Page 28 of FWB
Five o’clock rolls around, and Rex and I decide to kill some time by getting some dinner before the show. Once our bellies are full of Slim & Husky’s pizza, we drive over to the music venue. I park in one of the spaces next to the building, and we make our way to the entrance.
Once inside, Rex and I head to the front of the venue closest to the stage and grab a table.
The room is open and decently sized, with a bar in the back and a second-floor balcony overlooking the stage.
Neon signs and artwork of some of the greats like Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Kris Kristofferson line the walls.
A petite brunette comes up to our table to take our orders.
“Hey, y’all! Welcome in! Can I get you anything to drink or snack on? ”
Rex orders a Sprite, and I decide to stick to sweet tea. Both of us are still full from dinner, but I can’t resist their potato skins, so I place an order for those too.
When the server leaves, Rex turns to me and asks, “So who are we here to see anyways?”
I laugh because Rex is just along for the ride. “It’s this guy named Goldford. I’ve gotten really into him lately. I think you’ll really like him. He’s got this ‘bonfire blues’ sound to him.”
“Sounds like he’ll be right up my alley!”
We settle in for the concert, making easy conversation before the opener takes the stage. Rex can’t help but ask, “So who was supposed to come with you tonight?”
I wince, hoping he doesn’t notice the change in my demeanor. “Actually, Kenny was supposed to come. But he’s been out all week, so …”
If Rex thinks it’s weird that Kenny and I were supposed to hang out, he doesn’t show it. “Well, his loss is my gain,” he proclaims as he raises his glass to cheers mine.
I smile and raise my glass. This is why I love Rex. He’s always so chill.
Soon, the lights go down and the crowd starts their applause as the opening act comes on. While the opener’s songs are okay, she isn’t my favorite voice I’ve ever heard. Rex seems to enjoy her, though, so I settle in my seat and zone out a bit.
My mind wanders to Kenny and what he’s actually doing if he’s not really sick. Surely something serious must be up, because he’s missed a full week of work.
Before I realize it, the opener wraps up her last song and exits the stage. I tell Rex I’m going to run to the ladies’ room before Goldford comes out.
When I make it into the small bathroom stall adorned with funny graffiti from past patrons, I pull out my phone and send Kenny a text message.
Tiegan: Hey, I’m at the show we were supposed to go to together. I don’t know what is going on, but I hope you know you can talk to me about anything if something else is going on with you. I want to be there for you if you’d let me.
I put my phone away and finish up in the restroom, wash my hands and make my way back to Rex, who is chatting with our table neighbors. That man would talk to a tree. When I reach our table, Rex finishes his thought and says, “Hey, Torin, this is my friend, Tiegan. We work together.”
It’s then that I take a good look at who Rex is introducing me to.
Oh, he’s cute! He’s incredibly tall, much taller than anyone else he might share the space with.
He’s got a young face, but his luscious hair and beard are completely gray.
It doesn’t age him, in my opinion, but gives him an air of sophistication.
He’s got a slightly fuller body and strong arms, perfect for cuddling.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand, a little dazed.
“I’m Torin. It’s nice to meet you. Rex tells me you’re the one who brought him out tonight. I saw him sitting over here by himself and thought I’d come say hello. We go way back.”
“How do you two know each other?” I ask, pointing between them.
“I was a student teacher in one of the classes Rex took during his undergrad. We bonded over music.”
I smile at Rex. “That seems to be the common denominator in Rex’s relationships.”
“You must have good taste in music if you’re here for Goldford,” Torin notes.
“I like to think so.”
“Are you on social media? Maybe we can catch up again at another show sometime?”
Oh shit. Is he flirting with me? I mean, he is really attractive.
But we all know I’m way more into Kenny than I’m willing to admit to myself.
But Jerome is right. I can’t put my life on hold.
And besides, Kenny explicitly said when we started this arrangement that we can see whoever else we want to.
Who’s to say he hasn’t been sleeping around behind my back?
I look at an expectant Torin who is waiting for my answer. “Yeah, we should definitely catch a show sometime!” I tell him, a little more enthusiastically than I feel.
Torin smiles, and it’s a nice smile. The whites of his teeth are almost blinding against his gray beard. “Awesome! What’s your username?” he asks as get gets out his phone and opens one of the social media apps.
“It’s @Tiegans_Corner across all platforms.”
Torin hits FOLLOW and I get a buzz in my pocket from the notification. I take my phone out—still no response from Kenny—and follow Torin back on the app.
He says his goodbyes and heads back to his friends at the table across the bar. When he’s out of earshot, Rex hisses at me, “So, whatcha think of Torin?”
Blushing, I grab for my sweet tea. “He seems nice. I don’t know if I’m really in the position to date anyone seriously though.”
“What are you talking about? You’re young, successful, beautiful, single .“ He gives me a pointed look at that last point.
Luckily, I’m saved from having to explain that last detail by the house lights going down as Goldford and his band make their way to the stage.
As soon as the music starts, I know I made the right decision in coming here tonight.
Music always makes me feel better. About five songs in, Goldford starts the opening chords to my favorite song, “Crossing Lines .” I take my phone out and record the whole song.
Hearing the story of being so aggressively there for someone that they eventually break down their walls, I feel a connection with the lyrics.
It brings tears to my eyes. Once the song is over, I save the video and, on impulse, send it to Kenny before setting my phone face down on the table for the rest of the night.