When Two Boys Meet

Fast forward about a month to early August….

I haven’t seen Neighbor Boy at all since I met him a month earlier, which was kind of disappointing, but then again we didn’t exchange numbers or anything. During this time, I went on several tinder dates, saw Chase a time or two, and have been hanging out with Shane more and more platonically. I had so much going on with other boys that Neighbor Boy was the last guy on my mind.

There’s always extra bartending gigs in the summer with festivals, so Shane and I got to work together for a friend’s booth at Taste of Lincoln. Throughout the day, we were mildly flirty, but more friendly and comfortable with each other than anything else. We bonded over both being bartenders; however, during this same gig, he told me he started applying for full-time jobs again and even had an interview, so would be quitting bartending soon.

Although I still find him very attractive, it seems like Shane and I got to a point where we’re friends. Or so I thought… He was very confusing throughout the day. Like he kept giving me this look like he wanted me. A few hours into the day, it slowed down and I sat for a moment and got my sunblock out to reapply. As I went to put some on my shoulders, he walked up behind me and began to rub them for me and spread it down my upper back. Shane is the best with his hands, his massages are to die for, so I relaxed and tilted my head down to let him continue to rub my back. Some people walked up to the booth, Shane stopped massaging me to take their order. I quickly finished adding my sunblock and went back to the front of the booth.

Our light banter continued, but it was still hard to read. I want to be able to be friends with him, and I think we were doing well for a while minus the times we ended up fucking (even then we easily continued being friends). On the other hand, I really want to fuck him. I miss kissing him, holding him, having him massage me, and I miss feeling his body against mine as he fucks me. He is still one of the greatest lays and I know we couldn’t ever be in a relationship with each other, but I wish we could continue to fuck.

As our evening wrapped up, Shane and I cleaned up our booth, closed up, and headed out. We both walked towards the redline and he asked if I wanted to grab a drink with him. I told him there was a party going on at my place, but that he should come by and we could have a few drinks there. He accepted the invitation and we hopped on the next redline to my place.

When we got to my place, the party was packed, we squeezed our way to the bar and I grabbed Shane a beer and made myself a whiskey coke. There was a band playing that night, so it was pretty loud. My roommates needed some help with the party, so I was running around picking things up and grabbing some friends some drinks. During this, Shane and I kept making eye contact. I pulled one of my other roommates aside to tell him to pick up my slack and let me chill with Shane. He agreed and I got back to entertaining my guest.

I sat at the bar next to Shane. He told me how sweet the party is; it was his first time at one of our parties. I laughed and tried to keep it platonic, but I kept thinking about how I wanted him. The band ended, I went back behind the bar and grabbed Shane and I each another round. As the next band started, I took Shane up to the roof, hoping to find a quieter space.

When we got to the roof, there were about twenty or so people up there, but definitely a bit more quiet and tame compared to inside. I lifted myself and sat on the ledge on the front of the roof, he sat right next to me. He was closer than I had expected, but it was a pleasant surprised. His leg against mine, we started with some bar talk, ranting about various customers and telling tales and horrors of our bartending experiences. This quickly changed to a more flirtatious banter and got to a point where there was a comfortable silence. We locked eyes for a moment in our silence, but at this very instance, Neighbor Boy and his roommate Mike walked up.

I stood up and gave Mike a hug and said hi, then looked and Neighbor Boy and said hey to him as well. I introduced them to Shane and we all got talking. It was Neighbor Boy’s first time on the roof. He asked me how to get a key for the roof because they were having a party next weekend. This was getting complicated, I wanted Shane, but couldn’t resist my flirtation with Neighbor Boy. I’m terrible at hiding it. To be a little sly, instead of flirtatiously giving Neighbor Boy my number, I told Neighbor Boy that Mike has my information or to find me on Facebook and I could get him a key. At that moment, Neighbor Boy got a bit weird, said thanks but then said bye right away and left.

Mike stayed up and chatted with Shane and I a bit more. He told me that next weekend is Neighbor Boy’s birthday party and I should come. I told Mike I have a camping trip planned with my family, but if for whatever reason I’m around, I would stop by. The conversation wrapped up and Mike went to talk to another one of my roommates that was on the other side of the roof.

Shane and I sat back where we were at, but now he was a good foot or two away from me. He took a sip of his drink, I took a sip of mine. At this point, he said he should finish his drink and head out. A little disappointed, I jokingly asked, “Why? Is it past your bedtime?” He laughed, but then told me he was going to meet up with some friends. I let it go. He finished his drink, we hugged, and said our goodbyes.

That was the last time I saw Shane. He got the job he interviewed for, so he quit bartending. As a result, we texted less and less. He no longer had bartending stories or customers to bitch about. We no longer had common ground. He is back to being a soccer playing corporate employee with a 9-5, while I’m still a free-spirited artist and curator that works odd and end jobs. Every rare occasion we will text one another, but usually it’s just a one-off meme or quick text. Nothing more.

Although this boy was no more, you know what they say; when one door closes another opens.

Yours Truly,
Kallie Pygus