The Fire in Our Souls

Where I Belong

Finn: How are you?

Me: Doing okay. Just working. How are you?

Finn: Good! There's a place I want to show you. Think you could find some time? 

Me: I guess I could. 

Finn: Great! Meet me at the bar we first met at around 5 tomorrow? 

Me: You got it. 

The guy from the bar, who I now know is Finn Knight, and I have been texting for the last few days. We've just been texting non-stop, about everything from shows he's been to, where we work, what we've been doing. Apparently, his father owned some large publishing company out of New York. Finn took over the company when his father died. Weirdly enough, I didn't peg him as a corporate man. It's been really casual, nothing too crazy. I can't really get involved right now. 

I go back to hooking up some cords in the back and restocking the liquor behind the bar. Liz comes up behind me with a swift slap on my ass. "Hey. How's it going?" She jokes, leaning against the bar with a twizzler half out of her mouth. "Good...Finn wants to show me something tomorrow. Not really sure what it is." I place a bottle of tequila on the shelf, looking back at the empty box and breaking it down. "Well, you know the codeword if shit gets weird and you need a rescue." She looks jokingly but her eyes are serious. 

I nod and turn back to the bar. By the time I'm done, I'm ready to just pass out cold. Luke comes up to me, swinging his arm round my shoulder, "we're going to Dylan's Bar after work, you in?" 

"Nah, I'm beat and I just wanna sleep. Plus I have to feed Casper when I get back." He shrugs and waves as he meets the group and walks off. I grab my bag from the back and make my way home. Nothing makes me happier than Casper jumping up and curling around my legs when I walk in the door. 

"Ugh! I have NO idea what I'm going to wear. I have no idea where we're going, how does someone dress for that?" Liz sits back on my bed as I rummage through all the clothes I own. "Alright, enough is enough." She stands up and grabs my bag throwing it at me. "Let's go." She walks out not waiting for me to follow, even though I do. We end up at her and Luke's new apartment. They scored a two bedroom place outside of downtown. She unlocks the door and head inside. Walking in, I realized I hadn't been there. They've always come over to my place at the motel and really just moved in. She ransacks her closet and tosses some outfits on the bed. "Pick one. I personally think you'll look drop dead gorgeous in this one." She points to a pair of high waisted black jeans, an oversized flannel and bralette crop. "Okay, what shoes?" She digs through the floor of her closet and pulls out a pair of classic, low top converse. "This way, it shows you have a sexy style while also attributing your...punk-ish side." I change quick and fix my hair and makeup before I head out. 

Finn: Be there in 10!

Me: Sounds good! See you soon.

I grab my bag and head out. "Remember the codeword is dinglehopper!" Luke calls from the couch as I shut the door. Luckily, the bar is only a short walk from their apartment. I head in and find Finn sitting at a table in the back, he waves me down and stands as I walk over. He's in a nice suit jacket and pants, his hair looks perfectly placed and cleaner, much nicer than the night we met. "Man, you clean up nice!" I slide into the booth across from him. "Yeah sorry, I had work today so I came right from there.  Didn't have much time to change." His suit is tight to his body, around his visibly muscular legs, not a wrinkle in sight. A waitress comes over with some cheese fries and two beers. He slides her money on the table before she walks away. 

"So, where did you come from? I've been to this bar many times and I've seen the two you were with but I've never seen you." He looks up at me, studying me with his eyes as he sips his beer. "I just moved here not long ago. I took a bus from So Cal and got off here. I got a job, found some friends, and just settled in. Trying to save up for an apartment on my own I guess." He nods, sliding slightly closer to me but still face to face across the table. It's quiet for a minute, between us. I feel slightly uneasy at the fact he is so comfortable with the silence.