Steve blushed brighter than a tomato making Eddie laugh. His laugh was so childlike and beautiful.
"So big boy, are you free after work tonight? I thought you could come by place and watch a movie of your choosing" Eddie said as he came closer to the counter.
'He already has a nickname for me,' Steve thought to himself. He wanted to say yes so badly. He should say yes.
"That sounds fun," Steve said, putting a hand on top of Eddie's. He could feel the rings on each of his fingers. His hands were calloused from helping his uncle fix cars.
Eddie didn't move his hand which made Steve even happier and then out of nowhere Eddie leaned over the counter and gave Steve a kiss on his cheek.
"That's to keep you going big boy," Eddie said with a bright smile and as he walked out Robin walked in and smiled wickedly.
When she got her stuff put away in the back and her name tag on Robin headed back out to the front.
"So straight Steve isn't so straight after all" Robin teased as she got situated.
Steve looked at her confused and asked "whoever said I was?"
"The whole school dingus. Whenever rumors popped up about you and Tommy, Billy and Jonathan the natural answer was 'straight as a ruler Steve'.
Though I never truly believed that especially watching you around Jonathan but I wasn't going to make assumptions since you were so hooked on Nancy.
But don't worry dingus, your secret is safe with me" Robin said in one breath.
Steve places his head on the table and groans. "I don't know Robin, I've never felt the way I do about Eddie around others, even Nancy.
He is like walking in the sunlight. His smile makes me smile.
His eyes never stop beaming with a childlike wonder that I wish I could have.
He is like a rock. I never knew I needed Rob.
He also likes kids which means he isn't going to mind my dream of having a bunch of kids and going on a family trip, or at least I don't think he will" Steve said into the counter.
Robin rubbed his back and said, "you've got it bad and my guess is that this is the first time you've actually spoken to him".
Steve nodded and slapped his forehead and said "I don't even know if he feels the same. I mean he kissed my cheek but that doesn't mean anything. He could kiss everyone's cheek.
Maybe he just knew I was down and was offering to be a friend and here I am planning out our entire future together even though I don't even know if he likes me like that.
What's wrong with me"?
"That is a loaded question dingus and would take hours and maybe days to answer but that guy was hot on you.
He never lost eye contact with you even as he was walking out.
Just relax, finish work, and then get the guy of your dreams. I will take on your babysitting duties at the Sinclair home tonight" Robin said with a grin.
"Damn I forgot about that. I should just call Eddie and say I can't make it" Steve said and reached for the phone.
Robin slapped his hand and said, "I have Erica, you take care of Eddie".
Steve opened his mouth to protest but Robin put her hand over it. It was the end of that conversation.
The rest of the day Robin wouldn't let him near the phone.
She didn't want any chance of him calling and canceling. The only call he was allowed to make was to Sue Sinclair letting her know Robin would be watching Erica since something came up.
Thankfully Sue knew Robin and Erica liked it better anyway when Robin watched her because she was more relaxed with the rules, so it wasn't a big deal.
And then there was Dustin. He decided to pop in and say hi and of course, Robin told him everything about Eddie and him inviting Steve over.
"Oh my God Steve, Eddie is like a God to D&D players. His campaigns are epic and he is the highest-rated dungeon master I know" Dustin said super excited.
"You know Eddie Munson Dustin?" Steve asked his jealousy of how amazing Dustin thought Eddie was showing.
"Yeah. Met him when he came to the middle school to do a campaign there. I can't wait to be part of The Hellfire Club. Also, you dating him would mean I have a pass in" Dustin said still excited.
Steve moaned and when Dustin dashed out to tell the others, went back to cleaning racks and things while Robin laughed at his jealousy.
As 6 pm approached, Steve's stomach began to churn with nervousness.
"I can't do this Robin," Steve said as they headed to his car. He was going to drop her off at the Sinclairs and then head to Eddies.
"You will be fine. Just be yourself and things will happen as they are supposed to, " Robin said, rubbing his shoulders.
Steve tried to believe her but it was hard since he was about to go and try to make something work with his polar opposite.
When they got to the Sinclairs house Robin told Steve to be brave and headed inside.
He was glad she would be spending the night since she didn't drive.
Looking over he saw the two movies Robin had picked out for them to watch. One was an animated cartoon called Ewoks and the battle for Endor and the other was Tommy.
Steve liked the cuddly Ewoks but he wasn't sure that Eddie would feel the same so they would probably end up watching Tommy since it's his kind of music.
As soon as she was in he started the car and headed to the scariest place he had ever been, Eddie Munson's house for a movie date.