Archive of Our Own

“Pete? That you?” Griff called as he looked up from where he was lying on the couch skimming trade papers under the living room lamp at the sound of their apartment door opening.

A quick glance at a clock stated it was just a short bit before eleven.

“John. You’re still up,” Pete stated as he rounded the wall separating the entry hall from the living room, leaning on it as he grinned wide, his cheeks looking a bit rosy even in the shadowy light.

“Well, I said I would,” Griff said as he put the papers on the coffee table before jumping the couch and moving to Pete’s side, grinning a bit as he ran his hand over Pete’s very flushed cheeks, “And you said it would be over by 4 or 5. But was that including you all hitting the bar after the auditions?”

“I knew you’d understand,” Pete said with a smile as he leaned forward to give Griff a peck on the lips, “We didn’t all go, not to the second-third-bar, just me and Andrew,” he added.

“Andrew? He a new stagehand? I don’t remember you mentioning an Andrew before,” Griff asked as he watched Pete head toward the dark kitchen.

“He’s not a stagehand, he tried out for one of the parts, and he’s,” Pete let out a sigh as he felt for and pulled a glass from a cabinet, “he’s an ex-,”

“An ex?” Griff interrupted briefly.

“And a long story but water first,” Pete finished as he waved off his boyfriend’s interruption before turning on the tap.

“Okay,” Griff said, crossing his arms as he waited for Pete to fill and drain a couple of glasses.

“He’s from high school. My first kiss,” Pete started to explain a few minutes later as he placed the glass into the sink, resting his forehead on the cabinet door as he partly turned toward Griff, “I hadn’t thought about him in forever, not until I read his name on the audition sheet.”

“He’s an actor?” Griff asked as he leaned against a wall watching Pete, “and he’s going to be in the play?”

“He is an actor, and I’ll find out tomorrow if he’ll be in the play…” Pete hesitated for a long beat, “he kissed me, at the bar. Before he knew about you,” Pete went on before smiling, “he called you a sugar daddy,” he added with a laugh.

“He kissed,” Griff stated, balling the fist of his no longer crossed arms as he stared at Pete, “and you kept talking? And he’ll be in the- I’m going to bed, we’ll talk tomorrow,” Griff stated before walking out of the room, turning the lights on as he did.

“John,” Pete hissed as he pinched his eyes closed at the sudden light.

“Ignoring me in bed last night, not kissing me this morning. You need to get over this John. He kissed me not the other way around,” Pete declared as he glared at Griff who was pouring himself a cup of coffee as he waited for his toast.

“What can I say. I was tired last night, not ignoring you,” Griff answered back as the toast popped, “And I was in a hurry to get into the shower so we could both get one before the building ran out of hot water.”

“That’s bullshit John and we both know it,” Pete shot back, “your ex asks you on a date right in front of me and I didn’t hold it against you.”

“Marcus didn’t ask me out, he just wants to hang out with a friend. And I haven’t kissed him since high school. When did your high school boyfriend last kiss you,” Griff countered as he grabbed the still hot toast, juggling it between his hands before getting it to his plate.

“Marcus knew you had a boyfriend. Andrew didn’t know I had one. And as soon as he did, he backed off. Unlike yours, who did ask you out and not just to hang out. You’ve even said yourself half your dates were at that club,” Pete said back as he glared at Griff.

“We both like cigars and it’s a cigar club. You know how hard it is to find a place where you can smoke cigars without dirty looks or being asked to leave. Clubs are just about the only option and that’s the one his family is a member of. So yeah, he asked me there,” Griff argued back, snapping his toast while spreading jam on it, “damn.”

“You don’t get it,” Pete shook his head as he turned away from Griff, “I haven’t said anything about Marcus because I trust you but I see how far that’s getting returned. I’ve got to get my own shower and changed if I’m going to get to the theater. I have a lot of calls to make,” he added as he left the room just as Todd came in, swinging his copy of the apartment key.

“Pete? Griff? What did I just walk into?” Todd asked as he poured himself some coffee.

John just kept staring at his broken toast.

“He’s being completely unreasonable. And after his ex-kissed him,” Griff complained as he and Todd waited for the red light to change.

“Dude, the guy didn’t know, if one of my exs just came up and kissed me before I could tell her about Heather I wouldn’t want my wife to ice me out over it. And I know you’d have my side if she did,” Todd stated as he glanced at Griff.

“Yeah, if not like you could have stopped her. And if it’s before you had a chance to tell her, But she could have looked for a ring,” Griff agreed, pulling forward when the light changed.

“And Pete doesn’t even have a ring to give it away,” Todd pointed out.

“Oh no, this is not the same. He didn’t just come up to Pete. Pete went out with him to a bar or three for drinks. The guy had every reason to think he could kiss Pete because my boyfriend didn’t think to tell the guy asking him out to a bar that he had a boyfriend,” Griff growled, slamming on the horn when another car moved in front of them.

“Do you tell co-workers you have a boyfriend before heading to happy hour? Because last time I went with you I didn’t hear you tell anyone,” Todd stated with a pointed look.

“They’re co-workers not random guys from my past,” Griff countered as he pulled into the garage a couple blocks from the building they worked in.

“And this guy isn’t a co-worker? Or will be if he gets the part,” Todd countered right back with as they pulled into their parking spot.

“You really think I’m overreacting don’t you?” Griff asked but went on before waiting for an answer, “I haven’t dated any of my co-workers, I haven’t kissed them,” Griff pointed out as they got out of the jeep.

“And that’s what this is really about isn’t it? That they’ve kissed, Pete’s first kiss. Did you think you were his first…” Todd let himself trail off in surprise when Griff just looked away at the remark, “Hold it. Wait a moment Griff. Did you really think you were his first?” he asked.

“It’s not like we’ve talked about it much. And he never told me about anyone else, even after I told him about Marcus. That would have been the perfect chance to tell me about his first but he said nothing so,” Griff claimed they made their way down the block.

“I wonder why,” Todd joked, shaking his head. “He had a life before you, just like you did before him Griff,” he added with a look.

Griff just frowned as they kept walking.

“Thanks for meeting with me Bozzy. After this morning, I just needed to talk with someone,” Pete said as the two fraternity brothers sat down outside an apartment with its door and all its windows open wide.

“No sweat bro. All I was doing was watching paint dry, so I got you,” the taller man said, gesturing to his paint-stained coveralls before grabbing a couple cans of coke from just inside the doorway.

“Did you just paint the apartment this morning?” Pete asked in surprise, taking the soda as he looked into the apartment, it wasn’t large but it wasn’t really small either.

“Naw, my cousin and I did it a couple days ago, I’m just doing touch ups, making sure we didn’t miss anything,” Bozzy explained as he sat on a paint can, “but you didn’t come here to talk about the boring ass jobs my family has me doing,” he stated, cracking open his can.

Pete took a seat on a square of sidewalk before opening his own can, taking a sip then speaking, “It’s John. He was just an ass this morning,” Pete said.

“Don’t you like his ass,” Bozzy laughed at his own joke while Pete just glared, “What did Griff do? I mean you two were already living together last spring. He didn’t leave you coffee or something,” he asked, still laughing a bit.

“That I wouldn’t care about,” Pete stopped himself before backtracking, “or maybe I would but not like this,” Pete paused to take another sip, “I ran into an ex last night and the guy kissed me before I told him about John and after I told John he just started acting all prissy and jealous which was cute at first but this morning he barely spoke to me. And this is after I didn’t get that mad about his fucking ex asking him out for a date in front of me,” Pete ranted.

“Whoa there, and ex? You have an ex in town, and so does Griff? They you know, guys or chicks,” Bozzy asked as he looked at Pete unsure.

“They’re both guys,” Pete said before going on, “They’re both the first guys we were with,” he added.

“Man, that’s heavy,” Bozzy said simply as he ran his hand through his brown hair, “I mean firsts are a big deal right, and yours kissed you? I mean if my girl got kissed by her ex I’d be pissed.”

“Andrew only kissed me because he didn’t know I had a boyfriend; he backed off as soon as he knew. And I told John that,” Pete related to his friend.

Bozzy nodded for a moment before shrugging, “so? The ex still kissed you, I’d still be pissed,” Bozzy made clear, “I mean maybe not too much at my girl but bro the ex? The fucker is getting a fist to his jaw the moment I see him,” he explained, mimicking a punch.

“That is the last thing I need. Andew played football in high school, and he’s kept his muscles,” Pete commented, finishing his drink.

“You noticed his muscles?” Bozzy teased with a grin, “but for real. Just let it blow over, not like you’re going to be seeing this guy again right? So Griff will forget about it in….what’s that look?” the man asked as he noticed Pete looking down and letting out a heavy sigh.

“I might be seeing him again. He’s trying out for the play I’m working on. If he gets the part I’ll be seeing him around almost daily for at least the next couple of months. Could be most of a year if the play goes well,” Pete explained with a frown, “I’ll find out if he got the part when I head in later today, we’re making the calls to let the actors know.”

“Dude,” Bozzy said giving Pete a look, “Griff know that part? Because that’s a big deal,” Bozzy said as he leaned back against the wall behind him.

“I told John all of it at the same time so he knows. And why is it a big deal. Nothing’s going to happen just because I work with him,” Pete complained as he crushed his can his under his shoe.

Finishing his own can, Bozzy shook his head, “yeah Pete, you’re right. You’re going to be working long hours, late nights, busy weekend all with a guy you dated before him all while he’s busy with his own job and barely gets to see you now that you don’t work in the same building. But yeah, no reason for Griff to be jealous, none at all,” Bozzy said half sarcastically.

Pete just sighed before going on, “He’s got to trust me. I mean that’s what it comes down to. I trust him and he needs to trust me back,” the man stated.

“You trust Griff? Really?” Bozzy asked leadingly.

“Yes, I know I can trust John. He would never cheat on me,” Pete said definitely.

“Then why did you spend half an hour on a jealous rant about the not date Griff’s has to the cigar place when we talked last week?” Bozzy asked, laughing when Pete narrowed his eyes at him. “Feeling aren’t always logical man. They just are,” he said as he stood, taking Pete’s crushed can before tossing it and his own into a bag just inside the apartment.

“I did not rant, and I’m not jealous-“

“Pete, dude,” Bozzy interrupted as he just looked at Pete.

Who just crossed his arms in a pout.

“Sunrise Publicity, this is Griffith,” Griff said as he picked up the phone with on hand while he kept flipping through the latest trade magazine with the other.

“Griff, man. You got a moment?” Logan said, excitement clear in his voice.

Glancing around his cubical making sure none of the bosses were in the bullpen area before answering Griff set down the magazine as he talked, “yeah, it looks clear for a few minutes at least.”

“Cool, I have some great news. One of my other interns is hooking me up with a guy that’s getting rid of a set of casino style poker chips. It’s missing a few but it will be way better than the plastic things we’re using now and they’re only asking seventy-five bucks,” Logan explained in a cheerful voice.

“That’s great. After using the good chips back at the House only having checker pieces just hadn’t been right. How many are there? And why is he selling them?” John followed up, sticking a bookmark in the magazine and pushing it away.

“It was a set of thousand but he says it’s closer to nine or nine-fifty now. As for why. He just got married and they just don’t have the space or time, which,” Logan answered, the final shrug clear even over the phone.

“Yeah. Before we made our monthly games a big deal we barely had time ourselves so yeah,” Griff agreed as he gave the office another quick check, “When does he want the money by? We can chip in a few bucks each to cover it but the next game isn’t for another couple weeks, he good with waiting that long? But that means not using it until the game after,” the former social chair thought aloud.

“And I don’t want to wait that long,” Logan stated.

“Me either, I’m pretty sure I can float most of it and I’ll be down in your part of town on Saturday,” Griff suggested.

“That would be great, I can cover half of it but if you can cover the other half and just get the guys to pay us back at poker night. But why are you going to be in my area? They giving you another client?” Logan asked, a bit of relief in his voice.

“The one they’d added me too is taking enough time as it is, the last thing I need is another one. I have no idea how the senior associates do it. So not for work, I’m meeting a friend at a cigar club not too far from you, I can drop by on the way home, makes sure I get out of there at a decent hour,” Griff said as he spotted one of the partners heading their way, “but now I got to go,” he said quickly.

Hanging up at Logan’s equally quick bye before opening the trade magazine to resume scanning for any of their client’s names, just as the partner reached the open space of the bullpen; and headed right for his desk.

Pete tapped his pen against the yellow note pad as he looked at the names he had to call, had to let know they’d gotten the parts.

He knew them all in some way or another even if just calling their name and sending them in, but the name written next to Alexander kept drawing his attention.

Andrew Nelson.

He hadn’t thought about him in years and now…now he couldn’t keep his mind off the guy. Or the fact they were going to be working together for months or longer. Why had Andrew had to kiss him. Griff’s jealousy was stupid but Bozzy had a point, emotions weren’t always smart.

Jamming the clicker end of the pen into the paper, Pete let out a sigh. He hadn’t kissed anyone but John since freshmen year. Hadn’t even really wanted to but now John was worried about it-for no reason-all while ‘hanging out’ with his own ex. And if Marcus didn’t want John Pete would eat his play.

Pete let out another heavy breath, he could ask the director and writer not to cast Andrew. They might listen. And getting a new Alexander couldn’t be that hard…

He couldn’t do that to Andrew. No, he had to deal with this and so did John Pete told himself as he picked up the phone.

“John?” Pete called out as he walked into their apartment later that day, the afternoon light the only thing illuminating the empty apartment.

Which wasn’t unexpected, it wasn’t even four and John had been working a lot of evenings. And once the play got going so would he.

So it didn’t mean anything Pete reminded himself as he made his way to the kitchen for some juice when he saw the blinking light of the answering machine, hitting it before grabbing a glass.

“Pete, it’s going to be a late night, the new client has some charity event, barely big enough for the trades, but that just means it’s a good place for me to learn how to manage a client where a mess up won’t hurt anyone. It goes until midnight so don’t wait up,” John’s voice said until the machine cut it off.

“It’s fine, it’s work,” Pete reminded himself as he pulled a TV dinner out from the freezer alongside with the juice, popping the forward into the oven and taking a drink of the later as he hunted for a note pad.

Writing out a short note to his boyfriend and sticking it to the fridge before heading into the living room, flipping on the TV as he waited to eat his dinner.

Alone.

It was well past midnight when Griff quietly made his way into the apartment, slowly feeling his way to the kitchen in the dark before turning on the light, “water, water, need water,” he whispered to himself as he pulled out and filled a glass.

Draining it a couple times before just leaning against the counter, “You’ve got to learn to pace yourself Griff, your clients can drink and they don’t have to be up at five,” he pointed out to himself as he went to grab a banana from beside the fridge, pausing when he saw the note from Pete.

~The crew is staying late to plan out the rehearsal schedule now that we’re done casting, it won’t be fast so I won’t be home until late Friday, you’re on your own for dinner.
And remember the theater is having a welcome party on Saturday. Starts at 6ish.

PS. Andrew got the part. ~

“I trust Pete, I trust Pete,” Griff reminded himself as he just stared at the note, “it’s this Andrew I don’t,” he finally added as he pulled the note off the fridge and ripped it up.

Heading to Todd’s former room to crash rather than his and Pete’s.

“That was a dick move. You know that right?” Todd said the next morning as the two headed into work.

“Yeah, I was just, I don’t know,” Griff said as he shook his head, “I saw that note and didn’t want to deal with it, him, so I didn’t,” he explained.

“If I did that to Heather she’d be so pissed at me. The only reason not to sleep beside her is if I’m traveling or she kicked me out. Even if I fall sleep on the couch and wake up at 4 or something, I get up and spend that last hour in bed next to her,” Todd pointed out as he looked at his friend.

“I mean I know you’re right but couldn’t he have waited to tell me about Andrew in person? I mean we’ll see each other this weekend…” Griff started before frowning.

“What’s that frown?” Todd asked.

“Given our schedules I might not see him until the party and that’s if I go,” Griff stated.

“So, he wanted you to have a heads up before he just springs this Andrew on you…Yeah, real bad boyfriend you have,” Todd quipped with a grin.

“Andrew’s going to see more of him than I will. Pete’s going to be at the theater all weekend working with the guys building the set because they can’t do it during the week and then the actors are still figuring out their schedules,” Griff stated, honking at a car not moving fast enough for him.

“Because of their day jobs, yeah,” Todd said with a node.

“So, we’re not going to see each other much. That’s why Marcus and I are hanging out tomorrow, to give me something to do,” Griff explained as they pulled into the garage.

“Hanging out, right,” Todd stated with an amused smile.

“Not you too,” John complained as he parked. “He’s just a friend.”

“Look, I know you love Pete and I’m not saying anything is going to happen. And I know I only met the guy for like five minutes but I don’t say Bozzy’s or Logan’s name the way he said yours. Pete does,” Todd said back as they started heading toward their building.

“He knows I’m with Pete,” was all Griff said in response.

Todd shrugged.

“An unexpected visit and lunch? To what do I owe this surprise?” Pete asked as he opened the theater door for Heather to come in with a bag from a sandwich place a few doors down.

“I just haven’t seen you much since Todd and I moved out, I mean he sees you two everyday catching a ride with Griff but me, maybe if our paths cross in the elevator,” Heather shrugged as she looked around the back stage area where unfinished, and some not yet started, parts of sets and costumes where covering almost every surface and then some, “we have a place we can?” she asked, holding up the bag.

“Yeah, sure, we keep a table out here clear,” Pete said as he led Heather to the stage where a mid-sized table was set up and mostly uncluttered with just a few papers spread out along one side, “most of the time,” he added as he stacked and organized the papers quickly.

“Thanks, you still like turkey and cheddar right, if not I got a ham and Swiss too,” Heather confirmed as she pulled out both sandwiches.

“Turkey’s good,” Pete said as he moved a chair over for Heather than himself, “Do you want a soda? He asked as he moved the curtain back and opened a hidden minifridge.

“That’d be great. And actors are going to get out here and perform in front of all those people?” Heather answered then asked as she looked out from the stage to all the seats that surrounded it.

“That is the idea, and hopefully it is all those people. I heard the last play barely half filled the place on opening night, and it didn’t get any better,” Pete said.

“You will do great. You wouldn’t help if you didn’t like the script, and I mean you picked a great cast right?” Heather asked as she unwrapped her sandwich as Pete sat down with the two sodas.

Pete just shook his head, “I would never write that weak of a segway, but I know Todd has told you about John and my fight so, yes Andrew was cast, no I didn’t have any say in it, yes he did kiss me, no it’s not happening again now he knows about John. That cover everything Todd wanted you to?” he said amused as he started to unwrap his lunch.

“You know Todd. Ever since he found out about you two being together he just wants you guys to be as happy as we are. That you’re fighting about something so silly just makes it so-“ Heather trailed off with a sound of frustration as she just held up her hands.

“Oh, I get it. Silly is a good word for it. Griff is being such a brat about this whole thing. I told him right after and I didn’t kiss Andrew back and it’s not going to repeat, what more does he want?” Pete asked aloud.

“Oh, that’s not what this is really about. Todd told me about the kiss in the bar, it was a bar, right?” Heather asked, going on when Pete nodded, “well that kiss isn’t even really what’s bugging Griff. It’s realizing he wasn’t your first. Because apparently, he never put that together before,” Heather explained shaking her own head.

“What? That’s what’s bugging him? He dated Marcus before me,” Pete pointed out as he shook his head, taking a bite, “God, really John,” he added after a moment.

“From what Todd tells me it’s because you didn’t say anything about this Andrew when he told you about Marcus that made him think he was your first or something,” Heather told him.

“Really? He was having a moment, and he expected me to what? Interrupt it with my own stuff? We were each other’s second boyfriends, first ones where we’re both out, how is that not good enough,” Pete asked, not really expecting an answer.

“Men, don’t expect logic from-,” Heather answered before stopping as she glanced at Pete, “that didn’t come out quite right, I mean not all guys are,” she tried to back track before Pete just waved his hand.

“I get what you mean and yeah, some are just too stubborn for their own good,” Pete said with a sigh, “and John is very much one of them.”

“Guess it’s not always easier just because you’re both guys,” Heather remarked, smiling when Pete laughed and shook his head.

“No, it’s not. But enough of all my drama, how are you? I didn’t get to hear if you applied for that promotion at work or not?” Pete asked, changing the topic.

“Sunrise Publicity, this is Griffith,” Griff said, his sandwich still in his hand as he answered the phone.

“I hope I didn’t catch my stud at a bad time,” Marcus said from the other end of the line.

“Marcus? We’re good, I’m at lunch. I didn’t expect to hear from you today,” Griff said with a smile, which dropped into a frown as he went on, “you’re not calling to cancel tomorrow are you?”

“And miss both the fine cigars and whiskey I have planned as well as catching up with my stud. No, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Marcus made clear. “I wanted to confirm that you’ll be there before making a few final plans,” he explained.

“I’ve been looking forward to it. I don’t have anything going on until later in the evening and if I don’t make that it’s not a big deal,” Griff responded before taking a bite of his lunch.

“A work function? We both know just how ‘optional’ those really are,” Marcus said amused.

“It’s not for me, it’s Pete. His Theater is doing something but like I said, not a big deal if we get caught up and I’m late or miss it. I will be stopping by a brother’s place to drop something off but it shouldn’t be a problem,” Griff went on after he finished his bite.

“Oh are you seeing Jamie? Will you be asking him to join us?” Marcus asked, sounding disappointed.

“No, not Jamie, one of my fraternity brothers,” John explained with a laugh.

“Yes, I had forgotten about them,” Marcus said, pleased as he went on, “then I will see you around 2 at the club. But for now the new interns can’t seem to do anything without me watching so duty calls.”

“Luck, and see you tomorrow,” Griff responded as he returned to his lunch.

“Andrew, congratulations on the part again,” Pete said as they shook hands.

“Thanks man, getting your call yesterday was one of the best moments of my life,” Andrew said as he grinned happily, “I know it’s the second lead but it’s a lead, my first lead.”

“You impress them, just like you did back in high school,” Pete said back, returning the grin.

“High school was easy, at least I knew the teachers. These people I didn’t know from Adam. But I did it,” Andrew added to himself. “Now who do I speak to about schedules and all that stuff?”

“Head over to Michael and May, they’re going to start figuring out the main cast rehearsal schedules, I’ve got the crew to wrangle,” Pete told his former classmate, nodding his head toward a director and writer.

“Cool, thanks, and we’ll talk more at the party tomorrow right?” Andrew asked.

Pete hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Do you want to have dinner with Heather and me? It’s one of my mom’s casserole recipe so there’s always more than enough,” Todd offered as they pulled into the garage beneath their apartment building.

“You and Heather still doing that?” Griff asked as he pulled into his spot.

“I have no idea how we’d have time to cook if we didn’t just make half our dinners on the weekend. Being able to just pop it from the freezer to the oven is a lifesaver,” Todd responded as they made their way to the elevator.

“Yeah, that did make it easier when we all lived together. Maybe Pete and I should start doing it too. That is if we ever eat together again, I feel like I’ve barely seen him since last weekend,” Griff complained.

“Come on, join me and Heather, we’ll have a few beers after.

“Sure,” Griff agreed halfheartedly, “not like Pete’s expecting me and a few beers couldn’t hurt.

“John?” Pete called as he made his way into the dark apartment nearing midnight, “John,” he called again as he flipped a few light switches, confirming he was alone.

“Where the heck are you?” Pete asked as he checked the fridge for a note before noticing the blinking light of the answering machine.

“Work?” he guessed as he pressed play.

“Hey Pete,” came Todd’s voice, making Pete cock his head in surprise, “so Griff had dinner with us and then we had a few beers…or more than a few I guess because he passed out on the couch, he said you wouldn’t be home until late so we’re just letting him sleep it off. See you Monday if not before.” Todd’s voice finished as the machine beeped again, ending the recording.

Pete just sighed and headed toward their bedroom, alone.

“Shit,” Griff exclaimed as a loud bang woke him from his drunken sleep, grabbing his head.

“Sorry Griff,” Heather said as she finished getting out the frying pan out from among the handful of other pots and pans in a cabinet.

“It’s fine, I need to be up,” Griff said back as he sat up, rubbing his face before he slowly stood up, “I didn’t think I drank that much. It was only a few beers, right?” he asked as he made his way to the bathroom.

“More like five but, yeah. It hit you harder than it should have,” Todd agreed as he headed to the kitchen, giving Heather a kiss on the cheek before starting to pull stuff from the fridge. “Oh, I called Pete, left a message that you crashed here last night,” he called out.

“Pete, right, thanks,” Griff called back before heading into the bathroom.

A few minutes later when he returned to the kitchen the other two were already pouring pancake batter into the frying pan.

“You staying? Easy to make extra,” Heather offered, as she held up the bag of mix.

“Thanks, but no, I need to see if Pete’s home and awake, plus I need to get on the road before too long if I want to have time to really talk with Logan when we meet up,” Griff said before looking at the jug of orange juice in Todd’s hand, “but I will take some OJ.”

“No problem, dude, and tell Logan hey,” Todd said as he handed the jug and a glass to his brother.

“John, I thought we’d miss each other again,” Pete commented as Griff came in the door as he was double checking his backpack.

“Yeah, we keep doing that. But where are you going so early? Your party isn’t until this evening, right?” Griff asked as he stood nearby and watched.

“Yeah, but I got a message yesterday about my script, they want to meet this morning to talk about it. I know they want to change a few things but…maybe it’s time I actually listened long enough to find out just what it is they want to change. Andrew made a good point about not always starting on top, getting the lead before being cast as support. And well not having to change anything about my script, that would be starting on top, so I need to just listen to what they say at least,” Pete rambled as he zipped up his bag.

“Andrew, right,” Griff said with a nod, “your new co-worker, and your ex,” Griff said slowly.

“Yes, he’s my ex, just like Marcus is yours,” Pete pointed out, “and I really don’t have time to talk about them right now. Not if I’m going to make my meeting on time,” he added as he headed toward the door, not waiting for Griff to answer or say anything.

“Pete…” Griff said as the door was shutting, not sure what he would have said next.

“Griff man, good to see you,” Logan called as he looked up from the flowerbed he was kneeling over.

“Yeah well, don’t miss another poker night then,” Griff responded as they bro hugged, “so this is what the folks have you doing?” he asked as he looked down at the dirt that Logan had been pulling weeds from.

“That and mowing the lawn each week. It’s a pain but it sure beats paying LA rent right now which given I’m in my second year of a barely paying me internship isn’t something I can do. Beer? How long you got?” Logan asked as he led Griff around the side of the house.

“I have enough time for a beer, then just soda so I can drive,” Griff answered as he followed, “how is the internship going? I mean they kept you for the second year so that has to mean something right?” he asked.

“Yeah, they only kept 3 of us out of almost thirty. Our job is half running herd over the new crop with the other half being learning one on one from the partner we’re assigned,” Logan explained once they reach the back porch.

Which was mostly a handful of chairs set around a patio table complete with umbrella sticking up from the middle.

“One on one, that’s got to me nice. I’m lucky if I get more than the five minutes it takes for the partner to tell me what job they want me to do next,” Griff complained as he took one of the seats.

“Somedays I think I’d rather have the pay. Not need to spend half my free time pulling weeds or raking leaves or whatever job my mom thinks up next,” Logan complained as he pulled a couple beers from the back yard fridge.

“Mothers can be very creative about finding jobs,” Griff agreed as he took the beer, taking a drink.

“The first thing I’m doing once I become an associate is hire my mom a gardener. I am never touching another plant again after all this,” Logan stated as he sat down himself.

The pair were silent for a few minutes, both sipping at their beers until Logan spoke again.

“So, Todd tells me you and Pete been fighting. Something about your exs?” the former VP asked as he looked at Griff.

Griff let out a chuckle, “I should have known Todd would call you,” Griff said giving out another chuckle, “But it’s…” he let out a sigh, “I’m being jealous. Everyone is calling me on it, Pete, Todd, Heather. You’re about to start on it,” he guessed.

“Unless Todd got the facts wrong…yeah I am,” Logan stated, “we all have exs. Even you, which you are about to meet up with right?” he asked with a knowing look.

“Yes, it’s just when Pete dropped it on me, I’d just had a hard day and we’ve barely seen each other this week which is just making it worse. Knowing this Andrew is seeing him more than me,” Griff ranted as he finished off his beer.

“We’re busy guys, it’s why we started the whole poker night. We’re all way too busy. We had to make time for us as brothers, maybe you need to make time for you two as a couple too?” Logan suggested, still sipping at his beer.

“Maybe,” Griff agreed before giving Logan a look, “now if you know so much about relationships how are you still single? I mean it’s been almost a year and a half since we graduated, you’ve got to date,” he commented.

“Date, yeah we can call them that,” Logan smirked, “I’m not looking for anything real right now, I’ve got to focus on the job. In a year from now when I’m pulling six figures and can assign my grunt work to an intern I’ll start looking at dating, until then,” he shook his head.

“And if you’re making that much, you’re buying all the beer for poker night. But really six figures? Next year?” Griff asked in surprise.

“Why do you think I’m putting up with the crap pay for the first two years? If you made it through, you’re made,” Logan explained with a grin.

“Well damn, good luck then,” Griff said with a nod.

“Thanks, but tell me how your job is going, I know you made junior associate but not much else,” Logan questioned.

Questions Griff was more than willing to answer as the next hour or so slipped by.

“Pete, hey,” Andrew called from across the theater’s back lot from where he and the actress cast to play Bella were heading toward the narrow walkway leading to the front of the block, “We’re heading out for some coffee. Want to join us? Maybe show us where a good place for one is?” he offered and asked.

Pete paused for a moment before nodding, “why not, I’m early,” he said as he waited for them to join him before turning back down the alley. “And you two are even earlier than me. What’s up?” he asked.

“Well, I for one want to make a good impression, as just about the only woman on the cast I need to,” Tara, who Pete knew had been cast as Bella, said as they made their way down the path, “that and my shift just ended and I live far enough away it doesn’t make since to head home, I’d just have to turn around and come right back to be on time,” she explained.

“Mostly the same,” Andrew stated, “I’d have like an hour at home but would spend twice that on the bus,” he explained, “so we’re just talking about our parts,” he added.

“And getting to know each other, we will be spending a lot of time together, won’t we lover,” Tara said playfully adding one of Bella’s names for Alexander with a southern accent.

“Watch it there darling, you might start something you don’t mean to,” Andrew responded, his voice dropping into a Texan twang as he lightly pushed Tara against the wall with a sexy grin.

“And who says I don’t mean to?” Tara’s Bella voice asked back as she rubbed her leg against Andrew’s, leaning up for a kiss.

“Oh Bella,” Andrew’ s Alexader said, pulling her into a flashy kiss until his laugh broke it apart, “those tickles,” he declared in his normal voice as he covered his side, glaring at Tara’s fingers.

“Good. I like knowing I have some kind of control in those scenes,” Tara answered, her southern accent gone, “And you’re a good kisser,” she added.

“He always was,” Pete agreed before going on, “and that was a good scene, you both seem to have found your characters already,” he said as they resumed heading toward the front of the block.

“It was the audition piece,” Tara said as she narrowed her eyes, “and how would you know how good a kisser he is? Are you two together or something? That why you made such a deal about not being part of casting?”

“No, and yes,” Pete answered as he and Andrew shared looks, Andrew motioning for Pete to explain. “We went to the same high school and dated as much as two guys that aren’t out can date in high school.”

“Which meant you pretended to play video games or study but were really making out?” Tara joked, laughing as the two men shrugged.

“Running lines or helping me memorize plays but more or less,” Andrew clarified with a smirk, “kept forgetting my plays all fall,” he added.

“You kept forgetting them before I came into the picture,” Pete said defending himself as they exited the alley, “and there’s a good coffee place this way,” he told them as he led the way.

“Maybe,” Andrew agreed with a smiled.

“And how long before you’re really dating this time?” Tara asked with an amused look.

Pete shook his head as he answered, “I’m already seeing someone, going on 3-4 years,” Pete explained with a wave.

“Yeah, we’re just exs,” Andrew seconded with a shrug, “just like Bella and Chris,” he joked.

Pete glanced at him, “Bella and Chris have an affair, not the best example here,” he pointed out.

“They do? You do?” Andrew asked as he looked back at Tara, “how could you break Alexander’s heart like that,” he asked, clutching his own heart.

“I didn’t write it,” Tara defended herself, “I haven’t even read the whole play yet,” she called back, giving Andrew a playful shove.

Pete just watched their playful banter with a smile.

Walking through the inner doors and down the handful of steps to the sunken main room of the men’s club with its vaulted ceilings and brick-lined walls, Griff smiled as he looked around.

It had been a few years since he’d last stepped inside, but it had barely changed. Oh, the overstuffed chairs looked too new to be the same ones and some of the art that lined the walls were different than those he recalled but in all the ways that mattered it was the same as all those years ago.

Even Marcus looked just like he had all those other times they’d met here Griff acknowledge to himself as he spotted his ex.

In black slacks, soft blue shirt and gray tie as he lounged in one of the chairs, cigar already in hand he looked every inch the gentlemen stud Griff had fallen for back in high school.

But he was with Pete now, Griff reminded himself as he made his way across the space, “Marcus,” Pete called once he was near enough.

“John, there you are. I was just chatting with an old friend while I waited,” Marcus said taking another puff on his cigar before putting it in a nearby holder and standing, “Do you know Nathaniel Westmore?” he asked, gesturing to the similar dressed man maybe a year or two older than Marcus still sitting next to him.

“I can’t say I do,” Griff said as he held out his hand, “Mr. Westmore.”

“Nate, may I introduce Jonathan Griffith, a friend since high school,” Marcus said as the two men shook.

“Mr. Griffith, the judge’s son?” Westmore asked giving Marcus a look.

“My father is the honorable judge Jonathan Griffith yes,” Griff confirmed as the handshake ended.

The man just nodded before looking toward Marcus, “I look forward to your update but otherwise I’ll leave you to it,” Westmore said as he stubbed out the last of his cigar and headed out.

Griff gave Marcus a look, “Work? Or family stuff?” he asked, taking the now empty seat.

“A mix of both, but let’s not linger here, I reserved the Highlands room for us. For old times,” Marcus said as he motioned for Griff to stand before leading him down a side hall and to a smaller side room with four stuffed chairs forming a loose circle around a short table with a few cigars, a decanter of whiskey and a pair of glasses.

“You went all out. These are some nice cigars,” Griff commented as he looked through the cigars that were laid out before glancing at the whiskey, “and I’m betting this is Vat 69?” he asked, smirking at their old joke.

“May not be the best whiskey but the name,” Marcus shrugged as he took one of the seats, and relit his own cigar, taking a puff before handing the lighter to Griff.

Taking a moment to select a cigar he prepped and lit it before pouring them both a few fingers of the scotch whiskey, “How did the guy, Westmore, know about my father? He a lawyer or judge too?” he asked, handing a glass over.

“Nate a judge?” Marcus laughed as he blew out a cloud of smoke, “no, not at all. But he is of our circle, his family and mine have been friends for a few generations much like our mothers and not too many of us have openly come out, so it gets everyone’s attention when they, you, do,” Marcus stated before taking a sip from the glass.

“Really? People I’ve barely, or never, met care that much about me being out?” Griff said in disbelief as he sipped from his own scotch whiskey.

Marcus just shook his head, “You know how our world works. And you may not be as active in it as you could you are still a member of it. And now that you’re done with college and your internship year it’s time you become more active again,” he said, before blowing out a stream of smoke, “this is a very fine cigar,” he commented as he looked at the ring with a nod.

“God, you’re sounding like my mother and that is not something I’ve ever wanted to say,” Griff answered as he just shook his own head, “and they are good cigars, you pick them out or just request a sampling?” Griff asked.

“I had them select a few that would pair with the scotch,” Marcus said, answering the later question before getting back to the real topic, “and what committees does your mother want you working with? Maybe we can get on some of the same ones, give us more time together,” he added, grinning around his cigar.

“I don’t even know all their names, every time I talk with her it’s three or four new ones she’s trying to get me active in. She needs to let me find them on my own, or at least wait for me to ask for help,” Griff complained.

Marcus took another draw on his cigar before speaking, “We’re both closer to 25 than not. And you know by 25 we’re expected to be planning our weddings and at least the junior members on the boards of a few charities and alike organizations,” Marcus reminded his friend, blowing a smoke ring toward Griff.

Letting out a sigh before taking another sip of his drink, “I know but I want to be able to do it on my own time. I mean Pete and I are still figuring things out between us and I want to focus on that, on him, before I start adding all this other stuff,” Griff complained.

Leaning forward Marcus narrowed his eyes as he watched Griff take a draw on his cigar, “And how are things between you and the college boyfriend? Figuring out if you still match without the fraternity?” he asked, before slowly taking a puff on his own cigar.

“With him working with a theater company so many evenings and me working a ‘9-5’ it’s just hard to see each other. To have time to talk,” Griff said with a frown. “It was just easier when we worked in the same building,” he said letting out his own smoke ring.

“That he doesn’t work a professional job just shows how different you both are John. Which might be fine in college but in the real world, our world, it helps if our partners are part of what we do, one of us. Not in their own world doing their own thing,” Marcus pointed out before leaning back, “but enough of that, and him. Will you be working the RoseGate ball next month? Some of your clients must be invited?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Oh yeah, we have a few. The bigger problem is those that aren’t invited, some of them are just pissed but at least one is insisting we get him an invitation. He does know how limited those are,” Griff just ranted as he put down his almost finished cigar.

“From his point of view there’s no harm in trying, if you can’t get him one he’s no worse than he is now,” Marcus pointed out before handing another cigar to Griff, “try this one, I’ve had one before and it’s strong but taste excellent. You’ll need to take it slow, but then we do have all afternoon,” he finished as he topped off both of their glasses.

“Maybe I should switch to water, I should drop in on Pete’s work, they’re having some kind of welcome party,” Griff said as he eyed both the cigar and the glass of liquor.

“You should have told me that before I poured, we can’t put it back and it would be such a waste,” Marucs said as he nudged the glass toward Griff, “we’ll switch after these. I’m sure it won’t be too late and you can always make the afterparty, those go until sunrise in Hollywood anyways,” he went on, putting the stopper back in the decanter before picking up his glass and holding it out, “cheers.”

Griff picked up the glass and glanced between his friend and it before shrugging, “you’re right. And we’ll both be home at some point anyways, cheers,” he said, clicking their glasses.

Marcus just smiled.

“Looks like you have everything in hand,” Michael, the play’s director, said as he looked over all the schedules, both for actors and crew, laid out on the table.

“Should be, I had a lot of help, but May and I got it done now,” Pete said as he looked over all the stagehands and cast members he’d been wrangling and working with most of the day.

“Then get yourself a drink and relax, you’ve had a long week and have been tense all day,” Michael said as he pointed toward where the limited bar-mostly of bottles of beer and wine coolers- had been set up for the celebration, “after we start getting the stage set up and get into rehearsal time to just relax is going to be rare. So trust me and enjoy it when you can,” he added before wondering off to mingle with some of the others.

And he was right, Pete acknowledged, between working with the set and prop team on the weekends, working with the cast most evenings, and writing and trying to sell his own script during the day he wasn’t going to have a whole lot of free time in the next few months.

“What’s got you so focused? Don’t you know this is a party?” Andrew’s voice cut through Pete’s thoughts as the other man came over, offering a beer to his former classmates.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts Pete took the beer, “just thinking about how much of my life is going to be in this building for the next few months. I’m all but going to live here, a few of us are,” Pete said, sipping on the beer.

“I wish I could,” Andrew remarked as he also drank from his bottle, “but I’ve got to work during the day, this pays but-“

“Not very well until we’re selling tickets?” Pete finished for him, “yeah, without John splitting the bills I couldn’t do it. And with our roommates moving out. If we don’t have a good opening,” he shook his head.

“Why’d your roommates move out? It is a shared house or something?” Andrew asked, leaning against a nearby wall.

And pulling his shirt, already snug over his torso, tighter, showing off all the football muscles he’d kept, and added to, since high school Pete noticed.

“No, no it’s an apartment,” Pete managed to answer after a few moments, “me and John were sharing with one of our fraternity brothers and his girlfriend who is now his wife, which is when they moved to a one room place down the hall.”

“Why not just get another roommate? You both must be used to having some after living in the frat house and all?” Andrew asked, “I bet it wouldn’t be hard to find a guy or two who want to rent a room.”

Pete smiled, “no, it wouldn’t, but neither of us want to share with strangers. We got lucky with Todd and a few brothers, but we got more than a little unlucky with a few others we shared the House with,” Pete said, his hand absently running through his hair and along his scar.

“Got it, some guys are slobs or dicks, they don’t always make the best roommates,” Andrew agreed with a nod.

“Yeah, something like that. But most of the guys we would be willing to live with already have places. And John isn’t an intern anymore. And since he got bumped up to being a, junior, associate which meant a raise, plus my pay from working here means we can afford it, just not too much else for the moment,” he acknowledged.

“I get it, I’m paying an arm and a leg for my place while having to put up with a slob so you’re lucky,” Andrew said, “but this John, is he going to be here tonight?”

“No, this isn’t really his thing,” Pete said as he looked toward the main entrance before shaking his head.

“Then why don’t you introduce me to all the crew you know and how to get on their good side. Learned how important that is on my last job when half my props were never where I needed them to be,” Andrew said as he slung an arm over Pete’s shoulders.

“Sure, but let’s get some more drinks first,” Pete decided, finishing off his beer as he leaned into Andrew, changing their course toward the bar table.

Andrew just shrugged and followed.

“Pete? Home yet?” Griff called as he made his way into their apartment well after dark.

Their empty apartment which made him frown, “maybe I should have gone to the theater after all,” he said, looking down at his coat before nodding, “why not,” he said as he turned and headed back toward the door.

Just as it opened and Pete walked in, stopping in surprise at Griff heading toward him, “John?”

“Pete, I just got home, and you weren’t here so I was going to head to the theater to meet you, but I guess you’d already left,” Griff joked as he backed up, removing his coat.

“Yeah, someone started a drinking game at some point and then a few of us wanted to wait until we were sober enough to leave…you just got home too?” Pete asked, handing over his coat.

“Yeah, we must have been in different elevators,” Griff confirmed as he put both coats away.

“So, you’ve been with Marcus this whole time?” Pete asked, checking his watch.

“Yeah, we went a bit later than we should have but just lost track of time after the first couple of glasses and it was cool to talk cigars with someone who knows them again,” Griff explained as they made their way into the kitchen where Griff poured them both some water.

“I guess it is nice to talk with someone you share an interest with,” Pete said, half to himself as he drained his water and then just tapped at the glass.

Finishing his own glass Griff refilled it before slowly sliding Pete’s from his hands to also refill, handing it back when he spoke again, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Pete asked as he looked up, sitting his still full glass aside, “what are you sorry for?”

“Andrew. Everything about how I reacted,” Griff took a drink of his water before setting it aside, “I over reacted and I should have told you sooner but we’ve just been so busy this week, I feel like,” Griff shook his head as he cut himself off, “I shouldn’t have gotten so mad when you told me he kissed you. I trust you. I love you. I should have remembered that,” he finished.

Pete was silent for a long moment before nodding, “yes you should have,” he said giving Griff a playful punch to the shoulder, “so who finally made you realize it? Todd or Logan?”

“I would have figured it out on my own,” Griff said in defense of himself, “it just would have taken a few more days,” he admitted.

“Sure, John, sure,” Pete said as he wrapped his arm around Griff’s neck and started pulling him from the kitchen, “let’s get you into the shower so we can get to bed. You smell like a cigar shop,” he remarked.

“Yeah? And what’s wrong with that?” Griff joked as Pete just shoved him into the bathroom with a sigh and shake of his head.

Griff just grinned as he stripped and asked, “join me?”

Looking over as the sun streamed into their bedroom Griff watched as Pete quietly made his way out of the room without checking to see if he was up or even an attempt to wake him.

Griff could have called out to him, let him know he was away but he didn't.

He didn't even know why he didn't.

Or why he stayed in bed until he heard the knock on the door he knew had to be Todd.

Maybe he was just tried, and he had drunk a good amount with Marcus.

Yeah he was just tired that was all.