The Choices Being Made (Book #2, Choices series)

4

With the move complete and the holidays approaching, the triad decided to go out and celebrate early before family obligations started to divide their time.

"I'm thirty-two! I can't go to some hipster bar or some dark club," Polly said as she tried to pick out an outfit for the evening.

"Oh my God, woman!" Michael huffed in frustration. "This is exactly why I will be helping you shop and dress from now on," he said as he grabbed a black dress that would show off her assets. He loved to assert himself in a controlling position at any available instance. "And yes you can. And yes you will."

"You can't make me..." but she stopped her thought as a look masked Michael's features that spoke volumes.

"The fuck I can't!" He said as he stalked closer to his prey. "Get on your pretty dress and in the living room in five minutes. Or I swear..."

"Mike, dude...chill," Mason said, stepping into the room.

Michael walked off mumbling, "...the things I put up with..."

Mason chuckled. "Look, Pol, this bar isn't bad. A mix of ages. Heck for this town - a mix of...sexual preferences. It really will be fine. Trust me?"

Polly signed and smiled at his sincere face, "Of course."

"Oh but not me, huh?!" They heard bellow from down the hallway.

Polly chuckled. "Is he like a bat or something?"

"I heard that!"

***

"Fine! For the hundredth time, Michael - you were right! This place it nice...for a bar," Polly rolled her eyes at Michael as they sat at a high top table in the darkened bar.

"Did you see that?" Michael nudged Mason as he tipped his head toward Polly. "I have half the mind to teach this little brat a lesson over my knee..."

Mason started to laugh as he saw Polly start to react to Michael's declaration.

"Is this funny..."

"Mason!" A loud male voice interrupted Michael. Polly looked up to see a good looking man clamp his hand down on Mason's shoulder. "My God! It's been ages, man! Geez, how long has it been?!"

"Oh. Um. Hi, Adam, good to see you," Mason said looking over at the man occupying the vacant side of the table. Adam had one of his hands resting on Mason's shoulder and the other flat on the table. He had a very open and trusting stance.

"Yea, man....Soooo...these friends of yours?" He asked Mason as he leaned his head toward Michael and Polly.

"Um yea, this is my...high school buddy, Mike, and his girlfriend, Polly," Mason said, introducing them. "This is my...friend, Adam."

Adam lowered his voice and conspiratorially looked at Mason, "I'm you friend now, huh?"

Michael cleared his throat and muttered, "I guess we all are."

Polly could see the irritation in Michael's eyes. There was no way that Adam missed it.

Adam positioned himself to better see Mason and look in his eyes, attempting to cut out the others. He kept his open stance, never letting go of Mason's shoulder. "You look so fucking good. You've been working out, huh?" Adam's hand briefly felt Mason's bicep before returning to his shoulder.

"Uh um some," Mason looked at Michael for what looked like help, but Michael just smirked.

"I've been thinking about you," Adam whispered loud enough for the others to hear. The hand on the table went down to Mason's thigh, startling him. "And your...," he said closer to Mason's ear as his hand slid up "...you know."