Chapter 8 Grasshole #2
How long does it take to put some spinach in a bowl?
"How're your parents?"
"Wonderful," I try and keep my voice as strong as I can.
I'm so tense. I feel like I'm waiting for my doom.
After a good fifteen minutes, here comes the slow-poke, Jai.
He places the salad down in front of me with a lot of ranch. Three cups of it.
Then he gives Aaron his chicken. It's got some sort of seasoning and sauce in it and I'll be darned. I should've got that.
I pour all the cups of ranch in my bowl and Aaron shakes his head at me.
I'm about to inhale this food like Patrick.
"Want some salad with that ranch?" He teases.
~~~
I tap my foot under the table. I chew on my bottom lip and wait for the worlds slowest eater to finish his chicken that's not even that big of a serving.
"I can feel your eyes on me," he smirks, looking away from his food to look at me.
"Aaron, please, stop talking and stuff your face," I plead.
"Darling, I know something is wrong," he puts his fork down.
"Is it because Jake used to come here?" He questions softly and I don't show my shocked reaction.
He used to come here?
"Yeah," I put my head down so he doesn't see the guilt that I'm fully aware is clouding in my eyes.
The next five minutes, he actually does shovel the food into his mouth.
Jai soon comes to our table and Aaron being the kind person he is, he pays for the both of us. I also forgot that I only had three dollars.
And finally, we leave.
I sigh in utter relief as we walk outside. All my stress flutters away and I close my eyes, breathing in the cool air of the afternoon.
I go to pull my phone out to check the time only to come to the conclusion that it is no longer with me.
I stop in my tracks and almost take a seat on the ground to sadly soak in my own defeat.
"Are you okay? Is your knee hurting?" Aaron stops with me.
"I forgot something at the restaurant," I speak softly.
"I can go get it for you," he places his hand on my shoulder and I give him a grateful smile. Until my eyes find the back of Grey Kingston. Right as he's turning a corner I see him.
"No, no," I assure Aaron quickly, "I'll go get it don't worry!"
"But your knee-"
I walk away from him, although I feel bad. In the restaurant, there are booths to hide in, out in the open of town square, I can only hide behind Aaron in the predicament I was in.
Once I make it back, I slip inside and steer straight to the table Aaron and I was sitting at.
I only find that it has since been cleared and cleaned.
These people are quick.
I look around for Jai and I finally see him coming out some doors that most likely lead to the kitchen.
"Jai!" I call out to him and his head snaps to mine. A little smile crosses his lips and I finally make my way over to him.
"I left my phone here, did you see it or pick it up maybe?" I question, fidgeting with my fingers. Any second now Grey is going to walk through that door and I cannot stress enough about the fact that I can't physically run away.
"I've got it here for you," he smiles, walking over to the same counter where I asked him for moonshine what feels like forever ago.
He sits the appetizer in his hand down before reaching in the front of his black waist apron. My familiar lilac colored phone case comes into view and I sigh a little in relief.
At least no one stole it.
"You better hurry before he gets here-" he cuts himself off.
"What happened anyway? After you left he was a dick," his nose flares as he remembers what Grey must've been like after he told me what he told me.
I love the way he talks about his boss.
"He was a male productive part before I left," I grumble and he barks out a laugh. I turn and look out the window near the front. The coast is clear, I better go now.
"I'll see you later, Jai," I give him a little wave, "oh! Thank you for keeping my phone for me!"
"Of course," he picks up the appetizer thing and I start to feel bad again. What if the poor people's food got cold because of me?
I push the door open right as someone else is pulling it open from the other side. A strong person at that, I almost go flying.
Not only do I almost fly, but I crash right into the freakin' Hulk. A familiar and unfortunately extremely wonderful scent hits my nose but it's gone when I ricochet off the chest.
I brace myself for the fall and make sure to keep my injured knee straight. I hit my butt on the step right outside the entrance and it's going leave a hefty bruise.
My hair flies around my face and I'm actually glad that it covers my face.
"Shi-i-i-i-t," a voice drawls out but it isn't Grey's.
There are more people. Am I okay? No.
I move my hair out of my face, needing to see. Scared to look at the scene in front of me, I just raise my palm, which caught my fall. Unsurprisingly, it's scraped.
I look up to see not only Grey but a group of about five or six men. And they're all not only looking at me but directly at my skirt.
I look down to see how far it has risen up. My cheeks flush and I feel the need to slam my head into the concrete.
Next thing I know, I'm lifted directly up by my underarms like a child. I fix my skirt immediately once he sets me down on my feet.
I look up to glare at Grey only to see him scowling darkly at the group of guys. I'm sucked into a trance looking at his face for the first time in over two weeks. His jaw clenches harshly.
"Excuse you," I gather my courage and push past his large frame. I don't get very far. His large hand grabs my arm and I feel my eyes narrow.
Pulling me back to him, my eyes connect with that one guy who walked in on Grey kissing me. What's-his-face, gives me a knowing smirk and if Grey wasn't holding onto me, I would've slapped him silly.
"Inside," Grey nearly growls out and the guys begin filing in. I try to follow them but once again, I'm held back by Mr. Brat.
Once the door closes, Grey pulls me away to a more desolate place, still near the restaurant. I try to keep my place though. Key word, try.
"Grey," I huff out, "let go of me."
He doesn't say anything and I find myself getting frustrated.
"What are you doing here?" he all but sneers and I try to ignore the sharp pain that travels through my chest.
"Leave me alone," I turn to walk away from him but he grabs the waist of my skirt, pulling me back.
"Don't fucking walk away from me," he growls out, his hand still resting on against the waistband of my skirt. I'm going to punch his nose off.
I hate myself for liking his touch.
I glare up at him as darkly as I possibly can.
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I wouldn't call this a cliffhanger necessarily but y'all are gonna have to wait to see what happens lol. Sorry :)
*Not edited*
Word count: 3231
-Ashlyn Montgomery