WE SHOULD STOP NOW

PART 10 - THE BAR

CALEB

Sitting on the bottom step of my homes grand spiral staircase I throw a tennis ball off the opposite wall, watch it rebound and echo throughout the empty house before I catch it. Then I repeat. I've been doing this for about forty minutes because I literally have nothing else to do. Even Hank has lost interest playing with me and has gone off to sleep in one of the upstairs many bedrooms. My mum is out thankfully at some dinner party and I'm sat waiting for Sammy to call be back to let me know if he wants to watch the LA Rams game with me or not. So i've nothing to do until he...

A text pings on my mobile thats sat on the step next to me and I quickly open up the message happy for a distraction. Sammy's has bailed on me yet again. I grab the tennis ball and launch it hard across the room in frustration and it slams onto the wall making a huge scuff. I run both hands through my hair then over my face. 

Fuck-this!

I push myself off the step and grab my car keys and head out because i'd rather go drink till I can't stand up than be sat alone with my thoughts.

---------------------

The games just started when I pull up a stool at the bar and order a beer. It's a small rustic type of place that i've not been to for a few years but I remember that they always have quality drinks, decent food and they've always got a game on. Taking a swig of my beer I try to relax and focus in on the game but it's not long before i'm knocked on my side by some shorter guy in his late 20's as he pulls up the stool next to me.

"Sorry man." He mutters and I just nod back to him as I watch him slam his beer onto the counter in frustration. The bartender starts chucking at him which makes me raise an eyebrow at what he's laughing at.

"Struck out did ya. I told you you were wasting your time with that one, she always drinks alone." The bartender chuckles.

"Her fucking loss, too much mouth on that one anyways," the guy nexts to me grits out as he takes a swig of his beer before turning his attention to the game. 

Looking over my shoulder I scan the booths to see which girl has just knocked this arsehole back just for my own amusement.

And there she fucking is.

Sat in the corner booth wearing a red checkered flannel shirt, her honey golden hair flowing loose around shoulders and those beautiful green blue eyes laser focused on the game is Joanie. Even dressed down she's stunning.

A sharp jab hits my ribs and I glare at the arsehole next to me, "Don't fucking bother with that one, she's a right stuck up bitch."

I practically growl at him for saying that shit about Joanie and my fist rolls up on instinct ready to strike, but the bartender beats me to it, "Hey watch your mouth, she's a regular here and a good customer."

"I can get her to have a drink with me no problem," I say cockily trying to get a rise from the arsehole next to me who just struck out with my girl.

"OK Romeo, if you can get her to have a drink with you, you get a free round." The bartender challenges me with a bemused look on his face and i'm only happy to accept the bet as I slide off my stool and make my way over to the goddess in the corner. 

Easiest fucking bet ever.

------

JOANIE

Why do guys always think it's acceptable to just approach a woman sat on their own in a bar. I mean seriously do I have a sign on my forehead saying 'come on over here big boy and try your luck with me'. I'm here to watch the game and nothing more, I swear to fucking god if one more guy tries to hit on me tonight i'm gonna...

"What's the score?"

I snap my eyes away from the TV screen to watch Caleb casually slide into the booth opposite before he takes a handful of my nachos and throw them into his mouth before he shoots me a big grin.

My mouth drops open with surprise, before I regain my composure quickly remembering that I'm mad at him.

"What are you doing?" I seethe.

"Watching the game! Go Rams!" He says with a mouthful of my stolen nachos before taking a big gulp of his beer.  

I cross my arms not amused. "We're not doing this." I say firmly.

Caleb raises an eyebrow. "Doing what? I'm just here to watch the game!" He says nonchalantly as he goes to grab another handful of my food but I slide the bowl away.

"I like to watch the game alone. You'll just chat all the way through it!" I lie. I actually hate watching the games alone but i've been doing it for so long that i've gotten used to it.

"I didn't know that you were such a big Rams fan." Caleb says crossing his arms with a frown on his face like he's trying to figure me out.

"I was a cheerleader for years, you think I just liked to dance about?  I actually used to watch the games to you know!" I say a little annoyed. Typical guy, thinking I was just some mindless cheerleader doll.

"I'm sorry, you're right." Caleb says with his hands up like he's surrendering. "I was always too wrapped up playing I never really thought about it before. It's kind of cool that you do, we can come and watch the games together." Caleb grins but I just scoff and his face drops. 

"I'm not your drinking buddy Caleb. Where are all your rich friends? Wouldn't you prefer to be out with them rather than with the towns penniless Baker?" I bite back.

"No...i'd rather be here with you." Caleb grumbles whilst he picks at the label on his beer bottle looking irritated at my last comment before sighing and looking back up at me, he reminds me of a sad lost puppy for a moment and he breaks through my defences once again.

I roll my eyes at him and slowly push my nachos back towards him which he eyes cautiously like it's some sort of trap which makes me giggle. Caleb bites his lip trying to suppress a smile and slowly takes one, accepting my peace offering and eats it silently whilst he leans back in his seat and looks back up at the TV just in time to see the Rams get a touch down. As he watches the game with a big smile on his face I take the opportunity to watch him for a moment whilst he's distracted. As much as i've tried to deny it to myself Caleb Maverick is a serious threat. No one else has come close to breaking the walls i've built around my heart these last few years to protect myself and although i'm terrified of been hurt again, i'm more terrified of losing him.

"Hey J," Caleb quietly says as he turns to look back at me. 

"Yeah."

"Can I walk you home after this?" he asks and I notice his voice is a little raspy. 

I turn to watch the game, knowing he's still staring at me and take a sip of my wine. "Sure, OK."