Chartreuse (6 page)

      It
was quiet for a few moments while Kasen did another announcement before putting
his next playlist into queue.  Rowan waited patiently as he pulled out his pack
of cigarettes, contemplating lighting one up although he wasn’t sure it was all
right to do so.  It was only when he noticed Kasen pulling out his own pack and
lighting one up, that Rowan cautiously did the same.

     The
radio studio was almost exactly as he had imagined it.  It was a bit bigger
than most studios, glass walls keeping the noises from outside away from
Kasen’s music collection.  There were various posters around including Led
Zeppelin, Guns-N-Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, and Journey.  Rowan wasn’t sure if those
were from Kasen’s own collection, or if they’d been there for years.  They all
looked fairly old.

     “I
can’t believe you’re Pasta Salad,” Kasen said, a bit of amusement in his tone. 
Rowan looked away from the posters to see a small grin on Kasen’s lips.  This
made him smile in return.

     “Is
that so hard to believe?”  Rowan asked, curiously, quirking a thick brow.

     “I
guess not,” Kasen replied with a shrug, before he took another drag of his
cigarette.  “I just…you seem like such a proper kind of guy, I guess.  I
wouldn’t have pegged you for the type to listen to my station.”

     
“Why’s that?”  Rowan inquired.  “You play some really good music.  You don’t
seem to stick with just one genre, either.  It’s like you play whatever’s on
your mind for the day.”

     “I
do,” Kasen nodded, “It depends on my mood really.”

     “I
think I’ve noticed that,” Rowan replied, exhaling from his nostrils before
moving closer to Kasen to flick his ashes into the ashtray.  He glanced down at
him, noticing how Kasen suddenly seemed nervous, so he backed off as quickly as
he could.  “Is that why you were playing so much Journey the night before
last?”

    
Kasen chuckled a little, giving a shrug, “Between them and REO Speedwagon, I
thought I did a pretty great job.”

    
“Oh, you did.  Don’t worry.  I enjoy both groups,” Rowan licked his lips,
taking another drag as his gaze stayed focused on Kasen.  He was a good looking
guy.  Though Rowan wouldn’t voice those opinions because he still wasn’t
entirely sure about him.  What if he was straight and just had a thing for
staring at people?

     He
watched as Kasen’s eyes shifted back down to his cigarette.  It was like the
cigarette had suddenly become so interesting.   Rowan didn’t say anything about
that, though.  He settled for leaning against the table and finishing his own
cigarette in silence.

    
“So…”  Kasen finally said, and the silence was broken.  “You said you’re from
Boston, right?”

    
“That’s right,” Rowan replied with a small smile.

    
“What’s it like there?”

     Rowan
was thoughtful for a moment, trying to figure out how to word it properly.  He
had lived there his entire life.  All he’d really known was Boston.  But he
needed a fresh start.  He had to make his own reset button.  “It’s got a city
feel to it,” He started, “But it’s not like New York.  It’s real old.  There’s
history everywhere, whether you’re interested in it or not, you can’t help but
to notice it,” He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling fondly as he envisioned
his hometown.  There would never be another place like Boston, he knew that. 
But he also knew that he couldn’t live there again.  Not now at least. 
Perhaps, never again.

    
"Boston
is nice, I guess. I mean, I went to Tufts for vet school, and spent most of my
time there in a lab rather than exploring Somerville.  Lots of students around,
which was pretty fun. Tufts was a blast, the undergrads did lots of crazy
stuff.  There's even a Naked Quad Run which is...well, exactly what it sounds
like.

     "The weather is pretty wild. I grew up with
it, and I was used to it, I guess. Six inches of snow in October, sixty degrees
the next day. The April fool’s Day storm was truly epic.

     "As to what to do, well, I spent a lot of
time in small breweries, heh heh. Boston's got some pretty fantastic
restaurants, even ones that poor veterinary students can afford. I did a lot of
partying in undergrad, but I preferred to just have quiet drinks with other
students or friends in Vet school. I had to get up too early for hangovers.

     “Last year was my first year out of school.
Despite two years of clinical, I didn't feel quite comfortable in my skills
yet...and living at home with my folks to pay down some student loans was too
tempting. So I became the Rat Lord,” He chuckled at his own joke, but then continued
on.

     “All schools that test on animals have to have
to have a certified vet on hand, so I worked at MIT treating the big-headed
genius’s pet rats. Most of what happens to cats and dogs happen to rats
too...just on a much smaller scale."

     Rowan looked down to see that Kasen was staring
at him in pure wonderment.  He blinked a few times and then cleared his throat,
looking down as he chuckled. 

     “Sorry.  I’m sure that was more information
than you cared to hear.”

     “No, no, no,” Kasen replied quickly as he shook
his head.  “That was great.  It seems you’ve had a lot more excitement than I
have.  Alabama sucks.  At least Chartreuse does.  I cannot say I’ve been much
further than this city,” He wrinkled up his nose, which Rowan found to be cute.

    
Christ. Stop thinking things about him are
cute.  You’re only going to end up in trouble.
  So Rowan quickly pushed
those thoughts away as he chewed at his bottom lip.

     “I’ve been here my whole life,” Kasen
continued.  “And I’ve never really made big plans to leave.  I wish I could, of
course, but I don’t see it happening any time soon.”

     “Where would you go if you could?”  Rowan asked
curiously.

     He watched as Kasen stroked his cheek in thought. 
“Honestly? Anywhere.  I think it would be fun to go to Florida.  See the ocean
for once.  Or maybe even going to Kentucky to see the Cumberland Falls.  I’ve
heard that on nights of a full moon, you can see a moon bow.  It’s supposed to
be quite a sight to see.”

     “Is that so?”  Rowan smiled.  For an instance,
he could see himself traveling to Kentucky just for that.  He’d read about the
Cumberland Falls online before.  It was supposed to be an incredible landmark
or something.  Maybe one day he’d venture there.   And perhaps, if he and Kasen
became good friends, he’d take him along.

     “I can’t believe it’s already eleven,” Kasen
said, pulling Rowan out of his thoughts.

     “Is it really?”  Rowan asked.  He glanced down
at his own watch. “Hm.  So it is,” He nodded.

     “I understand if you need to go.  Though, it’s
been really great having someone to chat with.  I’m normally used to just
hearing voices on the other end of the line, not face to face,” Kasen smiled,
and it was a gentle smile that could’ve been taken in several different ways.

    
He’s just being friendly. 
Rowan told
himself.  But he returned his smile, “I don’t have to go. I mean, unless you
just want me to.  I don’t have to work tomorrow. That’s the best part about the
weekends.  I’m only on call.” 

     He saw another smile playing at Kasen’s lips as
he pulled out another computer chair, guiding it to be beside of him before
patting it.  “Why don’t you sit down? You can be my guest DJ for the night.”

     Rowan’s eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas
morning, “I don’t mind if I do.”

Chapter
Seven

     Kasen was surprised that Rowan stayed until it
was time for him to leave.  Maybe he didn’t have anything better to do, or
maybe he actually enjoyed Kasen’s company.  Either way, Kasen was not
complaining.  As he locked up the studio he glanced down at his watch. 
Caroline would be coming in for her shift around five thirty, so he knew things
would be safe until then. 

     He glanced back to see that Rowan was unlocking
his car to get in, so he nodded to him.  “Was nice to chat with you.  Thank you
for the food and for the company,” He smiled at him.

     “You’re welcome. I enjoyed it a lot,” Rowan
replied with a nod.  Then he noticed that Rowan was looking around before their
eyes met again.  “Where’s your car?”

     Kasen could feel his ears burning as he chewed
at his bottom lip.  “I uh, don’t have one,” He replied.  He’d never really been
able to save up enough money for a car yet.  He was doing good enough to manage
his bills and his rent.

     “Oh,” Rowan nodded in understanding, one leg in
the car, one leg out of it as he glanced at him again.  “Can I offer you a
ride?”

     Kasen smiled stupidly as he gave a small nod. 

     “Yeah, sure.  Thanks,” He shoved his hands into
his denim jacket pockets as he moved over to the passenger side and then opened
the door.  He smiled at Rowan over the roof of the car, and then Rowan returned
that smile.           As they both got in and buckled up, Kasen felt his heart
going a little crazy.

     He’d never been in anyone’s car aside from his
mother’s.  And that never ended well.  She was always yelling at him or someone
else, and she never watched the road like she should have.  He had feared for
his life more than once.

    But as Rowan backed up and then turned, heading back
down the hill, Kasen didn’t feel nearly as threatened.  Rowan seemed like a
semi-cautious driver, and for that; Kasen was grateful.  He relaxed in his
seat, glancing around.  It was totally different from his mother’s car.  Clean,
well-kept, and the smell wasn’t so bad either.  Actually, it smelled nice.  He
was confident he could smell Rowan’s cologne, and it tantalized his senses for
a moment, making him feel a little dizzy.

     He chewed at his bottom lip, watching as Rowan
leaned over to turn on the radio.  “I hope you don’t mind,” Rowan said.  Kasen
was pleased to discover that the instrumental playlist he’d pre-set up was
playing on the radio, something he did every night so that everyone could rest
better instead of focusing on lyrics.  So Rowan really did like listening to
his station.  He smiled stupidly so, giving a small shrug. 

     “No, of course not,” He nodded.  “That’s
entirely fine by me,” His face was heating up with a blush, and he was glad
that Rowan couldn’t see that.

     They drove in silence for a few moments, the
heat from the vents warming Kasen’s chilled fingers and cheeks as he became
more relaxed.  He glanced over at Rowan occasionally, who was one hundred
percent focused on the road.  He licked his lips as he finally spoke.  “So,
this is a really nice car.” 

     “You think so?”  Rowan asked with a grin.  It
was that same damn grin from earlier.  It made Kasen feel like he couldn’t
move.  It was as if it magically paralyzed him. 

     “Yeah,” Kasen replied with a nod.  “I like it a
lot.  Of course, my dream car is a jeep.  I don’t know why, I’ve just always
wanted one.”

     “Jeeps are good,” Rowan nodded, stopping at the
stop sign and then looking both ways before he shot across and continued on his
way.  “My cousin lives in Mississippi.  He likes to take his ‘muddin’, as he
calls it,” He chuckled lightly.

     “Oh yeah. A lot of guys do that here, too,”
Kasen replied.  He liked that chuckle.  But he had to be careful, because he
couldn’t be hitting on someone who had potential to be a friend.  They got
along, didn’t they?  And Kasen really wouldn’t complain if he could make a
friend.

     It was quiet for a few more moments as Rowan
drove down Main Street, their sleepy little town dark and abandoned until the
sun would come up.  Rowan stopped at a stop light and then looked over at Kasen
again.  “So where do you live?”

     “I live off of Davenport Street,” Kasen
nodded.  “It’s still a good ways from here though.”

     Rowan lifted a brow, “And you walk that every
night to work?”

     Kasen bit his lip, “Nah.  I normally just get a
ride from the small taxi service offered around here,” Even though it wasn’t
even a taxi service.  It was more like Old Man Parker and his mini-van.  But he
was cheap and he didn’t mind the hours in which Kasen needed him.

     “Well, at least you don’t have to walk it,”
Rowan nodded.  They were headed down the road again when Rowan suddenly spoke. 
“Would you like to get breakfast with me?”  He asked.

     Kasen laughed a bit, “I’m not sure if you’ve
noticed, but there aren’t any places open this time of night.”

     Rowan smiled a little, glancing at him again
before putting his eyes back on the road, “Who said it had to be here?”

     Kasen lifted a brow.  Where else would they
go?  He didn’t question Rowan as he headed towards the interstate.  Kasen was
simply along for the ride at this point, and he wasn’t complaining.

---------------------

     Was he really doing this?  Had he really just
suggested that they get breakfast together?  He wasn’t even sure that Kasen would
be hungry considering he’d brought him a plate full of food only a few hours
before.  But it had been a little over five hours since the last time Rowan
ate, and
he
was hungry.  Maybe the boy was only agreeing to come along
because he wanted to be polite.  But maybe..

    
No. Don’t be ridiculous.
  He thought to
himself.  But what if it were true?  What if Kasen was enjoying spending time
with him, too?

     Rowan exited off the ramp and they entered an
equally small town called Enterprise.  It amused Rowan, because he was a huge
Star Trek fan, and from the smile on Kasen’s face, he wondered if they had that
in common.  He remembered passing by a Waffle House when he’d stopped here for
a bathroom break before making it into Chartreuse.

     When they pulled into the parking lot, he put
the car into park and then he turned to glance at Kasen.  “So you’ve never been
here before?”  He asked.

     Kasen shook his head slowly, “No, I can’t say
that I have.  Or maybe my mom used to take me places when I was little, but I
honestly can’t remember.”

     Rowan smiled, “Well, here you are now.  The
Mighty Waffle House,” He chuckled.

     Kasen looked up at the bright yellow sign
before he tilted his head a bit, “I’ve never been to one before.”  He admitted.

     Rowan quirked a brow. Just how sheltered had
this kid been?  He turned off the car before he got out, waiting for Kasen to
do the same before he locked it up and tucked his keys into his pocket.  He
held open the door for the other male and allowed him to enter first before he
followed in behind him.

     It wasn’t that the place was even busy, because
it wasn’t.  There wasn’t a soul in sight except for  the cook who was lazily
leaned against the counter, and two waitresses who were conversing while
refilling the syrup dispensers.  Rowan slid into a booth, taking up a menu as
he watched Kasen slide down across from him.

     “Get anything you want,” Rowan offered.  “This
is my treat, okay?”

     Kasen blinked, biting his lip before he nodded,
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll pay you back though.”

     “Not necessary,” Rowan reassured him as one of
the waitresses approached them.

     “I’m Nikki.  What can I get for ya’ll today?”

     Rowan would never –not- be amused by that
word.  He chuckled a little as he looked up at her, “I’d like to get a glass of
Cola, please, add a bit of cherry flavor into it,” Then he looked to Kasen. 
“What would you like to drink?”

     “Oh, um,” Kasen quickly looked back down at the
menu.  “Just some milk, thanks.”

     As the waitress went to get their drinks,
Rowan’s eyes were back on Kasen, watching him as he went over the menu.  “The
hash browns are really good here,” He offered.  “So are the waffles.  Almost
everything is good at the Waffle House,” He gave a crooked grin, Kasen’s eyes
meeting his as the boy looked up from the menu.

    “Thanks.”  Kasen nodded.  “I think I will try
some hash browns.  Maybe with some cheese on them? It sounds pretty good.”

     Rowan nodded in agreement, “Absolutely,” He
replied.  “That’s one of my favorite things to get here.  Of course, some
people like to go over the top with getting everything on their hash browns,
but not me.  I prefer the cheese and maybe some onions every now and then.  Don’t
forget the ketchup though,” He chuckled and mentally kicked himself.  Why was
he talking so much?  He never spoke this much around others.  At least not
about food. Christ.

     “And I think I’ll have a pecan waffle,” Kasen
added, closing his menu. “I’ve never had a pecan waffle.  I think my mother
fixed me a blueberry one once,” He seemed to be thinking hard on that one, and
Rowan was curious as to if Kasen and his mother had gotten along in his
childhood.

     Hopefully she wasn’t anything like his own
mother.  She could probably care less if Rowan lived or died.                They
had lost communication over the last few years, especially after she’d
discovered his homosexuality. 

     Rowan smiled at him, despite his own thoughts
as he put his own menu on top of Kasen’s as their drinks arrived. 

     “Are ya’ll ready to order?”  Nikki asked.

     Rowan nodded, “That we are,” He replied,
scratching at the side of his scruffy cheek.  “We’ll take two orders of hash
browns with cheese and ketchup, as well as two pecan waffles, please.”

     He watched as she scribbled on her note pad
before she nodded back to him, “I’ll have it out to you in a few minutes,” With
that, she turned and left.

     Rowan’s attention was immediately turned back
to Kasen, watching as he chewed at his thumbnail.  Was he nervous?  That
thought alone suddenly made Rowan pretty nervous, too.  He moved his hands to
rest against his lap as he leaned down for a sip of his cherry cola.  Then he
swallowed, clearing his throat.

     “So you’ve never been anywhere outside of
Chartreuse?”  He asked.

     “I know it’s sort of pathetic, huh?”  Kasen asked. 
“I always wanted to go somewhere else.  I begged my mother to take me to
Disneyland as a child.  But of course that didn’t happen.  I doubt it ever
will.  It’s not like I could tolerate all of the people there anyway.”

     “And why’s that?” Rowan asked, curiously,
hoping he wasn’t being too nosey.

     “I just really don’t like being around lots of
people at once,” Kasen said with a small shrug.  He picked up his glass of milk
for a drink before his eyes met Rowan’s again.  “I know that probably makes me
weird, but it’s the truth.  I sometimes have panic attacks if I’m around large
crowds.  It’s why I prefer my little solitary job at the radio station.”

     Rowan smiled gently, shaking his head, “That
doesn’t make you weird,” He replied.  “It’s pretty much why I prefer working
with animals myself.  They’re better than most people,” He could see the look
of relief on Kasen’s face as he gave him another smile, picking up his glass
for a drink.

      “I get that,” Kasen said, nodding his head. 
“I like animals.  I enjoy having Houston around.  He’s a good dog.”

     “He seems to be,” Rowan replied, “Napoleon’s a
good dog, too.  They truly are man’s best friend.”

      “Here’s your food,” Nikki said, sliding each
plate onto the table carefully. 

     “Thanks,” Rowan said as he pulled his plates
over to himself, pouring ketchup onto his hash browns as he watched Kasen eye
his own food.  It was like the boy had never been to a restaurant before, and
if that was the case; they had bigger issues to deal with.

     “This looks great,” Kasen said excitedly as he
picked up his fork to dig into the hash browns.  He took a bite, sighing and
nodding.  “Definitely great.”

     Rowan chuckled, glad to see he was having a
good time.  That’s what mattered most.  Rowan found that he was enjoying this
time with Kasen, and he was pretty sure the reason he’d invited him out to
breakfast at three in the morning was easy enough;  he didn’t really want to
say goodbye yet.

     
This is dangerous. 
 His mind told
him. 
You’re going to get hurt, is what you’re going to do.  Just wait until
you find out he’s straight.
  He blinked. 
But what if he’s not
straight?
  He licked his lips, taking another bite of his food as he
looked up to Kasen occasionally.

     Kasen seemed to be enjoying himself, finishing
up his hash browns before he poured syrup over his waffle.  He took a big fork
full into his mouth, blue eyes lighting up as he hummed in approval.