Chapter Ten – Annnnd We Have a Clinger

I'm going to get more popcorn, Eric signed to us, then got up and went into his kitchen, taking the empty popcorn bowl with him.

As soon as he was out of the room, Sophie glared at me, and started her bitch routine.

"You know, it would be nice if you'd let Eric and I have movie night alone for once," she snipped.

"He invited me, Sophie. I think he wants me here," I snipped right back.

"He's just being polite. He feels bad that you don't have someone, and he thinks you're lonely."

"I'm pretty sure he knows better than that, but thanks for trying." I rolled my eyes.

"You're such a bad friend. Shouldn't you want him to be happy? He'd be happier if he and I were alone right now."

"Ugh, you're such a little cun-" I cut off my words with a smile when I saw Eric head back in with a new bowl of popcorn.

He settled on the couch between us, put his feet up on the coffee table, and set the bowl in his lap. My hand and his were in it right away, and Sophie just gave us both a look of disgust before excusing herself to use the bathroom, probably to narf up what little popcorn she'd eaten out of the first bowl.

As soon as the bathroom door closed, Eric sat up and started signing quickly at me.

Sookie, I'm going crazy! When she got here tonight, she went into my room and sprayed my pillows with her perfume. And she set all these scented candles around the apartment.

"I was wondering why it smelled like vanilla and lavender in here," I signed back, highly amused. Those two smells were disgusting on their own, and together? Gross.

How do I get her to stop?

"Um … tell her to stop."

He only glared at me, and before he could respond the bathroom door opened again. Sophie sat back down on the couch, only this time she made a point to snuggle up to Eric and lay her head on his shoulder. I wanted to laugh, because I knew he hated that shit. He didn't mind snuggling, is what he told me, but he definitely minded her clinging to him like a leech while he was trying to watch a movie and eat popcorn.

The rest of the movie was watched in a tense silence. For me, it was amusing at first, but then I just felt bad for my friend. Sophie kept shifting around next to him, finding new ways to be touching him, whether it was running her fingers through his hair, or drawing her fingers up and down his thigh. Eric was clearly uncomfortable with her doing it, especially in front of someone else.

At that point, I understood their relationship quite well, and I was no longer jealous. Eric was in it for the sex, and Sophie was just a lonely person who finally found a guy willing to put up with her clingy-ness if it got him laid. I'd tried to tell Eric that he could have his pick of so many women at the bar if he just wanted sex, but he always refused. He said that he didn't want to do the casual one-night stand thing. I wasn't sure if the trade-off of Sophie was any better though. Sure, he got laid on the regular, but he also had to deal with the potential bunny-boiler to the left putting months worth of tampons in his bathroom, and changing his plaid comforter out with her ugly ass pink one.

As soon as the movie was over Sophie started yawning dramatically, trying to get the point across that she wanted me to leave. I probably should have been a bitch and offered to play cards or something, but I really was getting tired, and I didn't really want to stick around Sophie any longer than I had to. I made my excuses, offered to help clean up, which was always declined by Eric, and then I headed home.

EPOV

"Finally alone," Sophie said, and immediately started tugging at my clothes when Sookie was gone.

I thought you were tired, I signed.

"I always get a sudden burst of energy when we're alone. I want you," she signed, badly, then tried to kiss me.

I gently pushed her back, and replied, I really am tired though, so I want to clean up and go to bed.

She pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. "You never want to have sex anymore."

It wasn't entirely true. I did want to have sex, but I didn't want to use her just for sex, and since I'd stopped enjoying her company it felt wrong to do it. It had been almost a month since we'd last had sex, though, and I wondered if I should just do it, but then I remembered the hideous pink comforter she put in my room. . .

Maybe it's time we had a talk.

Instantly, her lips formed a tight line, and she crossed her arms over her chest. When she refused to sign with me, I knew she was pissed.

"About what?" she asked.

Sophie, I enjoyed the time we have had together, and I think you're a great person, but you and I aren't right together.

"Excuse me? Aren't right together? You're breaking up with me? Oh my God, I can feel the jagged pieces of my broken heart hitting my lungs."

What? Why was she always so dramatic?

"Oh fuck you! I was the best thing that ever happened to you!"

She started storming around, gathering her things. I thought I'd be helpful and get her a box, but all that did was make her start crying in hysterics. I felt bad, I really did, but I also knew that as soon as she was out the door I'd be relieved. It was nice having that other person in your life, but not one who escalated to Stage 9 clinging that quickly.

It took her two trips to get everything down to her car, if that tells you anything, and before she stormed out with the box full of tampons and candles, she decided it would be fun to slap me across the face.

"You'll miss me, but don't even think about calling," she said, flipped me the bird, and finally left.

I was right, about the relief. It felt like the weight of the world was off my shoulders. The first thing I did was send Sookie a text message.

I finally pulled the plug.

I knew she'd be happy about it. She'd been telling me for over a month about how as soon as she and Sophie were alone, Sophie would turn into an epic "cuntmonster" to her, but I had a hard time believing that since she was always so nice when I was there. It wasn't that surprising to me now. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I pulled up the new text.

About time! Are you okay though? Do I need to come back?

I'm fine, I promise. It was time. I'll come by the bar tomorrow night though.

See you then. Night!

Visiting the bar while Sookie worked had become quite fun since she'd made her "no men" decision a couple of months ago. It was like she suddenly had a supersized man magnet on her, and managed to get hit on many more times in a night than she was used to. At first, she stood firm with her decision, but in the last week or so I could tell she was starting to waver. I reminded her of it a lot though, in support. Pam certainly didn't support it. She kept sending guys to Sookie. It did get her bigger tips though.

Sophie had knocked quite a few things over while she was getting all her shit together, so I straightened things up, loaded the dishwasher, and then I climbed into bed with my awesome plaid comforter.

The next day I had work, and was able to have a nice supper after before heading to the bar to meet up with Sookie. It was band night, and I wasn't sure who was playing, but it usually meant Sookie got to sneak out from behind the bar and dance a few songs with me since they had an extra bartender on band nights that could handle it.

"Hey there, single guy!" she greeted when she saw me. "How does it feel?"

Less suffocating, I signed, and she laughed as she set my regular in front of me. Tray and Amelia coming tonight?

"Yeah, the Lounge Flies are playing tonight, they'll be here."

I didn't miss the smile behind her eyes when she told me the band name. She was hoping to see that guy from the band, the bassist.

You going to get out from behind there and dance with me tonight?

"As long as you're not out there living up the new singledom, of course I will," she teased.

I highly doubted I'd be dancing with anyone else. I rarely did. Instead I got in our regular booth and waited for Tray and Amelia to show up. They did, about twenty minutes later, with Felicia in tow. I really didn't like her. She was attractive physically, but that was about it. And I really didn't understand how Amelia could have a casual sex thing going with both Felicia and Pam when it was obvious to me that she and Tray were perfect for each other.

They all got drinks and Tray and I talked while Amelia caught up with Sookie at the bar, and Felicia texted. But once the band started playing, Tray and Ames were out on the dance floor, Felicia found some random guy to rub up on, and I made my way to the bar so I could wait for it to slow down enough to pull Sookie off to the side so we could dance too.

SPOV

Dancing with Eric was always fun. We didn't go up to the dance floor so that I could hop back behind the bar if I needed to, so it was like we were in our own world. He could still feel the beat, and we were comfortable enough with each other that dancing came naturally. And we weren't afraid to laugh at ourselves, or any silly dance moves we might do. It was freeing, and totally relaxing to just let go and be me.

I only had to stop once to go help catch up behind the bar, and Eric and I got in a good five songs worth of dancing. He had to be at work in the morning to fill in for someone, so when the band neared the end of their set, he said his goodbyes and left. Shortly after that, Pam sauntered up to the bar with a smirk.

"What?" I asked.

"Mt. Bassist was staring at you all night," she said.

"Mt. Bassist, Pam? Really?"

"He's huge, it works. And don't act like you're not interested. It's time for you to get back in the game. You're getting lonely, and he's been consistently interested."

"We'll see…"

She rolled her eyes, loaded up her tray with refills, and took off again to the VIP section. The band finished about a half hour later and people starting slowly migrating out. And then Mt. Bassist himself made his way to my section of bar.

"Long time, no see," he said as he sat down, smiling.

"No kidding," I agreed. "Want a beer?"

"Please."

"Y'all were great tonight," I said.

"Thank you. You ah … seemed to enjoy the music. I saw you dancing with that guy."

"I love your music, and so does my best friend, so we danced together," I said, giving him a wink.

"So does this mean you and I are finally both single and emotionally available at the right time?" he asked, hopefully.

"I think it might."

Oh Jesus, what was I saying? Suddenly the prospect of dating seemed huge and scary. Was that because I was afraid of dating, or because I knew the potential for something really wonderful and long-term with Alcide was great? All I could do was take a flying leap and hope I didn't break a limb when I hit the ground.

"Sookie, would you like to have a very late dinner and/or early breakfast with me when you get off work?" he asked.

I paused for dramatic effect, and just when he started to fidget, I gave in.

"I would love to," I smiled. "I get off work around two."

"Then I will pick you up then," he said, grinning back at me. Alcide took his beer and went to help the rest of the band pack up, and by the time they were done, so was I.

"Are you ready?" Alcide asked when I was gathering the towels to take to the back.

"Yeah, I just have to run these back and I'll be out," I told him, and calmly walked towards the employees only door. As soon as I was behind it though, I ran right to the employee locker room to see if Pam was in there.

"Thank God you're here!" I almost shouted when I saw her closing her locker.

"Um, yeah, I was about to come get you since it's time to go home now," she said. "Why do you look out of breath?"

"Alcide asked me out on a date and I said yes and he's waiting on me," I explained quickly.

"Thank FUCK! Please go get some so you will stop being anal about everything."

"I need your help," I said, ignoring her comments. I wasn't anal, I was particular. "Do I look okay? Is my bartender outfit too revealing for a first date? How's my hair?"

"Your hair is flawless, you look hot, and if you're that set on not banging him tonight then make it clear you don't do so on a first date. Your outfit is irrelevant. Clothes don't speak, they can't ask for it."

I took a deep breath, and then wrapped my arms around her.

"As much as you annoy me at times, you're still an awesome friend," I said.

"Yay me, now let me go so I can go home. And I expect you to be home in the morning."

"You know I will be."

Pam left, and I used the bathroom and freshened myself up a bit before heading back out to meet Alcide.

"Ready?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked.

"I thought we'd just find a 24-hour diner or something, if that's okay. Your friend told me to have you home by 4:30. She's kind of scary."

I laughed, "She can be. A diner sounds perfect. I know a good one too."

We walked out to his now-familiar truck, and he unlocked my door and helped me climb in before heading over to his side. I reached across the cab and unlocked his door for him, and he thanked me when he climbed in.

"I gotta admit, I can't believe you finally said yes," he said as he buckled up and started his truck. "I was starting to think the timing would never be right."

"I'm just glad you kept trying."

"What can I say, when I feel a connection I want to take a shot and see where it goes. And sometimes I want to take a few shots and keep hoping for a 'yes.'"

"Didn't you ever hear that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results?" I teased.

"If trying many times for the chance to be your boyfriend makes me insane, then I'll gladly take that label," he said.

I swear my blush must have reached my hairline.

So the SoS bug has bitten me again. I hope to have more of this up again soon! Thank you all for commenting and sticking with me, it means a lot!