Chapter 2
"Dude chill. I'm walking in now. Where are you sitting?" Shay yelled into the phone as she got closer to the door to the bar.
"I'm at the bar grabbing a drink with Henry. We're kinda towards the back left corner." Kellen's words were already slurring.
Great. Now I gotta play 'Babysit the Dumbass'. Shay thought as she walked in.
"Hey Shay, how's it going?" Brandon asked. He was Shay's favorite bouncer. He took no shit but was a big teddy bear at the same time.
"It's good so far. Bout to go track down gay boy."
Brandon laughed. "Well good luck. There's plenty of them here."
Shay smiled and rolled her eyes as she walked towards the bar area to look for Kellen. She spotted him towards the back with the blonde boy he likes hooking up with once a month.
Ew. Is he eating his face? Shay walked up and tapped Kellen on the back. He turned and gave her a very drunk smile. "Hey girl! Whatcha doin?"
Shay cocked one eyebrow at him. "How much have you had to drink?"
"Um. I'm not sure right now. Why?"
"Because when you drink to much you start sounding a little too gay for comfort."
Henry peaked around Kellen. "He's not driving, I promise. Neither of us are but I will make sure he's safe. Promise."
"Thank you Henry. I appreciate it." Shay turned back to Kellen. "At least someone can be responsible tonight." She gave Kellen a teasing smile.
"Hey! I'm responsible!"
Shay threw her head back and laughed. "Uh. I'm sorry. Did you just have a stroke? Can you repeat that?"
Kellen narrowed his eyes at her before joining in with her laughing.
"So what are you two doing tonight?"
Kellen raised his cocktail "This..." and then pointed at Henry. "And hopefully this"
Henry wiggled his eyebrows back at Kellen. "We'll see."
At this time Shay's phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out to check her texts.
What's your favorite color? Katie's text read.
Why???? Shay replied.
K: Going out and I need help finding an outfit.
Mmm. Happy to help. You'd look good in red or blue. Shay ended the text with a wink emoji.
K: Thanks, gorgeous.
S: Any time. Where are you going out to?
K: 7Colours. It's girls night. Wanna meet me at my place later?
S: LOL. I'll see you sooner than that. I'm at Sevens right now.
Oooo. Even better. I'll come say hi when I get there. Katie ended the text with the red lip emoji.
S: Sounds good. Do me a favor though?
K: What's that?
S: Don't wear any panties.
K: What if it matches my bra?
S: I said what I said. No panties.
K: Yes ma'am.
Shay put her phone back in her pocket and waved the bartender over.
"Is everything okay?" Kellen asked
"Yeah, just some plans for later"
"What are you doing after here? Or rather I should ask, who are you doing?"
"Waitress from the diner across from my work."
Henry's eyes widened as he tilted is head down. "Girl you make friends fast!"
Kellen laughed. "Oh you have no idea. Ladies love this one. Sometimes a little to much."
Shay chuckled. "Heard!"°
"What can I get ya Shay?" The bar tender asked.
"Bourbon. Neat please."
"You got it."
"Thanks Jason."
Shay turned back to the two boys while she waited on her drink. She watched them be engulfed in a conversation about Spiderman.
Oh my fucking God, they're perfect for each other. Shay thought. They really were cute together. If Kellen could stop being so blind to the possibility somebody might actually care about him, he might have a chance at being happy. Henry was sweet, funny, and had the patience of a Saint. And that was definitely going to be needed with Kellens skittish tendencies with a relationship.
"I'm gonna go to the little boys room" Kellen spun in his chair and stood up to walk to the bathroom.
Henry watched him stumble his way to the bathroom before turning back to Shay. "Can I ask you something?"
The bartender set a glass of Bourbon in front of Shay. She grabbed the glass and took a sip before responding.
Damn. That's some good Bourbon. "Sure thing. What's up?"
"Does Kellen...feel anything...for me? Like at all? Or am I just reading too much into things? We've been doing this on and off thing for seven months and like I'm fine if he's just not ready but, I just wanted to know if I'm reading too much. And everything I've tried to bring it up, he changes the subject faster than a second place race car driver gunning for the finish line. But he does little things for me all the time. Like random gifts. Or plans these spontaneous dates. And I'm not wanting to push him but I'm highly confused at this point."
Shay gave Henry a reassuring smile. "He's just scared. His last relationship did a really bad number on him. We both kinda had to get through a rough time. Our relationships fell apart around the same time. His was quite a bit worse though. I don't know if he's told you about Damien."
"We've had a few conversations. He gives a little more information each time but he doesn't stay on topic much."
"Well Damien was Kellen's first love. They were together since sophomore year. And when they graduated Damien gave him a promise ring. Made this big show of telling him that one day he would pop the question. Kellen was head over heels. And for the entire eight years they were together he planned the wedding, that way when Damien did it, they were ready. He was in love with him. And when he came home from work early on Valentines day to surprise him, he found him in a bed of roses with another guy. He spent quite a few months going off the deep end. Damien kept showing up wanting to talk and Kellen tried to hear him out once but it only made things worse. So he stopped answering the door and eventually moved in with me for a while and changed his phone number. Damien kept trying for three months. It just messed with him more and more.and ever since he skittish. He gets scared when he starts getting feelings and he distances himself. But with you. He comes back. And that's because you've been patient and you give him his space. I watch him get a little more comfortable every time he's with you. But make no mistake. If you tell him how you feel right now. He will run and there is no guarantee he will come back."
Henry listened to every word intently and smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate the input. I can be patient with him. Now. Speaking of our boy. I'm gonna go see what's taking so long."
Shay gave him a sweet smile and put her hand on his cheek. "He cares. Just keep doing whatever it is you are doing."
Henry smiled and nodded before getting up and heading to the bathroom.
Shay was sipping her bourbon and listening to the music when her phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the text.
K: I may run a tad late, there is this gorgeous blonde sitting at the bar drinking...Bourbon? Neat maybe?
Shay looked up to see Katie standing at the doorway wearing a knee length, bright ruby red dress covered by a floral lace shaw of the same color. Her long blonde hair fell in waves down her back and the look was complete with a pair of lace up stiletto heels. As she walked closer to the bar, Shay licked her lips which caused Katie to give a teasing smile back.
"Was the cute blonde comment necessary?"Shay asked while waving the bartender over.
"Probably not. But it made me laugh."
Shay scoffed and gestured to the seat next to her. "So where are your friends?"
"On the way, they decided to carpool."
"You opted out?"
"I have a....more intriguing idea in mind when we leave here." Katie's flirtatious smile was contagious.
Shay cocked one eyebrow as she took another sip of her drink. "Is that so?'
Katie leaned in close next to Shay's ear. "Yes ma'am."
Shay smiled into her glass. "You'll pay for that later."
"I look forward to it."
At that point, four women walked in the bar. Katie looked over and smiled. "And that, would be my girls. I'll see you later on?"
"Looking forward to it."