(GQ #13) Adventures in Spacepunk

10. Slice of Love Life

"What does he mean call Mia? What archivist?" Emil squinted at his phone like focusing harder would make his brother's text make sense.

"Isn't she with him?" A muffled bossa beat with an electronic twist came from the cafe whose awning Leon joined him under. Had Emil known this place was just up the street from the fountain, he would've taken a video of Cosmo here with his phone instead of using it as a music source. Transferring video from camera to phone took more patience than it needed to.

"Right??" Emil's fingers tapped away. "There. I just asked him the same question." Another text got his attention. "Huh?"

"What else did he say?"

"No, I just saw that Ange responded to that thing I wrote you earlier." Angelo's text got a laugh out of him, but it made its mark, just like a manly-but-caring heart-shaped bruise. He angled his phone so Leon could see.

"Awh." Leon chuckled. "I'm surprised he sent that. I can't think of a time that he's ever gone out of his way to talk to someone outside of the family. We even order food for him. He must really like you!"

"That reminds me." Emil ignored Lorenzo's next text for a moment. He'd thank him later for this. "Another reason I brought you with me is 'cause I needed to ask ya something a little personal."

"Really? What is it?"

"Does Ange have a crush on me?"

"Not that I know of. I could ask h–" Leon reached for his bare wrist. "Right. I keep forgetting I don't have my phone. What makes you think so?"

"Lorie thinks somebody does. Ange is the only one that makes sense. Everybody else is either into girls, into nobody, or already knows nothing can happen between us." At this point, Emil doubted anyone walking by paid their talk much attention, but he'd rather play it safe. Thank goodness Angelo's nicknames leaned gender-neutral.

"Woah, really? Hm, I never really got that vibe from Ángie. Just a few days ago, we were talking about how cool you are, and it was mostly me doing the talking." Leon laughed. "I can't say I'd blame him if he did, though."

Emil couldn't either. If a guy stuck his neck out for him the same way he did for Angelo, offering understanding while being the first other gay-adjacent dude he met as an insecure teenager, he'd probably fall in love. But did Angelo? He had a hard time imagining it.

"I know people who would hate what you're doin' to my ego right now, but I'll take it~" Emil winked. "Ange doesn't give me that vibe, either, so I'll save us the awkward conversation. Now if you'll excuse me," he finally checked Lorenzo's non-answer, "I gotta make a call."

"Hello?" Mia's whisper soon came over the speaker. Someone else's did too. Not Lorenzo, from the sound of it.

"Heeey, Mia! The archivist is here," he spoke it like a code phrase, "whatever that means."

"Oh, thank y–" She did not explain, but Emil heard the other person ask who he was, and something about Mia being popular. "Mom, please–! Um, sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know. Bye–"

"Wait, before you go, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Try to see if you can get Lorie to join the group chat or something. This is ridiculous."

"...I'll try?"

"I know he's a tough nut to crack, so don't worry if you don't succeed. Just give it your best shot. See ya!"

"Tell Mia I said 'hi!'" whispered Leon.

"And Leon says 'hi.'"

"Uhhh, hi? Bye?" Some more whispering happened on Mia's end. "...My mom says hi. I'll talk to you later."