Look What I Found!

Ch. 21

Richie had his jacket pulled tightly around him as he walked through October's cold, windy weather. He'd never know why he chose to walk through the cold as night fastly approached. It felt like all eyes were on him. Like he couldn't get away from the judgemental stares. But when he looked up, no one was looking at him. No one cared. Or at least, that's what he kept saying.

As he stepped inside his usual bar, he breathed in the musky air it always seemed to retain. He goes to his usual spot, sitting down with a heavy groan. The bartender barely glances at him before getting to work on his regular.

Richie sat there, deep in thought, about the whole situation. He couldn't tell the truth; there was no way he could. And he'd still go to jail if he lied. There really was no winning. And now his ex-manager was calling and texting him off the hook.

The bartender slammed his drink down harder than usual, knocking him out of his thoughts as he saw the bartender side-eyeing him, which would make sense. Many celebrities come here, and the bartender likes to know who he's serving. He's probably read the article and already made up his mind about him. After all, he has seen Richie slip away with a few guys on his arm before. So, a young-looking boy appearing in an article with him. Not surprising. Even if the bastard has known him since he stepped foot in California.

Richie let the drink settle, hand wrapped around it but not lifting to take a drink. He really needed that drink, but just the thought of actually taking it had his stomach rolling.

A few loud, boisterous men came in, sitting a few seats away from Richie.

He heard two of them very loudly discussing the men they were seeing as their other friends yelled at them not to go into detail. It was like they were purposely trying to make their friends uncomfortable if the shit-eating grins they both had were to go by anything.

Richie would have laughed at the absurdity of just hearing it be spoken so publicly. It really was a new time! No one cared about that stuff anymore. Sort of. Richie finally reached for that drink, taking a large swig from it. He swished it around in his mouth, letting the taste settle on his tongue, grimacing slightly.

"Hey," one of the guys spoke. Richie looked over, realizing it was one of the two that spoke freely about his sexuality. How nice that must be.

"Hey?" Richie spoke back.

"If me and my friends are making you uncomfortable, we can move seats. I noticed you looking uncomfortable earlier."

Richie waves his hand, "no, no. You're ok. I have no problem with it at all."

"Really?" The guy scooted a few chairs closer, leaving one lonesome chair between them.

"Yea," Richie said, "you do you, man." He swirled his drink in his hand as the guy looked him up and down slowly.

Richie's had a few guys hit on him before. A few he's taken to the closet with him for a quickie. This wasn't new. And honestly, this guy was showing interest, which might just be what Richie needs to get his mind off everything for a bit.

He took another long swig of his drink, finishing it right there, calling the bartender over for more.

"Trying to forget about something?" The guy asked, interested.

"What?" He asked, chewing on a piece of ice he got out of the cup.

"Well, I've only ever seen someone down a drink like that when they're trying to forget something." Richie snorted, and the guy reached over to hit his shoulder. "I'm serious!"

"Ok, ok. You got me. But unless there's something you can do about it?" And here was when he started laying on the charm, looking at the guy with what he hoped was a sexy look.