Chapter 7
"So is it creepy if I tell you that I read all of the articles I come across that talk about you – about your career and everything…" Kurt said, nearly choking on his own words. That obviously came out more "stalker" than "interested party". Blaine only grinned at him. "What?"
"Nothing…" Blaine grinned, still staring.
"No, really, what?"
"Your eyes are still just as blue as they were back when I fell in love with them," Blaine grinned, shaking his head at his own words. "I'll shut up. I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"No, it's not that. You're not, it's just…I dunno…thank you? I kinda feel like…recently I haven't felt like myself, so it's nice to hear yo—um…someone say that. Thanks."
"See, I did make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry, Kurt."
"No, you haven't. It's not that, it's just that this is sort of bizarre if you stop and think about it. I've seen your stuff everywhere, Blaine…your music…it's everywhere. Clearly you're doing well for yourself," Kurt said, motioning to the car they were currently sitting in.
"Huh? Oh! No, this isn't…this is Coop's car!" Blaine laughed. "I mean, yeah, I do alright for myself, but surely you didn't think I'd buy something as ostentatious as a Ferrari. Do I look like a Ferrari guy to you?"
Kurt shrugged. "I don't know…are you? I don't know you anymore. Maybe you've completely changed from the boy I once knew," Kurt teased. He felt like a crazy person, unable to wipe the smile from his face.
"No…I like to think I'm still that boy. I promised my Mom and my Granny that I wouldn't turn into some asshole and let fame get to me. I intend to keep that promise."
"I'm glad to hear it. I've always wondered…"
"If I turned into an asshole?"
Kurt tried not to laugh, but a snicker escaped anyway. "Yes, that…among other things," he said shyly, then glanced at his watch. "I feel like I should call. I walked here…it's just a few blocks and I needed some air. They'll think I was run down in the road like that song…Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer or something."
Blaine burst out laughing and shook his head. "Call them…or text, but give me a few more minutes? I'll drop you off afterward."
Kurt nodded and texted his Dad.
Kurt: Ran into an old friend. Catching up, back in a bit. Didn't want you to worry. Love you.
Dad: Oh? Anyone I know?
Kurt: Yes. And that's all for now.
Dad: It's cold out, Kurt. Don't be standing around out in a parking lot too long, kiddo.
Kurt: I won't…promise. See you soon.
Burt sent a thumbs up and Kurt grinned at it. Thinking of his old-fashioned Dad texting was always amusing to him, but knowing it was often the only means of communication with Kurt, Burt became quite the text-pert.
"Among what other things?" Blaine asked, apropos of nothing at all.
"What?"
"You said you wondered if I'd become an asshole…among other things. What other things were you wondering about?"
Kurt thought for a minute. What did he want to say? How much time did they have? Would Blaine bolt if Kurt talked about things Blaine didn't want to delve into?
"I wondered how you were handling the stress. I remember how you used to get so riled up before glee competitions. When you sang with the Warblers you were always calm, cool and collected. But with the New Directions you were always a mess beforehand."
"I was a product of the environment. With the Warblers, I knew well ahead of time what I was singing and with whom. We knew the dance steps…all six of them…" he snickered, "well ahead of time. We had plenty of time to practice and when we got on that stage we were a well-oiled machine. No worries. With the New Directions we never knew what the hell we were singing until that day, it seemed. The dance steps were all over the place and I didn't have to worry about solos but I got tugged into the chaos of it all and often felt completely unhinged by show time. These days I meditate before a show, do Pilates almost every morning…or P90X if I'm feeling adventurous, and I try to center myself before I go on stage. You'd be proud of me, Kurt," Blaine grinned ear to ear.
"I've always been proud of you…always."
That drew a surprised inhale from Blaine and he found his mouth too dry to speak.
"I sincerely wish I'd grabbed a drink while we were in there. Do you see a pop machine anywhere?" Blaine asked, surveying the parking lot.
"Pop machine. Ever the mid-western boy, aren't we, Blaine?" Kurt chuckled. "No, I don't see one, but I have a six pack of beer I bought for Dad. He won't miss one or two…if you're ok to drink one and then drive home?"
"Yes…anything. Just…thirsty, I guess…."
Kurt grabbed the bag from between his feet and handed a can of beer to Blaine and then popped the top on one for himself. He held the can up between Blaine and himself and spoke softly.
"To old friendships?"
"To old friendships…and hopefully new ones as well?" Blaine asked, uncertain, as they clinked the cans together. He knew he needed to just dive in and ask the question he needed an answer to.
"So um…you texted your Dad. I don't want to keep you from…anyone…else…at your Aunt's house?" Blaine said, wording the sentence as a question and obviously fishing. Kurt panicked, unsure what to say. How pathetic would I sound if I said "oh, no, nobody waiting on me…" when I know Seth is probably at Blaine's Granny's house waiting. Or is he? Blaine doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry to get back. "Oh, no, I…um…he uh…he opted to go home to Germany this Christmas…family there and all that…" Kurt said, leaving it hanging. He hadn't lied. He hadn't told the whole truth, but he hadn't lied and that was important to him. "You? Is someone waiting…for you? We don't have to stay here if -"
"Uh…no, I decided to just have a little time with my family this year. He's with his family back in L.A." God, Blaine, you are the worst! Just tell him the truth. There's no shame in being single. Is there? Would I sound pathetic if I just told him the truth? God, no, idiot, don't tell him the truth…sheezus! And now I'm talking to myself…
Blaine was saved by his phone buzzing in his pocket.
Mom: Blaine, what's taking so long? Did you get lost?
Blaine: No, Mom, I'm not lost. I ran into an old friend and we started talking…just make the appetizer without these ingredients, please? I don't want to rush back, I'm sorry.
Mom: Old friend, huh? Am I allowed to ask who you ran into? And Cooper is reading over my shoulder and said you better not have run into someone with his car.
Blaine: The car is fine. I'm fine. All is well, just catching up. Don't wait for me.
"Do you need to go?"
"What? No! No, it's fine. I just told them not to wait for me. I'm rather enjoying myself if you must know. An evening with the clever and talented Kurt Hummel isn't easy to come by. I'm not throwing this opportunity away to hang out with my cousin Sidney and her horrendous friend who tries to grope me every time I walk by," Blaine said with a straight face. Kurt couldn't help but to laugh out loud.
"Oh my God…that's…"
"If you say 'funny' or any other synonym of said word, it's on, Kurt," Blaine deadpanned. "You don't know what it's like to be groped by a teenaged girl in front of your grandmother. Seriously uncomfortable…" Blaine replied, shaking his head in amusement.
"I can't say as I do. I have, however, been groped by supermodels, if that counts for anything?" Kurt smirked.
"Oh? Do tell!"
"You're way too excited about this, and we're gonna be out of beer soon," Kurt laughed.
"There has to be a restaurant open around here somewhere, isn't there? We could grab some food, have a drink, catch up some more?" The hopeful look on Blaine's face was Kurt's undoing. He'd been home with Burt, Carole and Finn for a week and he'd spend the whole day with them tomorrow before heading to L.A. to see Mercedes. He could give Blaine another hour tonight.
"You're on. Find a place and we'll split some French fries somewhere like we used to!"
"You had me at fries, Kurt."
"Blaine?"
"Mmhmm?" Blaine answered, pulling out of the parking lot.
"I've missed you. I'm really glad you stopped and said hello tonight."
"Me too, Kurt. More than you know."
