Rain

Chapter Six

The bell on the door chimes, Nes almost bursting through the door, her tone akin to that of someone out of The Great Gatsby "Ruby my darling! Grab your co..." she stops in her tracks at the sight of Asher standing there with Ruby's hand in his. Ruby pulls her hand away quickly, cheeks burning. "Nes, how come you're not at work?" Nes stands there smirking, hand on her hip "well well well, what do we have here? Am I interrupting? Should I leave?" she motions to the door. Ruby wanted to die of embarrassment, she could feel the heat blooming in her cheeks. "Nes!...I...no... he just came by to see if I was ok after ...Halloween..." her eyes pleaded with Nes to not make a big deal about this. Nes understood her friend's expression "Oh! Well...What a gentleman, that's very kind of you." Nes smiled warmly at him. "I was just about to see if Roobs wanted to close up shop early to get dinner and catch a movie, would you like to join us?" Ruby's eyes darted up at Nes, the invitation made her anxious, what if Dylan found out? What would he do? "Uh, yeah ... .yeah" his eyes finding Ruby's "I'd love to come along" giving her a small smirk. "Perfect! I was thinking Mexican, we could go to that place downtown with killer tamales and massive margaritas." Ruby and Asher agreed, after Ruby closed up they all headed out.

Asher held every door open for them and even pulled out their seats. Since he hadn't been to this restaurant before, he asked the ladies for suggestions. "It depends on what you like" Ruby said "I'm a huge fan of the tamale platter, they are almost as good as mine...almost" she proudly chuckled. Nes had a knowing smile, she clearly saw that there was something between them but worried that Ruby might be too scared to let herself be happy, the thought broke her heart. She remembers everything Dylan did mentally and physically to break her down so he could control her. She sees how that's lingered, skewing Ruby's view of herself and what she's deserving of. As they snacked on the nacho's they got to start their meal, Nes went into best friend mode and started asking questions. "So, Dean, tell us about yourself, where did you grow up? What do you do for work? Single? Kids? Pets?" Ruby kicked her under the table, Nes kicked her back. Asher nervously answered, what would he say he did for work? "Um, I grew up in Oregon, just outside of Portland..." his eyes met Ruby's "Single..., no kids, no pets but I do love animals, big cat guy." He took a long sip of his margarita hoping it would help calm his nerves. Ruby blushed when he said he was available. "Oregon! We've been there" Nes exclaimed "Roobs and I went last year, it was beautiful and the food was amazing! Keep Portland weird" she chuckles. Asher noted his favorite restaurants and sites to see, Ruby hung on each word as they left his lips.

As the night went on, they enjoyed topics like food and travel, movies, thoughts on the existence of life beyond our solar system and firm belief that the movie "The Heathers" is the true inspiration for "Mean Girls". That topic was more debated between Nessa and Ruby but Asher gladly enjoyed his glimpse into her mind, what she loves and the way she does a subtle little shimmy when she's enjoying her meal. "What do you think Dean? Who's right on this?" Nessa's words bring him back into the real world. " Huh? I'm sorry...I was lost in thought for a moment" he blushes softly, the thought was her. "Ruby and I are trying to decide the best Vore album...I think it's "Sugar" but she thinks it's "Rain", what do you think? Who's right on this?" They both wait for his answer.

When they arrived at the restaurant they had to park across the street, he made sure to walk on her right side to protect her from oncoming traffic. Thankfully being tall has its advantages, you usually reach the door before everyone else so it was easy for him to hold the door, at the table he felt he had to pull out Nessa's seat as well so it wasn't too blatant that he focused on Ruby. Especially with Nessa there he was determined to show her that she would be cared for and treated with respect. As the drinks and appetizers started to arrive he kept finding himself getting lost in thoughts of her. He wondered if she liked to be kissed on the curve of her neck...what's her favorite comfort movie...could she still want him for who he really is, not just the persona...if she sees how much he burns for her.

After answering some standard best friend questions he gets entangled in the sprawling conversation, his eyes studying her face, those honey eyes. "What do you think Dean? Who's right on this?" the question snaps him back. When Nes elaborates his heart stops. They are asking about his music. He takes a deep drink of his margarita hoping it will help. "Um...I think I would have to agree that "Rain" is their best work so far." It felt weird to pick a favorite, every song meant something deep and personal for him. It was his grieving process for losing Isabelle, his childhood sweetheart. He had loved her for as long as he could remember and when he lost her in the accident 8 years ago, he went through some dark times. The music gave him a way to express what losing her meant. It's helped him move on and come to terms with the fact that she's gone. "I think that it really shows the guys hitting their stride as musicians" he's impressed with his answer, it was a mixed bag of emotions to talk to others about his work. The band doesn't do interviews so he never gets the chance to really expand on what the music is and means. "And I think "Rain" really sums up the story being told by the music." Saying it outloud brought a strange sense of peace to him. He had reached a place where he was finally okay, ready to move forward.

Nessa took a comically loud sip of her drink, smacking her lips as she put down her glass "That was very well said and even though I respect your opinion, I still think you're both wrong." They all had a good laugh at her statement then decided to pay the check and head onward to the next adventure.