Chapter 7:

The choices we make Part 1 :

For the whole bus trip home last night Adam went on and on about how Aaron treated him that night. After a while Aaron had just switched off and just nodded every so often. Maybe Adam was more work then it was worth. After getting off the bus he had put his hand into his pocket to retrieve his phone only to find it missing.

Thinking that his phone was still on the bus he'd jumped back on before the doors had closed. Apologising to the bus driver he'd said 'I think I left my phone on the seat I'll be two seconds'

As he has walked back down the bus to where they had been sitting he realised that he hadn't had it on him when he got on the bus, it definitely wasn't on the seat or the floor and he was pretty sure it was in the pub. Shit, he thought, how am I going to get it back now.

Getting off the bus his face showed Adam that the phone hadn't been on the bus.

'I must have dropped it either in the pub or on the way to the bus. It's gone now either way' Aaron huffed as he got back off the bus and walked with Adam towards Smithy cottage.

'You staying over tonight? Paddy wont mind' Aaron asked Adam.

'Eh no, I'm gonna head home. Dad's gonna pick me up in a few. I texted him when you went back onto the bus. I think it s for the best after the night we've had' Adam said without any remorse in his voice.

Maybe he's still pissed over the whole Jackson thing. Deciding not to make a big deal out of it Aaron just shrugged and continued to walk towards home.

'Come in to wait if you want. Up to you' was all he said.

Adam nodded and followed him into the house. 'Dad will ring when he's outside, shouldn't be long now'

'That's fine, do you want a can?' Aaron asked pulling one out of the fridge for himself.

'Yeah, go on' replied Adam looking at Aaron and wondering why he wasn't going off on one cos he wasn't staying. Maybe he was thinking about that guy in the pub. This idea didn't make Adam happy at all. He knew he was with Scarlett and Aaron but he didn't want Aaron to have someone else too. He wanted Aaron to be his alone, he knew he was being selfish but he couldn't help it. He felt very possessive over Aaron and having some out and proud guy trying it on was not going to happen if Adam had anything to do with it, that was damn sure.

oOo

Falling in to bed later that night Aarons mind was whirring. Images of Adam mixed with images of Jackson. His head was full to bursting. He didn't even know when or how he would ever see Jackson again considering he only went to the bar with Adam for a kind of date, he'd never go alone and he didn't think Adam would go with him again. Asking Adam to go with him in the hopes of seeing another guy probably wasn't for the best either now that he came to think of it though. Sleep was not coming easily as he tossed and turned into the early hours.

Finally falling asleep as the sun was coming up Aaron was not in the best of moods when his alarm went off for him to get up. Waking up the next morning Aarons mind was still racing. Firstly thinking about the guy he met in the bar, Jackson. He had never been so attracted to anyone so quickly before not even Adam. He couldn't stop thinking about him even when himself and Adam were on the bus and Adam was having a go at him all he could think about was Jackson. This was not good. Adam actually shouted at him as if he was the one cheating. It's like one rule for him and another for Aaron. Even though Adam had Scarlett it was as if he wanted Aaron to himself too, he didn't want Aaron to have anyone else. Considering that he only had half of Adam he didn't think it was fair. It's not like they were sleeping together or anything and he'd only played pool with a guy, while Adam was there mind!

Groaning to himself about stupid lads and lack of sleep he slowly got out of bed sitting on the edge his head in his hands. Reaching out to pick up his phone he remembered that he'd lost it, that meant more money he didn't have being used to get a new one. Standing up he headed into the bathroom to get ready for the day already hoping that this day would end quickly.

The day dragged. Even thought he had work to do everything seemed to be going in super slow motion. He'd just finished a car when he saw a blue van drive by. He could have sworn it had the name Jackson on the side but maybe he was hallucinating from lack of sleep. Realising it was lunch time he shouted to Cain that he was heading. Walking towards smithy his heart stopped as he saw Jackson hop out of his van and walk up to the vets surgery. Paddy came out smiling at the guy and in Jackson's hand was Aaron's phone. Hiding himself he wondered if Jackson told Paddy where he'd found it, not that it really mattered but he hoped he hadn't. Waiting until Jackson got back into his van Aaron gave out to himself for not having the bottle to head over and say hi but he wasn't sure if he could face him after all the thoughts that had been running through his mind. Plus he didn't want Paddy to guess that he liked this guy. Seeing the van drive away Aaron walked up to smithy and went into the kitchen to get himself some food. Paddy walked in from the surgery to have lunch himself and hadn't realised Aaron was there.

'Hey lad, guess what? This lad called Jackson found your phone in a pub last night, he rang me, well the home number, and he's dropped it off for you. Here's his number, you could ring and say thanks' Paddy said smiling all the time never realising that Aaron's mind was racing just knowing that he now had a way to contact Jackson if he really wanted to.

'That's cool, I thought I night have to get a new one. I'll give him a text to say thanks' Aaron said pocketing the number and the phone.

Finishing lunch in a good mood Aaron said bye to Paddy and strolled back down to work. Taking Jackson's number out of his pocket he put the number into his phone. As he walked down the road he thought about texting him and offering to buy him a drink that night but he thought it might be a bit too forward, maybe it'd look needy or something and he really didn't want that. Pocketing the phone he decided he'd wait til after work and then maybe send a quick text. The afternoon went by much faster then the morning had. His phone beeped and for some ridiculous reason he hoped it was Jackson but instead it was Adam asking if he wanted to meet up in the Woolie for a few drinks. Deciding he better see Adam instead of seeing Jackson he sent a text back telling him he'd be in after work.

Heading into the Woolie after work he saw Adam sitting there at a table with Scarlett beside him. Adam just smiled up at him; he didn't even look the slightest bit sorry. This made up Aaron's mind for him. Pulling out his phone he sent Jackson a quick text:

Hey, Aaron here. Got my fone back ta 4dat. Can I buy u a drink sumtime as a tank u?

Sending the message he wasn't really expecting a reply but about fifteen minutes later he got one.

No probs, drink wud b nice. U free 2nite? Don't wry if ur not.

Sending a reply:

I'm free. Were u want 2meet? Wat time?

Just as quickly a reply pinged into his inbox:

Bar West 8?

Ok, c u then was all Aaron replied. Realising he'd been grinning at his phone he looked up to see Adam looking at him with a questioning look on his face.

'When did you get your phone back?' he asked none too civilly.

'Earlier today, some guy from the bar left it with Paddy' Aaron replied hoping that the mention of the bar would shut Adam up as he didn't think he'd want to mention the name with Scarlett sitting beside them.

Adam took the hint and let it drop. Aaron decided to stay for one and then say he had to head home. He didn't want Adam knowing what he was going or who he was meeting. Getting up to leave after his drink was finished Adam looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

'I'm off, see ya tomorrow' was all Aaron said as he headed out. Hearing his phone ping with a message he opened his phone to see a message from Adam

Where u off 2 in such a hurry?

Sending off a quick reply Aaron just stated:

Paddy wants me home. C u 2mrw

Closing his phone he hoped Adam would leave it at that. Hurrying home he hopped into the shower before getting dressed in jeans and a jumper. He felt more nervous about this quick drink then he had going out on a proper date, maybe because this was the first time he was going to go out as a gay man to see another gay man. Telling Paddy he was off out he grabbed his jacket and headed to the bus stop. The bus came and he got on just as Adam came out of the pub with Scarlett. Sitting at the back of the bus he smiled to himself.

oOo

Walking into Bar West he headed straight to the bar to get a drink to steady his nerves. After putting in his order he scanned the bar to see if Jackson was there yet as Aaron was a few minutes early. Looking directly at him was Jackson sitting at a table on the other side of the pool table to where Aaron and Adam had been sitting yesterday. Paying for his pint he walked over to Jackson in a kind of daze. Putting the pint down on the table he noticed that Jackson was more then half way through his.

'Do you want me to get you a fresh one?' he asked gesturing at the pint in front of Jackson.

'No, not yet thanks. I wasn't sure if you'd actually come so I thought I'd get myself a drink while I was waiting so I didn't look like a tool' Jackson replied honestly.

'Why would you think I wasn't coming, I asked you to meet up' Aaron said slightly confused at the other mans train of thought.

'Well I thought maybe your fella might have something to say about you meeting up with another bloke'

'He's not my fella, I told you that yesterday. You really should listen to me you know' smirking at Jackson as he said this.

They chatted about work and anything else that came up in the course of the night. Aaron had bought a round as a 'thank you' and then Jackson had got one as a 'nah you're all right'. Eventually five pints down Aaron looked at his watch.

'Shit, my last bus is in 10 minutes. I better get going. It was really nice meeting you Jackson' he said blushing slightly as he said this.

'Maybe we can meet up again if you'd like to' came Jackson's reply as he looked at Aaron from under his eyelashes.

Aaron's breath caught in his chest at the emotion that was in the other mans eyes. He felt wanted and it scared him a bit. Getting up as well Jackson moved around the table to stand beside Aaron. 'I'll walk you out cos I'm heading home now too'

The two walked up and out of the club together still chatting and laughing. Jackson stopped at the corner and said 'I'm off this way' indicating left with his head.

'I'm over here' Aaron indicated the bus stop on his right. 'I better go or I'll miss my bus'

'Yeah, we wouldn't want that now would we' came Jackson's reply a small smile touching the corners of his mouth.

Before Aaron could reply he felt the other mans lips on his, soft pressure was being applied and Aaron responded partially opening his mouth as a tongue flicked out to lick his lips. The kiss was quick but passionate and as they parted both men's eyes were partially dilated with undisguised lust.

Backing away Aaron mumbled 'I really have to go'

'Do you want to meet up again?' Jackson enquired.

Smiling Aaron simply replied 'Yeah' as he turned to run for the bus as it was just pulling into the bus stop. Hopping in, he paid and walked down the bus all the time looking at Jackson just across the road. Finally sitting down he turned and waved at Jackson who waved back. As the bus pulled out Aaron couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face.