43- Crushes

Ryan's preferred method of telling his co-workers he was engaged was to purposely call attention to his ring so they would ask and he could confirm that yes, the man of his dreams and love of his life had asked him to marry him. Most of them brushed him off, or commented that the color was weird and engagement rings were only supposed to be diamonds. One asked if the colors were a sports team thing.

None of it got to him. His whole body was abuzz with giddy energy. Not even rude customers and sexist remarks could keep him down for long. All he needed was to look down at his ring, and the world was right again. Scott's parents were thrilled, and after delivering the big news, there may or may not have been some money exchanged under the table.

Michael had the best reaction of them all. He'd sat down hard in surprise in the break room when Ryan all but danced in, flashing his ring and grinning from ear to ear.

Ryan had debating sending his friend a picture of it immediately after Scott proposed, but had decided instead to show it to Michael in person on their next shift.

"Woah..." Michael ran his hands through his hair, this month bleached blonde with a strip of green down the middle. "Congratulations! But... Just... Woah..."

"It still doesn't quite feel real yet... I get to call him "fiance"... We're planning on mating my next heat... It's just, oh! Nobody wake me up, because I'm sure I must be dreaming!"

"I only wish you'd let me meet the guy before you go off getting bitten. A best friend has to weigh in a little, right?"

"I know, I know! It's just it's kinda hard to get schedules lined up. I promise I'll find a way for you to meet him soon."

Much as they wanted to stand around and gossip, the work shift had started. They were still operating as a team of two, and had pretty much been told it would stay that way until the holiday rush started. It sucked, of course. Even still, knowing that when they did get help, it would be a temp or a newbie that would only slow them down at first wasn't much better.

It did mean that they could somewhat continue their conversations as they worked without worrying about who would be made uncomfortable, at least as long as they kept things PG. It was easy for Ryan, but Michael had to catch himself sometimes.

"You know, some days I seriously think about quitting this dump." Michael paused for a second to wipe the sweat from his brow before he went back to stacking boxes.

"I'll probably quit after Christmas." Ryan grunted in effort over lifting a heavier than usual package. "That's when my lease is up, so I'll be moving in with Scott. I won't have to worry about covering that crazy rent of mine."

"You're so damn lucky. Living at home low-key sucks, and my parents still charge me rent. They'd kill me if I left a job without having another lined up."

Michael knew of course that his friend was worse off than he himself was. Still, he couldn't help being a little jealous. Hearing Ryan's cute stories, and now seeing his ring, made him wish someone felt like that about him. And, he certainly wouldn't mind a mate rich enough that he'd never have to work again.

"I thought you earned some money with your Instagram pictures?" Ryan asked.

"Not really. I've got it set up so fans can send me money if they want to, but I earn like, less than ten bucks a week. Can't live off that. Nah, I need a sugar daddy."

"Couldn't you tell all those people who like your photos that you're looking for a boyfriend?"

Michael almost dropped the box he was moving as he leveled the biggest "are you serious" stare he could muster at his friend.

"I take it that's a bad idea...?"

"Terrible idea!" Michael went back to stacking boxes. "Online, I'm 'Mr. Perfect.' I live in a candy colored world of perfect hair and clothes 24/7. That's what people want to see. They don't want to know I'm some thirsty twenty-something who gets all grimy slinging boxes for a living."

"If you find someone who falls in love with you though, that wouldn't matter. Scott's seen me be a hot mess several times, and it all worked out. There's bound to be a few people out there interested in you."

"Dude, I don't know if you're trying to make me feel better or what, but crushes should just stay crushes. It doesn't matter if some of my followers have a crush on me. It's more kind to be the perfect guy, on the other side of the screen. Unobtainable. And, you can't disappoint anybody."

"Kinda like your crush on the weather guy? What was his name again...?"

"Leave Edwardo and his luscious eyebrows out of this!"

"Oh?" Ryan teased him a little. "I thought you were all excited when you said he followed you back on Instagram?"

Michael blushed hard. It was a crush, nothing more. Edwardo Sanchez probably had hundreds of fans in the city. He didn't have a chance. What was he going to do, waltz into the studio and say, "Hey, big boy, you're hott as fuck, lemme ride that disco stick"? He wasn't even sure the guy was an alpha. For all his social media stalking, the only thing he knew for sure was that he was a meteorologist and an amateur photographer. He probably wasn't even gay. He may even be married. Not everyone wears rings nowadays...

"Come on dude," Michael mumbled, irritated. "This truck won't load itself."

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How was Dean's so busy for a Thursday? Ryan had had a line at his register pretty much since they'd opened. It wasn't all that bad though, the steady stream of people getting their groceries helped him stay awake. Having access to the ride service because of Scott meant he could now get a short nap in between getting off at FedEx and working at the grocery store, but he was still tired.

His ring winked in the lasers as he scanned the customer's purchases, reminding him that in a few short month's time, his stressful schedule will have overnight shifts erased from it completely. It would make it harder to see Mick, but since his friend was wanting to quit too, it's not like they wouldn't have free time during the day to hang out. Things were looking up. Life was going to be okay.

He had two hours left to his shift. He was looking forward to going home and crashing. He had another overnight tonight, after all.

"You look bored. You know, if you smiled more, some alpha might take pity on you and save you from this crappy minimum wage job."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at the customer's comment. Even if it was part of the job, it was hard to remember to smile all the time when you've practically been awake since 11 the night before. He put on the fakest customer service smile he could manage, and flashed his ring.

"What would I do with more than one?" He asked innocently.

The customer tisked as they gathered their bags and left. Maybe it was a petty move on Ryan's part, but the guy's comment was uncalled for. All in all, Ryan didn't mind working at the grocery store. Most people were nice, or at least civil, and it was the least physically demanding job he had. If this was the only place he had to work after he and Scott were mates, that wouldn't be so bad. Besides, they'd save on food.

Speaking of Scott, he happened to notice a very familiar face come in through the entrance, perfectly styled hair, lab coat, scrubs, and everything. Ryan got super excited to see his fiance from across the store. It was better than Christmas morning. But, what was he doing here? Was he on his lunch break?

Ryan waved to get Scott's attention, and when their eyes met, it clicked. It showed in the thinness of his lips, and the crease in his brow. Scott was upset about something. He was here to make good on Ryan's promise. Ryan immediately paged a manager to call his register.

Ryan was able to finish with his current customer before the manager called. He juggled starting the next customer's transaction, reassuring glances to his boyfriend, and explaining to his manager that he needed to take his fifteen all at the same time.

It was no mean feat, considering the manager wanted a full explanation of why he wanted to take a break so late in his shift. Couldn't he just tough it out? He never takes his break. They were busy, and every cashier had a line. Your boyfriend's here and he has to tell you something important? Can't it wait until after your shift?

It was frustrating, but he finally convinced him. He was able to finish with another two customers before management actually came up to redirect traffic and he was taken off the register. He tried to keep intermittent eye contact with Scott, hoping to convey both appropriate concern, and apology for how long the whole thing was talking. Didn't professionals only get an hour for lunch? This whole thing had already taken more than ten minutes!