If It Is Useless To Resist (On-going)

11: Caveman Style

Jason Grayson

Lidia drilled me and I ended up spilling my guts. Funny enough, she wasn't surprised at all that Max had kissed me. She confessed that the first time she saw us together, she had assumed something more than friendship was going on between us. Claiming that Max acts so possessive and caring with me. Of course, I laughed it off, telling her that I was the careless friend, had been since we were kids, and Max was the unfortunate one to always look out for me. Then she surprised me by asking if I wanted Max to kiss me again. I could have easily lied and said no, but my heart was saying another thing. After my shameful admission, she dared me to turn the tables. Kiss Max randomly and try to see his sober reaction. I can't say I hadn't thought of it. My only worry is, what if my senses were just heightened because of alcohol? Risk kissing him only to find out there is nothing there; that might rob us of our amazing friendship.

“But you will never know until you try…” Lidia insisted. Somehow, we ended up at my favorite bar, drowning beers like there was no tomorrow. I was having a good time until two guys approached our table. One had obvious eyes for Lidia and the slut fell into his trap fast, leaving me to deal with the friend. He was too boisterous for my liking. What irked me further was his simple request to take me on a date.

“I am not gay, dude!” I shrieked offended. Damn you Max!

“Oh,” at least he apologized for the mistake and swore that his gay radar had never missed before.

“This is your chance.” Lidia, who had somehow been following our conversation despite, being cosied up with her crush for the night, inserted her two cents. I shot her a hard glare, and that only made her push me more. “Do it,” she mouthed. Earlier, she had suggested if I can't kiss Max, then I should try doing it with another man, and perhaps it would clear up my confusion a little. At least my sexuality part.

“Am I missing something?” the prideful jerk asked, his eyes alternating between Lidia and me.

“No!”

“Do my friend a favor and kiss him.”

Lidia and I blurted. The guy seemed surprised at the request. “He is having an identity crisis,” Lidia added, airing my business to total strangers.

“Ooh,”

“Don't listen to her, she had a few drinks.”

“I don't mind.”

“But I do,” I countered, irritated. “As I told you before, I am not gay.”

“If you say so.” His obnoxious sarcastic tone set me off.

“I have got to go,” I mumbled, jumping to my feet, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” He rasped. “Don't go, we can just drink as friends and I promise I won't try to hit on you again.”  I relaxed a bit, putting my ass down. I am so going to kill Lidia come tomorrow. She will be on scrubbing duty and won't see the inside of an operating theater for the next month. Knowing her love of assisting in surgeries, there is no better fitting punishment.

As he later introduced himself, Rowan, proved to be a man of his word after all. He didn't make any awkward talk, we found a common ground, his love for exploring, something we share, and talked nonstop. At some point, we even took pictures as a group, one of which I uploaded on my Instagram. At least for a while, I was able to forget Max until my phone began ringing and his name flashed boldly on the screen.

“Why don't you pick up?” Ronan asked as I turned my phone upside down, silencing the call. I shrugged my shoulders, not really wanting to give any explanations. Thankfully, we didn't dwell on it and once again our conversation flowed pleasantly. “You and I could be good friends.” He observed good-natured. He did a good sense of humor. I could see myself partying with him, but I wouldn't trust myself to completely get fucked like when I am with Max. Speaking of him, why do I suddenly feel this urge to go to him? I wonder why he was calling. I can already feel I am past the tipsy stage, which means I should call it a day already.

“I will be damned!” Lidia exclaimed loudly, making all of us turn to her.

“Are you drunk already?” I teased, following her eyes. She was staring at something. Or rather someone.  I am sure my eyes widened when I spotted the tall figure in the crowd. I ceased breathing for a second or two as Max's eyes darted around, possibly looking for me. But how did he know where I was?

“Isn't that Max?” Lidia shrieked, blinking like she had seen a ghost.

“Who is Max?” Ronan asked cautiously.

“He is …”

“My best friend.”  I cut off Lidia immediately because I couldn't trust what would fall off her lips. As if on cue, Max seemed to have spotted us. A frown marred his gorgeous features. One would assume that he was confused or something, but even from afar, I could tell he was pissed. Especially the way his eyes stuck on me as he strode across the room. Bracing myself, I picked up my phone and pocketed it. Ronan could see my fidgeting. He placed his hand on my thigh, probably to calm me down, but it only made my situation worse. For some weird reason, couldn't help but feel like I was cheating on Max.

“Max!” Lidia called, happily, getting up to hug him. Max smiled at her, but his gaze was on me. “Sit down and have a drink with us.”

“Not today.” Max apologized. “I am here to take Jason home. “

“He didn't say he wanted to leave,” Ronan argued, confused.

“And who are you?” Max turned a heated glare at the unsuspecting man. Ronan calmly extended his hand, which Max ignored for a couple of seconds before shaking it, firmly.

“I am, Ronan.”

“Evans,” Max grumbled curtly. “Let's go.” He turned to me. I quickly rose, ready to follow him to hell if need be.

“Can't he stay a little longer?” Ronan scowled. “He was obviously having fun before you waltzed in here like some knight of some sort.”

“It's none of your goddam business,” Max growled, spreading his palm. I eagerly reached for it, shooting Ronan an apologetic smile.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” I told him honestly. And to Lidia, I asked, “Will you be okay?” She nodded with a sly smile. I am confident she had all these naughty scenarios playing in her mind already.

“Can I have your number at least?” Ronan asked.

“No, you can't,” Max spoke before I could.

“Dude,” I elbowed his ribs and he didn't even flinch. He gazed at me with the 'what?' look, as if he were daring me to exchange contact with Ronan. “Perhaps another time.” Sighing in defeat, I followed Max out of the bar. He was literally dragging me out. “What is wrong with you?” I shouted once we made it outside, snatching my hand from his.

“Car.” He barked and kept walking, leaving me to follow hurriedly. He opened the passenger door for me before taking the wheel. He didn't drive immediately. Instead, he turned to me angrily. “What the fuck were you thinking?” I was taken aback by his outburst. What had I done? It can be just because I didn't answer his call. “Are you stupid?” Okay, that angered me fast!

“What are you yapping about?” I yelled. “Just because I didn't answer your call…”

“Hanging out with that man!” Max cut me off. “Did you want to hook up with him?” Now I am positive he had lost his mind. Before I could retort, he turned his phone to me. It was the picture I had just uploaded on IG. And dumb me had even tagged the location, yet I was busy wondering how he had found out where I was. The picture was zoomed in. What caught my eye was the way Ronan was gazing at me. Like I was a juicy chunk of Wagyu. How come I didn't notice that before I went ahead and posted the picture? But even then, I can't see how that should make Max furiously. Normally, he would be teasing the hell out of me because of it. “If you must get with any man, why shouldn't it be me?” He asked aggressively. I am sure my heart stopped!