CHAPTER 5: PATRICK

_ NO RUFFLES _

What in the absolute bloody hell is happening right now!? My Sunday afternoons are usually consumed with going through the order books, checking the stock, and dealing with anything that happened the night before. Lili has other plans and honestly, I want no part in her shenanigans. She has a new appetite for teasing me senseless, and it's driving me mad.

When did she say she's heading back to Buffalo?

My Sunday pub duties were delegated by Lili, to my dependable manager, Ian, who is thrilled at the prospect of having additional tasks. He's no numpty and can easily take care of the Sunday duties, but it's me pub, my pride and joy. My livelihood. I should be the one to see what's going on day-to-day.

[Sigh] It's one time. I can do this for my mate.

My mind would'ne quiet after making it to my flat, thoughts of the captivating cowboy – what I was too afraid to say to him – kept me up all night. The damned man paraded around all day, his laughter booming through the pub, and his relentless determination to flirt with me had me in knots.

I'll admit, getting myself off in the shower to thoughts about a wild cowboy were too irresistible to ignore. That right there is my sign I should'a acted, should'a taken charge – taken him home with me. I dinnae get his number, but if he's interested, he'll be back. Come to think of it, the man said he was working on a pick-up line – he never had the chance to lay it on me. Such a shame.

The convenience of my flat being right upstairs from my pub is why Ian is'ne scheduled until the afternoon. I trust my pub in his hands and expect a full report at the end of the night. Now, I wonder what Lili has up her sleeve fer today, knowing her, I'm frightened. It's an ‘expect anything' type of day with her.

Upstairs in my one-bedroom flat, Lili is informing me what we will be doing today and when the word nightclub left her lips I balked at the plan.

[Patrick] "I dinnae agree to this, Lili!"

[Lili] "Oi! Shut yer puss! Yer at the pub far too much. Ya have'ta spread those wings, mate." Lili's meaning is two-fold given the dark angel inked across my back – courtesy of my mates wicked art abilities. She sketched it, my other mate Marcus made it permanent. The two people in my life who kept me alive after a trying time in my life. I am grateful for them every single day.

It's been years since I've seen Lili this unhinged. Sure, I'm giving her a hard time, but at least she is tossing it right back.

[Patrick] "There be that sassy lass I love."

[Lili] "This lass is just getting started. Just ye wait."

[Patrick Chuckles] "Yer scary when ya put it that way." I find a dark gray long sleeve and pull it on, hiding my ink. Not many get to see it. I dinnae get it for them, I got it fer myself, and to hide the lasting memories. "Tell me ye will be there to save me if this turns to utter shite."

[Lili laughs] "Dinnae be daft! No way I'm missin' this!"

[Patrick] "Fuck off!" [Scoff] "I will have my revenge two-fold, ya heathen!"

Lili laughs as her assistant Tamara enters the flat, multiple bags in each hand. Ye need information about a topic or person? Ask Tamara. She is a mastermind. Her way to gain intel is just as sexy as her personality. Today she has her hair in a medium afro and is rocking a shirt that says, ‘ Strong women intimidate boys and excite men' . What a powerful sentiment for a powerful woman. This lass is as bold as they come and no one has the balls to stand in her way. If they try to, they are put in their place. From what I recall, Lili said Tamara will be at the club tonight in search of a female companion. Always the social butterfly. Tamara set the bags next to the bed and eyes me with disapproval.

[Tamara] "Jeans and a jumper? What is this? Casual Monday? [Tsking] No, no, love. [Suggestive] It's sexy Sunday ." Did she mean to say that as provocatively as I took it? What are these two planning?

[Patrick] "Why do I have to change? I'm fine wearing this." She commands the space as she often does, giving two sassy finger snaps.

[Tamara two sassy finger snaps] "Ah-ah. I had a feeling you would do this, so I came prepared." Before I can utter a protest Tamara has multiple clothing arraignments spread out on my bed all in different colours and materials complete with embellishments and - bloody Christ! Are those? Oh. Fuck no! I will not be caught dead in that!

[Patrick] "Ruffles!? Are ya mad, woman! ?" Lili snickers at my outburst.

[Lili laughing] "Told ye he would'ne take kindly to that top."

[Tamara cheeky] "You should try it on." Tamara held it up, a smirk playing on her lips. "It pairs well with your hair colour."

Have I left Earth in a tiny blue box with the Doctor? This is absolute insanity!

[Patrick Mocking] "Oh, I get it. I'm a Scotsman, so, I should dress like I'm that sexy man from Outlander? Well, I think the hell not ."

[Lili] "Ooooh. Now there's a thought. Patrick as Jamie Fraser is something I would enjoy getting a glimpse of."

[Patrick] "And ya never will. Quit taking the piss outta me." Lili ignores my plea.

[Lili] "Maybe ye'd wear it fer a certain cowboy then?" I pause, my gaze narrowing.

[Patrick] "You cheeky bastards!" The women giggle at my outburst. "Yer setting me up! What the fuck!"

[Lili] "Aw, Tamara, Patrick's blushing." Lili jabs the knife in deeper sending my mind whirling.

[Patrick] "I am not! The two of ye are evil." Tamara is still working on pairing outfits, none of which I'll wear. Her crimpy curls bounce with the shake of her head as The Taste of Ink by The Used played softly.

[Tamara Sing-songy] "Someone is smitten."

[Patrick] "Awa' wit ye, sassenach!" I bite back and add that in fer good measure. Fine. They want Outlander, I guess they can have it. Minus the damned blouse.

[Lili] "Calm yersel', mate." Lili says through a laugh and wipes a tear from her eye. "Save that energy. Yer gonna need it for dancing."

[Patrick] "No, I'm not dancing. That's it. I'm staying here."

[Lili] "Nice try. Yer going, mate." I cross my arms and scowl at her.

[Tamara] "Speaking of dancing." Tamara blatantly ignores my decree. "We need to come to a compromise." She points at my legs. "No jeans."

[Patrick] "Fine. I'm wearing me kilt then." If they want me to go, I will go, but in no way am I wearing the damned ruffles. She has done lost her mind! Whoever made that top should be ashamed.

[Tamara Melodramatic] "Ugh. How you spoil my fun." Tamara sighs. "Here I thought I could convince you. [Back to bubbly] That's okay though, you're bartending skills make up for it. You're forgiven."

[Patrick stern] "See if I make ye a bevvy ever again. [Scoffs] Trying to dress me in ruffles. Bloody insanity ." I shake my head as Tamara waves the shirt one last time and winked.

[Tamara teasing] "One day, Patrick. One day I will live out my fantasy." I give a harrumph and a laugh as I seek out my kilt in the wardrobe.

This is what I deal with on a nearly daily basis. I should be used to it by now.

We have ourselves a bit of a good-ole fashion razzing between mates then order takeaway from our favourite curry place in Mayfair, and what be a bit of scran without tiramisu? I swear, Lili will turn into tiramisu with how much she consumes. One thing I was not prepared for is her telling us how she and Zander use tiramisu as their code word for shagging and will sometimes eat tiramisu while performing "tiramisu". That's love personified, and I'm thrilled my mate has found her man. But, fer fucks sake, she could've left that information out.

As the hours tick closer to nightfall, the thought of being out of place at a club had my leg unintentionally bouncing, a sign Lili knows all too well.

[Lili] "Patrick, love, ya have to loosen up. It's just a night out. No big expectations. Let things happen as they will." Her words do nothing for my anxiety.

[Patrick] "I've never been to a place like Neon Envy . I'm unprepared. What if I make a fool of myself?"

I've never sought out gay bars for fear I would'ne fit in, and if I did, my damned anxiety would most certainly rear its ugly head and I'd leave anyway. This new place is said to be a safe haven, which isn't what I'm worried about. It's the abundance of people milling about in an open space, touching one another, being judged for how I dress, and the biggest reason; I do not have the protection of being behind my bar. Lili rolls her eyes.

[Lili] "You will not make a fool of yerself." My frown says it all.

[Patrick] "Easy for you to say. Yer not a sad single cunt who despises everyone. Ye dinnae have'ta wonder if they're judging or if yer good enough." Lili's brows draw together and she points a stern finger at me.

[Lili] "Oi! Dinnae talk about my mate that way." Her tone brooked no argument; the lass is always on my case when I put myself down. It's been years without my father's verbal abuse yet I still have my moments. In the next beat Lili's attitude softens. [Suggestive] "Single or not, hungry eyes will turn your way."

Tamara made her way to the oversized mirror sat in the corner, picked out by her. Apparently I needed this to complete the space, whatever that means. Décor is not my forte.

[Tamara confident] "I don't worry about what people have to say. You shouldn't either." Tamara applies her lip gloss then glances at me behind her through the mirror. "Set your cares aside, mate, and let the music consume you."

Grumbling to myself, I set to changing my outfit to a plain black shirt with my green and blue kilt, and boots. The control I have whilst wearing my kilt is next level. Ye dinnae ken the power of the kilt unless ye understand the traditions.

My mirror reflects a dapper Scotsman who is clearly out of his comfort zone. Lili made her way to my side, offering a warm smile.

[Lili] "Trust me, Patrick, Neon Envy is wonderful. If anything, you will enjoy their music selection."

[Patrick, dread] "Ye know I hate going out."

[Lili cheekily] "Would ye do it to see the cowboy again? Chances are good we will see him there." I narrow my stare on her.

[Patrick] "So, that's what ye were jabbering on about with him. Spilling secrets about me, were ye?" That smirk of hers renders no remorse.

[Lili] "Amongst other things." She confirms. "I can't wait for ye to find out."

[Patrick, groaning] "Bloody hell." Tamara claps her hands together and bounces on her toes.

[Tamara] "I'm ready to dance. Shall we head out?"

My mind is whirling, saying I should be very afraid. Anything can happen with these two at the helm.

Wish me luck. I'm sure as hell going to need it.

***

Neon lights glistened off the rain pavement, and I'm thankful the rain let up before we left the flat. Muffled bass boomed as the three of us made our way to Neon Envy . Patrons mill about along the length of the building and Lili began bouncing on her toes then spotted a few friends near the entry.

[Lili] "Ooh, there's Avery, Weston, and Harrison! I'll see you mates inside." She disappears into the crowd leaving us standing there. Tamara's eyes pan around the lively atmosphere in search of I don't know what. Must be she spotted what she sought after then she turned to me with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

[Tamara] "Wait right here." With that she disappears into the crowd as well. What the hell? Why are they leaving me out here?

Here I awkwardly stand on the pavement, feeling like a fish out of water. I'm already teetering on the edge, and I consider fleeing back to my flat.

[August] "Pardon me." A smooth familiar drawl has me second guessing thoughts of leaving. I turn to see a grinning August weaving his way through a group of women in matching birthday outfits. He winks and tips his hat at the long-legged brunette wearing next to nothing in a birthday sash. As he passes the group he wishes her a happy birthday and the women all giggle and whisper to each other about the cute cowboy. I dinnae miss how his eyes ran up and down the brunette's form as they crossed paths. He may have revealed a secret without having intended. There is no judgement coming from me on who he is involved with.

Instead of turning around and watching the women as they head inside, his hazel eyes find my blue ones – and he isn't looking away. He stops in front of me and it's my chance to drink him in for the first time now that he's out of the oversized football jersey.

The man's confidence is striking, his swagger not going unnoticed by others around us as they pass him. He's dressed in a light blue long sleeve button-up with the sleeves rolled up part way showing off his toned forearms. His shirt is tucked into dark jeans that hug him just right and have me eager to see how they look from behind. Glancing at his cowboy boots I see they are lived in, and his hat is the same ivory coloured one from yesterday. The stubble on his face tells me he didn't shave yesterday or today and I'm eager to feel the bite on my skin. The approving hum he releases as he too takes his fill of my attire sends my pulse hammering.

[August] "Is it just me, or did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" His eyes spark with mischief. I lift a brow, unimpressed by the pickup line.

[Patrick] "Really? That's the best ye've got?" August laughs, and it's a deep, hearty sound that caught me off guard.

[August] "Seems I'm working with a tough crowd tonight. How about this: if you were a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber ." I do my best to keep my lips in a straight line and not laugh.

[Patrick] " Cute-cumber ? Are ye serious? Honestly, I expected more fan-fare." I cross my arms over my chest, a move he's rather enticed by.

[August with laughter] "Okay, fine. Maybe I need to work on my material. But it got you talking, didn' it?" A reluctant smile tugs at the corners of my lips.

[Patrick] "Maybe a little." I watch his eyes alight in hunger. The thought of taking this man back to my flat tonight has my nerves dwindling and desire taking over. I'm out of practice at maintaining this mask of mine.

[August] "Well, that's progress. And might I say." He leans in close to my ear as a loud song plays from the club. [Growly] "It is so fuckin' sexy seeing you in a kilt." His woodsy cologne and minty breath mingle together and I'm sent on a whirlwind of temptations. I cannae allow him to see me flustered.

[Patrick] "If yer lucky enough, ye might get to see what's under it."

[August, provocative] " Mmmm . Such a tease. I like that." He steps back and eyes me with surprise, that cunning smirk of his reflecting my own as he shifts the subject. "I've heard some interesting facts about you, Patrick." I scoff at that.

[Patrick] "My mate is one feisty lass. What she told ye is most likely true, I cannae deny." There's no need to sugar-coat things, Lili is the one person who knows me best. Even with her being such a pain in my arse.

[August] "She's a keeper, that one." He declares as I nod my agreement. He shifts from foot to foot then tosses a thumb over his shoulder. [Charm] "Let's head inside, maybe you'll hear better pick-up lines after a drink." This cowboy has sparked my interest, maybe enough to warrant a quick fling.

[Patrick blasé] "Here we go with the damned pick-up lines. Just be yerself, mate." His grin is sheepish as he scratches his jaw nervously. Why do I find that vulnerable side of him sexy?

[August] "Fine. Fine. Let me start again." He recovers by holding out his hand. "Hey there, I'm August." One side of my lips quirk as we clasp hands. His touch is strong and rough, and my mind is thinking of other places those rough callused hands should be.

[Patrick] "Name's Patrick. Nice to officially meet ye." We need to do something about the awkwardness. "I'm ready fer a drink." I express, deciding a nip of whisky would help. August nods.

[August] "That makes two of us. After you." He gestures for me to go first and I'm mildly disappointed I dinnae get to see how his ass looks in his jeans.

As we enter Neon Envy , the vibrant lights and infectious beats have my heart racing as my eyes scan the space. It's crowded, not completely full, just enough to have me aware of my anxiety. I'm handed a yellow glow stick necklace as The Rolling Stone's Start Me Up fills the space. Lili was right about one thing; I do enjoy the music so far. Fine. She was also right about me needing to take a break. She's right more times than not. The little minx knows me better than I know myself.

I decide to goal for tonight: Convince the sexy cowboy to venture back to my flat so I can show him what I have hiding under my kilt.

But first, a whisky to calm me nerves.