Chapter Nine
When Jason announces group dates
The Graveyard was packed with college basketball fans, rabid for local divisional championships that set up March Madness brackets. The Eastcoasters’ favorite bar never really resembled its namesake, always bustling with energy and alive with people’s conversations bouncing off the cavernous loft ceiling. Its exterior at the end of a mini strip mall in the parking lot of a bigger strip mall was so unassuming that newcomers always looked shocked when they opened the door to a packed room that sounded like a stadium.
The whole neighborhood seemed to be there. Ranjan had even brought Darren, but he left before Seth dragged in a full twenty minutes after the group’s decided-upon time to meet. Jason hadn’t been to their favorite bar with the guys since the night he’d fought with Seth in the parking lot. His behavior that night—and since—was why they were in this situation now.
Jason took a swig of his IPA. “Guys, I think we should get to know each other’s partners.”
The group all spoke at once.
“Get to know in what way exactly?” Ranjan asked.
“I don’t swing, especially not with any of you,” Seth said.
“I knew you had a thing for Dani!” Graham shouted.
The guys looked at Graham.
Jason rubbed his forehead and sighed, coaxing his eyebrows down from meeting his hairline. He didn’t expect he’d have to explain and persuade. They’d known each other for so long they could probably read each other’s minds if they tried hard enough. Though maybe it was best that they hadn’t. “No one wants Dani except you. Man, your ego is big.” He took another gulp of beer. “What I meant was we should go on group dates. The dinner was …” He waved his hand over the table in a seesaw motion. “Well, it could have gone better. But we got over that awkwardness, and now we can really get to know everyone. Maybe even have some fun together.”
“Group dates?” Graham asked.
“Group dates,” Jason confirmed.
Ranjan laughed. “You heteros. This is not an ABC ensemble drama! This is real life. And if that dinner proves anything, it’s that we don’t all get along. Well, except for Fortune and me. She’s delightful.”
Seth piped up. “That’s what this is about. Us getting along with your girlfriend.” He poked Jason in the chest. “I don’t need to waste my time getting to know her. I know enough. She’s trouble.”
Jason set down his beer and grabbed Seth’s hand, squeezing it in his grip and watching him grimace. “Get this straight. I love Fortune. She’s here to stay. So, if you want to hang out with us, you’ll be nicer to her. Got it?”
Seth’s response was strained. “Yeah, man. Got it.”
Jason let go of Seth’s hand and picked up his beer again, gulping it and feigning nonchalance. This group date idea could be a problem, but he wasn’t going to explore that now. “So, how about karaoke next Friday?”