Chapter 9
PETE
I’m woken up Friday morning by what sounds like a monsoon outside my window. Jesus Christ, I don’t think I’ve ever heard rain that loud. When I reach for my phone, there’s a message waiting for me.
Thank fuck no one is around to see the stupid smile I can’t stop when I see who it’s from. I thought things might be awkward after our walk.
After that kiss.
After what I said to him outside the pub.
They aren’t though.
At least not over text.
Charlie: OMG can you hear that rain?
Pete: Mad right?
Charlie: Woke me up. Thought the world was ending
Pete: Same. Not looking forward to going out in it
Not that I think we’ll be all that busy today. Can’t imagine many people braving this weather to pick out a Christmas tree.
Charlie: Oh shit. I forgot you work outside. That sucks
Pete: Yep
Pete: You’re laughing aren’t you?
Charlie: Little bit
Charlie: I’ll be thinking of you while I’m in my nice cosy hotel room
Charlie: Dry and warm
I’m grinning at my phone by this point. Again, thank fuck no one can see me.
Pete: You’re all heart
Charlie: I try
I want him to send me another photo of him in bed. Sleepy and cute. Probably best if he doesn’t, but I still want to see him.
I could send him one first. Maybe he’ll reciprocate?
I know I shouldn’t.
It’s like we’re playing a weird game of chicken.
He can always delete it.
I flip my camera around for a selfie and check to make sure I’m decent.
It was fucking freezing last night so I slept in pyjamas.
I’m not even showing any skin. My hair is a mess and I’ve got a faint pillow crease down one cheek.
I trimmed my beard yesterday, but the dark stubble is still thick and full. Even I can admit I look all right.
I take the picture and hit Send before I can change my mind.
Then hold my breath as I wait for him to open it.
My pulse kicks up, second thoughts flooding in as I wait for it to change from Delivered to Read.
As nerve-racking as it is waiting to see if I’ve embarrassed myself, I can’t deny the thrill I get when I see those three dots appear. I’ve missed this too, having someone to chat with that has nothing to do with friends, family, or work.
This is just for me.
It’s not quite what I want it to be, but it’s a close fucking second.
I laugh out loud when his text comes through.
Charlie: I think we’re doing this wrong
The accompanying photo is him, sat up a little against his pillows, wearing a hoodie.
I’ve had my fair share of dick picks, and yeah, okay, I can’t lie and say I didn’t appreciate some of them. But this? This is so much better.
That said, I’m not sure what to type next.
We’re skirting that line again. The one that both of us drew and yet are dangerously close to going over.
I don’t want to be the one to cross it first. Especially not over text.
Pete: You still up for tonight?
Charlie: Yeah, Looking forward to it. I think
Pete: They’re good people. I promise
Charlie: Have you told them anything about me?
Pete: They know we met last New Year and that your ex left you here. That wasn’t me by the way. But I haven’t told them that you’re an author, if that’s what you’re asking?
Charlie: Yeah I was. And thanks
My alarm goes off, reminding me I still have a job to do despite the rain pissing down like the end of days.
Pete: I have to get ready for work. I’ll see you tonight, about 7, yeah?
Charlie: Yeah. Hope you don’t get too wet
Pete: Same, but I’m thinking it’s a given
Those fucking dots appear then disappear twice before his message finally comes through.
Charlie: See you later
I don’t think that’s what he wanted to say at all, and I’m so tempted to ask, but then remind myself, if he wanted me to know, he would’ve typed it in the first place.
Pete: Looking forward to it
I set my phone aside and, with a heavy dose of reluctance, push the covers off and start to get ready for what I know is going to be a shitty day.
“Oh my god!” Sadie covers her mouth with a hand as I shake water off before coming into the shed/office. “Bit wet out there?”
“Fuck off.”
She laughs but passes me a towel. “Here.”
“Thanks.” I wipe my face and scrub it over my head, because honestly, everything else is a lost cause.
I’m wet down to my bones. Even my waterproofs haven’t been enough to keep me dry today.
Surprisingly, even with the rain only letting up a bit from this morning’s downpour, we’ve been busy.
Well, busy enough that I’ve been outside more often than not.
She finishes tidying up and peers past me outside. “Ooh, I think it might’ve stopped.”
“Typical.”
“You done in here?” I need to get home and have a quick shower, and time’s getting on.
She crosses her arms and eyes me curiously. “Is it the big triple date tonight?”
“Stop calling it that.”
“Oh relax, I’m only teasing.” She ushers me out the door and locks up behind me.
And she’s right, it has stopped raining.
“So is it?” She pokes me as we walk to our cars.
“If you mean, am I meeting up with some friends and bringing Charlie with me, then yes.”
“Mhmm.”
“He’s here on his own. A bit of company will do him good.”
She laughs, leaning against her car. “How generous of you.”
I shrug, smirking at her. “What can I say, I’m a generous kind of guy.” I don’t tell her she was right the first time. It feels exactly like a triple date.
Am I asking for trouble introducing him to Vic, Sean, Jerry, and Reed?
Probably.
I’ve spent more time with them this last year than I usually do. They’re great guys, but they’re also under the impression that I need to be all coupled up like they are.
I mean, they’re not wrong, but I don’t particularly want their version of help. I know they’re gonna think me and Charlie are together, despite me saying otherwise. And they’ll probably embarrass me by saying shit about it.
I’m hoping Charlie won’t take offence or be pissed off. I’m ninety percent sure he’ll be okay about it.
And maybe a small part of me, very small, minuscule even, is hoping it might change his mind.
I want him.
I want to kiss him again.
I want to spend as much time as I can with him before he leaves, and I’m starting to think I’ll regret it if I don’t at least try.
Sadie and I say our goodbyes and I head home to shower and change. Getting dressed has its challenges; I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, or that I’m treating it as a date, even though I am. Kind of.
Ugh. Fuck’s sake.
I stand in front of the mirror, hand in my hair.
It’s just a dinner with friends.
Am I overthinking this?
Absolutely.
Right. I take a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. Then get dressed in the first pair of jeans and the black jumper I’d originally picked out. My hair behaves for once. I add a quick spray of aftershave and head out.
I text Charlie when I’m in the car.
Pete: On my way now.
Charlie: Ok. I’m ready so I’ll go down and wait in the bar.
Sean and the others won’t be there until 7:15. I thought I’d meet Charlie earlier so that he doesn’t run into them first.
I’m nervous as I make the ten-minute drive to the pub.
I want to talk to him, to see if maybe he’s changed his mind about repeating that kiss.
And other things. The more I think about it, the more I want to bring it up, but I can’t do it in front of everyone.
I’m worried he’s going to see through me the second I step foot in the pub.
Jeez, Pete.
You’re a grown man.
It’s not the first time you’ve been in this situation.
Kind of feels like it though.
Before I realise it, I’m pulling into the pub carpark. I have zero recollection of the drive here, which is a bit concerning, but oh well.
The front car park is full so I drive around to the back. It’s busy tonight, by the looks of it. I hope Sean booked a table or we’ll be begging Hailey to find room for us.
Once parked, I grab my coat and head inside.
The Charnwell Inn is the epitome of a country pub at Christmas. Lights line the path from the car park round the side of the pub to the front. More lights are strung along the eaves and along the windowsills.
I take a moment to admire the tree again.
She really is a beauty.
I might be able to take credit for picking it out, but Char and Hailey have done a fabulous job of decorating it. Coloured lights slowly fade in and out before twinkling rapidly, then go through a couple more variations. Then the pattern repeats again.
There’s a lot I love about this time of year.
I just wish I had someone to share it with for once.
The door pushes open, music and chatter spilling out, and I look up to see Charlie stepping outside. “Hey.” He shoves his hands in his pocket, shivering. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
“Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”
He rolls his eyes. “Because I’m stood in the doorway not coming outside.” He gestures to where I’m still standing in front of the Christmas tree. “You coming in any time soon, or . . . ?”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.” As I walk towards him, I take a second to really look at him. He’s got faded blue jeans on and a dark green jumper that hugs him in all the right places.
He looks good.
I reach the door, but he doesn’t move to get out of my way. I smile at him. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.” His cheeks flush, lips curving into a smile as his gaze sweeps over me in return. “You, um . . . you look good, too.”
Okay, it wasn’t awkward over text, but it’s a little awkward now. Not helped by the fact that I really want to kiss him. Now that I’ve done it once, I don’t think the feeling’s going away any time soon. “Shall we?” I say instead and gesture behind him.
“Oh yeah, sorry.” He turns and heads into the main part of the pub. My gaze drops to his arse, can’t help it. The back view is just as good as the front.
Fuck. It’s going to be a long night.
Before we get far, Charlie spots Hailey over by the bar and heads that way instead. Looking back at me, he says, “I just need a quick word with Hailey.”