4. Will
Chapter four
Will
I can’t focus while at work the following Tuesday. More than likely, Bailey will be the object of my desire forever, but after talking to Mantis the other day… I dunno. I feel almost giddy. He has that effect on me. And I’m really, really digging the “brother’s best friend” comparison. Maybe he wants something more than chatting, and I don’t mean sexting or even hooking up a few times, but an actual relationship… and maybe I’ll want it, too.
Jess comes in while I’m stocking. And by that, I mean he catches me daydreaming while manhandling corn cobs. Wait, no, not like that.
“What’s gotten into you?” Jesse grins.
“I think I really like Mantis,” I say with a smile and a sigh.
“You don’t even know his name,” he scoffs.
“I don’t expect you to understand.” I shake my head and pile more produce on the display.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot how gay guys are. Anything lasting more than a couple of hours, and he’s the love of your life.”
“No,” I huff. “I don’t expect you to understand romance .”
“I can be romantic.” He smiles.
“Netflix and chill isn’t romantic just because you open a bottle of wine.”
“Okay, but… what happened to your Bailey obsession?”
I shrug. I still like Bailey. And I want to get to know Bailey. But right here, right now… I have Mantis in front of me. And he’s someone I can actually talk to. Even someone I can see potentially liking me back.
“Anyway, I came to remind you that you need to help with the goats tomorrow. I’m off and Lucy’s the only other one on the schedule,” Jesse says.
My face scrunches. “But you’re our animal guy.”
“How? I got hired for the same job as you, yet you always make me go out there while you get to stay inside and cover the register.”
“I don’t live on a dairy farm.”
Technically, his mom and dad’s farm beside acres of woods, but they can’t afford for Jess to move out. He still helps out when he’s not working here and puts part of his paycheck toward paying the bills. All the kids do.
Jesse rolls his eyes. “Come on. You love our goats. It’s one day.”
“I love petting our goats,” I correct.
“You can’t ask the pregnant girl. She’s going to pop any day now.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I grin. “Switch shifts with me.”
Jesse sighs, but he doesn’t refuse. He never does. Best coworker ever. “Did it ever occur to you I might have plans already?”
“Not really, no. Do you?”
“Not anymore, it seems.”
“I’ll make it up to you,” I say with my sweetest smile.
“Oh, yeah? You’re going to be my hot date instead?”
I laugh mockingly. He thinks he’s so cute and funny. “No. We both have Sunday night off. We can hang out after work, with like pizza or beer or whatever at my place. I’ll buy.”
“I’m glad you said so, because I wouldn’t be surprised if you asked me to pay.” He breaks into a smile and chuckles.
“One time!” I laugh with him. “How many years of being friends and I forgot my wallet one time?”
“It also happened to be the first time we did anything outside of work. And I still don’t believe that excuse. You totally thought it was a date and expected me to pay.”
“No, I did not .” And I laugh even harder.
Okay, maybe I had hoped somewhat. But I really did forget my wallet. And I might’ve had a brief crush on Jess after I first got hired, but… that ended as soon as I found out he dated the girl who I replaced at our job. I wasn’t going to be that guy pining over what never could or would be. I was a romantic—not into tragedies.
“Sunday after work, it is.” Jesse smiles one more time before going to punch out.
Before I know it, it’s my turn to clock out, too. I almost can’t wait to get home and hear from Mantis. Then I don’t have to. A notification I’m dying to see flashes across the screen of my phone while I’m still in the breakroom.
Orchid Mantis: Evening. Did today treat you well?
Sigh. Mantis always asks the kinds of questions that prove he really cares. He’s so genuine.
Purple Puppy: Actually, yeah. I got my friend to switch shifts with me tomorrow, and now we’re going to hang out on Sunday after work.
Orchid Mantis: Is this the smart best friend or the guy who doesn’t notice you?
Damn, he really does pay attention.
Purple Puppy: The best friend. Guy who doesn’t notice me… well, he doesn’t get many chances to notice me… or not notice me, I guess.
Purple Puppy: I doubt seeing him more would even change anything.
Orchid Mantis: I would notice you.
Purple Puppy: Yeah?
Orchid Mantis: Even in texts, you come across as unforgettable. An individual. I would take notice if I were in a room with you. He probably notices you, too.
Purple Puppy: Unfortunately, I am much less competent in person than I am online.
Orchid Mantis: Then talk to him online.
Purple Puppy: …
Purple Puppy: Why didn’t I ever think of that?
Purple Puppy: Would that be weird to message him out of the blue?
Orchid Mantis: Not if he’s someone you see regularly. Though I rescind my advice if he’s a customer or something. That would be unprofessional.
Hmm… Well, I do know Bailey through work, but we aren’t exactly coworkers. Then again, Jess actually is a coworker, and we hang out all the time. Maybe I can make up some bullshit excuse about seeing him in my suggested friends on social media. It’s a small town, after all.
Purple Puppy: I feel like you’re my wingman.
Orchid Mantis: And I feel like you won’t figure out how you feel about this guy until you talk to him. Who knows? Maybe you’ll realize there’s no connection, and he’s a waste of your time.
Purple Puppy: Am I a waste of your time?
Yes, I know I’m needy. What of it? Mantis is the first guy to stroke my ego and nothing else. Being wanted feels nice, even if it’s only by a name on a screen.
Orchid Mantis: Never. You make my days more fulfilling and I enjoy our conversations. Plus, I think it’s helping me to have someone to talk to. Even if we stayed anon or just friends, I’d be happy to have met you.
Purple Puppy: Would you… want more than that?
Orchid Mantis: The more we talk, the more that answer shifts toward yes. At the same time, I enjoy what we have, and I don’t want to overanalyze it. I am open to seeing where this is headed.
Oh, deep breath. This is the nice part about being online. Mantis doesn’t have to see me as flustered as a teenager and twice as awkward over his honesty. And if this guy has me losing mental capacity, I must really like him.
Purple Puppy: I think I would like that, too.
Purple Puppy: I don’t mean to run, but I’m leaving on a high note. I’ll message you when I get back home.
Orchid Mantis: I’ll be looking forward to it.
Orchid Mantis: But I need to check on the animals real quick. Want to see who finishes first?
Any other man, and I’d say that’s a line. Only, I know Mantis isn’t like that.
Purple Puppy: Yes. Race me.
Orchid Mantis: Okay, no cheating. I’m going to my front door first and you should head to your car or whatever.
Purple Puppy: Or what? Vespa? Broom?
Orchid Mantis: You said you’re broke, and cars are expensive. Not judging if you have to walk or use public transport.
Aww. I’m looking more at my screen than where I place my feet while I walk across the parking lot.
Orchid Mantis: Okay, I’m at my front door. Ready?
Purple Puppy: In my car. Key not yet in the ignition. Go!
I drop my phone onto the middle console and don’t even stop to fiddle with the radio this time. After I flick on my headlights, I reverse out of my parking spot. Since I closed tonight, I encounter little to no traffic on my way home. As soon as I’m parked, I snatch up my phone again and type.
Purple Puppy: I win.
Orchid Mantis: Only counts if you’re in your house. Your task was getting home.
Purple Puppy: Are you done with your animals?
Orchid Mantis: Almost. I still need to walk back to my place, too.
Ahh. I unbuckle my seatbelt and scramble out of the car. Within seconds, I’ve got the keys to my rental in my hand and I’m shoving my door open. Officially, home.
Purple Puppy: In my house!
Orchid Mantis: Okay, okay. You win.
And a smiley.
Orchid Mantis: Doesn’t feel like losing when you hustle like that just to talk to me, though.
Oh. My heart. Currently pumping, not only from rushing into my house. Maybe I should be embarrassed to be called out like that, but… I like that he noticed. And the thought of him smiling at his screen, secretly pleased to have someone who cares so much… makes my cock twitch. Jess is right. I don’t know what this guy looks like, or even his name. And yet, if he were to answer my call all out of breath from rushing to get to his phone and then say how happy he is to hear from me… my hand would go straight down my pants. How has this guy gotten such a hold on me already?