Waiting Tables

Chapter 7 - To Date or Not to Date

"Dude, those marks haven't even faded yet, do they still hurt?" Calum asked, sidling up to Ashton and poking his neck, causing the man to tsk. It had been 3 days and they were still just as prominent as the night they were made.

"No, they don't still hurt but stop poking me, mate. What is wrong with you?"

Calum shrugged.

"I'm just curious is all,"

Louis smirked as he walked behind the two seated men, throwing his arms around their shoulders.

"He's curious because he doesn't know what that's like, having s-e-x," Louis fake-whispered, spelling the word out like there was a child present.

Ashton snorted at Calum's glare, rolling his eyes as Calum huffed and threw Louis off of him. The two waiters were taking advantage of a bit of downtime to roll silverware. There were only a few tables with people, and it was soon to get busy as it was only 3 in the afternoon, but right now they were enjoying relaxing.

"I've had sex," Calum whined, grunting when the other two laughed at him. "Hey, I have! I'm just saying, they still look pretty bad, I wasn't sure if it still stung,"

Ashton chuckled. "No, it doesn't. And the only reason they're still here is because he really knew what he was doing,"

"Oi, quit getting off when you're meant to be working," Louis scolded, leaning against the table.

Ashton shrugged.

"At least I get off,"

"I've had sex!" Calum shouted, blushing when one of the customers looked over at him with confusion. He smiled and waved awkwardly before turning slightly and hiding his face. "I can never go over there again," he wailed into his arm.

"Shut up and keep rolling," Ashton shook his head. He enjoyed moments like this with his coworkers. It was nice, the relationship they had.  They knew enough about each others lives to keep conversation going, they were invested with others, but it wasn't too invasive, which Ashton enjoyed. He kept things casual in all aspects of his life. He didn't need deep, emotional connections weighing him down.

"Hey, isn't that him?" Calum asked, pointing behind Ashton's shoulder at a well dressed businessman who had just walked in. He stopped at the host stand, speaking to someone. Ashton looked over just as Carlo, the host for the day, pointed over in his direction.

Ashton felt the oxygen leave his lungs as Luke looked over at him, friendly smile on his face as he made his way over.

"Hello, Ashton. How are you?"

"Uhm, good, thanks." He stopped, just peering up at Luke in confusion.

Why was he here? What did he want from Ashton?

"Did you want a table?" Calum asked from beside his coworker. Ashton was so confused, he'd forgotten the man was even there. "I'm sure Ashton can help you get what you need,"

Luke didn't even spare a glance to Calum.

"No thank you, I'm not here to eat. I just came to see you again, Ash."

Ashton, still sitting dumbly, blinked at him.

"Would you care to join me for just a moment?" Luke asked when Ashton made no move to do anything.

"Oh, uhm..."

"You know, I think Louis needs my help," Calum said, scooting his chair back loudly, wincing at the scrape as it dragged across the floor. "I'll be back in a few, Ash."