Joel Vaughn and his brother, Tim, each took a seat at the bar. Joel loosened his shirt collar and rolled up the cuffs of his dress shirt. “Thank fuck it’s Friday.” Tim glanced at his older brother. “I don’t know why you work so hard. You’re the fucking president of the company.” Joel chuckled and stared at his brother’s blue eyes. “Buddy, I didn’t get where I am from not working.” He tilted his head to his brother’s attire; which was a black muscle T-shirt, and torn jeans. “Certainly not from ‘acting’.” He used air-quotes and laughed. “Fuck you. I’m getting work.” Tim leaned his elbows on the bar, his motorcycle helmet was beside him. Joel pointed to the helmet. “Why don’t you put that on the floor? The bartender can’t even see us.” Tim placed the helmet near his feet and gave Joel a look of irritation. “Why do you treat me like I’m three years old?” “Because you act like a toddler.” Joel tried to get the busy bartender’s attention. “And you act like an asshole.” The man behind the bar finally noticed them. He set coasters down in front of each of them, and asked, “What can I get you?” Joel thought the bartender was gorgeous. He took a moment to admire his chiseled good looks. Tim said, “The dark porter on tap. And we’d like to see a menu.” “You got it. And for you, sir?” “Sir?” Joel choked, hearing his brother laugh at him. “I’ll have a dirty martini.” Before the bartender walked off, Joel asked him, “How old do you think I am?” The bartender just smiled and made their drinks. Tim chuckled. “I’d rather be a toddler than a ‘sir’.” “I turn thirty and I’m old?” Joel ran his hand through his hair. “This town sucks.” “Stop whining. You’re dressed like a business man. Christ, you have corporate-America written all over you.” Joel leaned back to give his brother a glare. “And? I’m rich, I own a six-million dollar mansion in Sherwood View Estates, and drive a BMW.” Tim shrugged. “Capitalism at its best.” “Hey.” Joel grew annoyed. “I worked for it. I didn’t get it handed to me. Don’t whine to me because you can’t get anything more than shitty bit roles and commercials.” “Am I complaining?” Tim touched his chest. Joel shook his head in disbelief. “If you spent more time in school than you did at the gym, maybe you’d be rich too.” “Fuck you.” “Here you go, gentlemen.” The sexy bartender set two drinks down, and then placed menus on the counter. “Just let me know when you’re ready to order.” Tim shot the man a flirtatious look. “You got it.” Joel sipped his martini and stared at the bartender. “He’s fucking hot.” Tim drank from his beer. “Yeah, whatever.” Joel scanned the food selection quickly, knowing the menu since he’d been here before. “How old do you have to be to serve booze?” Tim asked. “I guess twenty-one. Why?” Tim moved the menu aside and picked up his martini glass. “No reason.” Joel noticed his brother staring at the bartender while he laughed, serving another customer. They were five years apart in age, but had one thing in common. They were both gay. But they couldn’t be more opposite when it came to their personalities. How they had come from the same parents was a mystery to Joel. Joel noticed Tim straighten his posture as the cute bartender returned. “Do you guys know what you want?” Joel opened his mouth to reply but Tim beat him to it. “The bacon burger and wedge cut fries.” “And you?” The bartender turned his attention to Joel. “The salmon, grilled, with asparagus, and just lemon on the side of the starter salad.” “You got it.” The young man smiled and when he did, dimples appeared. Joel was about to die he was so cute. The bartender walked away, taking the menus and placing their order. When Joel came back to earth after getting lost on the hot man, he noticed his brother also staring at the bartender’s tight bottom. Joel cleared his throat. “Anyway…” Tim snapped back to give him his attention. “What are you doing this weekend? Other than working on your pecs?” “Really?” Tim asked, looking at his brother in annoyance. “I have to listen to your shit the whole time we eat?” “Sorry. So, any plans?” Joel drank his cocktail and lost himself on the bartender. “No.” ~ Tim finished his beer and rested one of his shoes on the helmet near his feet. He watched the man behind the bar and figured he had to be in his young twenties. His brother was thirty, but some men went for the money, not the sex. His handsome brother had both. Tim glanced at Joel’s profile, his designer clothing and gold watch. They’d always gotten along, as brothers do; sometimes best buddies, other times, needling each other. But in reality, they just had each other. Their dad split when they were little. Joel took it the hardest since he was seven, and knew what was happening. Tim was only two, and only knew his father from photos. And his mother didn’t even have many of those. Once he left, she tore most of them up, raising two sons on her own. Tim wasn’t envious of Joel’s wealth. Joel had earned it. He and his friend Ray had developed a software company at the right time. It hit the stock market and the business skyrocketed. Tim had conservatively cut brown hair, hair the same color as his eyes, and impeccable taste in everything, including men. He was the polar opposite; covered in ink, riding a Harley, and working as much as he could as an actor, while living in a one-bedroom apartment in West Hollywood. But he knew, if he was in trouble, Joel would be there for him. Unless Tim was actually living on the street, he was fine. So far, the few roles he was able to get from his agent, paid the bills. The bartender approached. “How are you guys doing?” Joel held up his empty glass. “Another round?” He nudged Tim. “You want another beer?” “Sure.” “I’ll check on your order.” The young man took their empty glasses away and gave them each ice water. After they both ogled the handsome man, Tim shook himself out of it, and asked, “So, what are you doing this weekend? I can’t remember if you told me.” Joel sipped the water. “I have no idea. Ray wants me to research a new app. The designer says it’s…woooo!” Joel made a mocking gesture waving his hands in the air. “So fabulous!” Tim smiled. “Well, ya can’t blame the guy for trying.” “True.” The bartender set two fresh drinks down, and then silverware, wrapped up in cloth napkins. “Thanks.” Tim unrolled the napkin and placed it beside him. Joel put the napkin on his lap and picked up his drink. The bartender left and returned with Joel’s salad. “Is that enough lemon?” “Yes, thanks.” The handsome man met Tim’s gaze. “Your burger will be ready soon. Do you want me to wait to serve it when your friend gets his meal?” “He’s not my friend.” Tim gave Joel a silly expression. “He’s my brother. My older brother.” Joel elbowed Tim at the age tease. “Oh.” The young man appeared shy or embarrassed. “Sorry.” Joel said, “No need…hey, what’s your name?” Tim perked up. “Kerry.” “With a ‘K’?” “Yes.” The bartender smiled sweetly and pointed to the end of the bar. “I’ll check on your food.” Once he left, Joel said, “Dibs.” “You can’t call dibs on a man.” Tim drank his beer and watched his brother eat his salad. “I’ll bet he’s got a boyfriend. He’s so fucking hot.” “Probably.” Joel squeezed lemon on his salad and Tim got nailed with a citric spray. “Hey!” Tim held up his hand. “Watch it. You’re squirting me.” Joel dropped the lemon into Tim’s beer, and laughed. “I thought being squirted in the face was something you liked.” “Ass.” Tim scooped the lemon wedge out with his fork. “Why? Lemon in beer is all the rage.” “Not in porter.” Tim dropped the beer-soaked lemon on Joel’s plate. Joel used his fork to flip it onto the bar. “Oooh, pale ale, sorry.” “Not just pale ale, smart guy.” Tim watched the bartender as he spoke to other men at the counter. “Bet he gets hit on every night.” “You better believe it.” Joel ate his salad but Tim could see he was staring at the man. “And I’ll bet he makes a bundle in tips.” “He’s got to be gay.” “Well, he is working in WeHo.” Joel set his salad aside and checked his phone. Tim could see him texting someone, which was normal, since his brother was the CEO in his own business. Joel put the phone down beside him and drank his martini. “Are you going to ask him out?” Tim asked. “Nah. Are you?” “No.” Tim leaned his elbows on the bar again. “Any leads for another role?” Joel used his napkin to wipe his mouth. “I’m going to do a voiceover for a commercial.” “That’s kind of cool.” “I thought so. It’s for trucks.” Joel nodded. “Is your agent decent? I mean, commercials, voiceovers? Nothing that can break you through into something bigger?” “I don’t know. He says the tats limit my look, but fuck that. First of all, I can play every badass cop or crook on TV, and secondly, they don’t have to show me shirtless.” Joel shook his head as he looked at him. “Never should have gotten the tattoos.” “I don’t have sleeves. I’m not that bad.” Tim looked at his shoulders. “Here ya go.” Their food was placed in front of them. Tim sat back and looked at his plate of burger and fries, and could see the calorie difference between his brother’s and his meals, but…he worked out a lot harder than Joel did. Kerry placed ketchup near Tim and took the lemon wedge that was left on the bar. “Anything else?” “I’m good,” Tim said. “Another?” Kerry pointed to the martini glass. “No. I’m driving…my BMW, so I’d better not.” Tim rolled his eyes as his brother tried to impress the kid with his material toys. Kerry laughed. “Right. Better not.” He met Tim’s gaze. “And nothing more for you either?” Mimicking his brother’s tone, Tim said, “I’d better not, I’m riding my…Harley.” Kerry perked up. “I ride. I have a Kawasaki.” Tim noticed Joel shift on his barstool, as if seeing he had something in common with this hottie bugged him. Tim held out his knuckles for a bump. “A brother on two wheels.” Kerry returned the fist bump. “You’re both hilarious.” Joel muttered, “Yeah, a laugh a minute.” “I’ll check back on you.” Kerry left them to eat. Tim leaned on his brother’s shoulder. “That’s one for me.” He licked his index finger and made an imaginary tick mark in the air. Joel ate his food, and then said, “Wait until he sees my tip.” Tim’s smug smile fell and he picked up his burger, taking a big bite. They’d never been in competition for the same man, and Tim knew Joel had all the advantages. Besides, he didn’t want someone coming between them. At least it had never happened before. He and Joel may bicker, but the love they had for each other, was strong.
