Adam snorted as I spread the cloth napkin in my lap. “Only because you’d been surviving on frozen meals before you met me.”
“It’s why you can never leave me,” Stephen said. “I don’t think I could ever go back now that I know what real food tastes like.”
Everyone began to dig in. Jeremy put salad on my plate without asking. I didn’t say anything because there was a tightness around his eyes and his brow was furrowed. It looked like he was as uncomfortable as I was. I wondered why, given that he knew these people. I mean, sure, a couple of them seemed like assholes, but still. For a moment I thought it had something to do with me, but I dismissed it. He wouldn’t have brought me here if he’d thought I was going to embarrass him. Or at least I hoped that was the case.
“Corey,” Stephen said as he poured a vinaigrette over his salad, “Jeremy here tells me you’ve been an asset to Phoenix House. I knew you would be. I only wish I could have stayed to see the work you’ve done.”
Yet another person Jeremy was talking about me to. Dude didn’t seem to be able to keep me out of his mouth. Figuratively. “That’s kind of him to say. I like to think it’s a team effort, though. Everyone working at Phoenix House knows how important the work is. It isn’t just one person. It’s all of us.”
Stephen nodded. “Everyone seemed wholly capable, Marina especially, seeing as how it was her project. I didn’t get to know them as well as I would’ve liked to, but I knew the center was in good hands when I left. Even more so after I convinced Jeremy to take over for me. But my firm needed me, and I couldn’t say no.”
Brad snorted. “You mean you couldn’t say no to Andrew Taylor’s money.”
I froze, the fork halfway to my mouth.
Stephen sighed. “It’s not always about money, Brad. We’re the best in Tucson, and Taylor knew that. It’s why he hired us.”
Chase laughed. “He knows you’ll get him out of the shitstorm he created. It’s all about PR now. Maybe you can tell him to give me a call once he’s cleared. I’m sure I can put together a plan to rehabilitate his image. Charity work, some public appearances.” He grinned at me. “Maybe we could even get him to come down to Phoenix House. Take some pictures of him with the kids. It’d look good for him.”
I set my fork down so I didn’t stab a motherfucker in the face. “Andrew Taylor. As in the former mayor.”
They must have heard something in my voice because everyone looked at me. “Yes,” Stephen said. “We’re the counsel representing him for his upcoming trial.” He frowned. “Is something wrong?” He looked down at his plate. “Is something off with the food?”
“No,” I said quickly. “Absolutely not. I just… we probably shouldn’t discuss Andrew Taylor while I’m here.”
“I agree,” Luke said. “It’s so boring to talk about. Though you gotta admit he’s hot. And Christ, have you seen his sons? I can’t remember their names, but fuck me. Genetics are strong in that family.”
“Their names,” I said through gritted teeth, “are Vince Auster and Darren Mayne.”
Jeremy started choking next to me.
“That’s it,” Luke said. “Vince and Darren. Which one w
as the bastard? I mean, of course someone like Taylor would have fucked around on the side, but—”
“We really shouldn’t be talking about it,” I said. “Especially since Vince and Darren happen to be two of my best friends. And even though it’s unlikely, I’d hate to create any kind of conflict of interest for Stephen, as I have many, many opinions on the type of man Andrew Taylor is.” I stared at Chase. “And that homophobic asshole won’t step inside Phoenix House as long as I have any say in the matter.”
“Oh shit,” Luke breathed.
I took a sip from my water. It was a wonder the glass didn’t shatter in my hand with how hard I was gripping it.
“Understood,” Stephen said quickly. He looked panicked. Good. He should be. “We won’t mention him again. I’m sorry you were put into that position, Corey.”
Adam reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s probably for the best. Not only are we not here to talk about your clients, we don’t want to put our guest into an uncomfortable position. Corey, why don’t you tell us a bit more about your work? What is it you do? What’s the mission of Phoenix House?”
Oh, the awkwardness was palpable. I appreciated Adam trying to alleviate some of it, but my view of his partner just sunk a few levels. I knew he was just doing his job, but fuck Andrew Taylor.
Jeremy was recovering, and were we going to have a conversation about that later. I reminded myself there was no way he could have known, given that he didn’t know who Vince and Darren’s father was, but still. That was information I could have used before I agreed to come here.
I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts. Jeremy and I had gone through some talking points we wanted to get across, but we’d both agreed to try to keep it fluid. I didn’t want this to be like a presentation. The more organic it was, the better it would sound.
“Phoenix House is necessary,” I said, voice even. “It’s important not only to the LGBTQ community, but it gives younger people a place to go where there’s no judgment and they can feel safe in asking questions they might not be comfortable asking their parents or friends.”
“And they’re some of the smartest people you’ll ever meet,” Jeremy said, picking up the thread. “They’re savvy and socially aware in ways I don’t know we were at their age.” He glanced at me. “Well, most of us.”
“And they’re the people who will begin to vote in the next four years,” I continued, knowing I was treading on dangerous ground by going off the planned path but not giving a shit. “They ask questions and know what injustice looks like. It’s important to—”
“Ah,” Brad said. “So you’re creating an army of social justice warriors.”