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asphaltcowgrrlTitle: In a Week or Two Chapter 14
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Ficiton
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos + Carter Jacobsen, some messy thing between Andrej and Zayne
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,415
Summary: Andrej keeps his second date with Carter, for better or for worse.
Author’s Note: Only two chapters left after this one. Sorry I forgot to post the other day like I had promised someone. Oops. Also, since this is an AU, I'm letting Andrej get his drink on. He'll be less of a lush once I get back to the regular world.
“I’m glad you decided to have dinner with me again,” Carter said once the waiter left their table. “After we talked the other night, I wasn’t sure if you’d show or not.”
“I would never not show up without telling you first,” Andrej said. “But I also promise there will not be any interruptions from my partner tonight either.”
“Or your ex,” Carter said, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Andrej shook his head, a smile on his face. He’d come clean with Carter on the phone the night before about everything that had happened during their first date, as well as everything that had happened since. Thankfully, Carter had taken it all in stride, offering to cancel their pre-made dinner date. They’d agreed that cancelling wouldn’t do anyone any good, so they’d kept it set for tonight.
“No,” he said, laughing. “Jay promised to go the opposite direction if he saw my car in the lot. Besides, he does not care for Middle Eastern food much.”
“But you do,” Carter asked, curious.
Andrej gave a one shoulder shrug. “I left Romania and moved to Paris. From there, I came to the US. I have tried many things over the years,” he said. “Plus, there is some Turkish influence in the Romanian culture, our food included. So, some of this is not all that unusual to me.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” Carter said. “I like trying new things and it’s always good to have someone who is daring enough to go on an adventure with you. Are there any Romanian restaurants here in town that we could try?”
“There are a few,” Andrej said, surprised by the suggestion. “Or, if you would like, you could come to my home and I could make you a proper meal.” He chuckled and added, “I will not force you to drink the țuică that my people like, however. Zayne says it is Romanian moonshine.”
“Did I ever tell you that I ran into your partner a few days after we met?” Carter folded his hands on the table and watched Andrej.
“I did not know that,” Andrej said. “Zayne never said anything to me about it.”
“I’m not sure he would have known to at the time,” Carter said. “But I did mention that I had met you. He’s quite interesting, isn’t he?”
Andrej laughed. “He is – as our friend Hilary likes to say – something else.”
“You like him a lot,” Carter asked, looking down as he finished the question.
“I do,” Andrej said. He reached a hand across the table and rested it on Carter’s arm. “He has been my friend for a very long time, and we know each other incredibly well. It is good to have someone like that to talk to when I have no one else.” He paused and made a face. “But I like you as well. You are unlike anyone else I know.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Carter said, grinning. “Have you and your partner come to any decisions yet about what you’re going to do?”
Andrej shook his head. “That is partly why I am here with you tonight,” he said. “This may sound selfish, but I know how I feel about him. I am not sure how he truly feels about me.”
“And how do I fit into this?” Carter placed his elbows on the table, chin resting on his folded hands.
He shrugged, trying to play it cool despite his frayed nerves. “I love Zayne. He is my friend, my partner, and I rely on him a lot. However, he is not very good with relationships. In all the years I have known him, he has had one, genuine relationship and that was with Hilary. Even then, they were off more than they were on.”
“I see,” Carter said, toying with his napkin.
“She is now dating my ex-boyfriend’s partner,” Andrej said with a chuckle. “I had not expected that twist, but she is happy.”
“What about Zayne?”
“I do not know, honestly,” he said. “He is hurting because he honestly did love Hilary, but he was unable to do the things she needed him to do.”
“Did she ask a lot of him or did he run around on her?” He refolded his napkin and set it aside.
“She was very fair, and no, he did not cheat. She’d have eaten him alive if he had.” Andrej grinned broadly then. “Hilary would not put up with that out of anyone, especially not Zayne. But I believe that he is afraid of committing to one relationship and therefore bucked her wishes.”
“Ah, I can see why you’re wary of getting involved with him then,” Carter said, nodding his head. “Particularly since you work with him.”
“Exactly,” Andrej said. “If he wasn’t my partner or if he was in another division, I might be more willing to take a chance. But he is my best friend and after everything that happened with Jay… I am not sure I can go through that again. Even without the added drama of this past week.”
“No one can blame you for that,” Carter said. “I think that’s our food. Looks amazing, too.”
Andrej looked up and sighed happily. It did look amazing, and he was starving, despite his nerves. “Do you hate me,” he asked once the waiter had placed their food on the table and walked away. “For all of this chaos I have been creating?”
“No, of course not,” Carter said. “Honestly, I’m rather crazy about you. Am I annoyed by your partner suddenly developing feelings for you right after I met you? Sure, but you’re being upfront about it all, so it’s not like you’re hiding anything. I guess I’m just here to see where we all wind up in the end.”
“Thank you,” Andrej said, picking up his fork. “I appreciate the second chance.”
“You’re still on your first chance, Andrej,” Carter said. “I think we ought to celebrate.”
Carter called the waiter back and requested a bottle of wine. He poured them each a glass and toasted their new friendship, leaving it at that for now. As they continued to talk, they demolished both their meals and the wine. The waiter returned with their desserts and Andrej chuckled.
“What’s so funny,” Carter asked, taking a sniff of his apple cobbler.
“I was just thinking that if sharing an entire bottle of wine is going to be a habitual thing with us, I might have to start Ubering to our dates.”
“Yeah, I suppose it wouldn’t be smart for a police officer to get pulled over for driving under the influence.
“Definitely not,” he agreed. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he sent a text to Hilary asking if she was available to come get him and his car. “But I have a backup plan.”
“Not your partner, I hope,” Carter teased.
“No,” Andrej replied, horrified at the thought of Zayne catching him half drunk at dinner with a man he hardly knew. “Hilary actually. She and her partner, Trish, are usually having a girl’s night on Fridays.”
“Are you sure they’ll be sober?”
“It is early yet so there is a good chance,” he said. His phone pinged and he glanced at the response from Hilary. “How much longer do you think we will be?”
“I’m about to devour this, so probably not too long,” Carter laughed. “Tell them twenty minutes. That ought to give us enough time to finish our desert and say goodbye properly.”
He wasn’t sure what Carter meant by saying goodbye properly, but he supposed he’d find out soon enough. After he texted the information to Hilary and received a thumbs up emoji in return, he tucked his phone away, intent on enjoying the last few minutes he had with Carter.
“Your friend should be here soon, right,” Carter said, scanning the parking lot.
“Yes,” Andrej said. “Trish texted me a little bit ago to let me know they were on their way.”
“So, we have a few minutes,” Carter stated more than asked.
“I would say that was accurate,” Andrej agreed.
In lieu of a response, Carter moved forward, cupping Andrej’s face in his hands. The night air was dry and warm, the gentle breeze ruffling through his hair. His heartbeat kicked up and then Carter’s mouth was pressed against his. Firm, warm, and gone in an instant.
“I’m going to guess that car driving suspiciously slowly is your friend looking for you?” Carter pointed towards a blue car cruising the parking lot. The familiar blue Toyota at least explained why their kiss had been so brief.
“That would be them,” he said, hating that they had to part so soon. Touching his fingers to his lips, he glanced at Carter.
“Same time next week,” he asked before Andrej could say a word.
“Yes,” Andrej agreed, hand dropping to his side. “However, next week, I make you dinner. It seems that is the only way I can pay for a meal.”
Carter smiled. “That sounds like an excellent idea. Let me know where and if I can bring anything.”
“You can bring the wine,” Andrej laughed. He spotted Hilary coming towards them and waved. “And I will text you my address.”
“I’ll see you on Friday,” Carter said, waving at the two women goggling through the windshield at him.
“Thank you again for dinner,” he said.
“Anytime,” Carter said, waving and heading off towards his car.
“Sooooo….” Trish drawled, impatient for the details, as always.
“My car is there,” he said, pointing towards where it was parked. Holding out his keys, he asked, “Are you driving it home for me?”
“Yeah,” she grumbled. “I offered to drive my car, but Hilary insisted on taking hers. Just FYI, I’m pissed she’s getting the scoop before me.”
“She is not getting anything,” Andrej said, smiling. “So, do not be angry.”
“Hah,” Trish snorted. “See you at your place.”
He watched her get into his car before he climbed into the passenger seat of Trish’s sedan. “Thank you for coming to get me. I am not used to sharing an entire bottle of wine with only one person.”
“Do we need to have a talk, Andy,” Hilary asked in her mom voice as she pulled away from the curb. “I thought you’d know about peer pressure by now.”
“You are awful,” he told her.
“Maybe,” she said. “But your architect friend is really cute. Even cuter than his pictures.”
“He is very handsome,” Andrej agreed, unwilling to say more than that. His growing attraction to Carter was only confusing things for him. “And smart, too.”
“Excellent combination,” Hilary said, following Trish out of the parking lot. “You seem to like him a lot.”
“I do,” he sighed. “It is all very perplexing.”
“Because of Zayne,” she asked.
“Because of Zayne,” he agreed. “But also because of Jay and because I am not sure if I am ready for another relationship yet.”
“Then I suggest you tell that to both Carter and the idiot whose truck is parked in your driveway.”
He looked up and Hilary pointed at Zayne’s old Dodge sitting in its usual spot. “Oh, he is not going to be happy with me.”
“Because you’re half in the bag and smelling like another man,” she cackled. “Don’t think we missed that kiss he gave you, buddy.”
Andrej covered his face with his hand and groaned.
Hilary pulled up to the curb and patted him on the leg. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell him or the narco about that last part. The rest is going to be obvious.”
Sighing, Andrej gave her hand a squeeze. “I appreciate you coming to my rescue tonight. I do not know why I let myself drink so much again.”
“You were having a good time,” she said. “It happens, trust me. “Call if you need anything, okay?”
He nodded. Zayne popped out of his truck as soon as he saw Trish exiting Andrej’s garage. They were having an animated conversation judging by the way they were throwing their hands around. Zayne looked at Hilary’s car, an unreadable expression on his face.
“I may need your help now,” he said darkly. “I think Zayne is mighty unhappy with me right now.”
“Tell him to shove it up his ass,” she said. “You have every right to be happy, Andy. And drunk, too, if you want to be. Just because he’s a hot mess doesn’t mean that you have to be, too.”
“I don’t like it when anyone I care about is upset with me,” he said, getting out of her car. “But thank you. I will see you on Monday.”
Trish patted him playfully on the ass as she took his spot in the car. “Reyes is in a mood, Andy. Tread carefully. But also, fuck him, the jealous prick.”
Snickering, Andrej closed the door and waited while Hilary drove away. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Zayne. He could see he was in for one hell of an argument if Zayne’s stony face was any indication of what was to come.
Zayne’s booted feet stomped towards him, stopping inches from his own toes. Andrej looked up and saw something inexplicable on his partner’s face. Was he crazy or did Zayne look uneasy? “Zayne?”
“Thank god you’re home,” he said, throwing himself at Andrej and crushing him in a hug. “When I saw Trish driving your car I – I don’t even know what I thought.” He held Andrej out at arm’s length before hugging him tight again. “Not true. I was worried you’d gone home with him. Why she would have had your car in that situation, I don’t know. My heart isn’t rational, okay?”
“No one’s heart is rational, Zayne,” Andrej said, hugging his partner tightly before breaking Zayne’s hold on him. “You can relax. I had more wine than I realized, and I asked if they’d come get me so I did not have an accident.”
“You know better,” Zayne scolded him, “but I’m glad you’re home. I’ve been worried.”
“I do know better,” he admitted. “Come on, let’s go inside since I do not think you are planning on going home quite yet.”
“Not until I hear about this date,” Zayne said. “Especially since you smell like ritzy cologne, asshole. Were you making out with that architect or something?”
“I did no such thing,” Andrej said, praying that one kiss did not count as making out. “Come inside, let me get you a drink.”
“I think I should make you a cup of coffee,” Zayne teased, following Andrej inside. “You’re tad bit unsteady there, Zek.”
He hated that Zayne was right, and it made him want to turn around and wallop his partner. Instead, he ignored Zayne’s poking and headed for the kitchen. “Soda, coffee, or water?”
“Beer,” he asked, hopefully.
“I do not need to be drinking any more tonight, Zayne.”
“You don’t have to,” he tossed back. “Although, the last time we got wasted together, we damn near got naked. So, maybe you should.”
Blushing, Andrej stuck his head into the fridge and retrieved two beers. He handed one to Zayne. “One will not hurt me, not after all I have already had, I’m afraid.”
“Cheers, baby,” Zayne said, grinning. He took a long pull on his beer and then asked more seriously, “How was your date? Before the bottle of wine that is.”
“It was very nice,” he said, leading Zayne out into the living room. Andrej took his spot on the couch and Zayne followed him. “Dinner was excellent, and he is a great conversationalist.”
“Please tell me he talks about things other than work,” Zayne asked. “I hate it when all my date can do is blab about their job.”
“Or ask us constantly about ours,” Andrej added. “He does talk about it some, which is fine. I find architecture fascinating and he is often curious about the things I’ve seen in Paris. But he is also well versed in all things sports, politics, and food.” He took a sip of his beer. “There is always lively conversation to be had. I do believe you’d like him, Zayne.”
“Maybe,” Zayne said, making a face.
“He told me that the two of you met at the deli,” Andrej said, watching Zayne closely.
“Yeah, it was the day I offered to go get our sandwiches,” he confessed. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to worry that I was checking up on you or anything like that. He seemed nice enough, you know? And he’s pretty good looking, too.”
Andrej looked down at his bottle and thought about what Zayne said. He didn’t sound jealous or angry just… curious, maybe?
“So, what’s next with you two,” Zayne asked, dragging Andrej out of his reverie. “You going out again soon?”
“Friday,” Andrej said. “He is coming here on Friday and I am going to cook for him.”
Zayne frowned and Andrej could tell he was more upset by this than the fact he’d come home smelling like Carter’s cologne. “Why?”
“Because he was asking about Romanian food,” Andrej said. “He thought it’d be nice to go to somewhere that served that kind of food and I suggested cooking for him instead. Is there a reason why you are so bothered by him coming here?”
Zayne stood up and paced across the living room. “I don’t care if he comes here,” he said, sounding genuine. “It just bothers me that you’re cooking for him, Zek. And I’m not completely sure why.”
“You know,” Andrej started, picking at the label on his beer bottle, “feeding someone is a very intimate thing. It takes time and effort to cook good food and to share it with another is an act of love.” He looked up at Zayne, catching his gaze. “At least, that is what my mother always told me. Cooking for you has always been exactly that because I care about you. But in all the years we have known each other, in all the meals I’ve made for you, not once have you ever suggested I make something from my home for you.” He looked down at his beer again. Raising the bottle to his lips, he emptied it. “Maybe that is why it bothers you so much. I will be sharing something with Carter that I have never shared with you.”
“Because I’ve never asked,” Zayne muttered, sounding defeated. “Fuck me.”
Andrej chortled drunkenly. “I am not sure our relationship is quite ready for that yet, Zayne,” he said. Turning his gaze upwards, he smiled sadly. “Although, if we were further along in our exploration of your sexuality, I would take you up on that offer quick enough to make your head spin.”
Zayne spluttered. “Shit. I think I should officially cut you off, Zek. That was um, something.”
He shook his head. “It is not as if you didn’t know already,” he said. “After all the things that have passed between us. The kisses, the –” He couldn’t bring himself to say the word ‘blowjob’ for fear he’d yank his partners jeans open and do it right this time. Maybe Zayne was right, maybe he ought to stop drinking. Permanently.
“Yeah, but this is different somehow,” Zayne said, returning to his spot beside Andrej on the couch. “Maybe because I have feelings for you now or who knows. It just feels more serious.”
“It is serious, at least to me. I did not like outing myself to you that night at the Heartbreaker, but it was either I kissed you or we blew our entire operation. And the rest…” He shrugged. “It was not strictly necessary, but it got us what we needed at the time.”
“I’m glad that you did confide in me that night at the hotel,” Zayne said, using his finger to turn Andrej’s face towards his. “It helped me understand so much about you. I felt like an idiot because I had no clue. How did Rosewood figure it out?”
“I am not sure that Jay knew,” Andrej said, swallowing hard. Zayne’s fingers on his chin were firm and warm and it was making him a little crazy.
“So, he just took a chance?”
Andrej nodded. “Same as you did not so very long ago.”
“Can I take another?” Andrej nodded and Zayne leaned in, kissing him.
He was in so damn much trouble.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Ficiton
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos + Carter Jacobsen, some messy thing between Andrej and Zayne
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,415
Summary: Andrej keeps his second date with Carter, for better or for worse.
Author’s Note: Only two chapters left after this one. Sorry I forgot to post the other day like I had promised someone. Oops. Also, since this is an AU, I'm letting Andrej get his drink on. He'll be less of a lush once I get back to the regular world.
“I’m glad you decided to have dinner with me again,” Carter said once the waiter left their table. “After we talked the other night, I wasn’t sure if you’d show or not.”
“I would never not show up without telling you first,” Andrej said. “But I also promise there will not be any interruptions from my partner tonight either.”
“Or your ex,” Carter said, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Andrej shook his head, a smile on his face. He’d come clean with Carter on the phone the night before about everything that had happened during their first date, as well as everything that had happened since. Thankfully, Carter had taken it all in stride, offering to cancel their pre-made dinner date. They’d agreed that cancelling wouldn’t do anyone any good, so they’d kept it set for tonight.
“No,” he said, laughing. “Jay promised to go the opposite direction if he saw my car in the lot. Besides, he does not care for Middle Eastern food much.”
“But you do,” Carter asked, curious.
Andrej gave a one shoulder shrug. “I left Romania and moved to Paris. From there, I came to the US. I have tried many things over the years,” he said. “Plus, there is some Turkish influence in the Romanian culture, our food included. So, some of this is not all that unusual to me.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” Carter said. “I like trying new things and it’s always good to have someone who is daring enough to go on an adventure with you. Are there any Romanian restaurants here in town that we could try?”
“There are a few,” Andrej said, surprised by the suggestion. “Or, if you would like, you could come to my home and I could make you a proper meal.” He chuckled and added, “I will not force you to drink the țuică that my people like, however. Zayne says it is Romanian moonshine.”
“Did I ever tell you that I ran into your partner a few days after we met?” Carter folded his hands on the table and watched Andrej.
“I did not know that,” Andrej said. “Zayne never said anything to me about it.”
“I’m not sure he would have known to at the time,” Carter said. “But I did mention that I had met you. He’s quite interesting, isn’t he?”
Andrej laughed. “He is – as our friend Hilary likes to say – something else.”
“You like him a lot,” Carter asked, looking down as he finished the question.
“I do,” Andrej said. He reached a hand across the table and rested it on Carter’s arm. “He has been my friend for a very long time, and we know each other incredibly well. It is good to have someone like that to talk to when I have no one else.” He paused and made a face. “But I like you as well. You are unlike anyone else I know.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Carter said, grinning. “Have you and your partner come to any decisions yet about what you’re going to do?”
Andrej shook his head. “That is partly why I am here with you tonight,” he said. “This may sound selfish, but I know how I feel about him. I am not sure how he truly feels about me.”
“And how do I fit into this?” Carter placed his elbows on the table, chin resting on his folded hands.
He shrugged, trying to play it cool despite his frayed nerves. “I love Zayne. He is my friend, my partner, and I rely on him a lot. However, he is not very good with relationships. In all the years I have known him, he has had one, genuine relationship and that was with Hilary. Even then, they were off more than they were on.”
“I see,” Carter said, toying with his napkin.
“She is now dating my ex-boyfriend’s partner,” Andrej said with a chuckle. “I had not expected that twist, but she is happy.”
“What about Zayne?”
“I do not know, honestly,” he said. “He is hurting because he honestly did love Hilary, but he was unable to do the things she needed him to do.”
“Did she ask a lot of him or did he run around on her?” He refolded his napkin and set it aside.
“She was very fair, and no, he did not cheat. She’d have eaten him alive if he had.” Andrej grinned broadly then. “Hilary would not put up with that out of anyone, especially not Zayne. But I believe that he is afraid of committing to one relationship and therefore bucked her wishes.”
“Ah, I can see why you’re wary of getting involved with him then,” Carter said, nodding his head. “Particularly since you work with him.”
“Exactly,” Andrej said. “If he wasn’t my partner or if he was in another division, I might be more willing to take a chance. But he is my best friend and after everything that happened with Jay… I am not sure I can go through that again. Even without the added drama of this past week.”
“No one can blame you for that,” Carter said. “I think that’s our food. Looks amazing, too.”
Andrej looked up and sighed happily. It did look amazing, and he was starving, despite his nerves. “Do you hate me,” he asked once the waiter had placed their food on the table and walked away. “For all of this chaos I have been creating?”
“No, of course not,” Carter said. “Honestly, I’m rather crazy about you. Am I annoyed by your partner suddenly developing feelings for you right after I met you? Sure, but you’re being upfront about it all, so it’s not like you’re hiding anything. I guess I’m just here to see where we all wind up in the end.”
“Thank you,” Andrej said, picking up his fork. “I appreciate the second chance.”
“You’re still on your first chance, Andrej,” Carter said. “I think we ought to celebrate.”
Carter called the waiter back and requested a bottle of wine. He poured them each a glass and toasted their new friendship, leaving it at that for now. As they continued to talk, they demolished both their meals and the wine. The waiter returned with their desserts and Andrej chuckled.
“What’s so funny,” Carter asked, taking a sniff of his apple cobbler.
“I was just thinking that if sharing an entire bottle of wine is going to be a habitual thing with us, I might have to start Ubering to our dates.”
“Yeah, I suppose it wouldn’t be smart for a police officer to get pulled over for driving under the influence.
“Definitely not,” he agreed. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he sent a text to Hilary asking if she was available to come get him and his car. “But I have a backup plan.”
“Not your partner, I hope,” Carter teased.
“No,” Andrej replied, horrified at the thought of Zayne catching him half drunk at dinner with a man he hardly knew. “Hilary actually. She and her partner, Trish, are usually having a girl’s night on Fridays.”
“Are you sure they’ll be sober?”
“It is early yet so there is a good chance,” he said. His phone pinged and he glanced at the response from Hilary. “How much longer do you think we will be?”
“I’m about to devour this, so probably not too long,” Carter laughed. “Tell them twenty minutes. That ought to give us enough time to finish our desert and say goodbye properly.”
He wasn’t sure what Carter meant by saying goodbye properly, but he supposed he’d find out soon enough. After he texted the information to Hilary and received a thumbs up emoji in return, he tucked his phone away, intent on enjoying the last few minutes he had with Carter.
“Your friend should be here soon, right,” Carter said, scanning the parking lot.
“Yes,” Andrej said. “Trish texted me a little bit ago to let me know they were on their way.”
“So, we have a few minutes,” Carter stated more than asked.
“I would say that was accurate,” Andrej agreed.
In lieu of a response, Carter moved forward, cupping Andrej’s face in his hands. The night air was dry and warm, the gentle breeze ruffling through his hair. His heartbeat kicked up and then Carter’s mouth was pressed against his. Firm, warm, and gone in an instant.
“I’m going to guess that car driving suspiciously slowly is your friend looking for you?” Carter pointed towards a blue car cruising the parking lot. The familiar blue Toyota at least explained why their kiss had been so brief.
“That would be them,” he said, hating that they had to part so soon. Touching his fingers to his lips, he glanced at Carter.
“Same time next week,” he asked before Andrej could say a word.
“Yes,” Andrej agreed, hand dropping to his side. “However, next week, I make you dinner. It seems that is the only way I can pay for a meal.”
Carter smiled. “That sounds like an excellent idea. Let me know where and if I can bring anything.”
“You can bring the wine,” Andrej laughed. He spotted Hilary coming towards them and waved. “And I will text you my address.”
“I’ll see you on Friday,” Carter said, waving at the two women goggling through the windshield at him.
“Thank you again for dinner,” he said.
“Anytime,” Carter said, waving and heading off towards his car.
“Sooooo….” Trish drawled, impatient for the details, as always.
“My car is there,” he said, pointing towards where it was parked. Holding out his keys, he asked, “Are you driving it home for me?”
“Yeah,” she grumbled. “I offered to drive my car, but Hilary insisted on taking hers. Just FYI, I’m pissed she’s getting the scoop before me.”
“She is not getting anything,” Andrej said, smiling. “So, do not be angry.”
“Hah,” Trish snorted. “See you at your place.”
He watched her get into his car before he climbed into the passenger seat of Trish’s sedan. “Thank you for coming to get me. I am not used to sharing an entire bottle of wine with only one person.”
“Do we need to have a talk, Andy,” Hilary asked in her mom voice as she pulled away from the curb. “I thought you’d know about peer pressure by now.”
“You are awful,” he told her.
“Maybe,” she said. “But your architect friend is really cute. Even cuter than his pictures.”
“He is very handsome,” Andrej agreed, unwilling to say more than that. His growing attraction to Carter was only confusing things for him. “And smart, too.”
“Excellent combination,” Hilary said, following Trish out of the parking lot. “You seem to like him a lot.”
“I do,” he sighed. “It is all very perplexing.”
“Because of Zayne,” she asked.
“Because of Zayne,” he agreed. “But also because of Jay and because I am not sure if I am ready for another relationship yet.”
“Then I suggest you tell that to both Carter and the idiot whose truck is parked in your driveway.”
He looked up and Hilary pointed at Zayne’s old Dodge sitting in its usual spot. “Oh, he is not going to be happy with me.”
“Because you’re half in the bag and smelling like another man,” she cackled. “Don’t think we missed that kiss he gave you, buddy.”
Andrej covered his face with his hand and groaned.
Hilary pulled up to the curb and patted him on the leg. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell him or the narco about that last part. The rest is going to be obvious.”
Sighing, Andrej gave her hand a squeeze. “I appreciate you coming to my rescue tonight. I do not know why I let myself drink so much again.”
“You were having a good time,” she said. “It happens, trust me. “Call if you need anything, okay?”
He nodded. Zayne popped out of his truck as soon as he saw Trish exiting Andrej’s garage. They were having an animated conversation judging by the way they were throwing their hands around. Zayne looked at Hilary’s car, an unreadable expression on his face.
“I may need your help now,” he said darkly. “I think Zayne is mighty unhappy with me right now.”
“Tell him to shove it up his ass,” she said. “You have every right to be happy, Andy. And drunk, too, if you want to be. Just because he’s a hot mess doesn’t mean that you have to be, too.”
“I don’t like it when anyone I care about is upset with me,” he said, getting out of her car. “But thank you. I will see you on Monday.”
Trish patted him playfully on the ass as she took his spot in the car. “Reyes is in a mood, Andy. Tread carefully. But also, fuck him, the jealous prick.”
Snickering, Andrej closed the door and waited while Hilary drove away. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Zayne. He could see he was in for one hell of an argument if Zayne’s stony face was any indication of what was to come.
Zayne’s booted feet stomped towards him, stopping inches from his own toes. Andrej looked up and saw something inexplicable on his partner’s face. Was he crazy or did Zayne look uneasy? “Zayne?”
“Thank god you’re home,” he said, throwing himself at Andrej and crushing him in a hug. “When I saw Trish driving your car I – I don’t even know what I thought.” He held Andrej out at arm’s length before hugging him tight again. “Not true. I was worried you’d gone home with him. Why she would have had your car in that situation, I don’t know. My heart isn’t rational, okay?”
“No one’s heart is rational, Zayne,” Andrej said, hugging his partner tightly before breaking Zayne’s hold on him. “You can relax. I had more wine than I realized, and I asked if they’d come get me so I did not have an accident.”
“You know better,” Zayne scolded him, “but I’m glad you’re home. I’ve been worried.”
“I do know better,” he admitted. “Come on, let’s go inside since I do not think you are planning on going home quite yet.”
“Not until I hear about this date,” Zayne said. “Especially since you smell like ritzy cologne, asshole. Were you making out with that architect or something?”
“I did no such thing,” Andrej said, praying that one kiss did not count as making out. “Come inside, let me get you a drink.”
“I think I should make you a cup of coffee,” Zayne teased, following Andrej inside. “You’re tad bit unsteady there, Zek.”
He hated that Zayne was right, and it made him want to turn around and wallop his partner. Instead, he ignored Zayne’s poking and headed for the kitchen. “Soda, coffee, or water?”
“Beer,” he asked, hopefully.
“I do not need to be drinking any more tonight, Zayne.”
“You don’t have to,” he tossed back. “Although, the last time we got wasted together, we damn near got naked. So, maybe you should.”
Blushing, Andrej stuck his head into the fridge and retrieved two beers. He handed one to Zayne. “One will not hurt me, not after all I have already had, I’m afraid.”
“Cheers, baby,” Zayne said, grinning. He took a long pull on his beer and then asked more seriously, “How was your date? Before the bottle of wine that is.”
“It was very nice,” he said, leading Zayne out into the living room. Andrej took his spot on the couch and Zayne followed him. “Dinner was excellent, and he is a great conversationalist.”
“Please tell me he talks about things other than work,” Zayne asked. “I hate it when all my date can do is blab about their job.”
“Or ask us constantly about ours,” Andrej added. “He does talk about it some, which is fine. I find architecture fascinating and he is often curious about the things I’ve seen in Paris. But he is also well versed in all things sports, politics, and food.” He took a sip of his beer. “There is always lively conversation to be had. I do believe you’d like him, Zayne.”
“Maybe,” Zayne said, making a face.
“He told me that the two of you met at the deli,” Andrej said, watching Zayne closely.
“Yeah, it was the day I offered to go get our sandwiches,” he confessed. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to worry that I was checking up on you or anything like that. He seemed nice enough, you know? And he’s pretty good looking, too.”
Andrej looked down at his bottle and thought about what Zayne said. He didn’t sound jealous or angry just… curious, maybe?
“So, what’s next with you two,” Zayne asked, dragging Andrej out of his reverie. “You going out again soon?”
“Friday,” Andrej said. “He is coming here on Friday and I am going to cook for him.”
Zayne frowned and Andrej could tell he was more upset by this than the fact he’d come home smelling like Carter’s cologne. “Why?”
“Because he was asking about Romanian food,” Andrej said. “He thought it’d be nice to go to somewhere that served that kind of food and I suggested cooking for him instead. Is there a reason why you are so bothered by him coming here?”
Zayne stood up and paced across the living room. “I don’t care if he comes here,” he said, sounding genuine. “It just bothers me that you’re cooking for him, Zek. And I’m not completely sure why.”
“You know,” Andrej started, picking at the label on his beer bottle, “feeding someone is a very intimate thing. It takes time and effort to cook good food and to share it with another is an act of love.” He looked up at Zayne, catching his gaze. “At least, that is what my mother always told me. Cooking for you has always been exactly that because I care about you. But in all the years we have known each other, in all the meals I’ve made for you, not once have you ever suggested I make something from my home for you.” He looked down at his beer again. Raising the bottle to his lips, he emptied it. “Maybe that is why it bothers you so much. I will be sharing something with Carter that I have never shared with you.”
“Because I’ve never asked,” Zayne muttered, sounding defeated. “Fuck me.”
Andrej chortled drunkenly. “I am not sure our relationship is quite ready for that yet, Zayne,” he said. Turning his gaze upwards, he smiled sadly. “Although, if we were further along in our exploration of your sexuality, I would take you up on that offer quick enough to make your head spin.”
Zayne spluttered. “Shit. I think I should officially cut you off, Zek. That was um, something.”
He shook his head. “It is not as if you didn’t know already,” he said. “After all the things that have passed between us. The kisses, the –” He couldn’t bring himself to say the word ‘blowjob’ for fear he’d yank his partners jeans open and do it right this time. Maybe Zayne was right, maybe he ought to stop drinking. Permanently.
“Yeah, but this is different somehow,” Zayne said, returning to his spot beside Andrej on the couch. “Maybe because I have feelings for you now or who knows. It just feels more serious.”
“It is serious, at least to me. I did not like outing myself to you that night at the Heartbreaker, but it was either I kissed you or we blew our entire operation. And the rest…” He shrugged. “It was not strictly necessary, but it got us what we needed at the time.”
“I’m glad that you did confide in me that night at the hotel,” Zayne said, using his finger to turn Andrej’s face towards his. “It helped me understand so much about you. I felt like an idiot because I had no clue. How did Rosewood figure it out?”
“I am not sure that Jay knew,” Andrej said, swallowing hard. Zayne’s fingers on his chin were firm and warm and it was making him a little crazy.
“So, he just took a chance?”
Andrej nodded. “Same as you did not so very long ago.”
“Can I take another?” Andrej nodded and Zayne leaned in, kissing him.
He was in so damn much trouble.
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Date: 2020-11-01 11:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 03:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 04:26 am (UTC)Patiently waiting, if you believe that...lol
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Date: 2020-11-02 12:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 02:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-11-02 04:24 pm (UTC)BUT! I have the doc for chapter 15 open and I'll edit as I work this morning and will hopefully get it posted by lunch. :D
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Date: 2020-11-02 06:38 pm (UTC)*claps hands happily*
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Date: 2020-11-02 07:22 pm (UTC)Should be ready to post in a couple minutes. Had to fix a serious foul-up on my part. *sigh*