Title: Bigger and Better
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Buck/Eddie gen, past Buck/Taylor
Warnings: None
Notes: 9-1-1 Bingo Square - Bartender!AU. Buddie Bingo square - working
Bigger and Better
Buck stared at the glass morosely. It was now room temperature, no longer appealing to his taste buds.
"You look like you're someone that lost his best friend," a wry voice commented.
Buck looked up. He swallowed as his gaze landed on the bartender. The very good-looking bartender.
"Not my best friend. But my girlfriend of six months was supposed to meet me here tonight."
"Did something come up that she couldn't make it?"
"I'm sure you have something else to do. Other than listen to my relationship issues."
The other man smirked. "I'm a bartender. Half of the job involves listening to the customers complain about relationship problems. Comes with the territory of the job."
Buck supposed that was true. "My girlfriend decided that instead of meeting me for our date, it was a good time to dump me in a text message. She couldn't even do it in person. I guess I wasn't worth the effort required."
The bartender winced. "Ouch. No offense man, but your girlfriend sounds like a bitch."
Buck nodded. "I'm not sure why I'm surprised. When a girl would rather work than spend time with her boyfriend, that should be a clue that the relationship isn't working, right?"
"Usually," the bartender agreed.
Buck stared at the other man. "Here I am complaining about Taylor, and I don't even know your name."
"Eddie," he supplied.
"What's that short for?" Buck asked.
"That's something for me to know, and for you to figure out."
"Eduardo?" Buck guessed.
"Nope," Eddie answered with a grin, the 'p' almost popping. "So, you know my name. Or at least the shortened version of it. What's yours?"
Buck was still trying to come up with what 'Eddie' was short for, but he answered," Buck."
"That can't be your real name."
"It isn't. It's short for my last name, Buckley."
"And your first name?" Eddie asked.
"That's for me to know, and for you to figure out.
"Cheeky," Eddie teased.
Buck smiled, but it soon fell away as he once again remembered he had been dumped.
"You know, if she has so many issues that she can't do it in person, you're better off without her."
Buck sighed. "I know it wasn't going anywhere. There was no future. I want to get married and have kids. She's married to her work and never wants a family to tie her down."
"Then it sounds like the breakup is the best thing that could have happened to you."
Buck opened his mouth to reply, but it snapped shut when Eddie was called away to get a tequila for a customer. A female customer that was doing her best to entice Eddie by leaning over the bar, making sure he got an eyeful of her cleavage."
He got her the drink but quickly returned back to Buck. "Sorry about that, but duty called."
"You could have stayed and chatted her up if you wanted to. I wouldn't have blamed you. I bet her conversation would have been much more fun."
Eddie scrunched up his nose. "I think my nine-year-old son would have provided better conversation. Besides, I like talking to you."
Buck's heart skipped a beat. And he said what he was going to say before. "Even if there was no future, I'm sick of being the one that's always left behind. No matter how hard I try, no one deems me worthy enough to stay."
Eddie put his elbows on the bar. "I just met you tonight, but I can't imagine anyone not deeming you enough. You seem pretty awesome."
Buck's cheeks heated up. "I wish you could tell that to Taylor."
"If I ever meet her, I'll make sure she knows she lost out on what could be the best thing in her life.
Buck felt uncomfortably warm as Eddie's unwavering gaze seemed to look at his innermost soul. "So, enough about me. Although I don't know what 'Eddie' is short for, I do know you have a 9-year-old son. Is there a Mrs. Eddie?"
"No. Doing the divorced, single parent thing. Just so you know, there isn't a Mr. Eddie either."
Buck blinked at that. "Is it that important for me to know that you swing both ways?"
"Just wanted you to know that I'm equal opportunity. In case you're interested."
"Pretty forward of you. Considering I just broke up with my girlfriend tonight."
Eddie grinned. "I'm not saying we get together tonight. Anyways, I'm working until 5 am. But, I did want to put it out there. For when you are ready to move onto something bigger and better."
Buck couldn't help the smile. "I'll keep that in mind. I now know where you work after all."
And suddenly, the breakup wasn't bothering him nearly so much. In fact, his future didn't look quite so lonely anymore.
X
(word count: 806)