Bobby picked up his suitcase from the luggage carousel and looked around to see if he could spot anyone else in the airport. All the airline's flights let out here, and he was sure someone he knew was coming in at the same time...or was it the next time? Things kind of blurred together some days. He peered at some of his fellow passengers but gave it up after a few and went down to the car rental area to wait for EY's plane in an hour. A seat was open by the windows. He dropped his luggage in front of it and parked himself in the seat, shielding his eyes from the sunshine, and almost instantly someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was James, and he was smiling, as usual. "Hey, Bobby, how's it going?"
"Pretty well, James, and yourself?" Bobby answered. "Looking forward to your birthday?"
"YEAH!" James said, enthusiasm lighting up his face. "Tomorrow night dude! We're gonna tear this place up from the front, back and side. You ready?"
"I've been drinking extra beer all week to toughen my liver up."
"Right on Bobby, you know you're going to have to be cast iron tomorrow. Tommy's got the back room reserved of that bar, I forget the name, but it's the one next to the strip bar and we're all going to stop by there before the night's out. You know they still remember me."
"I know. I saw your picture in the hallway there."
"Autographed and everything for 'em. I can't wait." James was now dancing a little from side to side, the excitement bubbling over and out. "AJ even offered to be my designated driver, but I've got that covered. The rest of y'all can plank on the roof or something."
Bobby laughed. "I can't see myself planking on a Hyundai. You make sure and get something a little bigger, okay?"
"Honestly, I sprung for a limo this year. I'm doing it big."
"Look at you, high roller."
"Damn right. I look good, don't I?" James popped his collar and strode down the airport carpet, swinging his hair back and forth and putting a touch more swag in his step. He got about ten steps down the hall and spun on one heel, adding a Michael Jackson kick at the end. Bobby laughed again, this time harder. James walked back nonchalantly and stood next to Bobby again. "Am I right or what?" he said.
"You're right, James. You are something else."
"Just wait until tomorrow night. You're gonna see things you never did see."
"I've already seen you dancing on the pole."
"And you didn't even tip me with your cheap self. Call yourself a friend. That's cool, this year I've got me a glitter thong. I ain't coming home until I can stack the cash."
"Nickels can be stacked," Bobby said, smirking.
"Oh, right, I forgot you used to work there. I told you to wiggle it, but you wouldn't listen."
Bobby just shook his head. It was impossible to one-up James; he had a comeback for just about every joke he could think of. He'd been trying for years and he could never get the last word in. James knew it too; he was smiling broadly at Bobby, knowing he was going to win again.
"Anyway," Bobby said, conceding the battle, "are you driving with anybody?"
"Yeah, I'm riding with Tommy, but his flight doesn't get in for two hours and some, so I'm catching the shuttle to the hotel. You?"
"I'm waiting for EY. He should be here in about 45 minutes. You want to wait and come with us?"
"Y'all gonna eat?"
"Of course. And if his plane's late, I'll take you out, birthday boy."
"Awww. Thanks, man. You paying for it with all them nickels you made, huh? McDonald's dollar menu it is."
"Nothing but the best for you," Bobby said through his smile.
James sat down in the chair next to Bobby and put his legs on his suitcase. "Again, you're right, my friend. You're on a roll today."
"I've just been agreeing with you."
"Like I said."
"Oh. Awww. Okay. Anyway, what else you got planned for this party? Did AJ really say he'd be your designated driver? I thought he would be long gone before you were partied out."
"He wasn't being serious, just nice for my birthday. Offered it up as a birthday present. If he thinks this is getting him out of a real birthday present, he's got another thing coming."
"He's getting you a birthday present?"
"Of course."
"Oh." Bobby felt a little embarrassed that he hadn't thought to get James one. He rubbed his cheek and felt the flush. James noticed.
"Man, just buy me some shots. It's all good."
Bobby changed the subject again, but inside he wondered why, exactly, AJ was buying Storm a present for his birthday. As far as he knew, they were cool, but not especially close. It was the same distance he maintained from AJ - a distance deliberately designed to for maximum encounters but minimal discomfort. As he listened to James ramble on about past birthdays, his mind kept unceasingly turning over that nugget of information. What made James Storm so different that AJ was giving him a present? Are they friends now? How close were they? Was it a big present or what? He inwardly checked himself and returned to pick up James' monologue.
"...and that's when I told that guy tequila would be the death of him. You can't just drink six shots of it and be cool because you had a couple of beers once. Last time I ever went drinking with a grade school principal. Came out with a great story, but nah. Never again."
"I heard that," said Bobby automatically. He checked his watch. Still plenty of time. He opened his mouth to ask James something, but a whole different statement shot out. "You think AJ is going to the strip club?"
James turned in his seat and gave Bobby a piercing look. "You seriously asking me this question? You've known AJ almost as long as me. This is like asking me if I'm going to an AA meeting."
"Yeah. I don't know why I said that. I'm hungry. Getting all lightheaded."
"We could always come back to pick EY up if you want to grab a quick bite."
"No, I'll wait it out. Maybe I should find a vending machine in a little while. It'll make me feel better to have something to nibble on."
James nodded, and as he looked around for machines his face lit up. "Speak of the devil, look who it is." Bobby looked in that direction and spotted AJ lugging his suitcase down the hallway towards them. A spark of excitement flared in his stomach and he got up along James to wave to AJ. AJ's eyebrows went up when he saw the two of them. He walked over and gave both of them hugs. Bobby's eyes flashed with jealousy when AJ hugged James, but it was gone before either of them turned to see him.
"Hey, y'all," said AJ. "What's up? Y'all waiting for somebody?"
"Waiting on EY," Bobby replied.
"What time is he coming?"
"About half an hour now."
"Dang. I'm starving."
James jumped in with a "Me, too."
"Want to grab something to eat with me? I'd wait, but my stomach is stretching all the way down to my leg." AJ said, his eyes fixed on James, a smile on his face.
"Sure thing," said James. "Sorry Bobby, we'll catch you later. Tell EY I said hi." He barely looked at Bobby as he said this; his green eyes were fixed on AJ's blue ones, and Bobby's heart twisted a bit. What the hell was going on with them? This couldn't be his AJ, Mr. Super Christian with a Gay Is Wrong Topping? He couldn't wait to get to the bottom of this.
AJ turned away from the orbital fuck fest and gave Bobby a small one-sided grin. "Tell EY I said hi, too, okay? We'll see you at the show. You ready for this one's birthday party?"
"Absolutely. I heard you were hosting at the strip club."
AJ laughed. "That's wishful thinking on somebody's part. Is it you or James?"
"Mine," Bobby replied.
"Mine was that you'd pay for the drinks," James said.
AJ made as if to slap James on the arm, and James ducked, his smile getting bigger. Bobby pressed his lips together but said nothing.
James said, "Alright. Let's get this show on the road. Later, Bobby." He grabbed his suitcase from the floor. AJ smiled at Bobby again and waved goodbye. Bobby did the same. He watched the two of them walk off towards the hotel shuttles, talking avidly, and he felt the familiar wave of jealousy surface one more time. He pushed it away and checked his watch. Still a half hour to go. Plenty of time to sit and wonder.