Whatever." Tyler watched the random walk away, dejected. Then, he pulled out his phone and downloaded the app.

*

Hunter hated to admit it, but he was at home on the dance floor. Fuck this stupid game, fuck Scott, and fuck Charlie. Guys were rubbing all over him, but he didn't give a fuck about these stupid points. As a remix of "Someone Like You" played, Hunter noticed a guy also dancing by himself. There was something sad and lonely about the way he moved around, his svelte linebacker moving languidly in the crowd of people. Hunter took a chance and approached him.

*

"You don't have a pic," The Picture of Muscular Pecs messaged to Tyler on Grindr.

"It's still getting approved. I can send one though."

"K."

Tyler sent a shot of himself from when he still lived in Ohio, a picture of a person he didn't recognize anymore.

"Cute," The Torso messaged back.

"TY. Do you have a picture?"

"Ya, but I'm kinda involved with someone right now. Have to be discreet."

"K."

"I've got the place all to myself. Wanna come over?"

Tyler looked around for his roommates to look for advice. Charlie was talking to Dr. Fargo. Hunter was dancing with some guy. Tyler finished his drink and went back to his phone.

"Sure. Where you at?"

*

Hunter and Svelte Linebacker were dancing close together, arms around each other, heads down, keeping time to the beat of the music. Hunter's sweat dripped on Svelte Linebacker as he took off his shirt.

"You're cute."

"Thanks man," said Hunter. "So are you."

"I... listen, I'm kinda on the outs with my boyfriend right now."

"Yeah, I'm just getting over something too. It wasn't like anything really but... yeah."

"Maybe we can go back to my place... help each other forget?"

There was just the beats and the autotune and this guy. Fuck the game, fuck Scott, fuck Charlie. Hunter kissed Svelte Linebacker. He opened his eyes and smiled at Hunter. He had the bluest eyes Hunter had ever seen.

###