Fate Meets Destiny: Chapter Twelve
Title: Fate Meets Destiny
Author: bbmgirlfan
Pairing: Ennis/Jack (AU/AU)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: just playing with the boys, they don't belong to me
Summary: Jack and Ennis grew up together and even went to the same college before moving back home to take over each family's business. They became roommates but that's all they were! Or, is it?
Chapter Twelve
As Ennis closed the door behind him, he paused for a moment to listen to the sound of the waves. So soothing! Jack was in the shower and Ennis took the opportunity to sneak out so he could avoid walking to work with Jack. It was about 7:30am and they usually left around 8:15. He figured they'd hang out at lunch, but Ennis had a lot of thinking to do and he needed this quiet walk to work to do it.
Jack, god bless him, sometimes talked a mile a minute!
It was a little chilly this morning, so Ennis had grabbed a windbreaker, and as he shrugged it on and began his walk, he tried to organize his mental list of all the things he needed to think about during the 15 or 20 minutes it would take to walk to work.
First of all, he could not believe Jack had already met somebody! And since they'd gone to the movies, he had had a date with a guy already. Who does that? Decide you're gay one day, go on a date the next!
But what had bothered him even more was his own reaction as he sat there listening to Jack tell him all about meeting John. He'd felt possessive! He realized that somehow he had always thought of Jack as his. Maybe not in a romantic sense, but his nonetheless. And though he'd never minded sharing Jack with a girlfriend, he did not like the idea of sharing Jack with a guy. But why, he wondered.
So anyway, on to the next thing. Ennis had gone upstairs last night after dinner to take a shower and while he was there, decided to jack off and damned if an image of Jack, naked, wet, dripping as he stepped out of the shower hadn't popped into his head!
He eventually banished it but not before it popped up a couple more times, interrupting the process.
As far as he was concerned, it was all Jack's fault. While they were in the kitchen last night, loading the dishwasher, Jack had said, "Can I ask you a question? ... How do you know you're not gay?".
And for one stunned moment, Ennis hadn't had an answer. He had finally stammered out that he was open to anything that would feel good but he couldn't imagine not having girls. He'd said he planned to marry one someday and have 2.5 kids and a house in the 'burbs.
But the question had kinda shaken him.
So he was determined to remind himself of his love for women. Maybe starting today. There was a woman who had been coming to the coffeehouse every other day or so for months who made it obvious she was interested in him.
She was a tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed Mrs. Robinson type.
Though she was newly-divorced and quite attractive, Ennis still was afraid he'd drown if he went swimming in those waters. But maybe he'd give it a try. See if he could stay afloat.
He opened up the coffeehouse and stepped just inside the door to look around. They'd done a good job cleaning up last night. He was rarely the first one to arrive so he didn't often get to experience this stillness, see the gleaming dark wood, the overstuffed sofas and chairs all in place, the decor warm and inviting, with early morning sunlight creating a golden glow to accompany his silent serenity.
As he made coffee and began to go through all the opening procedures, he wondered if she would come in today and if so, what he'd say to her. Other than a wink every now and then, he'd usually ignored her. But she was persistent, clearly not the kind who gave up easily. She might be lonely but he was pretty sure she was just looking for a boy toy, not the next love of her life.
Which suited him just fine!
By the time she strolled in, Ennis and several employees had survived the morning rush and were enjoying a few moments of quiet. They usually had up to an hour or more with no customers coming in which they used for straightening up.Today was no exception. The coffeehouse had emptied out and Ennis was wiping down the counter at the bar.
As usual, she walked right up to him and said hello, invading his space. But this time, he surprised her by putting down the dishtowel, turning sideways to face her, looking her in the eye and smiling, giving her the full force of his presence and energy. "Hi, Susan!" he said and then, sort of crowded her against the bar by putting a hand on either side of her.
The look of startled pleasure on her face was so endearing that Ennis leaned in to kiss her neck. After a quick indrawn breath, she invited him to come over that night after work and he agreed. He tore off a piece of register tape and grabbed a pen so she could write down her address and directions to her place. She left with a grin on her face, completely forgetting her usual order of peach iced tea.
Ennis had just picked up the dishrag again when his bartender, Joey, walked over. Joey was openly gay and also flirted with Ennis on occasion. They were fairly good friends and every once in a while, Ennis flirted back, but not seriously. The coffeehouse was once again empty, which was good, since Ennis expected Joey to kid around with him as usual.
"So you're finally going to give the lady some time," Joey said as he leaned on the bar next to Ennis. "That was a hot little scene just now, Ennis!"
"Oh, yeah? Which part was hot? Was it when I trapped her against the bar like this?" he asked, leaning into Joey a little.
"Damn, Ennis!" Joey smiled as he saw the mischievous smirk on Ennis's face. "I don't know what's gotten into you today, but I like it! ... Right now, you are eminently fuckable."
Ennis's eyes widened at that, but he didn't back away, knowing that Joey was probably trying to shock him. He felt Joey's hand slip between them, having only a moment's warning before it closed around him.
"Ooh, look what we have here!" Joey winked as Ennis blushed, surprised that he'd gotten hard when Joey grabbed him.
"I'd be happy to take care of that for you," Joey offered.
"Shit!" Ennis shuddered as Joey stroked him a little. "You know we can't do that, Joey!"
Joey shrugged. "You're not with anybody. I'm not with anybody. Who's to know? Who's to care?"
In response, Ennis reached between them and grabbed Joey's hand. "I better move this away from me before I take you in the back room."
"I haven't been taken in a long time, but for you, I'd make an exception," Joey answered with a smirk.
They smiled at each other as Ennis took a step back. With some space between them, Ennis felt like he could breathe again. "I'll keep that in mind!" he said, as he once more grabbed the dishrag and scrubbed at a spot on the counter. He watched Joey walk away, knowing he'd probably head for the break room, wondering what he'd tell Marla, the waitress on duty who took a break whenever she got the chance.
He didn't really care, though. Most of them were pretty open about their sexual escapades and relationship woes. Ennis tended to be a bit more private but ... he liked them all. It was no big deal!
~~~~~~~
A little later that evening...
"I'm sorry!"
Ennis got off of her as he apologized, rolling over to lie on his back next to Susan, throwing an arm over his eyes, wishing he could figure out a way to just disappear. "That hasn't ever happened before!" he mumbled.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No! Of course not." Ennis turned on his side toward her and she turned to face him, as well. He brushed her hair away from her face. "You're so beautiful!" he told her.
"I don't know what the hell happened, Susan, but please believe me. It wasn't because of you!"
"Well, I know I've been flirting with you pretty relentlessly for quite a while now," she met his eyes and grinned along with him. "Maybe you finally decided to take pity on me but your heart just wasn't in it?" Susan suggested.
"Oh, god! ... No, Susan, I think this was just one of those things that happens sometimes."
"To boys your age?"
"Well, apparently so!" Ennis chuckled. He got out of there as quickly as he could after that awkward conversation and headed straight home.
TBC