Hey Bartender, Hit Me

Chapter 11

Luke and Michael were sitting in the bar upstairs with Harry who'd just gotten off his afternoon shift and was taking a long break to eat before he worked a couple more hours.

    "So, what's the show going to be about, Luke?" Harry asked, cutting a piece of the flatbread he was eating.

    "I haven't gotten too much information yet," Luke said, trying not to get too excited about it. He knew Michael was still a little unsure about everything and tried not to talk too much about it in front of him. But Michael was currently looking over some of re-stock charts Naba had handed him, so he wasn't really paying attention.

    "You must know something, right? Rehearsals start next week."

    "Yeah, I know it's a sad play with a hopeful ending, there's a tragic suicide, my character lies a lot, but in the end there's a lot of redemption and forgiveness."

    "Seems pretty cool. Make sure you save me tickets for opening night. And we can put up an autographed headshot somewhere here on the walls! That way everybody knows the soon-to-be famous Luke Hemmings frequents this high end establishment." Harry winked at him and Luke rolled his eyes.

    "Please,"

    "Naba, don't you agree with me?"

    "I always say the world needs more Luke Hemmings," She said playfully, swatting Harry with a towel, "But stop teasing the poor boy. He has got enough going on without you nagging him."

    Harry gasped and threw his hand to his heart, like he's been shot.

    "I can't believe you'd ever accuse me of such a thing."

    "You can't? You are crazy." She shook her head and went to the other end of the bar to fill a drink for someone.

    "She's the crazy one." He muttered, going back to his food.

    Luke just shook his head at his friends. He loved the relationship everyone had here. They would tease each other, but if anyone asked for a favor, no matter how big or small, everyone here would jump up to help. They really were a family.

    Luke felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out, his heart racing when he saw who texted. The contact name said "Sally-talent agent" but that was just a cover. It was really Niall, and Calum's was "Laura-voice coach". He put them in as girls names because if Michael happened to see it, he wouldn't get jealous.

    There was nothing going on with him and his friends, so Michael had no reason to worry. But just like Luke sometimes felt jealous when Michael would hang out with his friends, he knew that Michael too felt threatened. It was a normal thing, but he just wanted to ease his boyfriends worries.

    That's what he told himself anyway.

    He opened the group chat with Niall and Calum.

    "Hey, what are you up to? :D :D"

    Luke had told them to stop signing their messages with their names, Luke knew who they were by now. And if Michael was paying attention, that would be a clear giveaway. He's guessing the extra emojis are to make up for the lack of signature.

    "Nothing, just hanging at the bar. How about you?"

    "COME DOWNSTAIRS. WE HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU."

    Downstairs...were they here? Oh no.

    He thought about what to do for a moment, before deciding to try to slip past Harry and Michael unnoticed.