Starbucks was amazing. Jeremiah told Blaine all about the plans for the show next week, and how Russ and Max had been arguing over the set list. He asked about the Kings' Island Show, and Sectionals, and if his brother was still in town. Blaine was impressed he knew about his brother being in town.
"You've been posting about him on Facebook a lot lately, kept coming up on my feed."
"Oh. Yeah, well, he's usually in Pennsylvania for school, it was great having him home."
"Sounds like you have a good relationship with him."
"I guess."
"Was he cool when you came out and everything?"
"Yeah. I mean, I don't think any of my family was thrilled, but he accepts it. He was asking me if I was seeing this guy from school, actually. Like I guess it's normal for him now."
"Well that's cool."
"I mean- I'm not. Seeing anyone, that is."
"But when you do he'll be happy for you. It's easier when the people close to you get comfortable with it and-" Jeremiah stopped suddenly, looking just past Blaine. "Oh. Shit."
"What?" Blaine started to turn to see what Jeremiah was looking at but felt a hand pulling him back. Jeremiah's hand is on top of my hand.
"Nothing. It's- stupid." Jeremiah lowered his voice. "I just saw my ex. Sorry, I guess it's pretty childish to freak out like that."
Now Blaine really wanted to turn and look. But as he did, Jeremiah stopped him again,"If you look he'll know we're talking about him," he hissed, and then laughed in spite of himself, causing Blaine to chuckle too.
Jeremiah lifted his hand to drink his coffee. I really like how that felt.
"Were you two... together long?"
"Eh, three or four months. But they were... intense, and the break-up was pretty bad. You know how it is."
Blaine nodded. "Oh yeah." I've totally had a boyfriend before and know how it is. He tried to drink from his coffee in the most mature looking way possible.
Jeremiah looked at Blaine funny for a second. "Sometimes... relationships don't work out because people are on different pages. I've spent the last year getting my act together and preparing for my future. It didn't make sense to stay with someone who mainly wanted to get high all the time."
"Wow. Yeah, sounds like breaking up was a... good move." I wonder if Jeremiah's ever been high. I know he smokes cigarettes but he wouldn't smoke pot too, would he? Mom and Dad would kill me if they ever suspected I was doing pot, or hanging out with someone who was. Dad would probably use his belt, even.
"Mark's not a bad guy. We were happy together for awhile. But things came to a head and I decided I'd rather be single than with someone who didn't care about the future."
"I totally know what you mean. My brother's always having problems with his girlfriend because he takes school really seriously and she's mad at him if he doesn't pay enough attention to her or whatever. Sometimes I don't even know why they're together."
"Yeah, hooking up with someone who's just fun and stuff can be a good time for awhile but at some point, if you want a real relationship you need to be sure they're looking for the same things as you are... Life is more than just sex. I- Sorry if I'm starting to sound like I'm- your father or something."
"Trust me. I never talk about this stuff with my father."
"Well, I just really, really care about you Blaine, and I hope you don't have to make all the mistakes I have." He really, really cares about me.
"You seem like a pretty together person to me. I mean, everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
Jeremiah smiled. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Blaine. You're so much more mature and confident than I was at your age. I feel like we could talk for hours about politics and life and stuff."
"I feel that way too."
"So you're not- uh, seeing one of those Dalton boys these days?"
"I- uh, no." Blaine blushed. "I'm single like you."
"Those uniforms are hot."
"They are?"
"Yeah. Uniforms always are. When I was at Dalton the last time all I could think was how I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I'd been able to go to school there every day, with all those cute boys in uniform." Cute boys? Am I in that category? "Before I got the gig at the Gap, I used to work in this office next to a bunch of military recruiting stations. Uniformed boys everywhere. I considered it a benefit of the position."
Blaine laughed. "Interesting. Never thought about it that way. But I guess I do see what you mean."
"Only reason I ever had any interest in the military. You ever want to make a move on a boy, everyone looks better in a uniform."
"Ha. I'll keep that in mind." I must be blushing. And I don't even really care.
Jeremiah looked at his watch. "Ugh. I gotta get going. Rehearsal later tonight and I've got to shower."
"You look fine to me."
"Eh, well thank you but I basically rolled out of bed this morning and came straight to work so I'd like to clean up first."
Jeremiah in the shower. Jeremiah rolling out of bed. Oh my.
"Well, thanks so much for the coffee."
"Don't mention it. I owed you, remember?"
\ "And I really am looking forward to seeing your band next week. I think I'll try to bring some friends, we'll see."
"That would be amazing. Russ and Max will love you for it. In the meantime, keep on being your amazing self, man." Jeremiah put his fist out to Blaine, who fistbumped him back. "Oh and-" Jeremiah pulled Blaine close to him to whisper. "My ex was totally walking our way a minute ago and then stopped. I think he thought we were together. Can't thank you enough." Jeremiah chuckled. And gave Blaine a quick hug.
"I- uh, happy to help!"
"Take care of yourself."
"See you at the show!"
Blaine watched Jeremiah leave. The back of him was as attractive as the front. He's so hot. And smart and perfect. Greg said see if it was something deeper. Maybe this is.