Two
"So I was thinking that we can go for something light? I know your scruffy ass will devour a box of pizza and a six pack later at night."
Dean laughed as he cradle his house phone and put a bowl of unfinished cereal in the refrigerator. He had contemplated lazing at home when his longtime friend, Antonio Cesaro, called to inform him that he was on his way to town. "You know me too well. Any place in mind since you're no stranger here?"
"Let's see." Cesaro's voice sounded far away; Dean was probably on speaker. "Let's try Aiga."
"Aiga? What's that?"
"It's a cafe that has all the charms of home. You'll love it. Their food is to die for."
Something stirred in Dean, reminding him of his meeting with a certain cafe owner last night. "Alright. We'll go there. How far away are you?"
"I'm five minutes away."
"Cool. See you in a few."
After ensuring everything was in order and all the switches were turned off, Dean stepped out of his house and locked the door just in time when Cesaro pulled up outside.
Sliding into the passenger seat, he leaned against the seat. "Greetings."
"Dean, for your own safety, buckle up," Cesaro pleaded.
"Now why would I want to do that for? It's fun this way. Suppose a good song comes on the radio. How am I supposed to headbang to it?"
"Try mentally."
"No fun to it, bro."
"Whatever, Dean. Next time, I'm going to have you sign an indemnity form."
"I'll sign anything you want, my friend."
Dean ended up sleeping during the car ride so he missed a good bunch of songs according to Cesaro who had nudged him awake. "Good morning, sunshine."
"Fuck off," Dean mumbled.
His friend threw his head back and laughed. "Gladly but Sheamus wore me out-"
"Dude, I do not need you relating your sexual adventures, thank you." Honestly he was happy for his two friends but the fact that he hadn't gotten any for months was getting to him. "I need to get laid."
"Not my fault you refuse to go anywhere but work on Amber."
"She's my pride and joy."
The name board of Aiga was written on wood, positioned on top of the entrance.
In front of the wooden door with clear glass and a "Welcome" sign was a chalkboard with a neat handwriting of their day's special: blackberry tart.
"Sounds nice," Dean remarked. "Maybe we should go in and see if it's as good as the handwriting is."
"You're so impatient," Cesaro chuckled. "No wonder you had that reputation in school."
"What reputation?" This was news to the blue eyed man; he had always assumed everyone liked him. "Spit it out, Transporter."
Cesaro took no offense to that; the man did bore a resemblance to Jason Statham. "You know… Wham. Bam. Thank you, man."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Did you or did you not give or take blows during sixth period?"
"A gentleman never kisses or tells."
"You a gentleman?" Cesaro snorted. "Now I've heard everything."
The two men entered the cafe to find a man with colorful hair setting a table. "Welcome to Aiga. Table for two?"
"Yes, please."
Dean followed behind his friend as the rainbow haired man led them to a table by the window. "What does Aiga mean?" the racer wanted to know.
"Family," the man explained as he handed their menus. "Our boss is very family oriented."
"Yeah? Probably has a huge one, huh?"
"He does."
"How many kids?"
"Oh he's not married."
"But wants to be."
"Who doesn't?"
Dean didn't. Never saw the damn appeal of marriage. Long term relationship he could do but marriage… that was another thing altogether. "What would you recommend?"
"The apple pie is our best-"
Apple pie! "Roman!"
The man smiled while Cesaro raised an eyebrow. "That's our boss' name."
"He's here… your boss?"
"Yeah; he's baking in the kitchen."
"And where is this kitchen?"
"Straight ahead but-"
Dean was way ahead of the man, walking up to the kitchen as if he owned the place.
True enough, Roman was there whisking into a metal bowl with music being played softly in the background.
Leaning against the door frame, Dean admired the man from a near distance. What a fine piece of art, he thought. He was adorable with those glasses but the auburn haired man would bet his last dollar that he'd look incredible without those and his hair in loose waves; today it was in a neat man bun.
"I hope you saved me a slice of that pie," Dean quipped.
Roman looked up immediately and that sunshine on his face that was his smile graced Dean. "Dean! You came! How did you know this was the place?"
"I didn't. Cesaro - my friend - brought me here; said the food was to die for."
"That's a lovely compliment. I have some apple pie in the oven about to be finished soon."
"Cool. I'll wait." Dean cocked his head. "What are you planning to make there?"
"Country pie. Just creamy chicken and a medley of vegetables. It's really filling."
"Do you usually work every day?"
"Oh my days off are on Sundays and Mondays. Jeff has Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Kevin - my pastry chef - has Thursdays and Fridays and Sami - my barista - has Fridays and Saturdays. I've got a good team with me."
"I'll bet you do."
"So you said you motorcross raced. When's your next race?"
The fact that he remembered moved Dean. "A couple of weeks from now. Do you ride a bike?"
"No. I have a car though." Roman set aside his metal bowl when the sound of a buzzing noise rang through the air. "The pies are ready."
"How many do you sell in a day?"
"These?" Roman placed the tray on a bigger table. "Close to two hundred."
"That's a lot for a small town," Dean said. "Not bad."
"Thanks."
Dean was about to turn around to head back when a plate was handed to him. He looked down to find a slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream with caramel drizzle on it.
"This one's on the house," Roman explained. "For last night."
"I wasn't expecting anything."
"I know but I wanted to. I hope you like it, Dean."
"I'm sure I will."
Two glasses of iced tea were already ordered when Dean finally returned to his table. "From the chef."
Cesaro smirked. "Someone you know, I assume."
"Yeah, met him in a cubicle of a Ferris wheel."
"Cubic-Dean, don't talk with your mouth full."
Breaking off a piece of the pie, his blue eyes widened when he tasted the delicious chunks of apple. "This is amazing," Dean praised. "The cinnamon blends well with the-"
"Now you sound like Gordon Ramsey."
Dean was about to return him a sarcastic comment when he overheard Rainbow Man telling Roman, "Don't forget about tonight, Roman. My wife's making roasted beef."
"I don't know, Jeff," Roman replied. "Everyone's got a date and I feel so out of place. Plus Corey's going to be there and I don't know what to say."
"But you've got to come, Roman. She'll kill me if you don't."
The cafe door opened and an elderly couple walked in. Jeff or Rainbow Man was quick to escort them to their table.
"Why don't you bring him to the party, Dean?" Cesaro suggested. "I mean you're new in town and it'd be a great way to make new friends."
"But I don't want new friends," Dean declined before thinking it wouldn't hurt to help Roman out. Would help Dean learn more about him too. "Hmmm…" Standing up, he made his way back to the kitchen with the plate. "Delicious. My compliments to the chef."
"Did you like it?" Roman asked, biting his bottom lip as he was washing his hands.
"I loved it so much I'm considering marrying you."
Slip of tongue that line.
A blush spread across the beautiful man's face. "That's one heck of a compliment. But thank you."
"I uh couldn't help but overhear you have a dinner tonight. Sorry if it's nosy and stuff but who's Corey?"
"My ex-boyfriend. Left me because we both wanted different things. And I'm okay with that except he moved on the following week with someone else. Kind of made me feel bad."
"You still friends with this Corey, huh?"
"Wasn't a bad break up. The thing is we're all friends. Corey, Jeff… all my guys here basically. It's going to be hard to see him with that someone."
Poor guy. Maybe he still had feelings for him. "You know, I'm not doing anything. I can follow you to this party if you want company."
Roman did a double take. "Dean, are you sure? Why would-"
"Because no one needs to see an ex who's already moved on. I don't mind playing your date for a night."
"I'm not sure how else I can thank you, Dean. That's very kind of you."
"You can thank me by letting me buy myself a slice of your pie for my supper tonight."
A warm laugh escaped Roman's lips. "I'll even throw in a blackberry tart for you."
Dean waited for Roman patiently as he adjusted his hair and leather jacket.
The motorcross racer wondered what Roman's ex boyfriend looked like. Was he a geek or a freak? Into games or playing games? Somehow Dean felt protective of Roman and he just met the guy barely twenty four hours ago.
A silver Volkswagen Eos slowly stopped in front of his house and Dean slowly strode up to it.
Roman was dressed in a simple grey t-shirt that showed off his toned, muscular arms and that arm sleeved tattoo and denim jeans, his glasses frame matching the color of his bottom wear. "Am I under dressed?"
"Not at all," Roman assured him.
The drive to Jeff's was filled with small questions and answers including what their childhood was like, their likes and dislikes… basic stuff.
Dean was irked when he thought about Corey. He was convinced the guy had his current boyfriend lined up while dating Roman. Of course he had no proof of that but it was a strong feeling…
"What's the craziest thing you've done?" Roman asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"Mmmm… well it wasn't me technically but I once made Seth wear a bear suit and ride me for the sheer hell of it."
Roman started laughing hard. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I am."
"Was he mad at you?"
"Nope. Seth was a little… quirky. We used to take turns doing crazy things to keep the romance alive. He once made me do crossfit with him before we ended up in sweat for another kind of fitness activity."
Roman was quiet for a moment before he asked, "What happened between the two of you?"
"Cheated on me. The usual."
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have as-"
"You couldn't have known. Seth found someone who also had a giant stick up his butt too so." Dean adjusted in his seat. "How long has it been since you've seen Corey?"
"Oh months. We broke up about a year and two months ago and I've only seen him like thrice."
Didn't sound too bad; maybe Roman made an effort to avoid him.
When they reached the two leveled house with a medium sized lawn, Dean linked his fingers with Roman's as they walked up to the door.
His hand felt like it belonged with the grey eyed man's.
Jeff opened the door at that moment, his eyes darting between the two. "Just follow our lead," Dean instructed. "Nice to see you again."
A slow grin spread on Jeff's face when he saw their hands together. "Nice to see you again too."
There were five couples - some sitting and some standing - in the Spanish influenced decorated living room.
Dean noticed Roman's pale face and followed his gaze to a man in a black quarter sleeved t-shirt who was nodding at a brunette before he turned his head and smiled at Roman. "That's him, I assume," Dean guessed softly.
Roman merely nodded before he was dragged away by Jeff, leaving Dean standing alone.
This was going to be quite the dinner party; Dean could tell. Hopefully no shots would be fired at Roman tonight though there was no telling how Dean himself would react should such a thing happen. These people didn't know him and he didn't know them.
You're here to help Roman, he reminded himself.
Up close, Dean found Roman's ex boyfriend to be a heavily tattooed man with slicked back hair and a smile that made Dean's skin crawl. "Hi," Corey greeted him. "Nice to meet you; I'm Corey. Roman and I used to date back in the day but now we're friends."
"Nice to meet you," Dean answered. "I'm Dean. Roman and I used to be friends but now we're dating exclusively."
Corey's smile faded. "I had no idea that you're seeing someone."
His comment made Dean turn around only to find Roman there staring at him with his eyes widened.
Shit.
A/N Thank you for your kind comments in Chapter 1. Have a great weekend. :-)
