11. Lennox
11
LENNOX
It’s been three days since I’ve seen Jensen and I’m itching to see him again. After he made me breakfast, I went back to my apartment to study for an upcoming test. I’ve had classes the past few days, and he’s had to work, so we haven’t been able to get together. Plus, I have to be at Peaches tonight and he has a shift tomorrow morning, so I won’t see him tonight either.
I step into the back of the club, using the employee entrance. It’s not open yet, so there’s no flashing lights or pounding bass music. It’s nice to see it this way sometimes.
“You’re here early.” I turn around, taking in Jonas, who’s standing in the hallway. How he’s so quiet while being so big, I have no idea.
“I was meeting Preston. We’re going to grab a bite to eat before our shifts start. He left a thing here earlier, so we figured it would make the most sense to meet here.”
“Oh, yes. Our resident clumsy bartender. He’s at the bar grabbing something.”
“I’m right here.” Preston comes into view, side-eyeing Jonas as he walks past him. “Don’t worry, I didn’t break anything.” He rolls his eyes, walking past both of us. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
“Okay?” I mumble, wondering what’s going on between Preston and Jonas. I’ve never noticed the tension before, but there was definitely something different about that.
“Are you cool with eating at the diner?” Preston asks, leading me out of the building into the warm sunlight.
“Sounds good. Let’s walk.”
We stride down the street, side by side. We’re both quiet, the sounds of the busy road the only thing we hear. I open the door to the diner, letting Preston go in first before I follow behind him. After getting a booth, we place our orders, and I can tell something is off with Preston.
“Hey, are you okay?” I ask, hating how silent he’s being. Preston may be a lot of things, but being this quiet is not one of them.
“I’m fine.” He blows a raspberry, rolling his eyes. “My boyfriend dropped me off at Peaches at the same time Jonas showed up. Jonas opened his mouth, saying stupid things that irritated me.”
“Like what?” The Jonas I know isn’t the type to butt into other people’s business. He’s usually very laid back and only gets involved in things when he’s needed, or when guys get too handsy. Which happens way more often than I would like to admit.
“That Marvin was a jerk.”
“Whoa. Why did he say that?” I 100% agree with Jonas, but I’m not going to say that to Preston.
“Marvin said a comment about making money, and Jonas was eavesdropping, adding his two cents to something that didn’t concern him.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Marvin said, ‘ Make us a lot of money, ’ and Jonas made a snide comment about how it’s my money, not his. It was uncalled for.”
“I mean, he’s not wrong.” Preston glares at me, and I put my hands up in surrender. “I just mean, it’s your money. But it’s your relationship and what you do in that is only your business. Well, yours and Marvin’s.”
“Yeah, well, Jonas needs to mind his own business.” He takes a sip of water, and I decide to change the subject.
“So, I want to buy some new outfits for my set. I was wondering if you wanted to come shopping with Declan and me tomorrow. I only have morning class, so I thought maybe we could go before our shift?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I’m always down to go browsing for clothes.”
My phone buzzes on the table, and I smile when I see Jensen’s name.
Jensen: Question number 9
Jensen: Would you want to go on a date with me this week? Whenever you’re free.
I snatch up my phone and re-read his text a few times.
“Who’s that? It has to be someone special to have you smiling so big?”
I glance up at Preston, smirking. “Someone new. Afraid to say more than that and jinx it.”
“Well, whoever it is. I hope they’re better than any of your other boyfriends.”
“Oh my god, do you all ever get tired of making fun of my exes?”
“No,” he deadpans, before busting out laughing, grabbing his stomach. “But I won’t say anything else, I promise.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I mutter, giving him a small smile so he knows I’m messing around with him.
My phone buzzes again in my hand and I gaze down at it.
Jensen: ?
Jensen: Or not.
Jensen: We don’t have to go on a date.
Jensen: It’s cool.
Another text bubble pops up and I snicker, my fingers flying across the keyboard.
Lennox: I’d love to
Jensen: Fuck. Really?
Lennox: Yeah, really.
Jensen: You had me worried there for a second.
Lennox: Sorry! Out eating with Preston. But I would love to go on a date. I don’t work on Thursday night.
Jensen: Thursday, it is. Call me tonight when you get off work.
Lennox: It’ll be late.
Jensen: I’ll wait up wink emoji
“How are you doing Preston? Oh, I’m great. Thanks for asking, Lennox.”
“You’re so dramatic, but okay. My phone is put away.” I wave it in the air before putting it in my pocket. “When are you going to get up on the stage?” I ask him for the millionth time. Preston would do fucking amazingly in a performance. Even if he tripped all over the place, the customers would still go crazy for him. He’s smaller, probably what most would consider a twink, with floppy brown hair and gorgeous light brown eyes. He’s a total cutie, and I know he could earn a lot more money up there than being behind the bar.
“I can’t do it. There’s no way. I would either fall on my face and humiliate myself, or you all would see my heinous dance moves, and I’d embarrass myself that way. I promise I’m good with making drinks.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“Tell me more about this mystery man.”
“All right, all I’m going to say is he’s sexy as hell. With a thick beard, tattoos, and rides motorcycles.”
“Damn! Well, I hope it works out for you.”
“Same, Preston. Same.”
I’m sitting on my couch, my leg bouncing incessantly. I didn’t think I would be this nervous, but now that Jensen is on his way, my heart is pounding, and I have a sheen of sweat that will not go away. Declan is out doing Declan things, so I don’t have to worry about him seeing me take off with Jensen. Keeping a secret from him has been hard as hell, but I’m not ready to say anything about what’s going on until I’m more sure of what’s happening between us. There are two loud knocks on the front door, and I slowly stand up, making my way to it.
I fling the door open, coming face to face with Jensen. “Fuck,” I whisper, my eyes widening when I realize I’ve said it out loud.
Jensen laughs, leaning closer to place a kiss on my cheek. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” I preen, looking down at my white jeans with my bright red polo. “You look pretty good yourself.” Jensen’s wearing dark blue jeans with a black button-down and a leather jacket.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Let’s do it.” I pick my backpack up off the floor, tossing it over my shoulder. “Will this fit on your bike?”
“Yeah, you’ll just have to wear it. Come on, we’re going to be late.” He grabs hold of my hand, dragging me out of the apartment and down the stairs. Grabbing the second helmet on his motorcycle, he places it on my head. He adjusts the straps, his eyes concentrating hard on making sure it fits me well. “All right, I’m going to get on the bike, and I’ll help you get on after.”
He swings his leg over the bike, setting it upright before reaching his hand back out to me. I place my hand in his as he helps me get onto the motorcycle. Snuggling in close behind him, I set my arms around his stomach, locking them tightly.
“Hold on.”
He turns the bike on, the purr of the engine vibrating under my ass. He pushes up the kickstand and speeds down the street. I’ve never ridden on a bike before and now I realize why. This is scary as hell. I squeeze my arms as tightly as they will go, my body only relaxing when Jensen takes one hand off his bike to pat my own. It’s a subtle movement, but one that instantly has me feeling safe and secure. I keep my eyes shut as he drives us in and out of traffic. After being on the bike for about ten minutes, I finally gain the courage to open my eyes and I’m blown away by what’s in front of me. We’re cruising up the highway, the sun slowly setting in the distance. The sky is a gorgeous yellow and orange, the sunlight shimmering on the ocean water below. It’s breathtaking. Of course, I’ve driven on this road plenty of times. But never like this.
Jensen takes a turn, exiting the highway, and starts heading closer to the beach. He pulls into a parking lot, coming to a stop. I hop off the bike and pull the helmet off my head, my eyes darting straight to the shore.
“It’s gorgeous here.”
“I debated where to take you. Sometimes, I enjoy coming here by myself. I figured we could hang out here for a bit, talk some, and then head out to eat.”
“That sounds perfect,” I gush, leaning up on my tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek.
We walk down a rocky pathway before emerging at a small cliff overlooking the water. Jensen takes a spot on the rock, and I sit down next to him. I set my backpack beside me and Jensen eyes it before looking in the direction of the water.
“I didn’t ask what was in the backpack.”
“Oh, I was absolutely being presumptuous, and I packed an overnight bag. I’ve already slept over at your place twice and that was without us having a date, so I assumed I would do it again.”
“You’re certainly staying over. But I thought I said I liked having you in my clothes.”
“I think you might like what I have packed.” I wink, thinking back to what I found yesterday when I went shopping with Declan and Preston.
“You can’t tease me that way, Lennox,” he rasps, scooting closer to me. “We’re supposed to be on a date. Not me sitting here imagining what you could have hidden in your bag.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll find out soon enough. After you feed me, of course.”
“The sun sets in a couple minutes, then we can head out.”
“How many people have you taken here before? Like, I don’t want to know, but I’m also nosy, so I want to know. But lie to me, okay? If it’s, like, every person you’ve ever dated, you can totally lie and say only two. I’d be fine with two.”
Jensen squeezes my knee, laughing. “Honestly? You’re the only person I’ve taken here. It was a no-brainer when I was thinking of where to go.”
“Oh, you’re a damn liar. I am not the only one you’ve brought here.”
“I promise. Never thought to bring anyone before.”
“Wow. I always knew I was special. Men always fall head over heels for me,” I joke, knowing it’s actually the complete opposite.
“You don’t have to do that, ya know?”
“Do what?” I question, turning and glancing at Jensen.
“Joke around like that and be sarcastic. You are special. You don’t have to downplay it like that or hide behind a wall. Not with me.”
“Okay,” I murmur, shifting back to look out toward the water. I’m not going to sit here and try to defend myself. It’s hard not to think those things when that’s all my experience has been. Jensen may say all the right stuff, but actions speak louder than words and I’ll have to wait and see how he acts the longer this goes on.
We sit in silence, watching the sunset. Once it’s over the horizon, Jensen and I head back toward his bike to finish our date.