NOT MEANT TO BE

Chapter 20

After forty five minutes he’s pleasantly buzzed.

“My dad is a real douche….” Tee slurred, resting his arms over the bar top not caring about the stickiness of the surface anymore. “But what can I do? He’s still my dad…” He nodded his head.

“You’re drunk.” Michael chuckled. “Maybe I should stop serving you.”

“I want to drink more….” Tee scowled, dragging the glass of gin and tonic closer to him. He’d lost count of how many glasses he had.

“Please serve me?” He made puppy dog eyes at the bartender. “I’ll leave a big tip for you.” The drunken youth began fumbling in his pocket looking for his wallet.

Michael’s hand on his arm stopped his actions.

“How about I take you home tonight?” Michael’s subdued voice sounded oddly seductive in the semi dark atmosphere.

“My shift ends in ten minutes.” He whispered in Tee’s ear, leaning closer. Tee shivered involuntarily. With the pleasant buzz running through his body, every sensation felt extra sensitive. “I’m a bartender.” Michael continued in a hypnotizing voice. “I know how to take care of people.” His unusually seductive voice held filthy promises.

Tee’s eyes took in the bartender for the first time. He’d never looked at Michael before, not really. But the guy was kind of hot in a rugged way. He had dark skin and a wiry body. His forearms are strong and he had large rough hands just like P’Tae’s.

Why not? Tee’s alcohol induced mind pondered. P’Tae didn’t want him. Why not take up Michael’s offer. He’d be turning twenty in a couple of weeks. He can’t be a virgin his whole life. He’s got to lose it before he died an old man.

“Why don’t you settle your bill and wait for me at the car park?” Michael asked without waiting for Tee’s answer. “I’ll clock out and meet you there, yeah?” He cocked his head.

Tee blinked several times but managed to give a sloppy nod. He pulled out some bills from his wallet, dropped them on the counter before hauling his ass down the stool.

He swayed all the way down to his car. It’s a miracle that he didn’t fall on his face. Stopping in front of his white Prius he fumbled in his pockets. He might have to leave this here for the night. Tomorrow he’d have to ask one of the mechanics to come and pick this up. In the mean time he might have to catch a cab home. He’d already forgotten about going home with Michael, as if it had been only a fleeting thought.

“Let me drive you.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, hearing P’Tae’s disapproving voice.

“No need.” He said roughly. He had no intention of driving two seconds ago. Now that he heard Tae’s judgmental voice he wanted to get far away from the older man. “I can drive.” He fumbled with the keys.

“You’re blind drunk.” Tae shouted.

“I’ll drive him.”

Both Tae and Tee lifted their heads at the sound of the third man’s voice.

“He’ll drive me.” Tee nodded.

“No, he won’t.” Tae took a step closer to Tee.

“Really, Tae?” Michael shook his head good naturedly. “Why are you cock-blocking me now?”

“Michael!” Tae growled, taking a threatening step towards the man.

“Whoa!” Michael took a step back immediately, his eyes wide. “What the fuck man?” He looked from Tae to Tee, curiously. “He was sad and I offered help. What’s wrong with that?” He wrinkled his brow.

“Every-fucking-thing!” Tae shouted. “Now piss off before I complain to the boss. It’s against the rules to fraternize with the customers.” He glowered at the poor bartender. They may have similar looks but the bar tender was much smaller than the tall, hard muscular mechanic.

“Just chill, dude.” Michael held up his hands. “I was only offering help.” Then he sniffed and fumbled in his pockets for a pack of cigarettes. “Besides, I don’t think Toto would mind if I slept with a customer or not.” He lighted a stick and held it loosely between his lips. “This is hardly the Crescat, man.”

“Just leave.” Tae sighed, having had enough of the chatty bar tender.

Michael shrugged and sauntered away, not before sending a flirty wink towards Tee.

When the third man disappeared, Tae turned to the shorter man.

“Give me the key.” He said quietly.

“Why did you do that?” Tee glowered up at the taller man. “I wanted to go with him.”

Tae shot an exasperate look towards his impossible boss.

“Don’t you know that he’s a flirt? He sleeps with a different person every night!” Tae spread his arms and stared down at Tee. “He’s a player!”

Tee sniffed and pushed his hands down his pant pockets. P’Tae was getting on his nerves, majorly. Of course, he didn’t really want to sleep with Michael but that’s his decision to make. Not P’Tae’s.

“Maybe I wanted to be played by someone.” He lifted his chin and looked up at Tae’s dark face, challengingly. “At least he wanted me.” His whispered softly, taking a step closer.

Tae opened his mouth as if to say something but shut it immediately.

“If he’s a player then he must be very experienced.” Tee contemplated. “I want my first time with someone who knows what they are doing.”

Tae sucked in a breath.

“You are a virgin?” He whispered.
Tee laughed humorlessly.

“I was hung up on you since I was 14.” He shook his head. “I should have known I was pining after something I can never have.” There’s pain in his voice.

Tee lifted his eyes up at the silent man standing close to him. His expression was unreadable but his eyes were restless like he’s fighting some demons.
Tee made a decision. It should be now or never. Either Tae should pull his head out of his ass and admit that he wanted Tee. Or Tee should move on. Maybe Michael was the solution. The guy was attractive and Tee was drunk enough to forget that his heart belonged elsewhere.

He looked around the parking lot, hoping that Michael didn’t leave.

“Why did you scare him away?” Tee glowered at the petrified man standing beside him. “Michael!” He shouted taking a few steps towards the darkness where the bartender disappeared.

“Stop!” Tae’s steel like hand wrapped around his arm.

“Let go of me!” Tee tried to tug off the hand but the older man’s hold was firm. “Michael! Michael!!” he shouted, his voice resonating through the parking lot.

 “Shut up! Shut up!! Just shut up!!!” Tae growled leaning closer and wrapping his hand around Tee’s neck.

Tee swallowed with difficulty. Tae’s eyes looked scary. His hand on his neck felt firm and strong but not tight enough to suffocate him. In fact, it felt really good.

“If I let him take my virginity, I might lose theses stupid feelings I have for you.” Tee croaked, watching Tae’s eyes glazed over.

“Just shut the fuck up, Tee,” Tae whispered leaning closer and covering Tee’s mouth with his.

It was so unexpected, Tee’s mouth fell open. Tae made it an opportunity to push his tongue deep inside and kiss him roughly.

tbc.