Heartsville 03 - Another Shot (J.H. Knight) Read Free Page B

with someone else being there when I get home. You hate it. Whether you admit it or not.”
    The problem with being unreasonably close to his family was that they all knew him too well. His sister most of all. “Fine. But this is it. You get one blind date card ever, for our whole lives. Make sure you wanna use it on this guy.”
    “I do. If he were straight, I’d give up my remote for him.”
    “So he’s perfect for you ? You’re not exactly making a strong case here.”
    Mandy groaned and dropped her head back against her seat. “Just meet him, okay? Then I’ll leave you alone about it.”
    “Here’s another question… if he’s so perfect, why is he single?”
    “Why are you?”
    “Apparently, I’m too picky. You just said so yourself.”
    “Maybe he’s picky too.”
    “Great.” Aaron laughed and asked, “Do you at least have a picture of this guy?”
    Mandy shook her head. “No, but he’s seen a picture of you, so he’ll know who he’s looking for. You’re meeting him tomorrow night at Jubilee.”
    Why fight it? “What time?”
    “I told him you probably had to close, so around eight.”
    “Tell him nine so I have time to clean up before I go over there.”
    Mandy actually clapped and squealed. She wasn’t a squealer normally, so she must have been excited.
     
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Aaron was four minutes early for his blind date. Mandy had said the guy would be wearing a blue button-down, sitting at a table near the bar. He scanned the room, but the only guys wearing blue were already paired off or sitting in groups, as if they’d all come in after work for a few rounds and decided to stay until closing.
    Jubilee wasn’t technically a gay bar, more like an upscale lounge in the middle of a gay neighborhood. Its location meant the regulars were usually gay or gay-friendly, though, and Aaron liked it better than the louder, younger, and, well, hornier scene at the dance club or the quieter scene at the local theater. He thought of it as his Goldilocks lounge. Not too young, not too old, not too cruisey. Jubilee was just right. He took a seat at the bar and waited.
    After five minutes—one minute late—Aaron texted Mandy.
    No-show. I’m off the hook. You still spent your card, though. Love you.
    He could practically feel Mandy’s irritation through her response.
    I texted you an hour ago and said he’d be late. Don’t be a dick. LU2.
    Right. He’d seen the little text banner pop up earlier, but Aaron had been trying to read an article on his phone (see: look at hot guys on a new porn site) and he’d dismissed it without reading it.
    He ordered a vodka and cranberry, but before the bartender finished pouring it, the door opened and an alarmingly hot guy—six feet tall if he was an inch, broad shoulders, scruffy five-o’clock shadow, wavy dark hair—walked in. A blue collar was barely visible under his heavy wool coat.
    Okay, it was too early to tell how perfect he was for Aaron, but he looked pretty perfect.
    Dear Mandy and God of Gay Men, if this guy isn’t a serial killer who wants to eat my toes for breakfast, I totally owe ya one.
    The guy paused for a moment and slipped off his coat. He glanced around expectantly, and then his gaze landed on Aaron. He grinned and crossed the floor. “Aaron Forester?”
    Aaron stood up, nodding—feeling like an idiot for being so eager. But seriously, this guy? Mandy knew his physical type, if nothing else. “Yeah, hi,” he said as he extended his hand. “I don’t think Mandy even told me your name, so you’re one up on me.”
    “Brad Collins,” he said with a genuine laugh as he shook Aaron’s hand. “She didn’t actually give me yours either, but she talks about you a lot. Aaron could’ve been a different brother for all I knew, but you matched the picture.”
    “Nope, I’m the only brother. Can I get you a drink?” Aaron was grinning too much, but he couldn’t really stop himself.
    It only took a few minutes for Brad to