Never Gonna Be Alone

Chapter 26-->Something Like 'Who knows'

Ryan sat there in his car, thinking about what the hell just happened. He shook himself out of it, started the car, and instead of driving back to the bar, he decided to drive to Chuck's house. 

'That kiss cannot mean anything.' Ryan thought. 'I mean, he was really drunk, plus his wife just left him. It would make sense for him to kiss me because I'm the one who found him and acted like a friend. He probably didn't know what he was doing.' Ryan sighed. It was best not to worry about it.

He soon pulled up at Chuck's house. Ryan had no idea how late it was. All he knew was that the living room light was still on. Which probably means that Chuck was still awake. Either that, or Chuck fell asleep. All the reason more, to visit him. 

Ryan got out of the car, and walked to the house. He knocked on the door, and waited.

About a few minutes later, Chuck opened the door. "Hey, Ryan. Sorry, I fell asleep."

Ryan chuckled. "I figured. I'll come back at a later time."

Chuck shook his head. "No, no. It's all good. Just please tell me you didn't drink and drive."

Ryan gave him a look. "Are you serious? You think I would be that stupid? I haven't even started to drink. I should have arranged for a sub for the class."

Chuck hummed. "Come in, come in." He moved aside, and let Ryan through.

"Laten's asleep. I mean, actually asleep." Chuck stated as he shut the door. 

Ryan went into the living room, and sat down on the couch. 

Chuck sat in his recliner chair. "So, how are ya, my friend?"

"Eh...I'm okay.  I saw Arthur there."

Chuck looked shocked. "Really? Why?"

"To drink."

Chuck chuckled. "Ha ha. Why?"

Ryan shrugged. "All he told me was that his wife left him. I'm telling' ya man. He was drunk as hell. He was taking shot after shot. "

Chuck gave Ryan a puzzled look. "Doesn't that dumbass know he needs to teach tomorrow?"

Ryan shrugged once more. "He said he arranged a substitute. I promised him that I wouldn't say a word to Tate."

Chuck chuckled. "I remember when we were all in College, back in New York. All four of us, before you guys moved right before the two planes crashed. Like, a week before."

Ryan smiled. "Those were the good times. Are you sure that Laten's asleep? He likes to...listen in on things."

Chuck nodded. "He's asleep alright. His breathings ' different when he's awake. He breaths different while he's asleep. I know, because I used to be with him, in New York, just putting him to bed when he was younger."

'Okay, Ryan. Enough chit chat. Time to tell him' Ryan thought. "Remember me and Jenkines were enemies?"

Chuck laughed. "I thought it was actually funny how you found new ways of going at each other."

Ryan chuckled. "Get this. When I pulled up at his house, he undid his seatbelt, and....he kissed me. It was a really sloppy drunk kiss, actually a few kisses. Then he said, 'thanks'." Ryan waited for a reaction.

Chuck couldn't believe what he was hearing! "Say that again?"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "He was drunk, and he kissed me."

Okay, maybe Chuck did hear right. "What?"

"Are you deaf?"

Chuck shook his head. "No....but...Why would Jenkines kiss you? You guys like...hate each other."

Ryan shrugged. "That's what I asked myself. Think about it, Chuck. First of all, he was drunk, secondly his wife left him. I was driving him home, we were alone, I was the first logical person."

Chuck's eyebrows went down. "But he hates you."

"Exactly why I was the perfect person. The kiss didn't mean anything."

"Dude, that makes no sense. At all."

Ryan chuckled. "It does if you think about it."

"Are you gonna tell Laten about this?"

Ryan looked shocked. "Hell no! I mean, I'm not gonna keep this from him, but if it happens to come up, then I'll tell him."

"How'd do you think he'd react?"

Ryan shrugged. "He could react in a number of ways. To be honest, I think he'd be confused as hell."

Chuck laughed. "Ohh. I miss this. Just talking, having a good time..."

Ryan smiled. "Want one?" He handed out a bottle.

Chuck shook his head. "No, I gotta work tomorrow. Besides, if we both get drunk, who'd drive you?"

"I'd crash at your place." Ryan smirked.

"Ha ha, no." 

"I wonder why Arthur's wife would leave him." Chuck said. "I mean, I never met her, but still. Arthur didn't look like he had any problems with his wife."

Ryan shrugged. "He never said, and besides, looks can be deceiving."

"Are you saying they always had problems?"

Ryan sighed. "If they did, he never showed. Then again, work and privet life have to remain separate. From what Arthur told me, he had no clue."

"Or he did, but was too heartbroken and ashamed to admit it."

Ryan considered. "That too."

"Look at us. Two best friends, having a good time just by gossiping about other co-workers. This is bad work ethic." Chuck laughed.

"It is. That's what makes it fun though." Ryan laughed back.

Chuck threw a pillow at him. "Shut up."

Ryan smiled.