Page 54 of Numbers Boy
THE INSIDE OFthe bar is fairly packed, people lined up for drinks and sitting at tables that dot the space. I’ve been here a handful of times before, mostly when Mark first started bartending, but I’ve never been here on a night when they have live music. Clearly, it’s a big pull.
Seeing another influx of patrons makes me glad Stu and I got here so early. I felt a bit ridiculous about it when I suggested getting here an hour before Noah goes on, but now, I’m glad we did. Stu and I secured a table with a great view of the stage and were even able to enjoy some apps and a drink before the majority of the crowd appeared.
Over the din of chatter and people ordering, the sound of a guitar being tuned cuts through the air. My head snaps up from where I was looking at the drink menu on the table, debating whether I should try and get another before he starts. On the stage, Noah is sitting on a tall stool, tattooed fingers making last-minute adjustments to his strings. Guess that answers my question. There’s no way I’m getting up now.
Once he’s satisfied with his sound, his face tilts up and his eyes instantly find mine, sending me a wink that creates an effervescent feeling in my gut. I bite my bottom lip, unable to stop my answering grin in response. Beside me, Stu elbows my arm.
“Aww, look at that dude sending love to his biggest fan.”
“Shut up,” I say with a laugh, nudging him back.
“I’m just saying, Stevie, it’s a full house, and he’s only got eyes for you.”
I roll my eyes just to be dramatic, not at all upset at what Stu’s saying. In fact, it feels nice to be the center of Noah’s attention, even as he’s the center of so many others’ while up in the spotlight. It’s just one more way that he shows me that I’m important to him.
“Yeah, yeah. Now, for real, shush it. He’s starting.”
The opening riff of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” washes over the crowd, and the fizziness inside of me grows while heat spreads through my chest. When Mark messaged me the last time Noah played here, he mentioned something about this song, but I didn’t know if Noah would play it again tonight or if he’d be thinking about me if he did. But Noah is clearly thinking about me, sending glances my way, even though I’m sure he can’t see me anymore with the stage lights shining bright on his face.
Another dead giveaway is the way he grins around his words when he sings about some things being meant to be. Body feeling hot from his attention, I fall a little bit harder as the words make me think of our waffle date and how he said that was meant to be, as well.
“You’re drooling,” Stu taunts, voice quiet in my ear. “That seems to be a problem lately.”
I don’t take my eyes off my sexy boyfriend as I pick up my drink and slurp the last drops up, doing anything I can to cool my overheating body. “Can you blame me?”
Stu huffs a laugh and shakes his head, thick curls brushing against mine before he leans back into his own space. “No, not really. I’ll be right back.”
Before I can ask where he’s going, he’s gone, and I get sucked back into watching Noah. About two songs later, Stu presses an ice water into my hand.
“Thanks, babe.” I take a sip, the cold liquid a pleasant shock to my system.
After that, Stu and I sit in companionable silence, watching as Noah owns his set. Just over half an hour later, when Noah dedicates his last song to Blake, one thing becomes crystal clear – I will never find another man who not only understands having a best friend as close as Stu and I are, but one who also seems to like every other thing he knows about me. Which means I need to find a way to share that final piece of my life with him, even if it’s still scary.
When Noah thanks everyone for coming out, Stu nudges me again, and we both stand and stretch.
“One for the road?” he asks, tipping his head to the bar. It’s slightly less crowded than it was before, and I’m no longer worried about missing the entertainment, so I nod. Plus, a little bit of liquid courage sounds pretty good right about now.
Mark isn’t working tonight, but the bartender looks vaguely familiar, so I’m sure she’s been working when we’ve visited previously. Stu gives her a wide smile, dimple popping. She immediately asks what he needs, so I let him take care of it while my mind wanders again.
My brain can’t decide what it wants to latch onto – how wonderful it’s been to be with Noah or all of the awful things that happened with Adam. It goes back and forth until I’m questioning once again my resolve to invite Noah to my drag show. What if he only likes the makeup when it’s not as dramatic as my stage makeup is? What if seeing me in a dress is what finally pushes him to question my choices in everyday clothing? What if there’s someone more interesting who catcheshis eye? What if all of this has just been the early relationship honeymoon phase?
“Hey, Stevie, what’s up?” Stu’s voice washes over me and snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. He squeezes my arm where it’s resting on the bar. “Your man just killed it up there. Why aren’t you glowing with pride and looking like you want to jump his guitar-playing bones?”
Despite my tumultuous emotions, my lips hitch up at that. I think back to how his nimble fingers plucked the strings, and my cock twitches appreciatively. I bet if I asked nicely, he’d use them on me instead. Oh, who am I kidding? I wouldn’t even have to ask, and he’d do everything in his power to make me see stars with those hands. If only I could get over this mental roadblock holding me back from accepting that he, according to the man himself, adores me.
“He is pretty damn sexy when he’s playing.”
“But…” Stu prompts when I don’t give him any more than that.
“But I’m not sure how to move forward with him from here. I know it’s not the same as before, but it’s still hard to shake the feeling that what I’m giving him is not enough. ThatI’mnot enough.” Stu makes an affronted sound in his throat, but I power on before he can interrupt me. “But I know it’s nothing Noah’s done that is causing those doubts. He tells me all the time how much he likes me. And he wanted to see my dress, for fuck’s sake. For some reason, it just feels different to have him actually see me in it, you know? To see me as Eve instead of just knowing that I do drag. And I think the only way to get over that feeling is to let him prove me wrong. After he invited me to see him tonight, I know it’s only fair that I invite him to see me, too.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” Stu asks after I finish my word vomit, the hand that’s still resting on my arm sliding down to hold my hand.
“Yes, please.”
“I think you’re right. I think as soon as you tell him about it, Noah will support youandEve, 100 percent. He has been nothing but open to the Working Boys and has not once looked at me like I’m his competition. Not only has he been amazing to you, but the dude came to brunch and didn’t bat an eye at Henry. Now, that’s the makings of true love, right there.”
A chuckle works its way out of my throat despite my worrying. “True. And I know he doesn’t see you as competition. He gets our friendship. He has his own Stu.”
