Page 34 of The Game
Amira asked me to be her partner on the project and I’m almost giddy with excitement. We’ve always worked well together, and I’ve been looking forward to this project since my freshman year.
Everyone else bows out, leaving me alone with Rob. “Wanna hit group study at the library?” I ask.
“I’m still kind of hungry. How about Ethel’s?”
“How could you possibly be hungry? I think I ate my weight in chips and popcorn.”
“I’m always hungry. Part of the athlete’s life.”
Right, he’s on the football team. Tracks. He’s a huge dude, but I just always think of him as a business friend.
My budget is lean, and I spent my going out funds for the day here, so I’m trying to think of an excuse.
“I’m paying. Come on. Gotta feed the beast.”
I nod, the tinkling chimes of the door signaling our departure.
Hay bales, scare crows, and pumpkins nestled on every street corner set the perfect mood. Fall is my favorite season. Give mea fuzzy scarf, a pumpkin scone, and a hot apple cider and I’m a happy girl. And don’t get me started on Halloween. Costumes and candy. Sign me up. Unfortunately, I don’t have any plans this year.
“It’s so pretty along here, isn’t it?”
I really have to step up my pace to keep up with Rob’s long strides. Rob is a fair bit broader than Cole, but Cole’s got an inch or two on him in the height department. Funny how I can always keep up with him, even on our long walks around campus at night. Like he adjusts his stride to match mine.
“Eh. Football season is the only good thing about fall. Other than that, it’s depressing. Everything grey and dying. Not my fave.”
We turn down Oak St. to get to Ethel’s, passing several residential homes along the way. There are a few houses on this street that have gone all out for the season. Dancing skeletons, floating ghosts, and gravestones. I try not to let Rob’s words deflate my giddiness.
Thankfully, the yellow curtains hanging in the windows of the diner are straight ahead. The silence was getting a little awkward.
Warmth, and a friendly silver-haired lady greet us as we walk through the front door. The salty scent of french fries coats the place in a layer of comfort.
“Welcome. Come on in. You can hang your coats by the door if you like.”
She hustles around at a rapid clip like we’re little ducklings she needs to worry into line. Before I know it, she’s got mycoat hanging on a hook by the wall and we’re heading for a cozy round table in the corner. Rob’s long leg knocks the table as he settles in, then I pull back when his knee brushes mine. Maybe a little too cozy.
“Why don’t we get something to eat first? No need to rush.”
I look up from rifling through my backpack, the grant papers I was going to show him already in my hand. “Sure.”
He’s settled back in his seat full on manspreading when Ethel’s granddaughter Gemma walks up to take our order.
“I’ll have the double sirloin burger with fries, no onions.”
I’m fumbling with the menu. Not ready to order yet. “I’ll just have a coke, please.”
“You’re not getting something to eat? Come on. I told you I’d pay.”
I’m not really hungry enough for a meal, but they have amazing pie here. “Hmm. A slice of blueberry pie, please.”
“Whip cream with that, or ice cream?”
“Ooh, ice cream, definitely.” I’m not one to ever turn down ice cream.
“Good choice.”
“Thank you,” I say. It’s the worst when people don’t treat their servers like humans. I have more than enough experience in that department to never do that to someone else.
“My pleasure.”