I unlocked the door to get into my little apartment. It was almost seven o'clock and I was hungry as fuck and craving for some SkinnyLicious Veggie Burger from Cheese freaking Factory. I walked into the livingroom and I was surprised to see Mamrie's still on the couch flipping through channels on the television. She usually would have left the apartment when I reached home because she's one diligent owner of a lowkey pub just a couple of blocks away from here.
"Oh hey Ty! You're back late today?"
"Hey Mamrie, yeah.. It was my first day back since.. you know.., so I was kinda held up by the team for a little bit."
She nodded. Mamrie has been my roommate since I came to Manhattan all those years ago after I graduated college. When I first saw her ads to let out a room in this apartment, I was a little concerned if she might be somewhat appalled by the idea of living with a gay man. Don't drag me, I've had my fair share of disgust looks from people that I think I am entitled to semi-judge a person by it's cover. Or in this case, a room ad. But sure enough, Mamrie has proven me so wrong. She has been the most wonderful and ideal roommate and I can tell you honestly, I think I've striked gold for this one. I win, HANDS DOWN! Not only we have a common love-hate relationship with alcohol, but she just cracks me up all the damn time. I literally tells her every little aspect of my life and sometimes I wonder how would I survive Manhattan if it wasn't for good ol' Mamrie.
"So, how was your day back? Did you bump into that bastard ex-boyfriend of yours?"
"God, no! I was looking over my shoulder every two minutes. And the worst part is, if I detect even a little blob of blonde hair walking around the vicinity, I would just sprint off to the other direction!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoaaa.. Talk about being paranoid! I told ya, just quit the job at the hotel and work for me at the pub. It'll be like old times." She said that with a sly smile before she continued. "It's better for you to remove yourself from the situation and away from that asshole."
"Mame, I love you, but no thanks. I don't wanna get away from one addiction to another one.I mean, how would I resist serving all the alcohols to the customers and not take a sip myself, all freaking night?" I joked. "Speaking of ass.. you will never guess what happened to me when I served up my first room service this morning." Then I was telling her about all the tiniest little detail of the incident in room 805 from the noises and the cute little butt up until I was running out of the room like my pants' on burst out laughing so hard Mamrie was holding her stomach in pain and had tears running down her cheeks.
"Oh my god, Tyler! You are so dense sometimes, I swear! I mean, I would have just go and call security or something."
"Yeah, whatever. You can't fault me for wanting to make sure someone's not dying." I defended. "I'll probably get a slap on the wrist if I'm being reported. But I doubt they would say anything and they probably already checked out." I said hopefully. God, it would be so embarrassing and awkward if I were to bump into them again in the hotel. I didn't have a very clear look of their faces because of the obvious reason, but if one of them do call me out, I would just ignore them or something. Ugh, I'm already dreading going to work tomorrow.
"Well, okay. I'm so glad I waited for you and listen to your dirty, slutty encounter but I better get going. The pub was probably swarming with middle-aged working man with reclining hair line right now and I just got a text from Hannah threatening to throw out all of my good quality Gin if I'm not there in like.. five minutes ago." She spoke like a bullet train while grabbing her jacket and her handbag. "Hey, why don't you come by later tonight? I think after all you've been through today, you deserves a drink!".
"Uhmm.. I don't know Mame. We'll see."
"Okay, Ty. Let me know if you change your mind. Later!" She chirped and left the apartment.
I immediately took out my phone and ordered a takeout from Cheececake Factory and I guess by the number of times that I've called them this week, they would have recognized my voice in a second. I was told that the delivery would be about 45 minutes, which was 15 minutes longer than usual, because they were having a high traffic of orders at the moment. So I decided to go and clean up my room, changing all of my bed linens that I've been decomposing in for the last week before heading to shower. Soon after the fulfilling dinner, it was almost nine o'clock and I was feeling a little better and decided to take up Mamrie's offer. I fired a quick text to her notifying of my impending arrival before I head to my room to get changed.
I pushed the door of the pub named 'Mametown' and immediately the smell of beer, ale, and peanuts hit my nostrils. This used to be my scene when I was still in college but that was just it, used to be. But today was a special day, I just want to be around my friends and forget about all the shit that has happened in my life lately. I weaved through the sea of drunken people to the bar, spotting Hannah behind the counter.
"HANNAHH! My baeee!"
"Oh. OH, hi Tyler! Didn't you get my text?" She asked, her expression was a mixture of confusion and worry.
"Uhm, no. Why?" I asked her while I searched for my phone in my jeans but that just confirmed my suspicion. "Ahh shoot. I left my phone in the apartment. What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing. So Tyler, what can I getcha?"
I looked at her with suspicious eyes but I just shrugged it off, not letting anything to ruin my night out. I just wanna have a decent drink in me and have some fun. I was at my third glass when I really need to relieve all the drinks that I consumed for the last hour. I headed off to the bathroom and just when I came back out, I felt someone catching my arm, rendering me from walking back to the bar.
"Tyler, we need to talk." I was stunned, I was feeling week in the knees and my mouth was clammed up when I see the beautiful face of my two-timing jackass of an ex-boyfriend. I quickly snapped out of it and mustered the best look that says 'fuck off' before I shrugged off his hand and go.
"Tyler... babe!" I heard him calling from behind and I just couldn't stop the anger rising and turned around abruptly, almost have him run into me.
"DO NOT CALL ME BABE! I'm not your babe, Rustin!"
"Tyler, I need to talk to you. You've been avoiding me for the last week. I missed you."
I hated myself sometimes, because I gave-in to temptation too easily. Hearing him say that he misses me and calling me babe again was really tearing my walls down a little. But when my mind flashed back to the time when I caught him fucking his 'best friend', I just build it back up like a fucking Great Wall of China in three seconds.
"Oh yeah? Well, tough luck. You're a bigger loser than I thought you were if you think I'd fall for that! You fucking cheated on me with Alex, you bastard! I was shouting over the loud music in the middle of the pub, not caring if the others are enjoying the drama that was me.
"Come on, babe.. That was a one time thing. We were both drunk out of our minds and I was horny and he's just there." He explained poorly and continues to fuel my anger.
"YOU. ARE. UNBELIEVABLE! Go away, Rustin and leave me the hell alone!" As I said that, I felt Mamrie's presense behind me before she spoke.
"Is there a problem here, Tyler?" She was shooting daggers at Rustin while she was addressing me.
"No Mame, it's fine. I'm gonna go now." I replied, feeling grateful for her to be there as I started to feel my tears coming up and before anyone noticed it, I just made a dash to the exit. Thankfully, Rustin had enough sense to not follow me. I stepped out of the pub, taking deep breaths, hoping the cool Manhattan air will calm me down when I heard the door opened and someone came to stand behind me.
"Hey, are you alright?
I turned around as I heard the unfamiliar deep voice from behind, assuming to be talking to me. He has a genuine concerned look on his face and damn does he has the most gorgeous face. High cheekbones, sharp jawline and fair white skin. Not to mention, the slightly intoxicated blue eyes sparkling even in the middle of the night. I'll be kidding myself if I don't think that he is the most beautiful being that I have ever seen and he seemed to be spotting an accent too. His sexy meter just kept going up! If I wasn't so out of my game right now, I would've eat him up in a heartbeat.
"Uhh...yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
"Are you sure? I mean, it was pretty bad back there." He insisted.
Dear God, does every cute guy that I meet has to somewhat witness my embarrassment and failure in my life? "Yeah, I am 100% sure. If you don't mind, I would rather have a moment to myself. Feel free to head back in there and butt your nose in somebody else's business!" I did what I do best when I'm back into a corner. Retaliate.
He chuckled and stayed eye contact with me with an amused look. I gave him a challenging stare to see if he would retort, only to have him chuckled again and shooting me a sly smirk.
"You don't recognize me, do you?"
I was taken aback, feeling confused than ever and I felt my mind turning to understand what he was saying. I came up with nothing. "Hummph, I don't think so, mister. Should I?" I sassed back, honestly not caring to be polite anymore.
He laughed again before he continued. "Yeah, we met this morning. In room 805."
Well, fuck my life.
