keepsmiling7: Thanks for reading.
Part 9
Michael leaned back as far as he could without falling off of his barstool, stretching his arms over his head and glancing up at the clock. Thirty more minutes and the New Year would be upon them. And he was still going to be sitting right here if Valenti didn’t get his act together. He had tried everything he could think of to get the other man to open his trap, but so far it had been a monumental waste of time – which was exactly what he’d told Maria this trip would be. Once again, he was right, but would she admit it? No. No, somehow, someway, it would end up being his fault that Valenti crawled into the New Year face-down on the bar.
He rolled his shoulders and rested his left elbow on the bar, the fingers of his other hand coming up to drum out an impatient rhythm next to the nearly empty bowl of peanuts. The bartender took it as a bid for attention and within seconds he had shuffled over and replenished the snack before wiping the counter down and moving on. He ran a hand through his hair and grabbed a handful of peanuts, shaking them in his lightly-fisted hand as he looked at his companion.
“Valenti, I enjoy your company on occasion and hangin’ out with you has been known to be fun a time or two, but you’re really pushin’ it tonight.”
Kyle didn’t bother looking up from his contemplation of the design he’d sketched out on his napkin. “Is your ass glued to that stool? Are you handcuffed to the bar? Have you lost the ability to get up and leave?” He was too tired to bother with trying to be nice. He turned the napkin to a new angle and frowned at it. He wasn’t much of an artist but it didn’t stop him from doodling whenever he found himself in these situations.
“With this crappy mood it’s probably better if you stay here,” Michael muttered into his glass.
“There’s a solution that works for both of us.”
Michael got to his feet and leaned in close to his friend. “I’m gonna hit the head one more time and when I get back we’re gonna get this thing settled.”
He rolled his eyes and waved a hand dismissively. He was weary of dodging the persistent hybrid’s pointed questions but this was one problem he didn’t need Michael’s brand of help with. His friends meant well and he loved them all for it, but he needed them to back off and give him some space to deal with the situation. He sighed and shifted to pull his cell phone out of his front pocket, getting to his feet and letting the bartender know he’d be right back before turning to walk outside.
He punched in number three on his speed dial and paced through the snow that was already well on its way to filling in earlier footprints made by the bar’s patrons. His breath formed a frosty cloud on the air as he exhaled loudly. His brows pulled down in a frown when Liz answered and he held the phone out in front of him to double check the number he’d called. What was it with girls answering each other’s phones anyway? Guys didn’t do that. He shook his head and brought the phone back up to his ear.
“Hey, Liz. Maria there?”
“Yeah, she’s just coming offstage,” she responded. “Are you gonna make it to the pub for midnight?”
“Nah, I’ve got somethin’ else goin’ on.” He could hear the smile in her muffled voice when she admonished Max for interrupting her but she was back a moment later.
“Are you alright, Kyle?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I just need some time to figure things out.” He rolled his eyes. Damn, that sounded like such a chick thing to say! Maybe he really was spending too much time around the girls.
“Okay, well, you know if you need anything…”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll let you know.” He’d rather voluntarily take a long walk off a short dock. He forced a smile into his voice when he heard the nearly inaudible sigh come through the phone. He knew the girls just wanted the best for him, wanted him to be happy, and he didn’t wanna bring them down. Not tonight or any other night. “Happy New Year, Liz.”
“Happy New Year, Kyle. I hope things work out,” she said softly before handing the phone over to Maria. He could practically hear the silent conversation passing between the two of them as they exchanged that knowing look that all females seemed to have.
“He’s driving you nuts, right?” Maria said by way of greeting.
“Maria, you’ve gotta call an’ tell him he’s off duty. I know he’s tryin’ to help and doin’ his best to be supportive, but I’m not gonna play out the cliché to make everyone feel better. There’s not gonna be any wallowing in self pity, crying in my beer while I pour my heart out, or any of the other clichéd scenes.”
“We’re just concerned about you, Kyle.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, I do.” He ran a hand over his face, not even noticing the rasp of stubble against his work-roughened palm. “I can only imagine what it took for you to push him out the door to come here and I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of it since he probably thinks he had to cash in a little testosterone to attempt this conversation.” He felt a small smile lift his half-frozen lips when he heard her quiet laughter and having confirmation that he was right made him very glad he’d put Michael through that Nutcracker conversation. “Yeah, I’m not far off the mark.”
“Talking to him isn’t helping at all?”
“Maria, I’m glad you guys care and I appreciate his sacrifice, but this’s somethin’ none of you can help with.”
“It’s something you and Isabel have to sort out yourselves,” she guessed.
“Yeah, it’s between us and whatever happens, that’s where it needs to stay.”
“Diane’s not here.” She paused for the space of a heartbeat. “Philip got here a while ago.”
“That’s different,” he said with a shrug. “Mom-daughter confidentiality.” He shook his head. At least that’s what Isabel had called it during some long-ago late night conversation. Besides, would she even talk to her mom about what had happened between them that night? It would be kind of difficult to get to the heart of the matter without bringing that up in some way. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, the sound heavy.
“Kyle, are you gonna be okay?”
“I’ll get there eventually, Maria.” He forced a laugh, but it was raw and filled with pain. “Just not through a conversation over warm beer and stale peanuts.”
There was a long pause. “I’ll call him. Just go back inside and get out of the cold.”
“Thanks.” He put the phone away after ending the call, wondering how she’d even known he was outside the bar. It didn’t matter, he decided as he stepped through the door. Slight tremors raced through his body as the heat suddenly surrounded him, too hot and not hot enough all at once. He gave it a few seconds before ordering his feet to carry him back to the bar and he retook his seat, rubbing his hands against his thighs in an effort to warm them up.
He took a drink of his beer, making a face when it hit his tongue and he realized it had gotten warm. He didn’t waste any time flagging the bartender down and motioning to his drink. He nodded when the man whisked it away and replaced it with a fresh, cold bottle.
Several minutes passed in blessed silence. The patrons in the bar were starting to get a little livelier but the atmosphere was still subdued compared to other bars. In spite of that, his corner was free of one certain hybrid’s brand of advice and help, and to him it made the rest of the noise fall away.
“You bought yourself some time, Valenti,” Michael growled as he came back and motioned to the bartender, letting him know he was ready to pay his tab.
Kyle shrugged, unconcerned. “Your better half, as always, is more understanding than you are.” He took a drink of his beer, his movements slow and deliberate. “Go ring in the New Year with Maria and let me handle this my way.”
He snatched his coat up and shrugged into it. “Just promise me you won’t make any decisions about takin’ off without talkin’ to me first.”
“I’m not gonna take off in the middle of the night, El Capitan.” He turned his head when one of Michael’s hands landed on his shoulder and he felt the control in the grip when it squeezed firmly. “If it comes to that, I’ll let you know.”
He breathed a sigh of relief when Michael let it go at that. A few minutes later the door closed behind his friend and he was able to relax to some degree. No, he was no closer to an answer, but at least now he could think without a hybrid shadow hanging over his shoulder.
