Beca never thought the day would come where she'd get all hot and bothered watching a freaking bassist. Nope, not the vocalist in the tight jeans nor the guitarist whose arms were covered in tattoos.
The bassist wearing a maroon sweatshirt and whose fingers moved effortlessly from one string to another despite his claims of not having played base since college and just covering for a friend who broke his arm and couldn't preform.
The bassist who didn't seem to be bothered by the lack of air conditioning in the bar even though he was dripping in his own sweat… he should probably lose the sweatshirt for his own sake and hers because she wouldn't mind seeing more of his body. He had nice arms that she totally wouldn't mind being wrapped around her.
The set was mediocre at best but she wasn't there to critic the music being played. She was there on a date with the bassist.
They had been on quite a few dates in the couple of weeks they'd known each other and it was the most she went out with the same guy during such short period.
"Nice job up there," she said once he joined her.
Jesse grimaced in response. "I'm not sure I agree." He paused and she was going to tell him how wrong he was because he really did do a good job for someone who hadn't picked up a bass guitar in years. "I think I, at least, was pretty damn exquisite," he continued and she rolled her eyes.
"Exquisite, that's what you're going with?" He was such a dork.
"M'yeah." He shrugged. "I had your attention the whole time we were preforming and that's enough proof that I was indeed extremely fine up there that you, a recorder producer, barely acknowledged the lead singer and the rest of the band." He flashed her a smile before he turned to the bartender ordering a beer for himself.
"Fair enough." She was going to leave it there if he thought his exquisite performance was the reason why she stared at him the whole set.
She brought the beer she was holding to her lips and took a sip.
"For real though what did you think of the set?" he found himself wondering, following Beca's eyes to find her watching the band that got on stage.
"It was alright. There's some lack of practice and the vocalist gotta stop trying to hit high notes, he doesn't have the voice for high notes," she told him, genuinely giving her critique.
"He refuses to believe that he sings off-key when he goes falsetto." He sighed.
"The crowd doesn't seem to mind," she pointed out.
"The crowd is pretty drunk," he countered. "The dude thinks he could make it professionally."
Beca laughed out loud at his words. "Sorry," she instantly apologized.
"It's okay," he assured her.
"No, no, that was insensitive. Besides, making it in the industry doesn't necessary require a voice. It's just funny to me how a lot of people think they got what it takes to become the next big thing."
He nodded and brought his drink to his lips, thinking of how to change the subject. He knew she didn't like talking about music but was polite enough to engage in the conversation. And, he was such a moron for bringing it up.
"Hey, Becs?" he called.
"Yeah?"
"Are you superstitious?" he asked and nearly face palmed himself for the question he picked. He could tell she was bit confused by it.
"Er-no… not really," she answered. "Why, are you?"
"Well, I wasn't. But, here's the thing. I think my apartment is haunted."
"Are you trying to make me never want to visit your place?" she accused playfully.
"No, I'm asking to see if you know any good exorcists that could maybe help out."
"Have your buddy sing some Christina Aguillera at your apartment, I'm sure the ghost or whatever it is haunting the place would get the hell out of there instantly," she deadpanned and earned a chuckle in return.
"That's an excellent idea."
"You're welcome." It was really hard to keep a smile from forming on her lips when he was grinning at her but she was determent to play it cool.
The thing with Beca Mitchell's that if she really, really, liked a guy she'd turn into a cold sarcastic version of herself. She knew it usually made her look bad but she really couldn't help it. She'd often get anxious about what she should say and do in order not to fuck up or seem too desperate and as a result she'd come off very icy and very sarcastic.
It was weird.
He seemed to be into her sarcastic jabs so that was great.
"I think I'm gonna just come here when I want to go to sauna, it is hot!" Jesse unzipped his sweatshirt and rolled up his sleeves. "It's hard to believe that we're in freaking October."
"It really is." She could feel her hair sticking to the back of her neck and she hadn't pulled any effort.
"I'm sorry I dragged you here," he then apologized when she began to fan herself with her hand.
She shrugged in response. "Beer is alright and the bands aren't half as bad." By alright she meant cheap and by aren't half as bad she actually meant she heard way worse.
"Do you wanna get out of here?" he asked grimacing at the voice of the singer that took the stage.
"Yeah," she nodded and brought her beer to her lips, finishing it, while Jesse called the bartender to pay for their drinks.
He extended his hand and she took it as they began making their way out of the bar. Jesse tilted his head when she pulled him back as they walked and grinned when she threw an arm around his shoulder, walking backwards until they were in a dark corner.
She was such a great kisser. He could not get enough of her as she pulled him closer. He grinned when she pulled away panting. It was dark but he could see her and he thought she looked beautiful. He totally didn't expect her to pull him to a dark corner of the bar when they were heading out but he sure as hell didn't mind.
"Wow," he muttered, failing to come up with a better thing to say. Not enough oxygen was reaching his brain because he couldn't will himself to pull away.
Beca pulled the hand that was in his hair away and rested it on his chest.
He squeezed her hand that was still in his before he tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Um, since your place is haunted, I think you should spend the night at my place tonight," she mumbled.
"Gladly," he mumbled back.
It had been a while since Beca Mitchell had fallen asleep snuggling up to another human being that was neither Chloe nor Fat Amy. So, when she woke up and found herself in a very comfortable position, she smiled to herself and decided to go back to sleep only getting out of bed when she needed to use the bathroom.
He was so warm and cozy: it was quite difficult to talk herself into climbing out of bed.
"Well, well, well, look who's up?" She heard Fat Amy say as she exited the bathroom.
"Morning," Beca said, making her way to the kitchenette where both Fat Amy and Chloe were.
"Coffee?" Chloe held up the coffee pot and Beca nodded.
"Thanks," she said accepting the mug of coffee Chloe offered her.
"Very funny," she deadpanned when Fat Amy placed a batch of pancakes that had, 'congrats on the sex' written on it in chocolate on the kitchen counter in front of her.
"It sure had been a while since you got laid, seemed necessary we congratulated you," Fat Amy explained.
"Is everything okay?" Chloe asked, after getting a good look at her friend who scoffed in response to Fat Amy. "Did he come too fast?" she questioned next, grimacing.
"Yeah, or does has a weirdly shaped penis?" Fat Amy went on to add.
"You two are ridiculous," Beca mumbled as she brought her mug to her lips.
"No, we're not. You really like this guy and if he has a weird dick or ejaculates prematurely it's a serious problem. We don't want that kind of disappointment for you," Chloe told her. "You deserve a guy with a functioning dick."
"Amen," Fat Amy agreed.
Beca rolled her eyes. "If you must know, nothing happened."
"Nothing?" Fat Amy didn't hide her surprise.
"We made out." Beca shrugged. "Then sort of just talked until we fell asleep."
"That's adorable," Chloe smiled.
"Ew, no," Fat Amy said in disgust. "You get your ass back in there and you get yourself some!"
"Amy," Beca sighed when Fat Amy took the pancakes away from her.
"Get laid first then you may have these." The blonde shrugged. "How are you going to take him to meet your family if you don't take him at least on a test drive, if you catch my drift." Fat Amy winked.
"What Amy means to say is that sex is an important part of any relationship be it serious or casual. You will learn more about each other and become more comfortable around each other once you've gotten that intimate with each other."
Beca was about to speak when she saw that both of her friends were looking behind her. "Shit," she muttered before she tilted her head to see a confused Jesse standing in the doorway of her bedroom.
"How much did you hear?" Beca asked. No point in beating around the bush.
"Enough," he replied.
"Neat," Beca deadpanned and shot Chloe and Amy a death glare each.
"You want me to meet your family?" he questioned in puzzlement, kindly not pointing out the rest of what he overheard.
"It's not like that," Beca began to say.
"It's exactly like that," Fat Amy told him and received a nudge from Chloe. "What? I'm not afraid of her. What's the worst she could do, smuggle me with a pillow in my sleep?"
"I might," Beca replied.
"Beca you struggle to open jars. So, I wouldn't hold my breath," Fat Amy said to which Chloe snorted.
"Well, if it's important I meet your family, just tell me when and I'll do it," Jesse said still puzzled.
"Aw, Beca, he's such a sweetheart," Chloe gushed.
"I'm not gonna make you do that, Jesse," Beca told him, deciding to ignore Chloe. "These two came up with a horrible idea to deal with the outcome of bad call I made," she vaguely said.
"Like six months ago Beca lied to her mother and told her she's in a relationship just to get her off her back and now her mother wants to meet "the boyfriend"," Fat Amy explained. "You two are dating so we thought why not just take you."
Jesse nodded slowly, soaking in the information and piecing it with what he had overheard. "It's not that bad of an idea."
"Seriously?" Beca did nothing to hide her surprise.
"I've heard worse." He shrugged.
"It could make a cute story to tell your rat rugs one day," Fat Amy tried to argue.
"Totes," Chloe agreed.
"You guys are weird," Beca noted. "All of you." Jesse seemed to agree with them because he was nodding.
"So are you," Jesse was quick to say. "Honestly, it's not a big deal. I'm adorable. Your mom will love me." He really was adorable but Beca made sure to keep her expression hard, cracking a smile at his dorky grin wasn't an option.
"We're done talking about this. It's a terrible idea and isn't going to happen," she firmly said.
"Yes, sir," Fat Amy said while she mockingly saluted her friend.
"Yep," Chloe nodded her head when Beca met her gaze.
"Good." Beca curtly nodded. "Would you like some coffee, nerd?" she then asked, remembering her manners at last. "We have cereal, too, I think."
"Uh, yeah," Jesse said in response as his eyes fell on the pancakes. "I'll have cereal," he finally said, looking up.
"Don't eat these unless you—" Fat Amy began to say when Jesse met her gaze while she gestured at the pancakes.
"—got it," Beca interrupted, not wanting to hear Fat Amy bring up sex. It was weird enough already, no need to take up a notch.
"I'll know if you didn't," Fat Amy said before she exited the kitchen, heading towards her bedroom.
"It always nice seeing you, Jesse," Chloe smiled sweetly at him.
"You, too," he smiled back and watched her leave the kitchen as well. She looked like she had just gotten home from a run so his guess that she was headed to take a shower.
"I'm sorry about Chloe and Amy." He heard Beca say breaking the silence they got in. "They mean well but they can be a handful sometimes."
"They're pretty cool and care an awful lot about you." He really overheard too much of their conversation.
"Yep." She brought her mug of coffee to her lips, sighing when she noticed that he was eyeing the pancakes.
"Eat 'em if you want," she told him.
"I'm afraid I'm not worthy of this batch," he said in response.
"Suit yourself, weirdo," she said, snorting.
"We have She's All About That and Leap Year," Beca sighed eyeing the DVD cases of the only two movies she could find that she was a 100% sure belong to Chloe. "Which one do you wanna watch?" She looked up and frowned noting that Jesse had already zoned out.
"Jesse," she called.
"Huh?" He looked up.
"Which one do you wanna watch?" She held the cases in a way he could see the labels.
"Uh." He paused. "Leap Year," he told her.
"Leap Year it is."
She put the movie in the DVD player and joined him on the couch while reading the synopsis of the movie. "Ugh, sounds like a cliché-fest," she grumbled, tossing the case on the coffee table.
Hearing a loud sigh, she tilted her head and frowned. Jesse had a look on his face that during the month she knew him had never seen before.
Something was up with him.
He hadn't been acting like himself, he wasn't annoyingly chipper and extra nice to every single costumer and that was quite strange. She was mostly busy on her laptop while at the coffee place yet she noticed it.
When she asked him, he just told her he was tired.
"Come over later? We could watch some movie if you want," she had said in response. "Chloe made cookies and I'll make hot chocolate."
"That sounds nice," he had a smile on his face when he accepted her invitation.
"Jesse," she called.
"Yeah?" he tilted his head to look at her.
"You're totally not just tired," she noted. "Wanna talk?"
"I blew a job interview," he shared with her.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, watching him rest his elbows on his thighs and hold his head in his hands.
"It's okay," he said, his voice muffled. "I've had bad interviews before." He shrugged. "I just thought that I had this one, you know?" He looked up.
She nodded and proceeded to rub his back. "Jesse, sooner or later, you will get your break. These morons don't know what they're passing out on. They suck at their job so it's probably for the best that you won't be working with a bunch of idiots that can't even see real talent when it's right in front of them."
She heard some of his stuff and his talent was raw and radiating. She truly believed that he just needed one shot: one shot was all he needed to blow up.
He sat up a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Becs."
She cupped his cheek and kissed him in response. He kissed her back and it wasn't long until they were making out on the couch, the movie they picked to watch completely forgotten.
Jesse abruptly pulled away, frowning when he met her gaze. "Am I doing something wrong?" he asked. Whenever he tried to move things forward, she'd become very cold. He didn't think much of it at first and figured she simply didn't want to hook up but it had happened every single time they made out.
"One minute you're so into me then the next you're stiff and uncomfortable: it's confusing." His voice carried nothing but worry. "If it's me, tell me, Becs."
"No," she answered, looking away from his eyes in discomfort. "It's not you."
"Then what is it?" he puzzled, tucking the hair that fell on her face behind her ear.
"It's a lot of things," she murmured, confusing him even more.
He sat up and watched her run her fingers through her hair.
"I have a horrible taste in men," she began to say. "I usually go for the worst. I never dated a good guy like you before, Jesse."
He still didn't quite get why that would result in avoiding intimacy.
"I'm not that good, Becs," he finally said. "I mean I'm flattered but trust me, I have my share of flaws."
"We all do," she murmured. "But I doubt you're a misogynistic emotionally manipulative asshole… that's my type by the way. And because that's my type I end up getting hurt over and over again. I don't want to get hurt again—" she uneasily shared with him.
"—I won't hurt you, Beca," he was quick to ingest.
"I want to believe you, I really do," she said. "Fuck," she swore, getting up. "I'm sorry for wasting your time. I just thought I could do this." She shook her head. "I can't. You should leave."
He was up on his feet as well and reaching for her hand. "I don't think this is a waste of time." he told her as he took her hand in his.
"You should," she mumbled, looking up.
"You said you only go for assholes," he pointed out. "And while I'm not perfect I can assure you that I'm not an asshole—an assman, yeah, sure, why not? Although, I'm more of a boobman, but that's unrelated— Point is that you like me and that's a good sign, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess," she found herself agreeing with his reasoning.
"Let's not think ahead of ourselves and take this one day at a time," he continued. "And although I'd love to do dirty things to you, I'm down for taking it super slow in that area. So, let's just enjoy each other's company and see where it goes." He smiled at her as she thought about it.
"I'd like that," she finally said reluctantly nodding her head.
He wasn't going to let her down, but he knew telling her wouldn't make a difference: he had to show her.
He ended up spending the night over. They finished the movie, which turned out to be horrible and not the fun kind of horrible. They had fun trashing it, though. They made dinner together; mac and cheese, nothing fancy. She later showed him some of the mixes she was going to show at her job interview for a DJ position at a nightclub. (he loved every single one of them.) It got pretty late so she asked him to just sleep over and he was too tired to decline.