Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 40

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 40

Nick felt a thrill of recognition deep in his gut. This was what he needed to hear. He needed
someone to tell him that whatever he might be going through, he wasn’t the first, and he
certainly wouldn’t be the last. “If this is too nosy, ignore me,” he said, “but—how did you figure
it out?”
Jamar sighed through his nose. “Sometimes stuff doesn’t make sense until you’re in your
thirties, and you realize, shit, someday soon I’ll be in my forties, and after that I’ll be in my
fifties, so when exactly am I supposed to start clicking with a woman? And then you’re like, well,
fuck, I don’t think it’s going to take. I should probably work through my shit.” He grinned. “Next
thing you know, you’re at Gay Days wearing rainbow mouse ears and getting pictures with
Mickey.”
Nick gave a small, impressed nod. He tried to envision himself wearing rainbow anything at
Disney World; he couldn’t quite get there. “Wow, so you’ve only been out for—”
“About seven or eight years, yeah,” Jamar said. “Those first couple were a little wild. I had no
idea what I was doing, so I dove into the deep end and flailed around. Then I met Ernesto, and
we just… made sense.” He looked back at the dance floor, where Ernesto was still bopping
around with Eli. Ernie caught his eye and waved. The look of deep love in his eyes as Jamar
waved back was unmistakable.
“Yeah.” Nick watched as Eli—dear god—started doing the lawn sprinkler move with his arms.
Somehow, Nick still found him achingly attractive. “I think I get that.” He stared at Eli for one

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more moment, then another, and when he finally turned back to Jamar, he was met with a
knowing raised-eyebrow look.
“You, uh, going through something, man?”
Nick wasn’t sure how to answer—wasn’t sure there even was an answer. Some things Jamar
said had resonated with him, but not everything. He’d enjoyed dating women, back when he’d
done it. He’d wanted to be married to Laurie—until he didn’t. But that preoccupation with
making everyone but himself happy? That struck a big-ass chord.
He opened his mouth, unsure of what was about to tumble out. “I—”
A short, sweaty shape slammed into the bar beside him. Nick stared at Eli, who was sweat-
dappled and panting, plucking at the front of his shirt to try to generate some breeze.
“Jesus,” he said, “I guess I haven’t danced since this fucking playlist was actually in rotation on
the radio. I’m like a dehydrated jack-in-the-box out there.”
Nick signaled to the bartender without being asked. “Can we get a water? Slice of lime like last
time?”
Eli accepted the cup with a grateful groan, using both hands. “Thanks, Nicky.” He started gulping
down the ice water. Nick pointedly did not watch his throat bob with every swallow.
Ernesto joined them with a beaming smile. He didn’t seem to have one hair out of place. “Love,
can you get me a drink, please?” he asked Jamar. “You know what I like.” He produced a folding
fan from his back pocket, snapped it open, and began fanning down Eli while his husband
ordered a rum and coke.