One to Another - quiet, kind & special people

Part 28 - Finn

It is time for a quiet one at the Swan. Rae took forever getting ready, and I know that she seems to think that she is nothing special, however, she really does look extraordinary. We take our time wandering down to the pub. I am excited to have Rae's hand in mine. My smile is beaming and there is a spring in my step. The gang will love her.

Rae seems fine at first, however, I keep checking on her, looking at her for any sign of how she is feelinh as we approach the pub. Her silence speaks volumes.

We reach the doors and rather than let Rae pull her hand from mine, I hold it tighter. I don't pause at the door, I don't want to give Rae a reason to back out of this, or worse still to run. I walk in bringing her with me. While physcially she is by my side mentally she is only just with me. I know by the look in her eye that is she is freaking out about this. I can't pretend to understand, but I assume it is wrapped up in this being something new, meeting new people and us being out in public for the very first time with other people. I can't wait for everyone to see us together, and to be able to spend some more time with Rae. And although I love having sex with her, loving her skin, touch and curves, tonight I love being somewhere where I can concentrate on her without the treat of us ending up in bed. Well not straight away. So many options to tease this out. I calm my internal fixation on getting Rae naked.

Sensing how uneasy Rae is I lean into her talking over the music "Rae, let's get settled and then I'll get you a drink. Alright?"

She smiled. She is nervous. In all honesty it feels kind of wrong that I am so excited to be out with her when I know in contrast Rae is bricking it. I see the gang at our usual table and quickly survey who is here. Chloe, Chop, Archie, no Izzy yet. While I like Izzy, I am secretly pleased she isn't here right now, I think a new face will only make Rae more nervous. I think Rae will love Izzy, who doesn't, but just not tonight. I feel a little better that Rae knows everyone here, well mostly everyone, and Chop, who I think she has only briefly met before is one of the finest lads I have ever met. He is always happy to met new people, always welcoming unlike me. I hope that this will all mean that Rae's nervousness will subside quicker.

As soon as the gang sees us, Chloe is up from the table and hugging Rae "Babe, where the hell have you been?" she asks while looking Rae and I over, pausing her gaze at us holding hands for what seemed like an eternity. "Comeon babes, I think we need to go and have a chat" Chloe continues while dragging Rae away from me.
Rae is looking back at me, but eventually they disappear into the ladies toilet. I would of loved to have saved her from that chat with Chloe but I know Chloe well enough to know that I would of have had zero chance of success in changing her mind and have her wait to talk to Rae.

Once Rae is out of my line of sight I sit with the rest of gang, with our usual greeting of a nod and a grunt. "Lad, do you want a drink?" Chop asks me "Yes, mate, thanks mate. The usual ta" I reply.

It leaves Archie and I at the table. "You alright Finn?" he asks.

"I am alright Archie. You?" I reply. Archie nods. "I am alright Finn, just trying to figure out what is going on" he states. "What you playing at with Rae Earl Finn?" Archie asks.

"Not playing at anything Archie, she is..." I trail off. "She is like nobody I have ever met before Arch. Whatever anyone thinks they know about me, or for that matter Rae, they don't really know or understand" I continue.

"Finn, that doesn't answer the question" Archie states.

"You trying to figure out if Rae and I are together?" I seek to clarify. Archie nods.

I smile and nod back. I am confused by Archie's facial expression which seems to be hinting at him being uneasy about the relationship Rae and I have started.

"You happy?" Archie asks.

"Just a little bit Arch" I reply with the worlds biggest grin.

"So you guys have been together since Friday?" Archie's interrogation continues.

"Yup" I replied.

"And?" he asks.

"And, what?"

"Finn" Archie says sternly.

"Archie, that isn't any of your business mate. Rae and I are together, we are going to see if we can make it work. She is incredible Archie. She is beautiful, clever, funny, strong..." Chop is back with my larger, placing it down on the table and walking away after I thanked him. I watch him, and I can only assume he is chasing some fit bird.

"We are together Archie" I announce still with the biggest smile. I pause to have a drink. "I can't not be around her Archie. She has me saying and feeling things I never though were possible, not from after, well you know."

"Finn, you know she has had some trouble in the past, right?"

"Yes. I know Archie. But like I said none of that scares me, none of it makes me want to walk away. Rae is incredible. She is the strongest person I know" I continue. "Like I said for some reason I can't not be around her Archie. You know that I haven't really cared about myself or anyone else in years. You know that. Rae makes it different." I explain.

Archie smiles. Again, everything I have said has reinforced that he is happy for me, us.

"Only thing Finn, I hope you haven't jumped in too soon" Archie cautions.

"You know mate, I jump into nothing and I usually don't care for anything other than me... with Stacey I didn't care what she felt, said or did she was convenient and to be honest I hated her as much as you guys. There is something about Rae Archie. I love her."

"Woh woh woh. Love her?" Archie is shocked. "What the fuck do you mean love her? You don't know her Finn. I hope to god you kept this declaration of love to yourself."

"Rae and I know how we feel
That is all that matters Archie. We are giving us a shot. I am hers for as long as she will have me."

"Finn have you thought about college? The bitch squad and what they will do to Rae when they find out?"

"Stacey knows better" I warn Archie.

But in the reference to college I am brought back to earth. The pub is a minor step for us as a couple and she almost bolted, what the fuck will college be like.