Chapter ten
1313 Words
“I do remember you saying you worked as a barista, but did you also work as a bartender?” Nick was just on his third drink, but he was already feeling quite tipsy. At some point, he had moved from the couch to the floor in front of Colin, who was downing drinks like they were water.
“I did work as a bartender as well. Just for a month, though. Aha, plus four cards for you!”
They had also begun to play a game of Uno on the floor. Nick frowned and adjusted his eyeglasses. “That doesn’t seem right. Why do I get four more cards? I thought you get more cards.”
Colin laughed. Surprisingly, it was Nick’s first time playing Uno. “No, I put it down so you get the extra cards.”
“I feel like you’re cheating.”
“I feel like you’re drunk.”
“I feel… like I want more skewers. These are actually pretty good.” Nick placed his cards on the floor facing up, and proceeded to eat. Colin packed away the cards and began to eat nuts. He started throwing them up and catching them with his mouth.
Nick wasn’t sure if it was because his brain was addled with alcohol, but he found himself staring at Colin's hand, then his throat as he leaned his head back. He stopped chewing and just watched for a solid minute. Before Nick knew it, he was staring at Colin’s lips. Some salt were hanging on his lower lip.
Nick reached out, but just as he was about to wipe the salt away from the man's lip, reason got to him. His hand awkwardly hung in the air between them, and Colin noticed, so he proceed to just point.
“Um, lips. I mean, you have salt on— on your lower lip.”
Colin licked his lips. “Gone?”
Nick involuntarily swallowed and nodded. He quickly averted his gaze, which Colin noticed.
“That’s a good way to start.” Colin said out of nowhere.
“Huh?”
“I mean, that’s a good way to start a conversation or to approach someone in the bar.” Colin wiped his fingers on his apron. “Just say that to someone, introduce yourself, then you’re good. But, don’t look so nervous.”
“So, what you meant by trying something new, is teaching me how to use pick-up lines?” Nick rested his back on the foot of the couch.
Colin shrugged. “That’s a part of it. You haven’t been going out much, and you don’t have much opportunities to socialize. You said you’re open to going to bars, and where else is better to socialize than a bar?”
Nick took another sip of his drink. “Another flawed logic, but I’ll allow it. You are the master and I am your protégé.”
Colin happily clasped his hands together. “Yes, you are my young padawan.”
“Star Wars!” Nick exclaimed excitedly.
“Finally, a reference you got.” Colin gave him a high five. “Alright, so we will be going to an actual bar at some point, so you better get ready. You don’t have to pick up girls or whatever, just socialize, okay? Just to broaden your circle and increase your life experiences in general. Speaking of which,” Colin downed another glass then looked seriously at Nick. “Are you into girls? Are you straight?”
Nick almost spit out his drink. He took a few seconds to collect himself, which was quite difficult as his mind started to get more blurry. He started laughing, which caught Colin off-guard.
“What’s so funny about that?”
Nick shook his head, barely able to contain his laughter. “I’m laughing because I’m not sure.”
Colin’s eyes were wide. “You mentioned you’ve barely dated but…”
“I’ve never been on a real date.” On a normal day, Nick would feel bashful about it, but with all the alcohol, he couldn’t care less.
“I thought you were just exaggerating. Never ever?”
“I’ve been to arranged blind dates. Never really liked any of them that much.”
Colin looked deep in thought for a while. “But have you found yourself attracted to men or women? Like have you ever wanted to s*x someone up?”
Nick started laughing at Colin's ridiculous choice of words. “s*x someone up?” He repeated as he laughed until he couldn’t breathe.
Colin smiled as he watched him. “I’m serious here!”
Nick cleared his throat. His face was red as he nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I’ve been attracted to both women and men.”
“But you’ve never acted on it? Used apps, or had hook ups?”
“Do I look like I do apps and hook ups?”
Colin pursed his lips and thought for a second. “Makes sense.”
“I’ve never. I don’t think I can do it with someone I don’t love, or at least like. I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned that way, I guess. Did I just say ‘I guess’ twice? Boy, these drinks are so f*****g strong!”
“Whoa there, potty mouth!” Colin kidded. He stared at Nick for a while, as if trying to read him, when something suddenly dawned on him. “Wait, does this mean you’ve never… you’re a virgin?”
“Oh, no, no.” Colin was confused as Nick tried to remember something. “God, I almost forgot about that time. I did do it before in college, but that was mostly out of peer pressure and the girl really liked me.”
“So you’ve had s*x with a girl?”
“Yeah, I guess. It was okay. I didn’t like her that much but it was okay. Does that make me straight? Ah, but I also kissed a guy once and I also liked it. Does that make me gay?”
“That’s so confusing. So you've never really liked anyone that much so you’ve never dated for real. You can't have s*x casually, but you've also had s*x and kissed people you didn’t seem to like that much. Confusing!” Colin poured himself another glass, but just as he was about to drink, Nick stole the glass and drank it himself. He was clearly drunk, as he'd been sharing much more than he usually would. “But, you did say you’re attracted to both men and women, so that makes you bisexual.”
Nick just shrugged as he downed the glass. “Mystery solved, bi it is! Does that make you uncomfortable? “
Colin was quick to shake his head. “Not at all. You do you.”
“Good.” Nick smiled. “Why are you asking me if I like guys or girls? Are you interested?” He teased.
“It’s all for the life improvement service, you monkey.”
Nick jokingly clutched his chest, as if he had just been shot in the heart. Colin laughed at his exaggerated response.
“Too bad,” Nick muttered under his breath as he rested his head on the sofa and closed his eyes. Colin was unsure if he heard him correctly.
- Writer
