CJ was losing his mind.
"So, as I was saying, I think it's really important for people in the shipping business to be passionate about their work, how else is anything going to get done? We pour every loving bead of sweat into every crate we pack, we change people's lives with our products."
CJ began pounding his fist into the booth seat repeatedly. Elliot didn't seem to notice.
"And I know that I've must have said this a hundred times already, but I'm just so very thankful you wanted to work with us to ship your things. You're going to change the world with your farm, CJ. I just know it."
"Uh-huh."
"You are incredible." Elliot leaned forward on his hands and stared dreamily at CJ. "You are so much more than any girl I've ever been with."
CJ's breath held in his chest and his fist froze under the table.
"Uh... okay."
"Oh look, here comes dinner!"
He exhaled in relief. He planned on fleeing the second he took his last bite.
A rather effeminately-dressed man with long, curly hair came up with a pair of plates and sat them down. Elliot's face twisted in confusion.
"Denny? Where's Emma?"
"We switched tables," Denny replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice, "And I can see why."
"Can't you see I'm on a date here?" Elliot motioned toward CJ, who shrunk back in his seat. Denny looked at him, concerned.
"You poor thing." He shook his head before walking away.
"Sorry about him." Elliot stuck a fork in his stir-fry.
"He was fine," CJ was barely audible over the noise of the other patrons.
"He's my cousin, my mom gave him a job here, probably specifically to annoy me."
"Okay."
"I like him, he's just always insulting me. I try to be nice, but he rejects every peace offering I give him. I'm not sure where I took a wrong turn. Family's got to stick together, right?"
"Yeah."
"Besides, I don't understand why he needs this job. He's a fisherman and we're surrounded by water. Surely he'd be well off, right? Why does he need to come here just for more chances to come after me? I'm completely unsure on how I wronged him."
"Uh-huh."

CJ stood outside, back against Merlotte's back wall, cigarette between his lips.
"Well, that was a fucking nightmare," He said to himself.
"Yup, that it was." Denny answered as he came around the corner of the building, nearly sending CJ flying in surprise. CJ grasped his heart and turned to him.
"You scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry, hun. May I?" He motioned to the wall. CJ nodded and Denny leaned against it as well, taking out his own cigarette and lighting up. He turned to look at him, hand on his hip and smoke cloud escaping his mouth. "Now why, pray tell, were you out with him?"
"Free food." CJ turned his stare directly ahead.
Denny laughed. "Yeah, I've been there. Was it worth it, at least?"
"Food's good, yeah."
"Good enough to stand him for a night?"
"Maybe not that good."
Denny laughed harder and took another drag. "Yeah, god. Every time that boy gets a date he has to come rub it in and how it has to be perfect, has to tell everyone about this new girl. Then the girl always ends up bolting after a date or two."
CJ turned to him, barely raising his voice above a whisper. "He... he was calling me a girl?"
"Yeah, hun, he was out tellin' everyone about his new girlfriend. I'm sorry."
CJ slid down the wall and grabbed his knees. Denny bit his lip.
"I'm never gunna be able to escape this, am I."
"Escape what?"
CJ looked forlornly to the side. "I... I can't say."
"Alright, hun, that's fine. You say it when you're ready."
No response.
"Hey, I'm off work now. Why don't you come hang out with me for a bit?"
CJ looked up at him quizzically. "Why?"
Denny shrugged. "Just to hang out." He offered his hand down to him.
CJ looked at it cautiously before putting his hand inside the fisherman's.

"Shea, baby, I'm home from work," Denny called in as he unlocked the door to his beach-side shack. Footsteps came closer the door, revealing a taller man with spiky hair. He kissed Denny gently before meeting CJ's gaze.
"Who's this?"
"Elliot's latest victim."
"Ah, my apologies," Shea said with a chuckle before holding out his hand. CJ gave a little smile and slipped his hand in to receive a strong handshake. "My name is Shea Velasquez, and yours?"
"CJ."
"Just CJ?"
"Stackhouse," He clarified.
"Ahh, you must be the guy Mark's told us all about," Shea grinned wide. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"Thanks," He replied sheepishly.
Denny ushered them all inside and showed CJ to the bleedingly vibrant purple couch. Denny and Shea's home wasn't very big, but it was cozy, with precious heirlooms and small bottles all over their shelves. It almost looked like something out of a fantasy movie.
Shea put his phone away into the pocket of his hoodie. "He's on his way, babe."
Denny smacked his hands together. "Great, great. Did you tell him we have an extra guest tonight?"
"Yeah, he's okay with it." Shea chuckled. CJ's eyes darted between them.
"Who?"
"Ah, no one you've probably met before. He keeps to himself." Denny smiled. "We have a weekly night where we get together and hang out, the three of us."
"You have great timing," Shea thumped the back of the couch. "Not going to lie, we can get pree-ty crazy."
CJ looked up at him, confused.
"We play video games and smoke weed," Denny said with a hand wave, the many bracelets on his arm being thrown about.
"Aww, don't ruin the surprise." Shea leapt over the back of the couch and landed with a thud on his ass. Right as he did, a knock rang out and Denny flew to the door.
"Heeeyy!" Denny greeted their guest, throwing his arms around him in a hug. He walked the newest arrival inside, and CJ's pupils shrank.
Vaughn stared back at him, confused.