Becka ordered another cosmopolitan and put down her phone. "I'm not even gonna bother."

"What's up?" asked Other David, finishing his cosmo and ordering another.

"Brad and I are fighting again."

"Oh god, you guys too?"

"He keeps going back and forth on the wedding. First, he's hands off, ‘whatever you want babe'. Now he's all in my face about every decision I make. I couldn't take it anymore. I'm staying the weekend with my mom."

"It's a fight I wish I could have with David, honestly."

"Is that what you guys are fighting about?"

"No I... ok, I wasn't snooping... "

"Oh god."

"I was handing him his phone and while I was... he got a message on Grindr."

"What?! You guys don't... ?"

"No, god no. But he... he says he's just using it to find friends... "

"He's got friends!"

"Exactly. I love him. And I trust him... it's just... the principle, you know?"

"Right. So did he delete it?"

"I told him if he loved me, he should."

"Ultimatums. Fun."

"Why the long faces?" Steve asked as he came up behind the bar.

"Boys," they both said.

"Oy. Next round's on me."

"Can I get in on that?" asked Tristan, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Steve grinned; this kid was relentless.

"Sure, Tristan." Steve said, pouring three cosmos. Steve loved being an involved owner, making drinks, working the crowd. When he was growing up, he always dreamt of having a gay version of "Cheers" and was really starting to come true. And sure, he couldn't mix a drink for shit, but it was his place and the more booze you add, the better it'll taste anyway. He had a good time doing it. He let Becka and Other David continue their commiseration as he made his way back to the office. Tristan slithered away from Becka and Other David and followed Steve back.

*

Diego wondered why gay men felt so at home on the dance floor. He loved to go there and dance it out to forget his troubles and it appeared to be the remedy for the rest of Boystown, especially at The Pistop. He felt strong hands around him and he was hopeful, but then he turned to face Bruce.

"Hey cutie," said Bruce.

"Bruce, I can't. My boyfriend's pissed off at me. I'm crashing at my friend's house because he's so pissed at what happened."

"Nothing happened though."

"It was sill enough to piss him off."

"Well then," Bruce said, pulling Diego in closer by his belt loop. "Since he's pissed at you anyway."

"Stop. It's already awkward. You and Tristan... "

"That was very non-committal."

"And besides Bruce... you're like old."

*

Tristan could hear a muffled voice through the door of Steve's office. He didn't hear any response, so he figured that Steve was on the phone. It was now or never: he had to make rent and pay off some bills. Maybe buy a new pair of Prada shoes. He looked around, saw no one coming, and stripped down naked. If he was gonna close this deal for sure, he was gonna have to go balls out. Literally.

"Hey Steve," Tristan cooed as he slipped in the door. Steve looked up from his MacBook in shock.

"Tristan, what are you... ?"

"I'm attractive. You're attractive. You want me," he said, inching his way toward Steve. "I know it. I see it. I feel it."

Steve smirked and shook his head. "Listen, I'm very flattered but... "

"Running this bar all by yourself must get pretty lonely," said Tristan, walking around the desk., sitting on Steve's lap. "I can keep you company, if you were... you know... generous... " Tristan heard someone clear his throat and he jumped up as there was no one else in the room. Well, physically. On Steve's MacBook was video chat with Steve's boyfriend Edward, looking very annoyed.

"For the record babe," Steve said. "I wasn't encouraging or condoning."

"Or prohibiting. But I'm not mad. At you. Just at this little trollop I'm going to have words with very soon."

Tristan bolted out the door, mortified beyond belief. He quickly threw his clothes back on and b-lined for the exit. Never had he been so humiliated in his life. He was going to have to figure out to make rent this month. Maybe he'd have to get a... job... the sheer thought ran shivers down his spine.

But at least there was time for another drink. Boystown was in full force tonight, enjoying the last random warm cool that had graced most of the fall. He almost bumped into a couple of guys making out on the street corner. Something about them seemed familiar but then he realized. He couldn't believe what he was seeing: Charlie's roommate was making out with He Who Shall Not Be Named. Tristan quickly fell into the shadows and put his hood up. As they walked down Belmont, Tristan stayed ten steps behind, but he knew where they were going. They crossed the street at Belmont and went up to He Who Shall Not Be Named's place.

###