Luke gives him a look.
“What, I’m just curious. It took six weeks before he’d say something more than ‘heh’ to me.”
Luke chuckles. “That’s you, man. Bringing out everybody’s poetic side.”
“I know.”
“He must love me, then. He actually talked a little.” Luke replays the strange, not at all productive conversation he had earlier with Will.
Hal nods. “I was there that day,” he says, and he’s finally providing the story Luke’s wanted from the start. “It was one of those ridiculous charity ball things that start at four in the afternoon and go till two in the morning. I mean, don’t get me wrong – the causes are great – but who knows if the people who need the money actually get it, and I’ve got no idea how a buncha rich Washington fucks getting in tuxes helpsany-damn-body–”
Luke smiles into his wineglass, because Hal has seemed soperfectsince he got here, but this is more like the Hal he remembers, impassioned, and inelegant.
“–but anyway Sandy was sick, so Matt took Will as his guest. Took hours to get the old man dressed up properly, and he got self-conscious about his cane. He hates that thing, you know.”
“Seems to like using it on people, though.”
A smile quirks at one corner of Hal’s mouth. “There was a barricade, and there were cops, and I was there. But this protestor – this little asswipe – gets through somehow, and leans over the barrier, and just starts screaming at Matt. Awful, terrible shit. Says he wishes he would die. And then he starts waving around this spray paint can, but who knows if there was paint in it – or something worse. He pulled a Three Stooges eye-poke on Diego and just guns for Matt.” He shakes his head. “And then, well, I had no idea the old man could move like that. Before I could get to him, Will swung around and bashed the guy right in the nose.”
He smiles at the memory. “Jeez. Broke it on the first hit. Blood flyingeverywhere.” He holds his hand over his nose and mimes the spray of blood with his fingers, which makes Luke laugh. “Then the guy starts screaming and howling, and yelling about his first amendment rights. And then – this is the best part – Will tells him, ‘Sure, you got the right to say whatever you want. And I got the right to think you’re an asshole for it.’”
Luke laughs, and then Hal too, and then they’re both gasping to catch their breath.
“Okay,” Luke says when he can. “That’s fantastic.”
“Isn’t it, though?”
Half their dinner still sits on their plates untouched, so Luke picks up his fork. He doesn’t remember setting it down.
~*~
“Girlfriend?” Luke asks over cheesecake.
It’s been a slow dance, getting past the awkwardness of separation, and finding their way back to being best friends. Luke isn’t sure if it’s natural, if they really are still close as brothers, or if it’s just the wine. But in the moment he feels warm, full like he hasn’t been in ages, and comfortable. He doesn’t want a cigarette or to be anywhere else.
Across the table, Hal rolls his eyes and reaches for his glass again. “No.”
“Piece on the side?”
“Come on, man.”
“I’m just asking. There’s no way you don’t get some female attention.”
Hal raises his brows. “I’m just that good looking, huh?” Self-mocking tilt of his head, frown lurking.
“Yes,” Luke says, because it’s true. “And I don’t think your job keeps you so busy that you don’t notice.”
“Yeah, well…”
“Maddox’s kid likes you,” Luke says, grinning. “The little one. She’s got itbadfor the security man.”
“You’re gross. I forgot how damn gross you are.” He flicks a greasy penne noodle across the table.
“Dude.”
“Maddie’s just got a little crush, alright? I like to pretend she doesn’t.”
“You better. Or it’s five-to-ten and don’t-drop-the-soap, pretty boy.”
