The Three Date Minimum

Part 3

After a mediocre round where the disc didn't even get close to the mark, you turned back to Wade, who was now seated between two elderly women you hadn't met yet.

"It's okay, Y/N," he said, nodding toward the court. "It's totally okay that you didn't become the disc, and now Dorothy and Agnes are gonna take me for all their worth. It's totally fine."

So, you guessed it bothered him.

"Sylvia!" Wade shouted, jumping about a foot away from the little woman seated beside him. "Wait to pinch my ass until after I win!"

"Stop putting it in front of me, hot stuff," Sylvia replied, waggling her eyebrows at him.

Wade stood up and walked over to you, rubbing his backside dramatically. "That Sylvia, man, she's a goddamn cougar. Or a cougar's horny Grandma. Everyone else here knows the ass-pinching-during-shuffleboard etiquette."

"Wade, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you liked the attention you got from these women." You gestured around you. "And they like it too."

"I like to keep their spirits up, Y/N." His face grew serious, hands moving to his hips. "It's not about me at all. I simply want to help some old women facing the end of their meaningless, stinky, diaper-ridden lives to have a little fun before they're sent to the dirt. The men here could join too, but they just get so jealous. A shuttle with a working rocket booster can really cause some envy around here."

"Fair enough," you offered, handing him the cue for his turn and ignoring his last remark. "But I'm not a seasoned shuffleboard professional. If you can salvage this turn we still have a good chance at winning."

He gave you a wink. "You're damn right we do. Watch and learn, Y/N."

You stood off to the side as Wade stepped up to the court, cue in hand as he stared his opponents down.

Maybe he wasn't so bad. He liked helping others and he really did seem like the kind of guy who wanted to make the world a better place, even if it was in his own weird way. Plus, at least it wasn't your run-of-the-mill dinner and a movie, right? It was something to talk about.

"Goddammit, Dorothy! I'm gonna yeet your fucking dentures into next Tuesday if you don't stop cheating!"

You shrunk back against the brick wall behind you.

Then again, maybe he really did just like competing against senior citizens.

Once Wade was declared shuffleboard king (after challenging one of Agnes' moves), he tried to get you to stay for celebratory rice pudding, but you insisted that you had to get home (at 7:30 PM on a Sunday).

Was it a good date?

Would you...could you go out with him again?

It would take a lot of processing and probably a lot of alcohol to figure that one out, but it was still your second-best date so far.

At least this whole ordeal would be over soon and you could go back to watching Netflix.

You narrowly avoided having Dopinder pick you up by explaining that you liked to walk, and after a goodnight hug that lasted a little too long (with an almost-ass-grab that you also narrowly avoided), you and Wade parted ways.

As you passed the 107th on your way home, a strange urge to go inside and vent to the snarky bartender filled your veins. It would just be nice to talk to someone who was calm and witty instead of crazy and...well, crazy. Plus, it was too early to message Nat or Wanda without them hounding you for details.

Just one drink, you promised yourself as you stepped up to the door and reached for the handle.

On the door, a bright yellow notice informed you that the place was closed for a private party.

"Dammit," you mumbled, lowering your hand. With a sigh, you turned back around to head home to whatever takeout and wine might be left in your fridge.

"Hey!"

Wait...

"Snarky bartender?" you asked, turning around to see Bucky opening the door. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to creep on the bar, I saw that notice and was leaving."

A bemused smile lifted his lips. "Snarky bartender? Is that what you've been calling me in your head?"

"And out loud now, 'cause I forgot your name," you lied smoothly.

"Sure you did. Just like I forgot yours, Y/N." He kept the door propped open with his foot as he stepped further outside. "Did you want to come in?"

"I thought there was a private event?"

"There is."

"It's not a speed-dating event is it?"

"No, it's an engagement party."

Your brows stitched together. "Which means it's invite only."

"And I'm inviting you."

"Won't the host get mad?"

"No, I'm the host."

"You're the what now?"

Bucky chuckled at your confused expression. "I mean, I own the place. This is my bar. So my invite stands, if you want."

You eyed him warily. Why hadn't he told you it was his bar and he was a snarky owner? "I shouldn't. I have work in the morning."

His head tilted a little as he pushed the door a little wider. "Come on, just stay for a few drinks, on the house. And I mean it this time."

"Well when you put it that way." You brushed past him and right into the party, his soft laugh echoing behind you.