fallintofallfestival prompt fill

[lovemeanyway]

After a hard day working in the Texas heat, all Evan usually wanted to do was relax with a beer. Tonight’s no different. Staying in would have sufficed if he hadn’t drunk his last bottle the night before, leading him to drive the short distance into the heart of El Paso in search of a bar. Maybe he’d even find someone to spend the night with. A quick google search while he fills the Jeep with gas along the way tells him there’s a handful of queer bars to choose from with relatively good reviews.

Picking the highest rated, he programs the GPS on his phone, pleased with the knowledge that in fifteen minutes he’ll be able to order a cool one, kick back, and flirt to his heart’s content.

Sure enough he’s inside for less than ten minutes when someone slides onto the stool beside him at the bar. A large hand comes to rest at the small of his back, making Evan pause in taking a drink of his beer and letting the bottle come to rest against his lips at the same moment a low voice whispers in his ear, “Can you pretend to be my date? I’m trying to make my ex jealous.”

Foregoing his swig, he sets the bottle down and turns to get a look at whoever just romcom meet-cuted their way into his plans for the night. One look at a set of pretty brown eyes in an even more gorgeous face has Evan at an unusual loss for words.

“You want me to…?”

“Pretend to be my date,” the man supplies with an easy grin, like he’s all too aware of the effect his presence is causing.

“Date,” Evan repeats.

“You good?” The question is accompanied by a laugh that is far too amused, the sound making him conscious of the not so small fact he definitely sounds like an idiot.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” Evan gives the man a smile, trying not to let on that he’s thoroughly embarrassed by his reaction. “Uh, who’s the ex?”

A nod in the general direction to their left is all he gets in response at first. Then there’s the warm press of another body against his side as the man leans closer in order to point at a small group of women sitting near the pool table. They’re all young, pretty, and staring directly at them.

“The one in the blue top.”

“Cute,” Evan says, turning on his stool so his back is to the women and putting him in extremely close proximity to the man. It takes more effort than he cares to admit not to devolve into another speechless state. “What’s in it for me?”

It’s not that he isn’t used to flirting or being flirted with - Evan’s had his fair share of flings and short-lived relationships - but he’s not immune to becoming tongue tied under the right circumstances.

“Aside from my company?” The man laughs again, moving back a little to relax on his own stool as his eyes wander over Evan, lingering a little on his birthmark. “Free drinks?”

He’s not immune to that either.

Comments

[mkrobinson]

I like this a lot! Nice work!