Do I Tell Him, Or Don't I
One o'clock had come and gone and Adam was still in his bedroom ransacking his wardrobe looking for something to wear.
'What are you doing? I called you at eight.'
Adam was never on time for anything, so Aaron was hardly surprised that he was starting on his second can by the time he arrived.
"Aaron I am so sorry." Adam panted, as breathless he finally arrived at Butler's.
"I thought you stood me up."
"No. My dad insisted on having a family chat about biscuits and then I had chores to do."
"So…"
"What?"
"Are you going to tell me what happened with Scarlett?"
"That depends on what she said to you."
"Nothing. She wouldn't stop and she had been crying."
"Great. They collapsed on the sofa and Aaron turned the television off. I'll try and explain."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Yes…kinda. I guess."
"So, spill."
"You're not even going to let me have a drink first?" Adam pouted reproachfully.
"You've got all night to sup that. Aaron moved his larger just out of his reach, so it was teasing him as he could see it but not touch it. I want to know why Madam thinks you have a thing for me."
"What? He stuttered. I thought she didn't say anything to you?"
"She didn't. I was on my way into the pub yesterday, before I went on that drive for Cain and I heard her and your mum arguing so I decided to give it a miss."
"Great. So the whole village heard that?" Adam buried his head in his hands in shame.
"Probably, but the real question is… Aaron grabbed Adam's hands away from his eyes, so he had to look at him directly. Is it true?"
Adam fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, deliberately looking anywhere but at him and muttering incoherent excuses to leave.
"I am going to need another drink. I'm going to call at the shop. They have those Vodka shots. I like the red ones best. Do you?"
"Adam stop please. We can talk about something else. I didn't mean to upset you."
Realizing he was still holding his hands, Aaron squeezed them encouragingly, to his surprise Adam returned the pressure.
"I'm not upset, just nervous. I mean this is strange. I don't know what to say or where to start."
"The beginnings usually the best bet. You can have this back."
"Thanks. Adam literally grabbed his can and downed it in one. I may need that Vodka after all." He smiled embarrassedly.
"We can go and get some if you want and then come back here."
"I don't know."
"We'll just talk. Nothing else I promise."
"No need to be rash now." Adam joked, the alcohol lowering his inhibitions giving him a boost of confidence, but he blushed furiously as he realized what he had implied.
"Sounds like a plan." To his relief Aaron laughed.