8. Chapter 8 #2
We chat and drink for a few minutes before one of the male bar staff announces that open mic is starting, and the first act I suppose gets on stage to get ready.
Lil tells me about herself; that she lives in Manchester and that her K-pop inspired dance troop has entered a talent camp in Europe.
She's bubbly, fun and fucking adorable. I want to make her pint sized and keep her in my pocket as a support-pixie.
That gives me an idea for a story and I laugh, freely and lighter than I have in a while.
It dawns on me that I laugh like this whenever I'm with Cass, who I really think doesn't realise the way he nuzzles into my shoulder and even takes my jacket off because he's worried I'm getting too hot.
I ignore how firm and perfect his body is against my back, especially because I don't know what I'd do if I felt something else firm.
I worry a little if he cares that some of his team mates are in the bar, seeing me on him, but none of them, other than his friends who look at us with smug smiles, are paying us a lick of attention.
“Do you go up to Scotland much?” I ask her, but I see I've hit a nerve because she suddenly looks really sad. Mournful.
Clearing his throat, Cass rests his chin on my shoulder and quietly tells me. “Em’s parents kicked him out when he came out. Lil left too, they disowned them both. My parents took them in and theirs left town. Bought a place somewhere in Scotland and no one's spoken to them since.”
My heart breaks. “That’s so sad. I'm sorry you guys went through that.”
Both siblings shrug, but Lilia answers after taking a sip of her cider. “We’re better for it and we don't need anyone else. Here is my family.” The love I see between all four of them. “Plus, it means I get to request song requests whenever we do this.”
The guys groan in sync, but the beaming smile Emery gives Harris shows they all truly love it.
We watch a few guys set up and play a cover of Riptide, which has the crowd joining in.
Another group just about get through a cover of The Larks new release.
We all clap as they finish, but the entire time I feel Grace’s eyes on me.
As I take a sip of my wine, I look to the side and Cass’s dark eyes are looking up at me too, a lazy smile on his lips.
He really couldn't care less that I'm perched in his lap.
With anyone else I'd probably feel weird about this, but with him I feel… cared for.
“Reaper, it's your turn!” Jemmy shouts from behind the bar, and to my surprise a large portion of the crowd cheers. I’m certain now he'll pull away or remove me completely, but to my surprise he burrows into my neck more and I almost giggle when his stubble brushes the sensitive skin.
“You failed to mention you seem to be a fan fave for this kind of thing?”
Lifting his face, he chuckles. “I'm alright–nothing special. It might be a testimony to how much we’re here. I should get a life, really.” He jokes, squeezing my hips where his hands have been resting. I swear I should get a medal for my will of steel not to jump his bones.
Someone shouts his name in the crowd and both Harris and Cass start to move, lifting me gently from his warmth and I slide down onto his seat.
Giving me a wolfish grin, he squeezes my arm before they both weave their way onto the small stage area with the instruments.
To my utter surprise he grabs an old looking acoustic and Harris grabs a bass, whilst someone they seem familiar with drags some sort of box hand drum closer.
“You're gonna love this.” Lilia leans into me, before using her hands to whoop loudly as everyone starts to clap.
I can't help but look over at my table of friends because I feel Teddy glaring into my skull, but apart from him everyone is chatting to themselves; even Grace.
She's paying her ex boyfriend zero attention.
Making noises into the microphone whilst he adjusts the height, Cass says hello to the bar. How this man thinks he has no confidence is beyond me. “Ok, so what do you all want to hear tonight?”
People shout suggestions, but Lilia is louder. “Harry Styles!”
Everyone cheers.
Running his hands through his curls, he chuckles and starts to adjust the guitar strap on his shoulders. “You sure? Harris and I only play around, we might be bad.” Everyone cheers louder, like they all know he's wrong. How many times have they played here?
“To be so lonely!” Lilia shouts again, and her brother starts to bang on the round table.
Laughing again he holds up his hands in surrender. “Ok, ok! Ladies choice. You're lucky we know this one.” Before turning to Harris, our eyes meet again and I swear I can see the little pink blush that tints his cheeks, but he keeps grinning as they start the song.
It takes a few strokes of the guitars for me to know which song they're playing, but when Cass sings the first set of lyrics, I honestly can't believe how perfectly his voice fits the song.
The guy sitting on the box drum starts to tap, Harris keeps his head low but plucks at the bass, and Cassie just comes alive.
His voice is unwavering, body fluid as he dips and moves his hips whilst playing the song.
I didn't even know he played guitar, but there's so much to learn about him still and it just feels exciting.
I'm sitting here awestruck, looking around the bar to make sure everyone is witnessing what I am! People sway to the song, pints in the air and Teddy is gawking at me.
What the fuck? He mouths, holding his phone above Faye's head to record the song. Waving my hand at him, I mouth and action for him to send me the video, to which he nods. Grace still isn't paying much attention, texting on her phone.
For two muscly farm boys, they both know how to play for a crowd. Half way through the song when the guy starts to really go for it tapping the box drum, he grins at me again and fucking winks. My glass of wine hasn't even made it to my mouth again as I just intensely stare.
“You're drooling on the table, mate.” Emery laughs, sipping his cider and returning to watch the stage.
“Leave him alone Em, it's a curious sight seeing Cass come out of his shell.”
I shake my head, finally taking my own sip of wine before popping it on the table. “Non-existent shell with me. I know Cassie isn't quiet or shy, he just needs to think things over before words come out.”
I've clearly said the right thing, because Lilia practically swoons and Emery slaps his hand on the table, giving me an approving nod. It's so true. Whether they agree or not; the man strumming the acoustic guitar like he's playing for a full arena crowd, is so full of life.
It kind of makes me horny. Mentally scolding myself, I join in applauding and cheer loudly as they finish up.
“Sing Dolly!” Emery cups his mouth to shout, to which Harris gives him the middle finger. Those two are adorable, and the way they look at one another definitely tickles my gay-dar.
Two more glasses of wine later and plenty of other patrons giving it their all singing, mic night is over and our group leaves the bar. The guys wave goodbye to Jemmy, as I step outside and immediately bump into Teddy vaping.
“That shit stinks.” I bat at the watermelon cloud that hits my face, before my house mate shimmies his shoulders.
“Suck it. I wanna go dancing.”
I look past him to our course friends and Grace is still here, speaking with Faye, clutching at her coat. “Where are you thinking?” I wanna ask if everyone is going–Grace especially–but I don't get the chance because she air kisses our friend goodbye and turns to link arms with Teddy.
“I’m thinking Space Cowboy?” He replies, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Reckon your boys can handle it?”
Perfectly timed, Cass, Harris, Emery and his sister Lilia exit the bar, but then a few other guys who look just as muscly as the three of them follow.
“Handle what?” Harris asks. The group including the other three guys huddle around and Teddy’s cheeks flare; I'm pretty sure he's not used to this much hetero male attention at once, but he stands his ground.
Grace's eyes light up when she sees Cass and considering she paid him no attention all night, I can only blame it on the glazed indicator that she's drunk.
I suddenly want to wrench him closer or hiss at her like a feral cat, and the intense feeling stuns me. I've never felt so…possessive. Fuck.
I don't even get to entertain this dreadful feeling for a few seconds because Cass slides next to me, his hand finding my lower back and he even goes under my jacket. He's such a big presence that Teddy moves back, but Grace does notice how he drapes himself against me.
“Space Cowboy. The club. You guys in?” Teddy asks them all, his smirk aimed my way because he's inviting a bunch of straight guys to a gay bar.
Don't get me wrong, it'll be Lilia’s scene hands down, and obviously I know that Cass isn't straight, but it's just like he’s trying to push some macho guy buttons.
Emery shrugs and his sister is bouncing. “Sure.”
“Woah, you're really pretty.”
My head snaps around to one of the guys I assume is part of their rugby team; he has jet black hair that sweeps off his face and starts to curl at the ends, short stubble and piercing light blue eyes. He’s huge.
A few of the guys huff out laughter, but it's not degrading towards anyone. Harris is even trying not to laugh, as he shakes his head and side eyes his friend. “Rowley…”
“What? You're a guy.” His eyes wander all over Teddy and he's frowning.
Teddy pops out a hip, scowling back. “I have a dick yes.”
“You're pretty, like a girl.”
My throat hitches because even though he is feminine, I've seen my friend punch someone square in the face. Granted that guy was a homophobic piece of shit, but I don't think this is that. Cass squeezes my biceps like it's not, and one of the other rugby guys hits him over the back of the head.
“Rowley you can't say shit like that!”