Changes

Chapter Nine: Cat and Mouse

Chapter Nine: Cat and Mouse 

  Cassie walks up to Dennis' front door, knowing he just got back from work, and he's alone. Dennis called him and told him to come over late last night, but Cass is nervous about what Dennis might have planned for them. After all, they've been spending a lot of time together these past few weeks, but Dennis hasn't made a move, and neither has Cassidy. He wonders if maybe tonight Dennis is planning on making a move finally, and hopes that Dennis will confirm that they're dating. Dennis isn't normally the kind of guy who talks a lot. Cassie has come to learn this in the past weeks that they've become reacquainted with one another, but last night Dennis was especially elusive with his wording. Cass hopes this means what he thinks it means. Dennis is ready to take their relationship to the next level, but still Cassidy finds himself full of trepidation.

   "Cass. Are you gonna stand out there looking at my door like it's going to kill you or are ya gonna get in here?" Dennis shouts from inside causing Cassie's cheeks to tinge with blush. He then opens the door with sweaty palms before stepping into the empty living room. Dennis soon comes out of the kitchen and hands Cassidy a beer. "What took you so long to come in? You scared of me or something? I do bite." Dennis jokes before chuckling. Cassie chuckles along nervously as Dennis grabs a jacket before walking over to him, and standing closely in front of him. Dennis looks at Cassidy intently while letting out a quiet sigh. "I'm not scared of you Dennis." Cass says just above a whisper while taking a step toward him. Dennis' smile widens as he looks at the floor with rosy cheeks. His smile fades after a moment. "Come with me." Dennis says in a gruff voice while taking Cassie's hand and pulling him toward the door. "W-where are you taking me Dennis?" "We're going out to celebrate." Dennis replies while dragging Cassidy to the Impala. Once inside, Cass turns to Dennis. Dennis looks down at the steering wheel for a moment before rolling his eyes, and looking back at Cass expectantly. "What are we celebrating?" Cassie asks. Dennis stares at Cass for a moment longer before sighing. "Does there have to be any specific thing Cass? Can't we just celebrate for the sake of celebrating?" Dennis asks in an annoyed fashion, clearly apprehensive about the answer. Cassidy chuckles before turning away. "Okay." Cassie says with a questionable look. Dennis grimaces while turning back, and starting the car. He then pulls out onto the road and starts driving. "So where are we going?" "Ugh. Jesus Cass! Do you always have to know everything? Can't you just sit there and look pretty for once?" Dennis replies sternly. Cassie smiles at him. "Awe. You called me pretty." Cassidy teases. Dennis sighs while frowning to himself as he pretends to be giving the road his full attention. "Well somebody's grumpy today." Cass mumbles quietly as he looks out toward the window. Dennis glances at him briefly before taking in a sharp breath. "I'm not grumpy. I'm just. I'm sorry. Okay?" Dennis says without looking at him before pouting his lips. Cassidy stares at him as a smile finds its way back to his face. "You don't need to apologize, Dennis. I understand. You can talk to me about what's upsetting you if you'd like." "All I'd like to do right now is drink." Dennis says before pulling up to a bar. "Oh. Wow. Is this a bar?" "Cass. Really?" "I'm sorry. I guess I just forgot what normal bars look like with all the gay bars we normally go to." Cassie says with a smile. Dennis smiles while turning to Cass. "This is a gay bar." Dennis says quietly. Cass raises his brow as Dennis' facial expression implies that he's trying to say more than what he's saying. They stare at one another for a few minutes in silence. "Alright. Come on." Dennis says before exiting the Impala. Cass gets out and follows closely behind Dennis as they walk inside. "What's all this about anyways?" Cassie asks while taking Dennis' forearm as to force him to slow down. He looks down at Cassidy with a smile. "You're cute, but you ask too many questions." Dennis says quietly, causing Cass to smile giddily with rosy cheeks. Dennis always says stuff like this, but Cass is still unsure if he truly means what he's saying or if he's just toying with him on purpose. Cassie decides that he's tired of playing by Dennis' rules of cat and mouse, so he pulls Dennis closer to him. He carefully moves his fingers down Dennis' forearm before taking his hand. "You're cute too." Cass whispers. Dennis' cheeks blush as his smile widens and he glances at the ground. "Okay." Dennis says in an adorably bashful manner. Cass stares at Dennis adoringly. Dennis' smile fades after a moment and he clears his throat. "We should sit down." Dennis says while letting go of Cass' hand before walking away. Cassie watches him for a moment as his own smile fades and he wonders why Dennis is always like this. Every time Cassidy tries to even lightly suggest that he likes him, Dennis gets all quiet, and broody. Cassidy sighs loudly before going over to Dennis and sitting across from him at a booth. Dennis hands Cassie a beer before opening his own and taking a swig. "How did you get these so fast?" Cassidy questions. Dennis smiles at him with a cocky look. "Bartender code." Dennis says before winking at Cass. Cassie scoffs with a smile. Dennis then scoots closer to Cassidy, so they're beside one another just as an attractive man -looking to be in his thirties with blonde hair and brown eyes- approaches them. "Hey Dennis. Who's your friend?" The man says. Dennis glances at Cassie nervously before looking up at the man. "This is Cassidy. Cass, this is Michael." "I'm not interrupting anything am I? Like you two aren't on a date. Are you?" Michael asks. Cass and Dennis share a look. "Uh, no-no." Dennis says skittishly. Cassie looks down at his drink with a small frown. Dennis then catches his attention as he scoots closer to him and puts his arm over his shoulders. "I mean. We only consider Sunday date night, so this isn't technically a date. Right honey?" Dennis says with a wide smile, visibly nervous. Cassie looks at him concernedly for a moment as he sees genuine fear in Dennis' eyes, like he's terrified of something. Cass smiles nervously before looking up at Michael. "Yep." Cassie says with a soft chuckle and rosy cheeks. Michael's smile fades slightly as he looks between them and takes notice of the blatant chemistry. "Well it was nice seeing you both." Michael says before walking away.