Page 3 of True

Alec smiled.

Good.

The song peaked again and then went up an octave. The men in the bar matched it perfectly, the

predominant baritone support so powerful that Alec could feel its vibrations in the thick shellacked wood beneath his hands. And when the last note arrived, sustained for as long as breath in the

unanimous, euphoric diaphragm could manage… it was over. The lights dimmed a little and

incidental music returned at a much lesser volume. Nineties house music, a remix ofI Will Go WithYouby Donna Summer. Many of the jovial men dispersed, some together, some apart. Alec wondered to himself just how many sexually bonded though these Broadway sing-a-longs, whether it was more

fraternal, or if it could transcend to the bedroom.

"What are you thinking?" Demarco asked.

"I'm thinking we're old."

"Speak for yourself, girl. Thirty-six is the new twenty-one."

"We're the Norm and Cliff of this bar."

"That's just because your man works here."

"Do you get tired of it?"

"Tired of what? Tuesdays? No. They change it up enough. And there's the scenery…" he nodded toward a corner by the door where a man in a business suit was making out with a twink in jeans and a tight shirt.

"I don't get you."

"What's to get? Sex is sex. It may be my business, but it's my recreation too. I enjoy hotness when I see it. And speaking of hotness…"

Mac came over to them from behind the bar. He kissed Alec, sliding them a bowl of peanuts.

"Hello, handsome," said Mac.

"Hey you," Alec said.

"You two OK?"

"Now that you're here," said Demarco.

Mac looked at Alec. "Your best friend is hitting on me."

"I'd be worried if he wasn't."

"Chad is taking care of you both?"

"Yes," said Demarco. "He's cute."

"Don't tell him. He just started and already thinks he runs the place."

"Well, he has a very good mentor."

"How late tonight?" Alec interjected. "I can make you something to eat."

"I'll grab takeout at Annie's on the way home. But thanks."

Alec smiled. Several customers were holding glasses up at the far end of the bar. Chad glanced