washed out

mcavoys:

“Ah, yeah. Kids and their…. plans.” I echoed, giving him a playful grin before I placed my hands on top of the chair, probably so I could have something to hold onto to remember that this was all real. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself, wondering momentarily if Kyle had made it a devious plan to purposely set Abby out to town so he and I could have some time alone. It was a really, really sweet thought, but I knew it was probably wrong - he wouldn’t want to make this seem more like a date because it wasn’t, right? I hoped it was, but it wasn’t. God, after this, I was going to need a serious orientation on ethics. It wasn’t long before Abby came my way and we said our goodbyes. I had to admit I was going to be a lot more nervous than I was initially without her around. She was sort of… my mediator. Now that Kyle and I were alone, my heart and mind were racing each other.  “It’s alright, maybe next time we can all have dinner, yeah?” I asked with a smile, offering him a shrug of my shoulders. NOT THAT I WAS ASKING FOR A SECOND TIME WE COULD HANG OUT, but… I sort of was. “I’d love to, sure.” I looked down at the bowl of pineapples he offered me and took it with a nod, popping a small dice in my mouth before following him outside. “So, be honest… how many cooking shows did you have to watch to nail this?” 

Oh son of a bitch. She actually wanted to have dinner with Abby. I am such a fucking idiot. I just thought that maybe.. this could be a date, but I’m starting to realize that she came over for a little dinner with the Flynn’s. Stupid, stupid, stupid. “Yeah, of course. Sorry, I’ll definitely make her stay home next time.” I cracked a smile then let her lead the way outside as I hobbled my way out behind her. With a flick of a switch, all the back patio lights came on, and none were abrasive. Just little backyard lights strung around the house to cast a nice glow. Since we were having our own little cookout of sorts, I decided to light some tiki torches because it just felt right. Man, I’m trying way too hard, aren’t I? I made my way over to the patio’s table and I pulled out a chair for Rose before taking a seat on my own. “Believe it or not, none,” I told her with a smile, biting a piece of pineapple with confidence. “I kind of raised Abby, well, for a while now. I had to learn to cook, ya know? But yeah, this was a family tradition. Barbequing and whatnot. We love it.” I nodded towards the grill and added, “They’ll be done soon, by the way.” In sudden realization, I popped up out of my seat and nearly tripped over the chair. “God dammit,” I mumbled then nervously added with a smile, “Sorry. I forgot to ask if you wanted something to drink.”

     I cocked my eyebrow, wondering what had been running through the man’s mind in the span of time between my last word and his sudden recollection. But it wasn’t long before he picked himself back up and I grinned again, shaking my head. He managed to always pay great attention but also no attention at all, and how that was possible would always be beyond me. I just knew one thing about it: it was incredibly charming. “It sounds amazing,” I sniffed, looking over my shoulder at the grill that was set up outside. I looked back at him with a smile. “Smells amazing too. See, healthy things can taste good,” I said all sing-songy as a way to tease him before I set my bag down on one of the chairs by his kitchen island, giving him a polite expression in hopes that it was alright. I wanted to feel a little freer than I was, although my dress already provided for that feeling. “Thanks for, um, inviting me over, by the way. It’s really nice to see you and Abby outside of work.”

     I was normally really good at this. You know, always that guy with impeccable charm and good manners. I swept the ladies off their feet, and I’d like to think I didn’t take advantage of that little quality. So why was it coming back to bite me in the ass? Rose was a game changer. If you were to ask me, I’d blame it on my damn leg and say that’s what’s throwing me off… but I’m almost positive it isn’t. With Rose, I actually felt nervous and a little spastic more than usual. My palms were sweaty… knees weak, arms are heavy. Slim Shady knows what’s up… or is it Eminem? I still call him Slim Shady… Wow, what I was thinking about before this? Oh, right. Rose makes me nervous. No wonder my mind is fucking crazy right now. “Oh, yeah, please make yourself at home,” I told her with a grin. When she mentioned Abby, I knew Abby parted her lips to speak, but I cut her off. “YEAH, but it’s a shame that Abby has plans. Damn kids. Always with their… plans.” Abby rolled her eyes just a little then put on a smile while grabbing her things. After she gave Rose a proper goodbye, it was just both of us… and I was left wondering WHY THE HELL DID I JUST MAKE ABBY LEAVE? Oh my god. I make bad decisions, sure, but this might be a terrible one. Now I’m alone with her. I’m probably bound to catch this house on fire. “Sorry, I meant to tell you she was only going to be here for a minute or two.” Grabbing a bowel of fresh pineapple that Abby left behind, I offered it to Rose before nodding my head outside. “Wanna share some pineapple with me on the porch out back? I’ll turn the lights on out there.”