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I shrugged “At least they have each other”

Another couple outside the bar was uy They e each other’s faces as they kissed in the dilow I couldn’t pull my eyes away

A few years ago it would haveso ro on a damn flower

Now it ht with envy

“That’s what I want,” I said The faint sound of their laughter floated through the cracked passenger-sideof the truck

“You want to kiss another man?” Red asked “That’s news to me”

“I haven’t kissed a e,” I said, stretchingout in front of et”

Red chuckled “Yeah right Might want to look soht-people action”

“Red’s Tavern isn’t only a gay bar,” I protested “My straight ass is still allowed inside”

“It ay bar,” Red said, with pride in his voice “Why don’t you go to Susan Murphy’s dive bar instead? You’ll snag plenty of women’s phone numbers”

“But then I don’t get to hang around here and bother you,” I said, flicking his bicep

He shook his head at rown kid”

I let out a sigh, leaning ainst the seat “I’m just restless”

“I told you You should explore Amberfield more”

“It’s a tiny-ass town full of cows What’s there to explore?”

“Size doesn’tat me “People matter”

“That sounds like a bad fortune cookie”

He snorted

Amberfield hat so” Farot , but my brother loved this place and had made it a home

“Nobody wants to hobble into bed with a guy in one of these, anyway” I tapped the side of the big, clunky grey walker boot thatwas like a damn straitjacket I’d added a few stickers to it over the past couple weeks, one of which I’d grabbed from the back office in the tavern It was sparkly and red and said “I’m Red’s Hot”