5. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
BECCA
A whole helluva lot happened over the next few weeks, more than I could even comprehend. Lenna and Conrad were being stupid assholes, running from each other, and there was nothing I could do about it.
But finally, Conrad grew enough cojónes to do something about being in love with Lenna. He sent her all the postcards and flowers, bought a house, and she had just left to go see him. I genuinely was thrilled for them, but damn it, watching someone you care about live your dream… it selfishly hurt.
Unknown Number: Becca. Stop ignoring me. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you all week.
Becca: Yes, unknown number, I know you have.
Unknown Number: STFU you know exactly who this is.
Becca: What do you want, Shyloh?
Unknown Number: Finally… acknowledgement. Now that you ask, I want you to come to our first game.
Becca: No
Unknown Number contact changed to Shithead
Shithead: I knew you’d say that. So, what I’ve done is prepared in advance.
Becca: What do you mean prepared in advance? What weird shit did you do?
Shithead: I took it upon myself to reserve a seat for you at every game just in case you want to come.
Becca: That’s a lot of hope you have there.
Shithead: Hope is my middle name.
Becca : Mkay. Bye .
Shyloh had been texting me non-stop, trying to get me to hang out with him, but I just didn’t want to. Simple as that. I knew their season was starting soon, but I didn’t want to be sucked into this lifestyle. I needed to head back west and escape for a while. That’s where I was happy and that’s where I belonged.
Moving to California was the best decision I could have made. Being in nature, helping others sort through their lives, and being away from here made it worth it. Even though I did love to come visit my bestie, even if it meant coming back home.
***
“Yes, I’ll take the donut special of the day and a fountain drink,” I told the cashier as she rang me up. Once my transaction was complete, I took a seat to wait for my box.
A chime stole my attention and when I swiveled my head, I came face to face with Shyloh Mendoza.
Great .
Thankfully, he didn’t notice me as he marched to the counter.
“Hello, Mr. Mendoza!” the cashier greeted Shyloh warmly. “We have your specialty box ready for you. Let me just grab yours and one other customer’s order.”
I watched the exchange happen before the world seemed to move in slow motion. I suddenly heard my name called, saw Shyloh’s head whip around to find me, and sat frozen as a smile crept up his face.
“Well hello there, gorgeous,” he drawled. “Fancy running into you here.”
I stood beside him, waiting silently for my box of donuts.
The young girl approached us with two boxes and handed Shyloh his box first and mine next. “Oh, I’m sorry ma’am, we had to swap out the raspberry-filled donuts with another because we sold out.”
Are you shitting me? I love that donut. It’s my favorite.
In my peripheral, I could see Shyloh checking his box and I heard a slight chuckle. “Huh? Would you look at that… I have the last one,” he taunts.
“You took my donut! I was here before you.”
He smirked. “Yeah, you might have been, but I pre-order my donuts once a week, so I get first dibs Becca. But… I can make an arrangement with you.”
I sighed in frustration because I really wanted that donut. “What is it?”
A victorious smile spread through Shyloh’s cheeks as he gave me my ultimatum. “You come to the café next door with me, get a coffee, and sit with me to eat our donuts and you can have the raspberry one.”
I shook my head. There was absolutely no way I was eating breakfast with him.
Shyloh shrugged. "Well, looks like I’ll just eat this one then…”
I grabbed his arm. “Fine. We can, but don’t think this is a date because it’s not.”
"Sure. Just two friends eating breakfast. ”
“Eh, I wouldn’t even say friends.”
We walked out of the donut shop doors, and he replied, “Oh let’s be real. We are friends. We have each other’s numbers. We go to the same donut shop. We are both friendly with each other.”
I scoffed. I was not friendly to him.
Entering the cafe, over a dozen pairs of eyes swiveled to me and Shyloh. It didn’t bother him one bit as we approached the counter and ordered our coffees. “Doesn’t it irritate you at all when people stare at you?” I asked in frustration.
Shyloh shrugged. “Not really. I’m used to it at this point, and I’m their city’s quarterback so it comes with the territory.”
We grabbed our coffees and made our way to the covered patio outside. Sitting across from each other, he kindly passed me the raspberry-filled donut. I didn’t hesitate to grab it from him, out of concern that he would try to take it back from me.
He didn’t say anything, just smiled at me as he ate another donut.
“So, how long are you in town?” Shyloh asked.
I didn’t really know the answer, but I knew this wasn’t a permanent residence for me. I wanted to go back to the west and rejoin nature retreats and escape city life again.
“I’m not too sure. Not long.”
He nodded.
“What about you?” I asked. “How long do you plan on staying in New Orleans or even playing football? ”
He laughed before sipping his coffee. “That’s a great question. My contract ends at the end of this season, and I’ll be a free agent. I’d love to stay here, but I am willing to move.”
I saw his hand move towards me and I quickly pulled away.
“What? What is it?”
He squished his face. “You have some—I’ll just get it.”
Shyloh’s thumb gently wiped off the powder around my lips, but instead of wiping it on a napkin, he pressed his thumb into his mouth and sucked the powder off slowly.
“Mmm. That’s so good.”
Red alert. Red alert. My vagina is humming.
This could not be happening right now. I’d done so well to not get any feelings or attachments to him; literally being so mean to him so he’d leave me alone, but my body was a traitorous bitch.
Shyloh leaned over the table, closing his box and placing his corded arms in front of me. “What’s that look for? Did you like that?”
I sighed. “No.”
He quickly leaned back in his chair sipping his coffee. “Liar.”
I knew it. I was a damned liar, but I could never let him know that.