Katy Perry's "Bon Appétit" played through huge speakers on either side of the stage. People of all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders danced around him. Scott was confused. How did he get caught up in the birthday celebration to end up at Sylvester's, one of the many gay clubs in Austin?

It started that morning when he was leaving the house. He kissed Becca goodbye and hugged his sons before walking out of the house. As he was getting in the car, he received a message from Mark, one of the second level Architects in his firm.

Hey, don't forget we're having my birthday dinner at Ambrosia tonight. A couple of friends and I are going to the club afterwards. I know it's definitely not your type of scene but I was telling you if you wonder why I'm dragging in tomorrow.

Man, has getting married changed him that much? 'Not his scene'? How would Mark know what his scene was. He loved going out. He was a huge party animal when he was college.

But this was definitely not what he thought it would be. When he told Kevin he was gonna go to the club after the dinner, he reacted funny.

"What?"

"Nothing, dude. Just don't think THAT club is your sorta thing."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, dude. You know what, have fun."

He had underestimated the situation. He forgot Mark was gay, like really gay. Why didn't he say something as the Uber pulled into the parking lot? He didn't. Was it the fact that for the first time in his entire adult life, he felt comfortable and accepted? That thought made him shiver. He could tell his presence made everyone uncomfortable. Bringing the straight man was all fun and games until they walked passed the line and it was clear to everyone that he was not leaving. He was really gonna walk in with them. Currently, they all sat at a VIP table, sipping drinks and looking around the room. It was too loud to hold a conversation but he wanted to make them comfortable. So he'll leave for a few.

"Hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom." Mark shook his head and point in a general direction. He stood up, nodded his head and ignored the stares as he walked to the bathroom. He looked back at the crowd and barely made out the shapes of Mark and his boyfriend standing up.

Opening the door was harder than it should be. It was locked? The smell of weed wafted pass his nose. So he knocked "hey, I'm sorry but I really have to pee."

He heard a click and watched as two people walked out eyeing him and laughing. He shook his head and walked in, ignoring the figure sitting on the sink. He peed and turned back to the door, feeling around for his phone. He was gonna text Becca but a voice interrupted him.

"So you're not gonna wash your hands?"

He looked up and all the blood rushed from his body. It was him. Nick said his name was Mitch. There he sat, a cigarette in one hand and his phone in the other.

"Oh no, I was just looking for my phone."

"Wanna call it?"

Scott narrowed his eyes as he washed his hands. Being this close to him and hearing his voice made him sweat. "Wouldn't it be too loud for me to hear it ring?"

Mitch shrugged and laughed and Scott felt like he was gonna pass out, "maybe but you'd feel it vibrate. You could just like delete it once you're done"

"Yeah, sure." Mitch handed him phone and he dialed his number. His back pocket began vibrating as he cancelled the call and handed the phone back, forgetting conveniently to delete his number.

"Hey, what did you say your name was?" Well, he definitely didn't want to walk back to the table now. He wanted to, if he could, bask in the light of this man for as long as he could.

"I didn't." He laughed "but my name is Mitch."

"Nice to meet you, Mitch. The name's Scott." Mitch waved. His smile was so beautiful and what was he doing? Getting caught up in the vibe was his surroundings, probably. He realized he was too comfortable when he placed his phone back in his pocket without texting Becca.

"Not used to being in a gay club?"

"What....what do you mean?"

Mitch shook his head. "You seem uncomfortable. Plus you stick out like a sore thumb."

"Eh, not really my scene."

Mitch could see it. The way his eye moved across his face. The smile that graced his handsome face whenever he'd smile. The guy was gorgeous. Tall, pale, blonde, and blue eyed. He was strong. His feet were big and his pants sat on his hips just right. He wasn't in the mood when they arrived. However, the only thing that was stopping him from climbing that big tree was air.  He'd have to warm him up first.  "Wanna dance? I love this song."

Scott's jaw dropped. "S-sure. I mean, I guess."

He followed Mitch out of the bathroom, on the dance floor, and over to the corner where it seemed his friends were. He watched a man in a black baseball cap, a oversized plaid trench coat, and cowboy boots leaned to this tall beautiful woman who smiled back. "Scott, this is Alyx and Iris. We met in the bathroom."

Alyx smiled and shook his hand as Iris smiled and shot a knowing glance Mitch's way. He blushed and looked over at his other friends dancing. "Welcome to our side of the club. Iris is my girlfriend and these are our children."

"Children? Oh cool." He'd seen 'Paris is Burning' in one of his film classes in college. He knew what that meant. Iris shook his hand and turned to a random drink. "Ay, ma!"

"Yes, Iris?"

"Bring me back a bottle of whatever and 7 shot glasses."

"Gotcha."

Mitch grabbed his hand and sat his skin on fire as he drug him towards his other friends. "I hope this isn't too much but we're very good at getting people to loosen up."

"I'm fine."

"Yes you are but um this is Ezra, Leo, and Mel."

Scott skipped over the compliment and waved.  "Look at you. Mitchell, he's gorgeous.

"Thank you?"

Iris walked over and handed everyone a shot. "A shot! To celebrate our new friend's arrival."

It burnt but he reached for another. If this was gonna be how the night would end, liquid courage would see him through.