Somethin' About That Boy

“Rachel Howell,” she answered. “Rachel was head cheerleader last year. Rachel was Symphony’s idol. Did you hear about Rachel Howell killing someone?”

I blinked in surprise. “Vaguely. The girl was a cheerleader?”

“Yep,” she said. “Anyway, long story short, Rachel Howell was a queen bitch and Symphony was her sidekick for the longest. Rachel was taken to jail and kicked out of school and Symphony stepped right into her shoes. Though, saying that, I don’t think that Symphony quite has the evil streak that Rachel did.”

I shook my head. “Let’s fucking hope not.”

Perry shot me a smile and waved at the waitress that came up to our table. “You’re working, too?”

Temperance. Another one of Perry’s friends.

“Yes, ma’am,” Tempy said. “What can I get y’all?”

“Y’all have good sweet tea?” I asked curiously.

“Of course.” Tempy grinned. “I make it myself.”

“Then I’ll have that,” I said, looking at Perry.

“I’ll have that, too.” Perry grinned. “And some of that bread.”

Tempy flashed her a grin and hurried away, stopping to check on two other tables before heading into the kitchen.

“This is a popular place,” I observed.

“It didn’t used to be,” she admitted. “It used to be an adult hang out, but then they changed the hours, and new ownership took over. They wanted to cater to the younger crowd. And now it’s a bit of a blend of people. On school nights, Tempy works. There’s no alcohol served. But Friday to Sunday nights, they’re not allowed to work because they open up the bar. It works out.”

I nodded, thinking that I’d need to go find myself a job.

At least for another six months or so.

Though, saying that, my parents would float me. I just didn’t like buying some shit with their money.

I mean, what if I needed condoms? Or beer? I didn’t feel right buying those kinds of things when they would ask to see the receipts.

So a job it was.

“Do you work?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. I have too much going on sports-related. Why?”

I shrugged. “I was thinking I needed to find something that worked with my schedule.”

She tapped her bottom lip with her thumb.

“Have you thought about one of the CrossFit gyms? You said you like to work out there. Why not do both? They have an opening for a coach for the five and six o’clock classes at the one in Longview.”

I frowned.

That would actually not be too bad.

“Where’s the gym at?” I asked.

“It’s actually sort of close to here,” she answered. “I can show you where it is on the way home. Not technically in town, though.”

Conversation flowed after that, and over the next hour and a half, I became really surprised at just how much I enjoyed talking to her.

Though she seemed hesitant and standoffish at first, eventually she came out of her shell enough to show me her true colors.

That was until Symphony was seated next to us when we were finishing up dinner.

Echo looked over at Perry with an apologetic expression on her face, causing my lips to twitch.

“Look who it is.” Symphony smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

I looked at her date, finally realizing who it was.

John, better known as Alero.

The boy that I’d beaten out of his spot today at practice.

Oh, joy.

I looked over at Perry to see her staring at me wide-eyed.

“Nice to see you,” I lied. “We’re just paying. Y’all have a nice night.”

I stood up and offered my hand to Perry, which she gratefully took.

As we were leaving, she snatched the basket of bread and her tea, taking them with her.

I snickered as she hurriedly ate the last two slices of bread, then washed them both down with the rest of her tea.

“Here,” she said to Echo. “Can you take that? I can’t go back.”

Echo chortled, but took the dishes and went to the kitchen.

She came back out with Tempy.

“What the hell?” Tempy said.

Perry pointed at Echo.

“That one decided to park Symphony right next to us.” Perry narrowed her eyes at Echo.

Tempy started to laugh, then handed me the ticket.

I pulled out a couple of twenty-dollar bills once I saw the price, then said, “Keep the change.”

Tempy grinned. “I’m sorry your date was cut short.”

Perry was quick to say, “Oh, it wasn’t a date.”

I kept my grin hidden as I guided her out the door moments later.

Again, before I could open the door for her, she got in and slammed it closed, nearly taking my fingers with her.

I rolled my eyes and rounded the truck, getting in without a word.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said softly. “Oh, and the CrossFit gym is right there on the left.”

I looked where she was pointing, but was suddenly too pissed to care where it was.

“Welcome,” I clipped.

Why was I pissed that she didn’t consider that a date?

I was second-guessing myself when my phone alerted me of an incoming text.