Chapter 15
SELENA
In one of the most surreal moments of my life, Grayson Rhodes opens the door for me while every pair of eyes turns our way as if with rehearsed precision.
I ignore the way they look from him to me and back, and thank him as I step inside.
The scent of bacon wafting in the air hits me.
It smells greasy and delicious and my stomach rumbles. I hope he doesn’t notice.
I’ve driven by Leo’s Burgers more times than I can count, but never been inside. When you’re a broke college student on a super strict budget like I am, you seldom eat out. Make that never.
Letty stops me at the door, obviously surprised to see me. Her eyes have a glazed look and I wonder how much she’s been drinking tonight.
We’ve been working together at Roar Coffee since we were freshmen. Like Jess, she’s invited me out so many times that I couldn’t possibly remember them all, but I never join her. Going out gets expensive—drinks and food and fun things to do. The truth is I can’t afford any of it, so I stay home.
Honestly, I don’t mind though. I prefer staying in to read my books. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
“I thought you weren’t in the mood to party?” Letty accuses in her playful tone. She sent a text earlier asking if I wanted to go dancing. I told her I had practice and it was my brother’s birthday.
Her brown eyes dart from me to Grayson, who stops at my left. What is he doing? Wasn’t he starving a second ago?
“The line is getting longer,” I inform him because I can see Letty has lots and lots of questions for me and I’d rather he not hear any of them.
“I’m not in a hurry,” he smirks. This dude was glowering at me for checking if he was okay outside and now he’s acting like we’re old friends?
“Leticia Aquino,” Letty says, reminding us she’s there, offering her hand.
Grayson shakes it. “Grayson Rhodes.”
“Yeah, I know,” Letty winks and I’m staring at her. “We had economics with Professor Neland last semester.”
“Right.”
“Plus,” Letty continues, “every time you’re on ESPN, my Lola in the Philippines calls me to remind me I should track you down and marry you.”
I choke on nothing. Grayson keeps the smirk in place and I realize he must hear crazy stories like this all the time.
“She’s a big fan,” Letty shrugs with a laugh. How is she not embarrassed? I’m blushing for her. “You smell like alcohol, Grayson. Were you guys drinking? Is this a date?! Selena—”
“Okay, we’re going to order now,” I cut her off with a fake, cheesy smile, pushing him towards the counter.
When I look over my shoulder, Letty-the-troublemaker is giggling while making obscene sexual gestures, humping and spanking the air. Definitely drunk.
Grayson shuts down the idea of eating in his car, so we end up at the only available table in the corner, sitting across from each other. He gives the room his back while I can see them all looking at him and probably wondering why he’s with me.
Earlier, I was distracted by my usually sweet and very demure coworker’s lewd gyrating that I didn’t pay attention to what Grayson ordered. My stomach growls again.
“Is it always like this for you?” I ask, my voice as low as possible. If I’d known everyone would be outright staring and pretending not to, I might’ve stayed in the car.
“I didn’t catch that,” he says.
I lean forward a bit, my elbows on the table. “I said—”
I stop talking when he stands and comes around to my side of the table.
“What are you doing?” I murmur, trying not to blush and failing miserably. I’ve always hated that my cheeks turn colors when I’m embarrassed.
The group of girls two tables over squeal and giggle, watching as Grayson Rhodes sits down on my side of the table like…like a boyfriend would...
“I couldn’t hear you,” he explains, which makes total sense. Of course that’s the only reason he moves closer.
Luckily his food arrives and I don’t have to explain why I’m freaking out. He ordered a lot of food. Enough for two people.
“I told you I wasn’t hungry,” I lie, my voice low, but my body betrays me and my stomach chooses that precise moment to growl again.
“I didn’t order this for you.”
“Oh.”
I suppose two cheeseburger meals with fries and two shakes might be his usual. He’s a big guy. Who plays sports. And has all that muscle to maintain. Hard, defined muscles—focus, Selena.
“I ordered this meal for that,” he adds, his eyes on my midsection.
The growling from my stomach erupts as if on cue. Smirking, he places one cheeseburger and fries closer to me.
“This...I’m not going to finish this.” The burger is the size of my head.
“I’ll finish whatever you don’t,” he assures me and I’m about to kick myself because I found that reply kind of sweet.
His thigh brushes mine under the table and my belly churns, full of nervous energy. While I usually have no problem talking to people, it’s different with him for some reason.
“I owe you,” he says before taking a bite of his own burger. “For driving.”
“You don’t—”
“And I don’t like owing anyone,” he adds and that warm, fuzzy feeling dissipates.
“Why do you do that?” I ask, irritation in my tone, but I don’t cross my arms over my chest or glare at him like I want to because people are still looking at us. I pick at the crispy French fries instead.
He wipes his mouth with a napkin and turns to look at me. “Do what?”
“Be nice, then backtrack.”
The expression on his face makes me wonder if he’ll even bother replying. It wouldn’t be the first time he ignores me.
“I don’t backtrack.”
“What would you call it then?”
He doesn’t get the chance to elaborate because a girl that looks familiar but I can’t place, takes one of the empty seats across from us. She’s tall, blonde, and very pretty.
“Gray-Gray, you haven’t called me back,” she pouts. “I’ve missed you.”