Chapter 7
7
Ryan
I’d just finished watching the Red Sox game, and although it was a weeknight, I was feeling antsy. I’d been considering asking Miles if he wanted to go out when Court texted me. After he left the Cape abruptly, I wasn’t sure if we would have the opportunity to see each other again, so I was pleasantly surprised to get a text from him.
I saved his number in my phone and then typed out a message to my sister:
Did Court ask for my number or did you pester him until he agreed to text me? I know how you are ??
While I was looking forward to seeing him in a bit, I needed to make sure Morgan wasn’t pushing for something to happen between us if he wasn’t truly interested. When she set her mind to something, my sister tended to be pushy and didn’t take no for an answer.
Morgan’s reply came through as I got off the couch and headed to my bathroom:
He asked for it. You should be thanking me instead of acting like an ass
Thank you
My text was followed by a few eye-rolling emojis.
After a quick shower, I noticed Morgan had sent another message:
So that’s it? Obviously he texted. I need the deets
We’re meeting at Chrome in an hour
Yay! I expect an update later
Don’t you have your own dating life to obsess over without worrying about mine?
You know I like setting people up. You’ll be happy about my meddling one day
I shook my head and set my phone down to finish getting ready. I used some pomade to style my light brown hair and then changed into a violet button-down shirt and fitted gray jeans. With one last glance in the mirror, I headed downstairs to meet my rideshare.
When the car pulled up in front of the club, I sent Court a message:
Just got here. What about you?
Already at the bar
I showed my ID to the bouncer and made my way past the dance floor to where Court was sitting at the far end of the bar. “Hey,” I greeted when I reached him. “Hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
He shook his head. “Nah. I just sat down when you texted. I haven’t even ordered a drink yet.”
“We definitely need to fix that.” Even on weeknights, Chrome was usually packed, and it took some time for the bartenders to get to everyone, but luckily, I saw Perry, one of the bartenders I was friendly with, and waved him over.
“Hey, Ryan. What can I get you?” He wiped the bar top down with a towel.
“I’ll take a whiskey sour and”—I glanced at Court—“what would you like?”
“A Sam Adams would be great,” he replied.
“All right.” Perry turned and grabbed what he needed to make my drink.
I leaned my hip against the bar and gave Court all of my attention. “I’m glad you texted and decided to meet up.”
He smiled. “I’m working the next five nights, and I figured if I wanted to see you, I needed to jump at the chance.”
I sighed. “It sounds like we work opposite schedules.”
“Oh yeah? What is it you do?”
“Nothing nearly as exciting as working at a strip club,” I teased. “I’m a financial advisor.”
“Well, if I ever need investment advice, I guess I know who to ask now.” He chuckled.
“Here you guys go.” Perry placed our drinks in front of us.
As I reached for my wallet, Court said, “Let me get that. I’m the one who invited myself.”
“You can get the next round.” I handed over some cash to cover our tab. “Thanks, Perry.”
Court and I both took a sip of our drinks.
“You’re on a first-name basis with the bartender. Do you hang out here a lot?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I guess. My friends and I usually come here a couple times a month.”
“Your friends? Were you meeting them tonight?”
I smiled around the lip of my glass. “That was the plan, but you texted me before I could invite anyone. I think it worked out better this way.”
“Is that so?” Court smirked.
“Yep.” I winked as “Rush” by Troye Sivan started pumping through the club. The music had me eager to drag Court to the dance floor. “Now, about that show you promised me earlier …”
He laughed. “You ready to watch me shake my sexy ass?”
“I’ve been ready.” We finished our drinks, then I reached for his hand and led him to the middle of the crowd.
Court didn’t waste any time and immediately began moving to the beat. And man, could he dance. I was so mesmerized by the way he swayed his hips that I didn’t notice the song change to “Love Language” by Ariana Grande until he stepped closer and placed his hands on my hips.
The space between us disappeared entirely as we began dancing together. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and said into his ear, “I guess I found out.”
He leaned back and lifted a brow. “What do you mean?”
“You definitely have some good moves.”
He flashed me a grin. “So, you’re saying you’re impressed?”
I snorted a laugh. “You could say that.”
We stayed on the dance floor for several more songs, but since I had to work the following morning, I knew I needed to call it a night soon. “Want to get some fresh air?” I asked.
He nodded. “Sure.”
We slipped through the crowd and made our way outside. Although summer nights in Boston were mild, it felt downright chilly after dancing for so long. “Are you still happy you decided to come out tonight?”
“Much better than staying in.” He looked into my eyes. “I’ll have to remember to thank your sister for giving me your number the next time I see her.”
“You’ll make her day. She loves trying to set me up with people.”
He cupped the side of my face. “I think she did a good job this time.”
“I agree,” I breathed before he pressed his lips to mine.
As far as kisses went, it was pretty PG. Our mouths moved together, but neither of us pushed for more. It was different from the frenzied make-out sessions I usually engaged in with the guys I hooked up with.
Court pulled back. “I’m guessing you have an early morning tomorrow, so I should let you head home. Did you drive tonight?”
“No. Parking is a bitch around here. I’m going to order a ride. What about you?”
He nodded. “Same.”
I offered to share a car, but it turned out we lived on opposite sides of Boston. We both pulled up rideshare apps on our phones.
“Looks like my driver is right around the corner,” he said as he finished on his phone.
“Mine’s still three minutes out.” I shrugged.
A moment later a car stopped in front of us. He reached for the door handle but looked at me one more time. “I’d like to do this again.”
“Me too,” I admitted. “It might be hard with our schedules, but hopefully we can plan something soon.”
“I’ll text you,” he promised before leaning in to kiss me softly on the lips.
Once he was gone, I sent a text to Morgan:
I might be happy about your meddling
OMG! Does that mean things are going well?
He just left but we had a good time
Are you going to go out with him again?
I think so
You so owe me
I laughed as my car arrived. I wasn’t sure I would go that far, but I was looking forward to seeing Court again.