Its complicated, p.16
It's Complicated, page 16
“We’re just, ugh.”
“I’m not going to say it any more today, but maybe figure it out, Sarah. And if you like him, be honest with yourself, okay?”
“Okay.”
“And I’m here to talk to you whenever you want, okay? Even though he’s not my favorite guy in the world, I can see where he could be okay with some training.”
“What do you mean with some training?”
“I can’t really tell you now, but let’s talk later.”
“Okay.” Sarah nodded and all of a sudden she was looking happier than before. Something inside me told me that Sarah wasn’t going to be joining the dating app with me, but that was okay. My phone pinged then and I looked down to see it was Connor.
“Hey, on my way to the bar. See you in fifteen minutes.”
“He’s on the way,” I said to Sarah. And then I saw Harry sit back down. “Okay, his name is Connor. He’s going to be here in fifteen minutes.”
“I know,” Harry said in a dry tone, “he’s not to know that you were on a date with another guy just half an hour ago and that you were playing tongue hockey with him.”
“I was not playing tongue hockey with him.”
“And that he was groping your breasts.”
“He did not grope my breasts. Oh my God.” I blushed as I stared at him.
“Okay, sure he didn’t.” Harry shook his head. “Whatever you want to believe. It’s your life and your lies.”
“They aren’t lies. We’re just not telling him that it happened. For all I know, Connor is coming from a date with another girl as well.”
“Yeah, okay. Tell yourself that,” he said and took a sip of his drink. I turned around and looked toward the door. He was right, of course. It was a little bit shady, but a girl had to do what a girl had to do. And my plan to see two guys on the same day at the same venue was working out quite nicely.
Chapter 16
“Oh my gosh. Do not tell me that is Connor.” Sarah’s jaw dropped as she looked toward the door. I turned around and I could see Connor walking toward us, a big cocky grin on his face as he headed confidently toward our table.
“Yep, that’s him.” I smiled at her. “He’s hot, right?”
“Oh my gosh. Now I understand the dilemma that you’re in. He is absolutely gorgeous.”
I looked over at Harry and sure enough, he was glaring at her. When was he going to figure out that he was into her? Not that I was interested in that right now. I had to see how everything went with Connor first. I stood up and then walked toward Connor slightly.
“Hey, you made it,” I said as I gave him a hug. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and then on the lips. I melted against him slightly, feeling like a bit of a slut in front of Harry and Sarah.
“Made it, beautiful, of course.” He stared into my eyes and I could tell that he wanted to say something else, but he didn’t. He shook his head slightly and then looked toward the table. “I’m taking it that these are your friends?”
“Yeah, this is Sarah and this is Harry.”
“Nice to meet you both,” he said confidently as he held out his hand and shook both of their hands. I felt a sense of déjà vu as I watched him greeting them. A slight feeling of embarrassment and shame came over me as I realized that this was pretty much exactly how it’d gone down with Lucas just a couple of hours before. I didn’t look at Sarah or Harry too hard in the face. I didn’t want to see if they were judging me or not.
“So what would you like to drink, Connor?” Harry held up his glass of beer. “We got started a little bit before. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, not at all. I say hit the ground running, you know?” Connor looked around. “And hey, I can get the drinks. Don’t worry about it. I’ll just go up to the bar and get myself a beer. Is everyone okay or can I get anyone anything right now?”
“We’re good I think,” I said with a smile as I held up my drink. “We just got our drinks. I’m sorry we didn’t wait for you.”
“Hey, no worries. I don’t mind, not at all.” He gave me a small smile and then walked over to the bar.
Harry nodded his head as he looked at me. “So this guy seems more the sort I could picture you with.”
“What does that mean?”
“He just looks like he’s all about having fun in life,” Harry said. “More of a lad.”
“Okay. I’m not sure if that’s an insult or not. And what are you trying to say about Lucas? He doesn’t look like he’s trying to have fun?”
“Well, I mean, he’s an attorney and a successful partner at that. I think there’s more depth to his life than music and hanging out and drinking.”
“So you’re saying Connor’s just about the party life, is that it?”
“I don’t know him well enough to say anything.”
“Uh huh.”
I looked toward Sarah and she just shook her head. “Don’t mind Harry. So far Connor seems really nice. I can’t wait to get to know him a bit better as well.”
“Thanks, girl. I really appreciate your support.”
I sat back and took a sip of my drink, loving the taste of the sweet alcohol as it hit my throat. I knew I was starting to feel a little bit tipsy. It was highly likely that I was going to be drunk very soon.
“I think we should order some more food. What do you guys think?”
“I’d be down for that?” Sarah said. “What are you thinking?”
“Maybe a pizza?” I watched as Connor approached the table, a Guinness in his hand. “Would you be cool if we all got a pizza to share?”
“Yeah, sounds good to me. I can always eat.” He sat down. “So, is this a place you guys come to often?”
“No, this is actually the first time I’ve been, but Sarah recommended it to me. I think you and Harry have been here before, right?”
“Yeah. We’ve been here a couple of times,” Sarah nodded. “It’s pretty close to my apartment and whenever we want to have a drink out of the house, we come here.”
“Oh, that’s cool. It’s nice to have a local,” Connor nodded. “So Harry, you look like you’re a realtor. How’s the market these days?”
I withheld a smile as he said that. I could see Harry looked pissed. He did not like to be mistaken for a real estate agent, especially considering he was about to be the CEO of his family’s billion dollar company.
“No, I’m not a realtor.” He shook his head. “I work in a corporation.”
“As a realtor?” Connor rolled his eyes and looked at me with a small grin. I’d shared with him previously that Harry really annoyed me and I could tell he was deliberately trying to rile him up.
“Why don’t we talk about something else?” Harry said in a dry voice. “What is it you do, Connor?”
“I’m a musician, DJ, music producer, lover... all of the above.”
“Oh, would you have produced anyone that we know?” Harry said in a sweet tone that suggested that he already knew the answer to his question.
“I don’t know. Do you know William Fifi Rings?”
“Who?” Harry made a face.
Connor chuckled slightly. “Okay, so you don’t know him? Do you know Cakey Jafferman?”
“Cakey Jafferman?” Sarah started laughing. “I’m sorry. Is that a real artist?”
Connor laughed as well. I was glad he didn’t take himself too seriously. “I can assure you he is a real artist. Do you know Crepes Crispy Choco?”
“Who?” It was my turn to laugh.
“Crepes Crispy Choco.” Connor said in a deep voice.
“No. What genre music are these people in?” I giggled as I looked at him. “Are you just making these names up, Connor?”
“Would I do that?” he said. “No, these are real musicians. A lot of them are in funk, pop, a couple of rap artists.”
“Oh, okay. Um, sounds interesting.”
“Yeah, the guy I was working with last night, he’s most probably one of the most famous ones I work with.”
“Oh, what’s his name?”
“Oh, I don’t think you guys will know him. I think you will just laugh.”
“I promise I won’t laugh, Connor,” I said and bit down on my lip. Please don’t let it be a crazy name, please.
“Well, his name is Popo Polisi.”
“Sorry, what?”
He started chuckling. “His name is Popo Polisi.”
I burst out laughing. Sarah started laughing too. And even Harry was chuckling.
“Sorry. I know I said I wouldn’t laugh, but you have to admit that name was really funny.”
“Yeah, look. What can I say? I don’t choose the names. I just work with the artists. They pay for my time for editing their music and hey, I didn’t say that they’re all good. But at least I get to do what I love.”
“Yeah. I mean, I guess one day you’ll get to be with the big stars,” Harry said, and I could tell that it was a slight dig at Connor.
Connor stared at him for a few seconds and then shook his head and looked at me. “So what have you been up to my beautiful girl? I’ve missed you.”
“Oh yeah? How much did you miss me?” I said, the alcohol made me even more flirtatious than normal.
“I missed you so much that I’d love for you to sit on my lap right now.”
“Oh, Connor,” I laughed giddily, looking over at Sarah who was eavesdropping on us. “I can’t do that in front of my friends.”
“Why not? I’m sure they don’t mind. Harry doesn’t look like he’s too much of a stick in the mud. Right, Harry?”
“I’m not a stick in the mud at all,” Harry said dryly. “Wouldn’t you say, Sarah? I’m a lot of fun.”
“Oh yeah, Harry. You’re so much fun.” Sarah sipped her drink and grinned.
“You know what this makes me think of?” Connor said.
“What?” I asked him curiously, having no idea what he was talking about.
“Have you ever heard of Immanuel Kant?”
“Um, the philosopher? Vaguely.”
“Yeah. He said happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination.”
“Oh, that’s really cool. I never heard that before.” Was he high? Where had that thought come from?
“You know what springs to mind when I think of you though, Connor?” Harry said, leaning forward.
“No, what’s that?”
“Have you ever heard of Niccolo Machiavelli?” Harry said, a sly light in his eyes that made me nervous.
“Who hasn’t heard of Machiavelli?” Connor said. “Why?”
“Well, it makes me think of that quote,” Harry said with a smile. “Let me think. What was it? God is not willing to do everything and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.”
“Um, what does that have to do with anything?” Connor looked confused, as did I.
“Oh, nothing. But I just thought we were sharing quotes from philosophers that we knew to look impressive to the ladies,” Harry smiled over at Sarah, who I could see was pinching him. I didn’t know what his problem was.
“Um, okay,” Connor said and looked over at me. “Is this guy always like this or was he born that way?”
“He was born that way,” I laughed, loving the fact that Connor was calling Harry out to his face. Harry was a douchebag sometimes and he needed to know.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to upset you. We’re just very protective of Gemma. She’s one of our best friends and we want her to be with a guy that can treat her right and who’s not full of shit talking about ancient philosophers in a conversation that has nothing to do with—.”
“Okay, Harry,” I cut him off, trying not to glare at him too much. He was going to totally ruin my date with Connor.
“Hey man, it’s cool.” Connor shrugged. “I understand you’re being protective. I have friends who are girls. And you know what? If they brought around a guy, I’d want to figure him out too. The only reason I quoted Kant is because I love to study philosophy and...” He shook his head as Harry pulled out his phone.
“Connor is just a very intelligent and eclectic guy. He’s into philosophy. He’s into music. He’s into all sorts of cool things.”
“He’s into strip clubs as well it seems,” Harry said, looking up from his screen.
“Why’d you say that?” My voice was loud now.
“Well, didn’t he just ask you to sit on his lap? The only places that I know you can go to where a girl is going to sit on your lap are strip clubs.”
Connor laughed. “Hey man, don’t knock them. If you ever want to go, I’m always down. I love a strip club.”
I could feel jealousy burning in my stomach as he said that. Why did he have to bring up strip clubs in front of me? I didn’t want to hear about that. I don’t want to hear about other women grinding on him. I looked over at him and studied his face. He was staring at me with a half-smile. His red shirt was slightly unbuttoned and I could see some chest hair at the top of his tan chest. He looked hot.
“So, Connor.” I wanted to change the subject. “Maybe some time we could —.”
“Hold on a second,” he cut me off. “I’ve got a phone call. Um, I’ll be right back.”
He picked up his phone and then walked out of the bar. I sat there looking slightly frustrated and annoyed.
Sarah smiled at me. “Hey, I’m sorry about Harry just now. I don’t know why he’s being such a dick,” she looked at him. “Stop it, okay? You’re going to turn Connor off and you’re going to make him think that Gemma’s friends suck. And we don’t suck, okay?”
“What?” Harry just shrugged. “I was just doing the bad cop bit, okay? Testing him to see how he reacted to a douchebag.”
“So you’re telling me you were being a douchebag on purpose?” I looked at Harry not believing him for one second.
“Sure. I mean, anyone would be nice when your friends are nice, but what happens when you have a douchey friend? Is the guy going to overreact and go crazy? Or is he going to be calm, cool and collected? You know what I mean? I gave Connor points for that. He was calm, cool, collected.”
“I don’t know that I believe you.” I looked at Sarah. “Are you believing what Harry’s saying or not?”
“Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was playing devil’s advocate to make sure that Connor’s a good guy, has a calm demeanor. I don’t know.”
“I don’t like that he just went outside and took his phone though.” I looked over my shoulder again to make sure Connor wasn’t coming back and listening to me. “I mean, if he’s on a date with me, shouldn’t all his focus and attention be on me?”
“I know, girl. But maybe it was for business. Maybe it was ... what was the name of that artist again? Poopoo Polisi?”
“No, it was Popo Polisi or something like that,” I laughed.
“Oh my gosh. Who calls themselves that?”
“I have no idea.”
We both started laughing and then I could feel the hairs on my neck going up. Connor was definitely coming back into the room and he was staring right at me.
Chapter 17
“Hey, Gemma, I hate to do this.” Connor said as he walked back into the bar. He approached the table, his hand still on his phone. I could see from the screen that he was still on a call.
“Oh no. Is everything okay?” I asked him, hoping that someone hadn’t gotten sick in his family.
“Yeah, everyone’s fine. It’s just a work thing. My artist, Midnight Blackbird, is actually really upset at the last recording we did and he had some new ideas, so he wants to get into the studio right away.”
“Oh, okay,” I looked at him in confusion. Was he really canceling our date to go produce some music?
“Yeah. I really hate to do this. It’s been nice meeting your friends, kind of, but I really should go. Rain check?”
“Sure,” I said and stood up, “well, it was good seeing you for a little bit.”
“Yeah, you too.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll send you a text later, okay?”
“Okay.”
He looked back at the table and gave a little wave. “Nice meeting you, Sarah and Harry. Maybe there’ll be a next time or something,” and then he walked out of the restaurant before any of us could respond. I could tell that the vibe between Connor and I was different from when he’d walked in. Something had happened. I looked back at Sarah and Harry and shrugged.
“So I guess that didn’t really go very well.”
“Yeah. I hope he’s okay,” Sarah mumbled over her words. I knew she didn’t know what to say. It was her fault for bringing Harry with her.
“I think you’ve got a case of a guy that was in over his head,” Harry said with a shrug.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, he’s most probably in it to hit it and quit it and he didn’t want to meet your best friends. He didn’t want to have an uncomfortable discussion with me asking what his intentions were.”
“Well, I guess maybe it’s a little early. I didn’t think about that. And I didn’t expect you to say all those things. I mean, if he got scared off because of that, then good riddance.”
Harry took another gulp of his drink. “I mean, that’s what relationships are about and this is what the process is about, right? Figuring out who it can work with and who it’s not going to work with.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I couldn’t help but feel disappointed even though it made my decision fairly simple. Connor was out. The way he’d taken the call and left to go and work was just not acceptable to me. He’d barely been here for thirty minutes and already he’d left.
I looked at Sarah and sighed, “Well, I guess I don’t really need your help after all.”
“Lucas is a great guy though. He is really great.”
“Yeah. He’s great,” I said with a small smile. “I don’t know why I feel so deflated about Connor though. I mean, it’s one thing to be overwhelmed with awesome choices, but then to have one of those choices just gone. It’s a little upsetting. I mean, it makes my dilemma easier, but it still makes me question, was it me? Was it something I did?”
