Glow

Clothes were strewn around Scott Fitzgerald's bedroom. He had most of the attic above the flat he shared with Tyler Jones and Eddie Channing. Unfortunately, that meant he had the space to get most of his wardrobe out.

He had a date and wanted to look perfect. In the end he had opted for white shorts and a pink polo shirt. Summer had gripped Brighton for weeks now and Scott had a decent tan. He'd decided he may as well show it off.

Scott checked himself in the full-length mirror. Not bad.

As he walked to the door, he stopped. What if this guy came stayed the night? He would think Scott lived like a teenager with the mess. Strictly speaking Scott had made a vow he wouldn't sleep with people on the first date anymore. However, this potential new man looked super-hot in his photos and will power was not infinite.

He glanced at his watch.

"Fuck," he muttered to himself.

With no time to tidy up, he grabbed as many items as possible and carried them onto the small landing. Using one hand, he struggled with the storeroom that they all used to dump stuff they couldn't fit in the flat.

It was mainly filled with Eddie's ridiculous collection of movie memorabilia. Scott spent most of his money on clothes and he kept them neatly pressed in his room. Usually.

He threw them all in the room. A Ralph Lauren shirt got snagged on a life-sized Alien model. He couldn't worry about that now.

Instead, Scott bounded down the stairs and into the lounge.

"Oh, hello," Eddie replied.

He was sat on the sofa with his new boyfriend, Billy Webster. As usual they were draped across each other. Ever since they had got together, Billy had been a permanent fixture in the flat. He had his own place down at the marina but they all got on so well, he preferred to be there.

"Good afternoon, love's young dream," Scott said.

"I thought you were meeting this guy at four," Eddie replied.

It had gone half three

"Yes, I'm aware," Scott replied, scanning the room. "Have you seen my Converse?"

"Here," Billy said.

He reached down the side of the sofa and produced the trainers in question.

"How did you spot them?" Scott asked.

"Years of raising a teenage girl, I guess."

Billy had taken on custody of his half-sister, Crystal. She had recently gone to live in Manchester. It appeared Billy hadn't lost the knack.

Scott sat on the chair. The door opened. Tyler and his boyfriend, Danny Healy came in.

"Phew," Tyler said, wafting his hand in front of him. "Did someone smash a bottle of floor cleaner?"

"That's Ck One thank you," Scott replied.

Danny and Tyler squeezed onto the sofa with the other two. Scott looked up.

"Ugh," he said. "A monogamous firing squad. I surrender."

"Now, now," Tyler replied. "This could be the one. Which is it?"

Scott sighed. "The doctor."

Tyler frowned. "What happened to the accountant?"

"Too dull," Scott replied. "He spent thirty-eight minutes telling me about his recycling bins. I kid you not. I timed him."

"Hang on," Danny said. "I thought you were all about the social worker?"

"No," Eddie replied. "He ate with his mouth open."

Ever since Scott had vowed to find someone serious about settling down, Scott had taken on the mission with gusto.

"Can you stop?" he said. "You're making me nervous. What are you four doing?"

"A gig at the Music Hall," Eddie replied.

"Aww. A double date. Cute," Scott said.

At the start of the summer, he had been the only person who actually wanted a relationship. Tyler had arrived in town and immediately fallen into bed and subsequently in love with Danny. Then, Eddie, who had sworn off entanglements, had become hopelessly devoted to Billy.

It had left Scott very much on the periphery. Not that anyone made him feel like that. He did that perfectly well by himself.

"Why don't you come with us," Tyler said, "If this date turns out to be a dud."

Scott finished lacing his trainers and stood up.

"It won't be a dud. I have a good feeling about this one."

He pointedly ignored the sympathetic gazes from everyone. Instead, he grabbed his phone and wallet from the sideboard.

After a long summer, there was a bite in the air. While Scott was a sun worshipper through and through, the cooler weather had come as a relief.

"I'd better get a jacket," he said. "I don't want to catch a cold and have to find out his bedside manner too soon."

"Does he live in Brighton?" Danny asked.

Scott stopped at the doorway. "He's just moved here from Glasgow."

"Fresh meat," Eddie said. "Are you waiting on the edge of town for new people now?"

"There are only so many men in Brighton," Tyler added.

Scott narrowed his eyes. "You two are very holier than thou. Do I need to embarrass you in front of your lovers?"

Tyler held his hands up. "Please no. Hey, he might need new furniture."

Scott groaned. "If he does and it gets to a second date, I promise I'll bring him to your shop, Danny."

When Tyler and Danny had got together, Danny had worked in the warehouse at Pleasure Seekers, the online adult superstore. Tyler, Eddie and Scott also worked there. But Danny had left to take on a vintage furniture shop from his friend.

Danny held his hands up. "Don't drag me into it."

"Danny, I meant to say," Billy said. "We're pushing refurbished things at our new project. We're converting an old department store in flats. Maybe we could talk."

In a reversal of fortune, Billy had recently sold the family business. A souvenir shop down by the sea front. Now he was working in an architect practice in the centre of town.

"Definitely," Danny replied. "Look at me doing deals out of hours."

Tyler squeezed his leg. The pride emanating from him was palpable. It caught in Scott's throat for a second. Of course he was pleased for his two friends. They were head over heels in love Even so, a tiny pang of jealously reverberated within in.

"Right, I'm going. Wish me luck."

Scott walked to the bar with a spring in his step. Town was busy with drinkers spilling out of the bars. Some to smoke and others to enjoy the summer evening. There was nothing quite like Brighton when the weather was nice and the booze flowing.

He made his way past the Pavilion. Even after years of living in the town, he never quite got used to it. Once the royal residence of George IV, the building looked as though it had been transported from India. It's domes and minarets commanded attention compared to the dull square buildings that surrounded it.

Scott could get on board with a statement like that. Most of this outfits when out on the town did that also. Although not today. He felt very subdued in comparison to his usual sartorial choices.

When he got to the bar they had agreed to meet in, he checked his appearance in the window. Not too shabby.

Although he knew it added to the stress, he always took a mental snapshot of the moment before a date.

Could this be the change? Right now?

He pulled open the door and entered. The bar was fairly busy. In the corner, he saw a figure sat at a table, alone.

That had to be him.

Fuck, he's gorgeous.

Pushing the sensations of inadequacy down, Scott raised his chin and walked over to his date. About halfway, they caught each other's eyes.

By the time, Scott reached the table, he was sweating a little. Had this guy chosen to sit the furthest from the door just so he could watch Scott come over?

He stood.

"Scott? Wow I thought you'd be thinner."

With a calmness he never knew he possessed, Scott leant forward and picked a half-drunk pint of lager off the table and tipped it over his date's head.

He let out a cry that demanded everyone's attention. Without saying a word, Scott turned on his heels and walked out of the bar.

It wasn't until he got back out onto the street that he let the tears flow.