Tangled Up Like Night and Day

Chapter 3: Treat You Better

Warning: There is some mention of sexual assault in this chapter, please be cautious in reading if this is something that is triggering for you. Stay safe <3

The next morning, I awoke to Hunter buzzing around the kitchen, making breakfast. Macy rubbed against his legs, meowing at him as if she could carry on a conversation. "I know, baby, you have such a hard life," he crooned back at her, laughing slightly to himself.

Since I was still waking up, I was almost grumpy at him happily bouncing around with her, but it was too cute to stay mad at. "Jeez, what's got you all riled up on a Saturday?"

"Well, I was thinking about what you said last night, about going out with better people...so I thought we could go out tonight," he beamed, pouring me a cup of coffee. "A double date even. I did some digging around and found a guy you might like, John. He was a crew member on one of the last music videos I did and he seemed nice. And I can bring Chloe from last night...it could be fun."

I gasped in overexaggerated surprise. "Wow, Hunter Hayes found a guy he'd let me date. They said it wouldn't happen, but I always thought it might, someday. When I was dead."

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Look, I only talked to him in passing, so he doesn't really have my stamp of approval but it's worth a shot. And I'll be with you! Separate, but there if you need me."

"Aw, a real knight in shining armor! I've never needed protection before but it couldn't hurt," I grinned. "I wouldn't want to ruin your date though. Still gotta make sure she gets my stamp of approval, but respectfully."

Another eye roll. "I'd better cancel. If you think I'm bad, you're much pickier with girls for me than I am guys for you."

"As if, Hayes," I scoffed. "I think this calls for a little bet. If I can prove you're pickier, I get to sleep in your bed tonight and you'll be in the guest room...and if you somehow win, I'll do your laundry this week. Deal?"

He looked at me carefully, the gears turning in his brain before cracking a smile. "You got a deal, Boudreaux."

We shook on the deal, enjoying a nice breakfast together before separating to prepare for the day ahead. I mostly relaxed until it was time to seriously get ready. It had been a long time since I'd had any sort of "first date," so I almost didn't know where to begin. I found a nice dress in my suitcase that would work for the bougie club we were headed to, touched up my hair, slipped on some heels, and was ready to go.

When we arrived at the club, two people were already there waiting for us. One was a petite blonde with cute rosy cheeks, who I assumed to be Chloe, and the other was an exceptionally tall, lean guy with dark hair, aka John. I was impressed. Hunter had never attempted to pick a date for me before but I was excited to see what he saw in this guy.

"Hey guys! This is Genevieve, my friend and current roommate!" Hunter introduced. "Gen, this is Chloe, and John."

I extended a hand to each of them, blushing slightly at John's lingering gaze. The four of us walked into the club, which was a lot more high end than most clubs I'd been to. I was used to the more grungy, pulsing music vibe. This felt more like a lounge with some dancing. I already felt out of place, but tried to make do. We found a booth and ordered some drinks, the conversation starting off fairly boring with pleasantries like the weather, as if the weather in LA wasn't mostly the same. At least, until Hunter asked Chloe to dance, leaving me alone with my date.

"So what do you do for a living, Genevieve?" John asked, sipping his beer.

"I'm a social worker! Right now I work at a hospital in the emergency department but there's a lot of ways social workers can practice!" I smiled. "What about you?"