CHAPTER ELEVEN

THURSDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 18

BLAINE

As much as I loved talking to my brother, he certainly could be exhausting. The long conversation with Cooper - which ended up lasting until 1am - coupled with a long day at the office wore me out. I spent most of the day working out my trip to Atlanta as well as wrapping up a few things with David and Santana to prepare for Atticus Finch's PR push that would happen tomorrow. There were a lot of details to handle in such a short amount of time that my brain could hardly wrap itself around the amount of stuff I was going to manage over the next few days and weeks.

Thankfully, tonight was going to end with a show at my favorite scouting venue with my newly-discovered band, no less. The only bad thing was that this gig was happening on a Thursday night, which meant no one could get too out of control without the possibility of a killer hangover the next morning. I never was a huge drinker myself - had one too many bad experiences with it in high school - so I wasn't too worried that I'd get out of control. But with Santana there, who knows what could happen. She was a woman who liked to party and I'm sure tonight would be no exception.

It was soon 6:00, which meant it was quitting time - and time to head out to Brooklyn for the night's adventures to begin. Santana asked David to meet us at Rialto so we could go over together since the 40 minute subway ride would be more entertaining than riding solo. Santana also had Brittany come along for the night's festivities. Brittany had made an... interesting... impression with David and Wes the night she met us for drinks in the Meatpacking District. When she arrived, she kept talking with Santana about this doll that she met at the diner with her friend Lauren who made people "look pretty all the time." I was used to Brittany's musings though I had no idea who (or what) she was referring to, but Wes and David were taken aback by her seemingly clueless demeanor but genuinely enjoyed her company and enjoyed her one-liners even more.

Santana and I emerged from our company's headquarters to find David and Brittany chatting away outside, bundled up and geared up for our voyage out to Brooklyn. Santana greeted her girlfriend with a kiss before latching onto her hand. "You boys ready for this?" she asked with a slightly devious tone.

David shrugged and I nodded in the affirmative as we made our way toward the Times Square subway station. Most New Yorkers hate being anywhere near Times Square; it's a horror to navigate with tourists stopping every 5 feet to take pictures of the hundred of billboards and littered with street performers and people handing out flyers to board tourist buses or to go to some sale for cheap electronics. Not to mention all the taxis that barrel through the awkward intersection - it's enough to incite an eternal migraine.

But even after all of these years, I was still in awe of the bright lights of Times Square. I remember the first weekend I went to Times Square with a group of my fellow freshman my first week at Marymount. We all sat on the steps in front of The Olive Garden on that September night and watched all the commotion and hustle and bustle of Times Square for what felt like hours. I don't think I even talked to anyone as we sat there; I was taken away to a special place of wonder since I finally could see the place I had dreamed of being in for so long before my very eyes. It was like a dream come true. Back then, my eyes had scanned each billboard and light display - committing it to memory. The billboards had changed in the nearly nine years since I had first moved here, I still had a smile on my face as I perused the various billboards hocking beauty products or the vast amount of Broadway shows that were currently open. I hadn't seen a Broadway show in some time and I was beyond overdue; I had only seen one or two of the new productions. Clearly that would have to change soon.

We finally reached the subway and descended the stairs to leave the hurried subway station overhead to the quieter depths below. We were only at the station for a few minutes before the Q pulled into the station. Brittany pulled Santana aboard and settled into a seat by the window, David and I sitting in the seats perpendicular to then.

"I can't believe this is happening, man," David said quietly. "I know we signed yesterday and all that, but I don't think it'll truly be real for me until tomorrow. Seeing my name as their band management along with the articles that Santana is working on will be like the fruition of seeing my dreams come true." His smile cracked through as he shifted his gaze from the floor back to me.

"I certainly hope you plan on sending a copy of the article to your parents," I said with a smile and placed my hand on his shoulder, shaking it lightly. "I know the feeling."

He laughed. "I'm pretty sure they've already picked the frame out that they'll put it in once they get it in the mail." David's family still lived in Ohio like mine, so the likelihood of them seeing his band's article in the local paper was slim to none. But Santana had already secured a few dozen copies of the papers that the articles would appear in for keepsakes for the band, so I knew he'd have plenty of copies to distribute to show off his work. "But haven't you already been around this whole deal-signing thing before? I doubt it's old news to your parents by now," he said.

"They have already experienced my excitement with my first signing a while back, but if this goes well, it could lead to so much more. And not just for you, my friend."

"What do you mean?" David asked, eyebrow cocked.

I quieted my voice a bit before continuing. "Well, the day that you guys signed, Clark asked me to come into his office and told me he's sending me to Atlanta this weekend to work with Jeremy Reed."

"No way!" he practically shouted; his outburst claiming the attention of Brittany and Santana who were whispering and laughing with each other before David cut the silence with his proclamation.

"No way what?" Santana asked.

I sighed. "Well, I got some news from Clark yesterday once we finished wrapping up those documents for legal. He said he's sending me to Atlanta to introduce myself to Jeremy Reed this weekend."

Santana's eyebrows practically reached her hairline. "Wow, B. That's... huge." I couldn't quite tell if she was happy, jealous or angry.

"It is. And I'm sorry for not telling you guys earlier. I knew you," I said, motioning to David, "Were still on your celebratory path after signing your band and you," now motioning to Santana, "Had already left for the day and I didn't want to bother you. I wasn't sure if you'd be... upset or something." I couldn't quite meet her eyes since her face so rarely depicted her true feelings.

"Blaine, you totally could have called me about this. I'm glad you're getting this chance - you deserve it. You're great at your job. And I'm not just saying that because you bought me coffee the other day," Santana said. "I am, however, mad that you didn't tell me sooner! Jerk."

I rolled my eyes. "San, I just didn't want to seem like I was rubbing it in your face. Not that I would... well, you know what I mean."

She shook her head, signaling that she didn't mind at all. "I totally get it. But I would have been so excited to share that good news with you. I'm not as huge into music as you are but even I know what a big deal it is to work with Jeremy Reed."

I laughed. "And that's not even the best part of it." I looked over to David whose eyes were practically bulging from their sockets, unsure of how the news could possibly get sweeter than working with the best record producer in the industry. "Clark said that he doesn't just want me to work with Jeremy Reed for this album; he wants to make him my mentor. To help me become a producer at the label."

Santana squealed and Brittany clapped happily. I was certain that Brittany was clapping because Santana got excited and had no idea what I was talking about, but I took it as a compliment anyway. "Blaine! That's spectacular!"

David was beaming too. "Yeah man, that's amazing. I'm guessing this is where you want to move career-wise, right?"

I nodded. "Absolutely. Artist development has been great to help me see what's valuable in a band and its makeup, but I really want to apply that knowledge in the recording booth and see my product happen in album form."

"It's going to happen," Santana said. "I know it will."

"Thanks Santana," I said. I started laughing when I saw the trio still gaping at my news; jaws open, smiles plastered on their faces. "No need to get so emotional, guys."

Santana took the opportunity to reach over David and hit me on the arm. "Ow!" I exclaimed.

"That's what you get. Let us be happy for you, B. That's what friends are for," she stated.

The rest of the train ride was spent in more chatter - talking about my upcoming trip to Atlanta, promising David that we could try to make him BFF with Jeremy Reed too, Brittany asking if I could bring her back a peach from Georgia. The chatter made the ride go even faster and knowing I had my friends' support made the night even sweeter - a drastic contrast from my pity party the night before.

The night couldn't get any better.

...

"Rialto's taking care of the first round of drinks!" Santana proclaimed as she slapped her corporate card onto the bar counter. Unfortunately Lauren wasn't working tonight, but the girl behind the bar seemed competent enough to manage the ridiculousness that would be this party. We quickly put in our orders - me sticking with a Newcastle - before Santana, David and I joined Atticus Finch backstage.

"You boys ready?" Santana asked as she sashayed into the green room. The guys all rolled their eyes and chuckled as Santana entered the room. Her first introduction with Atticus Finch that Wednesday had been entertaining since their bassist, a gangly guy named Joel, tried to hit on her for hours before Santana set the record "straight." From there, the guys had eased into her presence and were now comfortable with her in-your-face persona.

"Ready as we'll ever be!" David's brother, Phil, stated.

"Great," I interjected. "David is going to stay back here with you guys tonight since I'm sure he's seen your show enough." He rolled his eyes as I continued. "Santana will also stay back here and work with the photographer to make sure we're getting the shots we need for the press launch tomorrow. She'll also coordinate group photos and individual shots with this time we have before the show. Basically, just do what she wants."

"You heard him, boys. Anything I want," she said with a devious grin.

They all groaned and I laughed. "Take it easy, Santana. They're still newbies."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine," she acquiesced.

"I'll be out front enjoying the show. But have a great show, guys. And get ready for the ride," I said with a grin before heading out of the green room. As I closed the door, I could hear Santana as she barked orders at the band members.They were in for a long night, I thought to myself.

I took a moment to look at my watch. Time had flown by and it was already 9:30 and the show was slated to start at 10. I ordered myself another beer - thankful that Santana had left the company tab open so I wouldn't have to dip into my cash for another beer, and tucked into the back corner and watched people start to trickle into the venue.

By the time it was 9:55, the place was getting pretty packed and I fought my way back to the bar for my third and final beer. I noticed Brittany had made some friends with people near the front of the crowd - she always managed to make friends wherever she went - so I left her in peace as I approached the bar.

"Blaine, it's good to see you," a voice bellowed from a few feet down the bar. I looked to my left and saw Lauren leaning over the counter as the bartender poured her drink.

"Hey!" I exclaimed and shuffled my way down to her. "What brings you here? I'm guessing you had the night off tonight, otherwise I'd expect to see you behind the bar rather than in front of it."

She laughed. "Yeah, my last day at the bar was actually yesterday. I can't remember if I told you, but I'm working make-up for a show on Broadway now, so I don't need this side hustle anymore. But it's actually why I'm here. One of my co-workers had a rough night last night and I brought him here to try and take his mind off things. Since he couldn't ever get out here while I still worked here, I figured I could still bring him by. And I knew this band was back and since they weren't as horrible as that yodeling group, I figured it'd be as good a night as any to come by."

I nodded. "Yeah, they're pretty good - good enough to get signed with Rialto."

She squealed. "That's great Blaine! I know you had a big part in that."

"I did indeed," I stated. I looked to her left and saw no one with her. "Where's your friend?" I asked.

"Oh, he went to the restroom. Wanted to wash his hands after the subway ride I guess."

"Is hejusta friend?" I asked suggestively. Lauren and I never talked about our dating lives since we weren't the best of friends, but I figured since I was a little buzzed and he wasn't around, it couldn't hurt to ask.

She scoffed. "Hardly. He's gay. Oh, and here he is," she said, motioning to the man emerging from the bathroom.

Oh my god, I thought to myself.It's him.

The night just got infinitely better.

KURT

"Kurt, this is my friend Blaine," Lauren said as I approached the bar. Lauren was obviously introducing me to this guy to her left, but from 30 feet away, I could barely get a decent look at the guy. As I got closer, I realized the guy looked familiar. It was the man from Cosi and he was just standing there gaping at me.Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, keep it together, I thought to myself. Thoughts of him hugging me and hoping that he smelled as good as I imagined drifted into my mind before I shoved it to the recesses of my brain.Chill Hummel, you don't even know if this guy is gay.

I tried to keep it together as I held out my hand to shake his. "Nice to meet you," I said pleasantly. I looked at him expectantly but also managed to get a better look at his attire. I couldn't help it - clothes were my life after all. He was wearing something similar to what I had seen him in at Cosi - this time a navy suit with a blue gingham undershirt and a red tie. Very classic but not too conservative. I definitely appreciated it, probably too much if I was being honest.

He looked stunned for a second before extending his hand into mine. "Uh, I'm Blaine."

I laughed. "She said that already."

"Oh right," he said with a chuckle. I couldn't tell if he recognized me from Cosi, but I didn't want to seem like I recognized him either. How weird could it have been if I admitted I had been gawking at him at the restaurant? Then again, he had looked at me at the restaurant as well, but why? Maybe I looked familiar or something. Or maybe I had something on my face that day. Or maybe... I was jolted from my thoughts as I heard Blaine's voice over the crowd. "How do you know Lauren?" he asked.

"It's a funny story, actually. Lauren and I went to high school together but I hadn't heard from her in years. We reconnected recently at the show that we work for," I replied.

"That's awesome," he said. "Lauren has been my buddy when I'm here working-"

Blaine was interrupted by the lights dimming and the crowd beginning to scream. He smiled apologetically when he realized he wouldn't be heard over the crowd before turning his attention to the band. Now that his attention was otherwise occupied, I peered at him cautiously as I turned to the bar to try and order a drink - him facing the stage with me looking in the opposite direction. Well, sort of the opposite direction - I still wanted to get a better look at this guy.

As the band started up a slow smile crept onto his face and now that I was up close, his smile looked about a hundred times better than it had that day at the restaurant. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his eyebrows relaxed. Once the beat of the drums kicked up, Blaine bopped his head up and down, the slight movement shaking his wavy hair ever so slightly. The minute the lead singers vocals took over, he closed his eyes and I gawked at his long eyelashes as they cascaded on his face. Most of the girls that Lauren worked on in make-up were probably jealous of this guy's lashes. A moment later, his eyes clapped open and he looked over toward me and his smile only grew bigger.

Damn. Just, damn. Those eyes, that smile... swoon.

When Lauren said she wanted to take my mind off things with James, I wasn't sure what she meant. I was worried she was going drag me to some horrifyingly tacky gay club, but she said she wanted to go somewhere more low-key and where the drinks would be free. I wasn't about to turn down free drinks after the past 24 hours. I wasn't sure if tonight would be a total blast, but little did I know I was going to run into that guy from Cosi. The odds of me running into him twice in a week were slim to none. And running into the gorgeous stranger - whose name I now knew to be Blaine - just made my night.

And I welcomed the - I mean, Blaine - as a distraction and he was definitely keeping my mind off James. I wasn't trying to forget him per se, we still planned on being friends, but the last 24 hours were so stressful I needed to not think if I could help it. Last night ended with James and I trying to start a friendship through hours of conversation; talking about nothing and everything all at once. The more we talked, the more I realized how great of a guy he was, but I still didn't think I was ready to be with someone who was struggling in where he was with his openness in his sexuality. The conversation came to a close at 3am, much to James' chagrin since he had to work the next morning at 8, and we parted saying goodbye with promises to go shopping soon since the holidays were around the corner and the sales were bound to reap us both some great bargains.

I awoke this morning... well, afternoon at around 2... to about 20 texts from Wes asking about last night. He wrongfully assumed I had "gotten some" since I was out so late, so I sent Wes a quick text saying that I'd explain later, but his mind was clearly in the gutter. Again. He said the story would have to wait until Friday since he was doing some bar review something-or-other, so he wouldn't be up when I got home tonight.

When I got to the theater for work around 5, I dished the whole thing to Lauren who had run out of the theater before James and his guests had come through the night before. I didn't tell Lauren about the weirdness at Cosi and merely told her about how he acted in the theater along with our conversation at the diner afterward - leaving out the long-winded story about William since she already knew the Cliffs Notes version of what happened with my ex. She was shocked at James' actions and agreed that I had made the right choice, but said I should still go out tonight since I "looked like I needed to let loose." I wanted to take it to mean that I looked like I could use a good time, but I'm pretty sure it was code for "you look like hell." So, here we were. At The Bell House, watching some band, putting back drinks, and me standing next to a total dreamboat and totally forgetting about what's-his-face-who-was-becoming-my-friend.

When the band's first song ended, Blaine turned toward me with that killer smile on his face. "So, Kurt was it? What do you think-" he started before he was interrupted by a tall blonde girl came and grabbed his hand. This blonde girl looked really familiar...

"Brittany?" I asked.

She looked at me before the recognition clicked behind her blue eyes. "Kurt! Hey! Do you mind if I take him from you for a moment?"

I shrugged. "You don't have to ask my permission. We were merely standing in nearish proximity."

She smiled. "Thanks!" she exclaimed before ushering Blaine to the front of the crowd. I turned to fully face the stage as Lauren saddled up beside me. Brittany pulled Blaine along to the front of the stage and Blaine shot back a smile in our direction before turning his attention back to the blonde who was eager to dance with him. The band was still setting up for the next song, so it was quiet enough to talk to Lauren for a moment.

"What's his story?" I asked.

Lauren shrugged. "I don't know too much about him, but he was one of my regulars. I know he's from somewhere in the Midwest, he's in the music industry - he signs bands for a big record label - but that's about it. We never really had any in depth conversations. Most of the time, he was here on business."

I nodded in understanding then gestured toward Brittany. "Is he with her?"

She shrugged again. "I'm not sure. I may have been friendly with Brittany while she was on the show, and she said she was dating someone. But in the time that I knew her - which was maybe 3 months - she never brought anyone around or mentioned names. And you've heard her talk - I don't know if I would have followed anyway."

The music started back up again so the rest of the questions I had buzzing through my head would have to wait. Damn, I thought to myself. I wish I had gotten a look at the person whose arm was wrapped Blaine at the restaurant. If it was Brittany, it meant that they were probably dating. If it wasn't, it either meant he was friends with Brittany, dating the girl who was with lunch with him, or - what I hoped to be true - dating none of them and possibly single and... maybe... gay? I mean... a guy can hope. Right?

Why do all the cute ones end up straight or married?,I thought to myself.

As the set continued, I stayed by the bar and asked Sara - the bartender that Lauren was friends with - to keep the Long Island Iced Teas coming. By the time I was on my second drink, I couldn't peel my eyes from watching Blaine and Brittany on the dance floor. I knew Brittany would be a fantastic dancer since, well, she was one. But Blaine surprised me; the guy had moves. At first he did just kind of swayed in place and let his arms move around him, but as the beat picked up he moved with more purpose and you could tell this guy had at least a basic understanding of dance.

When the third drink was safely in my hands, I was two sheets to the wind and Blaine managed to look hotter than ever. I wished it was me draped over his shoulders the way Brittany had her arms wrapped around his neck. I could see them laughing together, sharing some kind of private joke and my jealousy raged from within.

Wait, what? Why am I getting jealous of a guy I just met? I must have had more to drink than I thought. Normally I could compose myself better, but clearly after the emotional rollercoaster that is Kurt Hummel's existence along with the potent alcohol that I downed way to quickly I was kind of a wreck.

About halfway through my fourth drink, I flagged Lauren down who was hanging back with Sara and asked her if we could get out of there. I was enjoying the show... well, I was enjoying the view and the music wasn't bad at all. But watching yet another hot, straight guy dance around in front of me when I so hoped that he was on my team was just too much for me to handle.

She nodded and waved a small goodbye to Sara as we made our way out of the venue. I stumbled outside and pulled my coat tighter, forgetting the chill that was in the air outside after being in the toasty bar for the past hour.

"You okay?" Lauren asked as she guided me toward the middle of the path when my shuffling on the sidewalk started to drift me toward the street and oncoming traffic.

"Yeah. M'fine," I replied, nearly tripping on my own shoes.

"Alright Hummel, you're crashing at my place tonight. I would shove you into a cab, but I don't think you'd mind sleeping on my couch if it meant saving you a $45 cab fare," Lauren commanded as we kept walking.

"Thanks Lauren. You're the best," I mumbled.

Lauren laughed. "Thanks Stumbles McGee."