'Hey,' Aaron greeted his friend as he joined him at the bar.
'Sorry I'm late,' Adam said as Aaron handed him his pint. 'Bus took ages.'
'I told you we should've just came together,' Aaron said.
The boys continued to drink their pints and talked for a while.
Adam couldnt help but stare at his best friend, everytime Aaron wasnt looking.
At one point he noticed and Adam quickly turned away. Aaron smirked and let it go, knowing is wouldnt be comfortable for Adam if he joked about it.
'So how was work then?' Adam made conversation, wanting Aaron to think he was interested in him.
'It was alright, Cain had a right face on-'
Aaron stopped speaking and spun in his chair to face the other way and downed his drink.
'Aaron? Whats wrong?'
Aaron shook his head, unable to speak with his mouth full. He swallowed it and smiled at Adam.
'Its nowt.'
Adam frowned and noticed Aaron was avoiding looking towards the door.
He turned round and saw Jackson coming in. His heart sank, knowing what the rest of the night was going to revolve around.
'I thought you guys spoke last night, when I called you said he was gonna call you back,' Adam decided to be the proper friend he hadnt been lately.
'We did talk but, you know me. I always end up yelling at the slightest thing. He brought up something about being in denial and I flipped and ruined everything.' Aaron sighed and avoided looking at Jackson as Adam smiled at this news.
'Just ignore him,' Adam said.
Aaron eyed him. 'You would say that.'
'Shut up,' Adam blushed. 'I just mean...ignoring him will make him, y'know...want you more.'
'What do you know about what guys want?'
'Trust me, it'll work. Just make it seem like you're not interested and he'll want you.'
'And you think that'll work?' Aaron frowned.
'I know it works,' Adam mumbled.
'Yer what?'
'Nothing just...trust me.'
Aaron nodded and refocused his attention to Adam.
'So, hows things with you?' Aaron asked. 'With the whole coming out.'
Adam shrugged. 'I'm alright.'
'Look, is...me going on about Jackson getting to ya?'
'Aaron, look, I'm not bothered. You're my best friend and I know you like Jackson and honestly I dont...see you in that way, alright?'
'Well...thats good then. At least I dont have to watch what I say now.'
Adams heart sank and he regretted it. He was back to square one. At least before Aaron sort of knew Adam liked him and there was more of a chance. If only that Jackson was just out of the picture.
'Do ya think I should just go apoligise?' Aaron caved.
'No.'
'But maybe-'
'No! Dont give in mate.'
'Right okay.'
Adam kept noticing the way Aaron glanced at Jackson and he didnt like seeing his mate feel like that, especially when he felt this way about him.
'Right, one sec.' Adam sighed.
He got up and walked over to Jackson at the bar.
'Hey,' Adam greeted him.
'Adam yeah?'
Adam nodded. 'I need to talk to ya.'
'About Aaron I'm guessing.'
'Yeah, look, as his mate you can see why I'm doing this but...he yelled at you last night, yeah, and he knows he was in the wrong. Basically, you just have to know that anger is just something Aaron cant help, it's his defense, he just...needs someone that understands him and knows how to keep him calm when he flips. Look, I'm just going on and on now but please...just, give him a chance.'
Jackson thought about what Adam had said.
'You make a good point but...I dont do violent thugs, mate.'
'Alright, fair enough but you know Aaron is better than that, you liked him at one point remember.'
Jackson nodded. 'Yeah but he's the one that messed things up.'
'He wants to fix it though. He was trying that last night but he flipped and you just need to know how to handle it. I can handle it you just have to let him have his moment then hes okay. He'd never even think of lifting a finger to ya again mate.'
'Okay yeah, I know he's not that daft. He seems very fond of you though.'
'What? Adams heartbeat sped up.
'He came mouthing off to me a while back for having a go at ya for recommending me to Declan.'
'Oh right. Look, he's waiting for me over there so would ya just...please, call him or something. Give him another chance mate.'
'I cant. I promised myself I wouldnt get into that.'
'He's completely changed. He's getting better with this whole situation and its all thanks to you. Please...come on.'
Jackson sighed. 'Alright. Tell him I'll call him.'
Adam smiled and nodded before thanking him and going back to Aaron.
'What happened?' Aaron bit his lip.
'He said he'll call ya and you can sort things out.'
Aaron smiled. 'Aw thanks mate, you're the best. Really appreciate it. I'll get you another pint.'
Aaron jumped up and went to the bar leaving Adam confused. He had just brought Aaron and Jackson closer together, when he'd originally planned on getting them apart, but he just couldnt face seeing Aaron so down over Jacksons rejection. He glanced over and Jackson was gone; Aaron making his way back to the table.
'This is for you; the best mate ever,' Aaron handed him his pint.
'Cheers.'
They drank in silence, Aaron's mood had lightened whilst Adam sat sulking.
'Thanks again though Adam. I wont mess things up this time.'
Adam sighed. 'Can we stop talking about him now? I got him to call ya, there ya go.'
Aaron frowned and his face then softened. 'Why did you get Jackson to give me another chance?'
'Because thats what mates do dont they. So could you do something in return and just shut up about him?'
Aaron eyed Adam his expression still sympathetic. 'Adam, tell me whats going on?'
'If you still think I've got a pathetic little crush on ya or something then dont worry, I dont.'
'You sure?'
'Dont flatter yaself, Aaron.'
'Alright calm down. You're a bad liar Adam, d'ya know that. Why did ya talk to Jackson? It's obviously made ya-'
'Because I couldnt stand seeing you constantly staring at him and I could tell how badly you liked him and I just didnt like having to see you...down, like that...' His sentence faded off and he finished off his pint, shocked at his outburst which he hadnt been able to hold back.
'Right then,' Aaron was slightly shocked. 'That was...why would you do that?'
'I'm sure I just told ya that.'
'Yeah, yeah okay but...wouldn't Jackson blanking me be an advantage to ya?'
'You'd think wouldn't ya,' Adam said sarcastically. 'I'm gonna go now.'
'Right then,' Aaron was still shocked. 'Fancy sharing a taxi? Cheaper.'
'Its alright, I'll get the bus,' Adam said. 'See ya.'
He made his way out of the bar and Aaron ran after him.
'Adam slow down,' Aaron called once outside. 'Look, I'm alright with this y'know, lets just get a taxi.'
Adam sighed. 'Didnt you already know that I felt like this anyway? You're acting like its news to ya.'
'Well...I did but...you set me straight and told me ya didnt...so I believed ya. It was just...weird actually hearing you say it.'
'Right...at least thats cleared up.' Adams irony returned and he crossed the road to the bus stop when he saw the bus coming.
Aaron shook his head and left his mate to it before turning around and heading off to find a taxi.
He knew Adam would be okay the next day, and he'd talk to him.
'Aaron!' he turned around at the sound of someone calling his name.
'Jackson.' He smiled.
'Look, I know I said I'd call ya but...I saw ya heading up here and its still early.'
'Right. Fancy coming back to mine then?'
'Yeah okay.' Jackson nodded and they walked off to find a taxi.
Adam appeared in Aarons mind and he suddenly didnt feel that going home with Jackson was the right thing to do. He felt bad, he didnt want Adam to think he didnt care about his feelings.
'But Jackson...we'll just talk about this right?'
'Yeah, we'll sort things, as long as you dont flip again.'
'I wont,' Aaron quickly told him. 'But we're just gonna talk yeah?'
'Yes Aaron,' Jackson frowned. 'Then I'll leave, dont worry, I dont wanna push ya.'
'Right,' Aaron nodded.
They got into the back of the taxi and buckled up.
'Good job Adam, came over to talk to me then I suppose,' Jackson said.
'Yeah,' Aaron nodded, not really paying attention but he'd heard his friends name being mentioned.
'He's a good mate then.' Jackson smiled and leaned forward to tell the taxi driver where to go.
'Yeah,' Aaron half smiled. 'Hes...he's a great...mate.'