First off, I didn't change this guy's name. I've always just known him as Joe as everyone on my Facebook does too. This story starts nine months ago when I started frequenting a pool hall I lived near at the time - nursing from the worst break up I've ever had. It was less than a mile away, had great food, great cider, and I loved playing pool. Heck, that's all I did in college anyway. I would go in to this pool hall during the work week at happy hour. Joe never was my waiter but as I sat up at the bar for my $2 cider quite often, we struck up conversation. Our current common interest? Cars. Specifically American muscle and trucks. Another night we discussed preferred drinks and gun knowledge. That was the night beginning of January I was with my friend Ria (I'll change that name) who gave him my number. Although if I remember correctly she said, "Here you go, she's going to kill me when she finds out." Which could have meant 1. That it was indeed MY number or 2. It was Ria's number and he knew I would be jealous.
Ha, needless to say he didn't call. And it drove me nuts as to why. I took reason 3. I'm unattractive.
My bestie Eir (also changed) and I took a friend out to play pool about a month ago. You have to surrender your I.D. in order to get a table. Guess who lost her I.D. because she was too busy asking Joe why his wrist was in a brace? Yep, yours truly. Don't worry, I got it back two weeks later when I stopped in for a cider. Did I mention I know one of the managers from when I went to grade school? I also know three other of the staff from going there so much! And most of that was going to get his number! And failing! I'm actually not confident at all without my witty humor. It's easy online because there's less reason to have inhibition. I don't have the perfect figure - my weight has fluctuated a lot in the past decade. I have been told I have a pretty face - which is something I guess. I'd rather it's because my personality is so incredible they never want to imagine life without me ever again!
Yeah, not so much.
About a week ago I met with Qwerty for some noms and a drink. We get to the bar and Joe actually waited on us (for about five minutes). I made sure I sat about two feet away from Qwerty to show that I may have come in with him but I wasn't with him. That was probably the first time I noticed Joe's gray eyes. He also has dimples. And stands about 6'4". I spent a lot of time looking at his backside since he can't see me doing that...
Qwerty kept nudging me, trying to get me to ask him what I've been wanting to ask him for months. We were there for THREE HOURS! "He looked at you," he insisted. "Of course he looked at me! He was asking what I wanted to order!" "No, I know that look. It's something more." Whatever. By that weekend my car had died at least 5 times. I needed it to be fixed and I knew what was wrong with it. I chickened out. So Qwerty and I went back to Eir's house, had fire, marshmallows, and listened to awesome music.
Yesterday (from the date of this post)) Ria and I met at the pool hall. Joe comes up and I forget the subject we discussed. About thirty minutes in between drive trains, slave cylinders, transmissions, and Ford vs. Chevy, (Who)ria chimes in, "I have a truck." He turns to look at her. "Oh, I had a truck." "What kind?" "Mazda." I'm face-palming. I regret ignoring her for so long but he was kind of my point of going there. He started to walk away and she tells me, loudly, "Put on your big girl panties!" Oh yeah, he was standing right there. Gradually I worked up the rapport I needed to ask him to look at my car. (Who)ria had to leave for work in the morning.
The shape of my car is kind of embarrassing. I've been poor and it needs:
-Newer front end tires DESPERATELY
-Brake fluid
-Power steering fluid
-Oil change
-Air filer
-Coolant flushed
He fixed the battery connection. And by the end I said, "I meant to ask you for your number but after you've seen the shape my car is in, I don't think so. I'm embarrassed."
To which he replied, "If not for having a girlfriend I would have called you when your friend gave me your number. I'm sorry if I came off as flirting - "
"No! No, you didn't. You just seem like a good person." I didn't want to elaborate. I felt humiliated as much as my car had just been.
To Joe's girlfriend - you're a lucky woman. You must be incredible. Not to mention you get to ride in a sexy truck with a sexy guy.
There you go folks. If there is someone you've had your eye on - seize that moment. Ask. Don't go nine months asking questions. Go and find your answers.
