*Falls over*
It's finally over. The production of Jack that I was in had their last performance last night and today we had to strike the set. It was sad taking it down but it now gives me some time to veg lol. I haven't written anything since posting chapter 31, rehearsals and tech week kicked my butt not to mention the hubby going into the hospital. Bleh, what a two weeks its been. Well now that the play is over and hubby is home I can get back into a normal schedule. And write more!
So without further ado here is the next chapter.
Enjoy!
Edd bit his lip. Should he? He had never been extended an invitation before. It made him feel giddy.
From there the crowd filled back in and the face of the man disappeared. Edd turned back to Kevin and met his heated gaze with one of his own. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
Somehow or another a shot glass made its way onto the dance floor and Edd, feeling feistier than ever before, leaned back into a giggling woman, his head landing softly on her shoulder as he matched his hip rolls to the beat of the music. It was then Kevin saw the little three inch glass make its way to them, the girl pointing to the glass and Edd nodding his head.
Kevin snatched the shot glass from the young woman just before she was able to poured the contents right into Edd's mouth. The woman was surprised and had the nerve to look offended. Kevin sniffed the little drink, all the fun having suddenly died the moment the mystery drink made its way to his roommate. He circled a finger around the edge of the glass, dodging an elbow that came his way and somehow managed to keep the glass from tumbling out of his hand. Looking at his finger he saw a thin white film had collected on the rim and his eyes widened.
He wasn't entirely sure but nothing in the world would have convinced him that this was anything but Rohypnol; a tasteless, odorless date rape drug.
Through the flash of lights Kevin somehow managed to fix the woman with an impressive glare, scaring her off and leaving the nerd to wonder where his dance partner had gone to. Kevin let the shot in his hand tip over, pouring the offending liquid on the ground and kissing the rest of his night goodbye. This club scene now felt suffocating and all Kevin wanted to do was go home.
The hem of Eddward's shirt had lifted to reveal his navel and the soft white skin that body he knew so well. The hazy look in his dream filled eyes slowly started to clear and in no time at all the fun he had been having, came to a screeching halt. The head rush left him feeling dizzy but Kevin made for a wonderful anchor, holding him up with a sturdy grip as his fingers pressed unforgivable impressions into the dork's arm.
"We're out of here."
Edd snapped his head up, his eyes now clear and focused as he raised his voice above the music.
"What?"
Kevin steered him off the dance floor, practically dragging Edd towards the exit.
"Why are we leaving?" He asked, kicking his feet ahead of him to keep up with Kevin's quick pace.
Kevin said nothing, his jaw clenched so tight he could hear the grinding of his teeth in his ears. Slightly panicked Edd yanked his arm from Kevin's grip, his eyes scanning the red-head up and down as though seeing him for the first time. He could feel the tension rolling off Kevin in waves and it confused him. Just a moment ago they were having fun but the look on Kevin's face said he was having anything but.
Edd crossed his arms, feeling slightly out of place as he confronted the angry man before him. "May I inquire as to why we must end our night so suddenly and why you look the way you do?"
Kevin narrowed his eyes and shot the nerd a pointed look. "Excuse me?"
"Angry, Mr. Barr. Why are you angry?"
The red-head huffed, jabbing his finger right into the center of Edd's chest. "Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot Edd!"
The sockhead threw his hands up in defense, his brows furrowing in disapproval. He shoved Kevin's hand away and stepped back, crossing his arms protectively over his chest.
"Pardon me but I believe I did no such thing."
"Yes you did." Kevin all but snarled. "You like to stand there and fucking talk down to me at every given chance, like you're some cock of the walk."
Edd was appalled of the accusation, his cheeks flaring red.
"I have never spoken a word of degradation towards your person and never have I ever implied that I am in any way better or smarter than yourself. How dare you accuse me of such a thing!"
Eddward paced back and forth, the happy feeling in his body hardening and collecting in the pit of his stomach like heavy two tone stones. He whipped his gaze to Kevin over his shoulder, his fingers gripping the sleeve of his shirt in a death like grip. Kevin said nothing however, sighing through his nose again in a bid not to let his temper take charge.
"How rude. I have never been more insulted in my life." Edd narrowed his eyes. "You have some nerve Kevin Barr. Some nerve!"
Kevin grunted, shoving a hand into his pocket. "Some nerve? You should be kissing my ass in thanks."
Edd gawked. "Why you loathsome, vile-"
Kevin rolled his eyes, slapping his hand over Edd's mouth before anymore insults could make their way out.
"That shot the bimbo was about to give you was laced."
Edd's brows furrowed from beneath his hand he felt the dork's lips tip downward, shutting his mouth and opting to listen to what he had to say.
Kevin inhaled deeply, slowly releasing the air from his lungs before finally speaking.
"The rim of the shot had powder on it." He avoided Edd's gaze, his hand slipping from the other's mouth. "I don't know what it was but knowing these party scenes I didn't want to take a chance."
Edd watched as Kevin's hand fell from his mouth, his bottom lip bobbing up and down as he struggled to form a coherent sentence. A date rape drug. That shot had come within just inches of his mouth just minutes ago. He would have swallowed the entire thing had he the chance.
His stomach churned in protest.
It made him nauseous just to think he came that close to being drugged. He didn't even want to think about why or who would do such a vile thing. His outstretched hand on the wall kept him from toppling over and he swallowing the lump in his throat. Edd turned to Kevin, his angry expression fading and his eyes softening.
"I never-"
Kevin held up his hand, flicking it through this bright red bangs. "Forget it."
Edd shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut. He shouldn't have taken that tone with Kevin. He had only been trying to protect him.
"Thank you."
Kevin responded with a one shoulder shrug and wrapped a supportive arm around the sockhead's shoulders. The poor guy looked like he was on the verge of chucking up his lunch.
"Do you need to sit down?"
Edd nodded. "Yes. Please."
Kevin looked from Edd to the exit, shaking his head. They had taken a taxi to the club that night instead of his bike. He hadn't been too keen on bringing his sleek silver baby when he knew something was rattling somewhere inside. Had he a car he would have stuffed Edd inside and let him rest before driving home but the situation being as it was Kevin instead took him back into the fray.
Edd carefully avoided bumping into other people. It would have made for a bad scene to hurl on some unsuspecting girl unlucky enough to have knocked him right in the tummy. He staggered with Kevin at his side until the found an empty table. It was a tall one with two bar stools that had been pulled out, decorated with empty shot glasses and loose wet straws. Kevin picked up the mess and took the glasses back to the bartender, returning quickly with a glass of water and a ginger ale.
"Here, for your stomach. Do you need anything to eat like pretzels or bread?"
The concern in his voice was endearing. Edd smiled, taking the glass of water and sipping gingerly at it.
"Many thanks."
Kevin scooted his bar stool across from Edd and leaned onto the able. He didn't particularly feel like being back here. The hype was a little much for his nerves to handle. He still had homework that needed doing and a friendship that needed saving. Honestly he didn't know what he was thinking when they came here. It had been a complete and utter waste of his time and now his conscience was wracked with guilt. Edd had been put in danger tonight and Kevin blamed himself for it. He wished he hadn't been so selfish and just stayed home. They could have just as easily spent time together there and still be safe.
His fingers dipped beneath his cap and Kevin immediately removed it, setting it down on the table. Edd's eyes danced from the hat to Kevin's face, screwing into a look of concern.
"You know," Kevin drawled out. "It's not so loud in here. Want me to get a plate of nachos or something? To help with your stomach since I think we're going to be here a while."
Edd twisted his mouth left to right. Nachos weren't exactly his favorite but a little food in his belly would probably do him some good.
"Perhaps. My stomach pains would probably ease with a little bread." He offered and Kevin nodded, touching his back pocket for his wallet.
"Ok. Stay here. I'll be right back."
Edd watched Kevin go and chuckled. Just where did Kevin think he'd wander off to?
Taking up his glass the sockhead attempted a few more sips, groaning softly as the carbonation in the ginger ale tickled his belly and did away with the queasiness. Without a back rest he was forced to lean on the table, arms crossed and chin propped on his hand.
The hem of his beanie slid forward, knocking his glasses a little further down his nose.
He sighed before replacing them delicately on his face and awkwardly fingering for the bobby pins under his hat. His hair had gotten longer, much longer than he was used to and now it was an unruly mess. He would have to contend with the annoyance until he found a way to pay for a salon artist to shorten it; or maybe somehow to convince Kevin to let him borrow a pair of his sheers. He would have to ask when he returned with their snack.
Edd adjusted the letterman Kevin had lent him and he toyed with the zipper before deciding he was too hot and shrugged out of it. The jacket was bit big on him but almost anything Kevin let him borrow was like that. He imagined his tiny stature could allow him to swim in its cotton waves. He giggled to himself over the observed image, never once noticing the presence that took advantage of the empty seat across from him.
"Now I'm not that funny looking am I?"
Edd reeled in shock, his cheeks turning pink at having been caught lost while lost his thoughts. Awkwardly he cleared his throat, touching the base of his neck out of habit as he eyed the handsome stranger before him.
"P-pardon me. I was day dreaming."
The man flashed him a pretty smiled, setting his elbows on the table. "Hey, no harm, no foul. Right?"
With a sudden spike of interest Edd realized the man was the gawker from earlier; the same man on the dance floor whom had caught his eye while dancing. He hadn't expected to see the man again much less go to the trouble of seeking him out. Edd's hands folded nervously between his legs and he managed a bashful grin.
"Um. Thank you?"
The man across from him chuckled, his brown eyes lit with intrigue. "Shy huh? Don't worry. I'm not that great at one on one communications either. Talking to people makes me a little nervous."
Edd had an inclination that his statement was false however he wouldn't insult the man's attempt at being polite by saying as such and merely shrugged his shoulders instead.
"Who knew?"
The man's smile caused the butterflies in Eddward's stomach to suddenly take flight, each and every one of them fluttering as if their lives depended on it and tickling his insides to the point he felt like giggling. The attention he was receiving was rather unexpected but not at all unwelcomed. The left over feelings of unease from earlier had suddenly disappeared and now the thought of almost having been drugged was gone. It was practically wiped from his mind when the man leaned towards him, tracing his finger over the waxed surface of the table.
"You came pretty close to taking that shot."
Edd's face drained a little and he pouted. "You saw that?"
The man nodded. "Well anyone who was paying attention had. Considering who was drawing the crowd, I think pretty much every one did."
How one could blush and pale all at once was no longer a mystery to Edd. He sighed, pinching a strand of his hair and rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.
"Oh dear. I really must have made a scene of myself."
The man chuckled, the baritone melody of his voice making Edd want to smile.
"On the contrary, I thought it was very entertaining."
At the look the sockhead gave him the man quickly corrected himself. "Your dancing I mean."
Eddward slid a hand across the lower half of his face and bit into his finger to stop himself from giggling again. The man was hardly funny but the desire to smile and laugh was becoming increasingly irresistible. He was being flirted with. And so openly too. It made him want to flirt back. Could he? He had never done so before. It was new and, dare he say it, exciting. Sitting straight up Edd tried his best to compose himself, crossing his arms on the table and sliding his leg up under him to lean a little further over the table. He only hoped he didn't look silly for doing so and flashed the man his best smile.
"Oh of course. I did notice you watching after all."
The man's grin widened, and took the flirtatious invitation. "You're quite the dancer and if isn't so bold of me to say, quite the personality as well."
Edd let himself laugh because it felt good. "Hardly. I've been out of practice for many months."
The man shook his head. "I never would have guessed."
Forget cloud nine. Eddward was up in outer space. His cheeks darkened by another shade and he once again giggled; earning himself an amused chuckle from the man across from him.
He was just about to compliment the man's tenacity when, seemingly out of nowhere, he felt a heated presence at his back. Edd glanced black over his shoulder to see the rise and fall of a chest, muscled arms tense and hands collected at the side into white knuckled fists. When he dared to look up all the fun he was having, went right out the window. Goodbye butterflies. Hello nervous jitters.
"Edd." Kevin's voice was stern, red brows drawn together in obvious displeasure. "Who's this?"
Straight to the point. Edd swallowed softly. "A-a friend." He said, realizing too late he hadn't yet received a name.
The man switched his gaze from the sockhead to Kevin, his smile still genuine as he introduced himself.
"Hey there man. The name's Todd. You got a title to the trophy?" He said, waving his pointer finger up and down in a gesture before holding out his hand.
Kevin didn't seem moved and quipped rather nastily at him. "We're kind of busy here."
The man took back his hand, his face twisted in that yeah-this-just-got-awkward expression.
Edd snapped at the red-head, his face pulled into a look of alarm. "Kevin! That was rude." He smiled at the man, urging the happy feeling back. "Don't mind him."
Todd waved his hand. "No problem man."
Kevin crossed his arms, glaring at the back of the sockhead's hat. Feelings of envy and jealousy surged through him like fire on a stream of gasoline, lighting up the speckles of yellow in his eyes. He knew he smelt bullshit the moment he walked out of sight. Just the HELL was he thinking?! Flirting with this guy, a total stranger? It was an outrage.
Un-fucking-acceptable!
"We're leaving."
Edd snapped his hand to the hand the grabbed his arm and fire as bright and stubborn as Kevin's lit in the dork's eyes. "Pardon?"
"We're leaving. Now."
Kevin wasted no time in dragging Edd off his stool, his grip tightening around the skinny boy's arm as he dragged him as far away from the table as he could. Edd looked back at the man and grinned awkwardly. "E-excuse me for just a moment."
Once around the corner and out of sight Edd yanked his arm back from Kevin and stomped his foot, ready to lay right into the infuriating red-head.
"What on earth was that?!" He demanded. "Do you intend to make fools of us both?"
Kevin snarled, throwing both his hands up in frustration. "Well excuse me but the moment I turn my back you're chumming up to some fucking weirdo."
His heart did an Olympic level dive into the pit of his stomach.
"Todd is not a weirdo." Edd said with a scoffed.
Kevin sneered and ran both hands over his face. His frazzled nerves were on the verge of busting. When he looked over to see another man sitting with his sockhead the world had suddenly come to a screeching halt. So much so he could practically hear the scratch of a needle on a record as he back tracked toward them, illogical feelings of bitterness filling his mouth with bile as he took special care to listen in on their conversation.
He hadn't reasoned with himself a single rational thought when he approached them, nearly flying off the handle the moment he came without touching distance of Edd. He had wanted to just grab him and go. He also had wanted to put his fist through the nearest wall- preferably the face of the man who thought it was a good idea to flirt with his roommate. He simply couldn't control himself, not even as words fell from the tip of his tongue, lashing out with the ferocity of a whip's lash.
"The fuck were you thinking? You could have gotten hurt."
Edd gave him a disbelieving look. "Oh please. I was no danger."
Kevin howled in frustration and smacked his fist on the wall, making Edd jump in surprise. He needed to hit something hard very, very badly. Maybe he would go the gym after getting Edd home. This night out had been a terrible idea and he wished he hadn't suggested it to begin with.
"Come on. Grab your coat, we're going home."
Edd crossed his arms stubbornly, blue depths flickering angrily. "Absolutely not."
Kevin narrowed his eyes. "Don't argue this with me. I'm in no mood for your shit."
Eddsward's shoulders rose in outrage, his body tensing and his eyes dancing over Kevin as though he couldn't actually believe what he was seeing. That was only half true. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"The audacity." He declared, his arms tensing at his sides. "If you wish to leave then go. I shall remain and continue my night of fun, which I am inclined to remind you, our evening was supposed to be."
Kevin's eyes widened. "You're serious? Are you fucking serious?!" He couldn't stop himself from raising his voice. "You nearly get drugged and you wanna stay here and flirt with some cock jocky?!"
Edd tipped his chin up, summoning the courage to stand up to the brazen motorcyclist. He wouldn't let the man put him down. Just because his night hadn't been going the he wanted didn't give him the right to boss Edd around. If anything the man's presence had lightened his mood which by now had plummeted.
"I can certainly flirt with whom whomever I want. If you don't care for it, then simply look the other way."
Spinning on his heels Edd marched down towards the end of the hall, his lips twitching and mind raging words he knew better than to vocalize. Todd hadn't yet removed himself from their table and Eddward made a beeline for him. Kevin trailed after him only moments after, his mouth pressed into a permanent frown.
Edd offered Todd a smile. "My apologies. I do hope Kevin didn't offend you."
The man smiled back. "It's cool man."
Edd was about to say something more but Kevin stepped up and started talking.
"We're out of here. Find yourself another hobby. Picking random guys up, is obviously not your thing so stick to knitting doilies or something."
The man's brows top to the top of his head and Edd nearly lost his temper. He was at the point of pulling at his hair.
"Kevin Barr! Why I never…You…ARG! Todd I am so sorry."
Todd reached out his hand; softly pressing it over Edd's and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about it. I know how protective boyfriends can be."
It was about then that both Kevin and Edd went red in the face. Really red.
"B-boyfriend?!"
Kevin nearly stumbled back in alarm. "No, no, no dude. You got it all wrong."
Tod blinked very slowly, confusion in his eyes. "Oh I'm sorry. I could have sworn by the way you two acted-"
Edd waved his hands frantically, pink painting his cheeks. "We are most certainly not together."
Uh, well actually we are. No wait, that isn't correct. They had been together on more than one occasion but not together-together; not romantically as Todd had implied. Why the very idea seemed preposterous. It was downright silly. Eddward Vincent and Kevin Barr, it was laughable!
Right?
His eyes danced in Kevin's direction, flashing with meaning but revealing nothing.
Kevin's frown hardened. No, they weren't together. They were just friends. With special benefits added in of course. So, why, did it hurt so much to hear Eddward say it outright? What was it about the truth that stirred this unprovoked feeling of disappointment? So many questions and so little answers. By the end of the night Kevin was sure his head would be lolling right off his shoulders.
"Oh. Well in that case I won't feel like a dick for asking you to join me for a drink."
Kevin's jaw clenched. That guy just had be suave, didn't he? The red-head leaned to his left and spied the exit sign at the end of the hall. Eddward's smile brightened and Kevin was remiss to admit that it reached the boy's eyes in a way he was most accustomed to. "I would lo-"
"Let's go!"
Without warning Kevin snagged Edd by the arm, easily wrapping his fingers around the man's skinny arm; and this time he didn't let go. Edd shouted at him in protest, tugging at him to release his arm but the red-head refused to listen to reason. He had had enough of Edd's philandering- if he could even call it that. This guy was beneath him and it boggled his brain why his lover would stoop so low for attention. Kevin had plenty attention to give. He could make the dork laugh, and think and swoon… and… God he wanted to punch that guy in the face!
The cool winter air struck them both as the doors opened with an unoiled squeak. Kevin stepped left foot first into a pile of snow and inwardly cursed as he felt the cold run up the length of his leg. Edd stumbled after him, struggling like a cat on a leash. It wasn't until they were outside that Kevin decided to let Edd go, flexing his fingers and hoping he hadn't gripped the boy too hard.
"You!"
Eddward took advantage of Kevin's distraction and with all his might pushed the red-head. Kevin merely stepped back, hardly phased at all. Feeling disappointed by Kevin's lack of reaction his swung his arm, smacking the red-head on the arm. From a distance the scene looked like an angry girlfriend swinging on her tougher than nails boyfriend. Eddward certainly acted the part, breathing heavily through his nose and growling out words like stupidity, insolence, and churlish.
"That was a mighty fine display of idiocy you put out there Mr. Barr." The sockhead finally snapped, pacing uncontrollably between his irritating date and a lit lamp post.
"Bravo. I certainly hope you feel better for making us both look like fools."
Edd yanked off his beanie, completely forgetting about the bobby pins and nearly screamed in frustration as he watched them fly into the snow. Not even bothering to pick them off the ground he removed the ones left in his hair and raked his fingers through his locks massaging his scalp. He felt a headache of the century coming on.
"You're just an ungrateful bitch."
Kevin pulled the flaps of his flight jacket closely around him, zipping it up all the way. He was done waiting. His bed was calling his name and he would be in his bed by one thirty tonight with or without Edd. It didn't matter how oddly appealing an angry Edd suddenly seemed or how neat it was to watch the way his ivory locks shined under the glow of the yellow light above them. It just didn't fucking matter. He was cold, he was tired, and his stomach was growling.
"I thought perhaps I could forgive your earlier outburst but your continued childish behavior keeps me from doing even that." Edd retorted.
"You know what? Fine. Stay here and rot for all I care. I'm going home."
Edd sniffed, throwing his nose into the air. "Then be gone with you already. I'm sick of looking at you."
"You and me both!"
And with that Kevin stormed off, never once looking back- far too angry to do so without doing or saying something he might regret.
Stupid sockheads, stupid flirting playboys, stupid, stupid, STUPID!
So what did you guys think?
I want to know! I love reviews :)
Ciao!
