Chapter 12 Tristan
CHAPTER TWELVE
tristan
The drive to the restaurant is quiet. Paula is staring out the window as I follow the map on the screen. We’ve left the beach front and are going further into town.
I think I may have overstepped in my thoughts on her brother.
Or maybe it was me leaning into to kiss her.
I probably shouldn’t have done that. But…
she leaned in, too. She obviously feels some sort of way about me.
I hope by the end of the trip, I’ll know where we stand.
If she wants to stay friends, I’m cool with it.
Paula is fun to hang out with, and she doesn’t filter her words or thoughts.
We’re getting closer to our destination, but I don’t see anything signaling we’re going to a restaurant.
“Are we in the right place?” The question feels loud in the silence. Like I’ve interrupted the serenity of the space.
“Huh?” She turns toward me, and I’m taken aback by her beauty in the dim dashboard lights. Relaxed is the only way I can describe her right now. After her argument with Pierce and the walk on the beach, she seems like she’s at peace. At least, for now.
“Is the area we’re supposed to be in? It looks like it’s just a bunch of houses.”
“Oh, yeah.” She points ahead of us. “Find the first parking spot you can. It’s hard to find close parking, even during off season.”
“Sure thing.” I’ve been to some hole in the wall restaurants in my time with Crooked Halo, but this really looks like a residential area.
Someone is pulling out of a parking space, and I wait to pull in.
I’m not taking any chances even if I don’t know where I’m at.
Before Paula has a chance to open her door, I turn off the car and rush around to her side.
It’s the little things. Not only is it part of the dating thing, but I was raised to be a gentleman.
My dad still opens the door for my mom and they’ve been together for decades. It’s sweet.
“Thank you,” she says as I offer my hand to help her out.
“Any time.” I pull her closer to me and wrap an arm around her waist. It’s still pretty chilly, and she took my jacket off when we got back to the beach house.
“Is this place good?” I’ve never heard of it, and I don’t know what to expect.
“Definitely.” She nods. “They serve a little bit of everything and the food is delicious. They even have fountain Big Red, and that’s probably my favorite thing.”
“That’s good to know.” I give her a quick squeeze. “Sounds like an easy way to get back into your good graces when I screw up.”
“Are you talking about while we’re here? Or, when we go back to the real world and we’re just friends.”
The acknowledgment of our expiration dates hits me right in the heart. I know it’s not her casting me out of her life forever. But the more time I spend with her, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to only be friends with her again.
“Both.” I force a small laugh to hide the pain.
We’ve come to small building on the corner, and I can only assume this is the right place. A blast of hot air hits me as soon as I pull the door open. There’s a line along the wall of people waiting to order. Wow, this place must be popular.
The room we’re in has tables sprinkled through, and none of them are empty. Paula’s family is also nowhere to be seen.
“Do you think they went to another restaurant?” I don’t want to take up space in here if we need to leave.
“No, there’s another dining area off to the side.” Paula assures me. She pulls out her phone from her small purse and sends a text. It dings with a response right away. “Piper said they’ve saved us some seats. And, they are far away from Pierce.”
That feels like an added bonus for her. We definitely don’t need to rehash earlier events in a public space. Though, I’m sure her brother knows that.
We’re slowly making progress to the front of the line, and I start perusing the lit-up menu behind the counter.
“So, what’s good here?” I haven’t had much seafood. The band prefers Mexican food, and we always try to find hidden gems to eat at.
“Pretty much anything.” She waves toward the menu. “If you don’t like seafood, they have burgers and chicken strips. Though I definitely recommend the grilled shrimp. They make it to perfection.”
“Okay, then. That’s what I’m getting.”
“You don’t have to get the same thing as me. Or, eat seafood for that matter.”
“Paula, I value your opinion. I’ve never really eaten seafood before. Is life even worth living if you don’t try new things?”
She flinches at the question, and I want to know why. I won’t push her, though. She’ll tell me or she won’t. That’s up to her.
“Okay, but don’t blame me when you learn you love it, and will want it all the time.” She smirks pushing aside whatever concerned her only seconds ago.
We place our order, and I pay for it despite her protests. She better get used to it. As long as I’m around, I’ll take care of things. Fake boyfriend or not.
“Do we wait here for the food?”
“Nope. That’s what this is for.” She holds up a small plastic tent with a number on it. “Let’s go find my family, and hope some of them are in better moods.” The last thing is said just above a whisper.
I follow her through a door on the side of the room. It leads outside to a pathway. There’s another door on the other side, and laughter can be heard before we open it.
Her family is on the far side of the room, taking up almost half of it.
I wonder why this place doesn’t look for a bigger location.
It’s popular enough to afford it. Maybe the cozy vibe is part of the appeal.
It feels like a big family get together.
At least, it does, based on what I’ve seen in movies.
I wouldn’t know from personal experience.
“You finally made it.” Paul stands shakes my hand. It’s not like we didn’t see each other earlier, or are staying under the same room for a few days. Formalities must be a big thing for him.
“Yes, sir. Sorry we’re late.”
“It’s fine. Take a seat.” He holds his hands toward the two open seats by Parker and Piper. Apparently, everyone knew Paula would need to be around friendly faces tonight.
Pierce doesn’t acknowledge us. He’s either still mad about his sister intentionally ignoring him, or at me for scolding him. I have a feeling that doesn’t happen to him too often.
“How was your walk on the beach?” Parker leans in front of me to ask his sister.
“It was fine.” Paula huffs. “But don’t think we won’t be talking about you going through my phone later.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He gasps and puts his hand over his heart.
At the same time Piper says, “I thought I was the only one who did that.”
“What?” Paula’s head snaps to her sister.
I don’t know what I would do with this sort of invasion of privacy. There truly are no secrets in this family. Well, except that I’m not really Paula’s boyfriend. Hell, I’m barely a friend.
“It might be time to put a passcode on your phone.” I chuckle and bump into Paula.
“Won’t help.” Piper sighs. “I would figure it out.”
“Or lock me out of my phone.” Paula grumbles. She glances at her siblings. “Why haven’t you eaten? Your food is getting cold.”
“We were waiting for you.” Parker says as he grabs a fry and pops it in his mouth. “We couldn’t let you eat alone.”
“What am I? Chopped liver?” It’s like all of them forgot I even exist.
“No.” Piper laughs. “But since you’re together, you’re counted as one unit. I don’t make the rules.”
Not going to lie, I like the way it sounds being one unit with Paula.
If I push too hard, she’ll shut me down faster than I can get the words out of my mouth.
I’d rather not show my hand before I know where she stands.
There are moments like now when she leans into me while talking with her family that I think there may be something there.
That I’m not the only one who feels the sparks between us.
Time will tell, and I’m not willing to rush it.
Our food arrives and we chat with everyone while eating. Phillip is peppering me with questions about Crooked Halo. He might be their biggest fan. I have to make a meeting happen between him and Dale. Even Peter is joining in the conversation. Maybe he’s softening up toward me.
Pierce, however, keeps most of his attention on his parents. I can’t figure out what they are talking about since he’s on the opposite end of the table. It looks serious, though. Hopefully Paula isn’t the topic because I’ll step in if she needs me to. I’m not scared to go to bat for her.
We finish up our conversations, and the restaurant is clearing out. I’m not even sure how long we’ve been here. The food has been long gone, but the time has been enjoyable.
This time with all the siblings in one spot has let me learn a bit more about them. Piper and Parker are more laid-back versions of Paula. Phillip goes with the flow and isn’t bothered by much. Peter is more like Pierce, but he seems more approachable, less hardened by life.
Pierce, I’m sure someone could write a dissertation on the chip is has on his shoulder. He’s very serious, and I don’t think I’ve seen him crack a smile once. I hope whatever his problem is, he drops it in regards to Paula.
“Are we ready to head home?” Abigail allows Paul to help her slide on her jacket before grabbing her purse. “I’m pretty sure they are closing soon, and we’re the last ones here.”
“Actually,” Piper says. “I think I may head to the bar by the beach and have a few drinks. Anyone want to join me?”
Parker raises his hands as if he’s a student waiting to be called on. Even Phillip and Peter add their hands to the mix.
I lean over and whisper, “We’ll do whatever you want. We can go out with your siblings, or head back to the beach house.”
Piper seems to sense her sister’s indecision, and asks, “What about you big brother. You gonna come hang out with the rest of the brood?”
“I think I’m going to call it a night. We have to get up early to check out a winery.”
“Oh, well have fun with that.” She waves.
“All of us are going.” He gives Paula a pointed look. She simply nods in response.
“So, what do you want to do?” I ask again.
“Screw it. Let’s go out. You only live once, right?” She grabs her purse from the back of the chair.
There she is. The girl I first saw at Out of the Ashes. Tomorrow morning is going to suck, but it’ll be worth it.