Temporary Bliss [boyxboy]

24: Danny Is Back

All night while I was at work, I couldn't concentrate. I'd spilled multiple drinks, dropped a glass and tripped over my own feet at least ten times by the time I was halfway through my shift.

I'd always been quite clumsy, but this was taking it to a new level. My eyes were barely focusing on anything as my mind kept playing over and over what had happened between Caleb and I.

I was so conflicted - of course, it'd been nice, more than nice. I smiled like an idiot every time I thought about how he'd kissed me after the sun had set...

But my smile always faltered as soon as I realized that it wasn't that easy.
We'd kissed, we'd had sex - and now what? There was no way we'd get into a relationship, was there?
I didn't peg Caleb to be the kind of guy to be okay with that. Plus, he was still with his girlfriend.
I felt a pang of hurt and guilt the thought, but I knew I had to accept it. There was no changing it, so there was no reason to get wound up about it now.

"Hello?!"

I snapped my head up to see a rather annoyed looking customer staring me down.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. What can I get you?"

The guy ordered his drink and I made it for him as he handed me some cash.

After he left, I let out a sigh and glanced at my clock.
Karin stepped up next to me," Dude, seriously. What's wrong? Are you still sick?"

I just nodded, not in the mood to discuss my personal problems with Karin, let alone while we were at work.
I had a feeling she didn't buy it, but thankfully she stopped nagging and went on to serve another customer.

"Finn!"

I looked around and tried to find who had called my name. A few seconds later a blonde girl came up to the counter, leaning over it with a huge smile on her face: "I was hoping I'd see you!"

"Oh," I said unenthusiastically, "Hey, Kate. What can I get you?"

She tapped her chin with her index finger, thinking, "I'll have a Sex On The Beach. Speaking of... Are you free soon?"

I couldn't help but snort with a laugh as I mixed her cocktail, pondering the offer.
I did feel a little guilty for turning her down all the other times that she'd asked me to hang out. And what could it hurt? Worst case scenario would be awkward silence. Best case scenario would be that she'd be amazing and I'd fall in love with her and forget all about Caleb.

Yeah right, some voice in the back of my head mocked, And my name's Greg.

"Sure," I finally decided and she let out an excited squeal that made me wince as I slid her drink across the bar.

"Awesome! I gotta get going or else my friends will be pissed. I'll text you, alright?"

I agreed and gave her a small smile which she returned, before wandering back off into the crowd.

"Womanizer, huh?" Karin teased from beside me, making me roll my eyes.

When my shift ended, I walked home feeling surprisingly awake. Probably because my thoughts couldn't calm down. I unlocked the front door and kicked my shoes off in the hallway as per usual.
I saw the light of the TV shining from the living room as I walked towards it and Caleb looked up to me with a tired smile.

"Hey."

I simply returned the smile and plopped down next to him with a sigh.
He was watching a shitty sitcom, but I had a feeling that he wasn't really watching it, that he was merely blankly staring at the TV screen. I was doing the same.