Liam stretched out his hand to Tate. Annoyance flickered across Tate’s face. Liam was tired of listening. For a split second, Liam hesitated extending his hand in return. He didn’t want to come to this stupid bar and entertain his girlfriend’s stupid friends. Especially Tate.

Tate was Mandy’s bestie and guys who were best friends with girls are just weird, Liam thought, not gay weird. Liam didn’t care that Tate was gay he cared Liam was around all the time, like a skeeter in your bedroom when you just want to sleep.

From the pounding bass and Tate’s smirk, Liam needed to escape. Mandy jabbed Liam’s side with her elbow. Liam’s hand jerked towards Tate.

What a waste of skin, Tate thought. What the hell does she even see in him. Late into the night, they’d laughed and talked and sang danced to Taylor Swift except for Liam, creepy Liam. Mr. never make eye contact mumbled one word answers over his beer.

Okay, Tate had to admit to himself he was kind of a jerk around Liam. Friends since first grade, he grown up with Mandy and wanted to protect his girl. Kind hearted, Mandy loved a rescue, collecting feral kittens and bad boyfriends. Tate could tell she was trying to hard to be happy with Liam.

Looking at Liam’s reluctant hand, Tate raged. Tate shoved Liam’s arm away and pushed past him to the bar’s exit. Liam grabbed Tate’s torso up into a fierce bear hug. The two tussled. There was a scream. A two top tipped over as they thrashed.

Then they stopped and the world fell away. Liam pressed his forehead to Tate’s and they shared a breath. Their faces inched closer.

“Tate, Liam.”

Tate leapt back as the sound of his friend’s voice. Liam rushed out os the bar into the night.