Chapter 6
Pancakes and Dancing
Once inside the diner, we wait patiently for the hostess to seat us. "Hello, guys. Welcome to Frankies. Booth or table?"
"We'll take a booth, please." He finally answers.
She saunters, swaying her hips in an exaggerated motion.
I roll my eyes at her. Really?! We're not on a date, but she doesn't know that.
Why are some girls like that? She lays our menus down and runs a finger down his arm.
"If you need anything, hun, just let me know. " Then she winks at him! She winks!
"Oh, we will, hun!" I say in exasperation. She huffs and rolls her eyes at me. She walks away without another word with her hips in full swing.
He laughs at the expression on my face as I sit down. "You jealous?"
I stare at him, not hiding my annoyance. "You wish. I don't know you well enough to be jealous of her skankiness. And in all seriousness, this is not a date, but she doesn't know that. That's what’s irritating. You better not give her a big tip!"
I fold my arms across my chest and stare after her, making him laugh.
His eyes are shining with amusement. That makes my stomach do a flip flop.
I smile up at him, then quickly look down at the menu.
He's too handsome. Jake is still staring at me and I can feel the intensity of his heated gaze.
"You're not like most of the girls that I know.”
I wasn't sure what would come out of his mouth next, but it wasn't that! I look up again. I am more intrigued than nervous at this particular moment. "Care to elaborate?"
"Well, to name a few things, you're shy, sweet, somewhat feisty, and you don't throw yourself at me. It's kinda refreshing." He shrugs, looking back at his menu.
I smile to myself. His statement makes me a little giddy. One of the most popular guys on campus thinks I'm refreshing. "Well, I would say thank you, but as you think I'm so awesome, I'll just say you're welcome."
He laughs a real laugh. "Don't get a big head Georgia. I said refreshing, not awesome."
"Oh, but I heard awesome."
He sends a smirk my way. Am I flirting?! I think I am. Judging by his reaction, I'm good at it. My granny would be so proud right now. She told me when I blossomed, I would be just like her. Maybe I am. Dear Lord, I’m an old soul. Who still says blossoming in 2023?
"Stay with me tonight? Then we can have a long conversation about how you're awesome."
"Do you have a guest bedroom?"
He laughs. "Nope."
"Guess I can't stay then."
"Somehow, I knew you were going to say that."
"No offense, but how do I know you're not a serial killer."
He rolls his eyes. "I'm not a serial killer."
I giggle. "That's exactly what a serial killer would say."
"Can't argue with that."
I can't help but look smug. Our waitress comes and takes our drink and food orders. She's not overly flirty. I like her. We order the same thing. Except I get two pancakes with a side of bacon, and he gets five of them with a side of bacon. And we both order sweet teas.
"I'm a pancake connoisseur, and this place has the best pancakes in town. We've tried all the places. Nothing else compares."
"I've only tried this place, but I can't imagine a better pancake. Only my granny Betsy Jean can cook better."
He smiles. "She sounds cute. Who was that guy you were with when I first saw you?"
"She's absolutely adorable. That was my cousin, Toby. We both graduated this year, but he's taking a year off. He's coming back for a visit in a couple of weeks. I think you'd like him. Most people do. He's hilarious."
"I wondered if he was "Bubba," then I recalled you calling him out for talking about the V. I figured if you guys were dating, he wouldn't be bragging about that."
I turn a crimson red, and all I can do is giggle. I remember that well. "Yeah, even though I'm on the shyer side, I can be loud sometimes. Especially with Toby, he grates on my last nerve, but he is without a shadow of a doubt my best friend."
"I have a cousin like that back home, too."
"I'm not going to lie. I Googled each of you because I had no idea who you were. Where are you from, though? I can't remember."
He looks amused. "I’m a little wounded that you didn't know who I was.
I have to admit, I looked you up on social media.
I guess we're both stalkers. To answer your question, I'm from all over. We never stayed in one place for very long as my father was in the Navy. We settled in San Diego my Freshman year, and that’s where we ended up staying. "
"A military brat, huh?"
"Born and raised. My Dad's a hard ass, but he means well. What about your parents?"
I get a heavy weight in my chest. Here it goes, he’ll hear about my dad and feel sorry for me.
I hate pity more than anything. “I come from a single-parent family. It’s only ever been my mom and me, and after my granddaddy passed away, my granny moved in with us to help raise me.
My sperm donor has a new family in Vegas.
I found that out during a Google search last year. ”
"I'm sorry, that sucks."
"Thanks, but I'm not. I'm happy and loved. I might not have been the person I am today if he had helped raise me."
He smiles. "Okay. I'll admit it without you even having to stay with me, I think you're awesome!"
My phone vibrates. It's Sasha.
Got any action yet?
I quickly text back. I blush profusely.
Nooooo! BUT he thinks I'm awesome, though.
He's glaring at me. "Who's that?"
I smile, teasing him now. "Jealous?"
He laughs and then shakes his head. "Not a chance, Georgia. Just wondering if I have any competition?"
Omg. I'm blushing again. "It was just Sasha checking in, but I was hoping it was Benji."
He picks an ice cube out of his sweet tea and playfully flings it at me. "He won't ever make you feel like I can, baby!"
I laugh and try to dodge out of the way of the flying ice cube. "Friends don't try to make other friends feel things. Especially in the way you're meaning."
He starts to say something, but our food arrives, and we both dig in. Who wants to flirt when you have these mouthwatering pancakes right in front of you.
He finishes first. With five of them, I'm not sure how. However, I try to eat like a lady most of the time. "I'm so stuffed. That was amazing."
He's looking at my mouth. "Yeah, it was. I guess we better be heading back."
We get in his Silverado and head back to Fraternity Row, listening to the same station as before and bellow loudly to a couple of songs.
Jake could never like me as anything other than a friend.
It just wouldn't work out. I'm not slim and beautiful.
I'm chubby and cute. I just ate pancakes instead of a salad in front of him.
But I've realized that I'd love to be his friend.
We arrive, and Jaxon comes over to open my door. "Thank you, kind, sir."
He bows, clearly intoxicated. "Anything for you, my dear lady!"
He makes me laugh. "Where's Sasha?"
I feel her arms around me before he can answer. "Hey, new bestie!"
"What's up?"
"The sky!" She sings.
I laugh. "I'm behind on the drink quota. I'm going to go inside and get one."
As soon as I walk in the door, I see Jake with some blonde bimbo on his lap.
He smiles sheepishly at me, and I give him a slight smirk and wave as I walk quickly past him to get to the kitchen.
The high I was on from being awesome has spiraled significantly downward.
He's not interested in me. Saying it in your mind is different from actually finding out two seconds after he flirted with me that I'm just the fat girl he can stuff his face with.
Well, screw him. He is not going to ruin my night.
I was a fool to get my hopes up. I tried talking myself down in the car, but I still hoped he could see me as more.
I grab a shot out of Dallas' hand and down it in seconds.
I start coughing, but I don't let that deter me.
Sasha makes me another of those sour drinks, and I down that in about a minute.
I plan on getting drunk tonight, then never coming to one of these parties again. As cool as the guys seem to be, I'm going to stay clear of Jake Ryan, which means not seeing them either. It's best that way. I let my guard down once and I won't do it again.
Thirty minutes later, and I'm like, Jake Ryan, who? I feel so happy. Then I see him coming around the corner and into the kitchen with a different girl on his arm. This one is a brunette, and she's beautiful and lean. I instantly dislike her. I laugh out loud. Who's being Petty Crocker now?!?!
"Me! Me! I am!" I shout that part out loud.
My behavior should mortify me, but it doesn't at the moment.
Everyone is laughing and having a good time.
I feel carefree. I leave the kitchen and head toward the dance floor.
I see my dear friend Benji. Maybe he wants to dance with me!
Who cares if his smile doesn't reach his eyes.
He was fun earlier, and he's not a jackass like Jake.
I grab the collar of his shirt and drag him out to the dance floor.
He's smiling and more than happy to accommodate my demand to dance.
We move effortlessly with the beat. He tries talking to me, but I put my finger over his lips.
I want to dance, that's all. I don't want to think or have a conversation. Just dance.
Jake comes over and pulls me out of his arms and pushes Benji in the process.
Jaxon and Dallas come over and break up the fight before it can begin.
Why don't these guys like each other? I pull my arm out of Jake's grasp.
I flip him off with both hands, like the "gangster" that I am and turn around on my heel and immediately head for the door.
He's so confusing. Why doesn't he want me to dance with Benji? Why does he even care?
I walk out the door and start the mile-long walk back to our dorm.
I don't wait for Sasha. I want her to stay and have fun with all the perfect beautiful people.
She fits in with them, I don't. I know they'll help her get home, too.
So, I don't have to feel guilty about leaving the party too early without her.
Sasha yells for me to slow down. "Stop walking so fast."
I turn around quickly. "Sasha, I don't want you to leave! Stay and have fun. I'll be okay, and I know they'll help you get back safely."
She makes it to my side. "Shut up. We came together, and we'll always leave together. Understood?" "Understood?!!"
"Yes, ma'am." I stand at attention and give her a salute. We both burst out laughing. Sasha salutes me back. My phone goes off in my pocket and my good mood is short-lived. It's from Jake.
Come back.
I roll my eyes and reply. Who does Jake think he is?
No. Go have sex with one of those bimbos. Hell, why not both of them?!
We make it back to our dorm and I turn off my phone so Jake can't text me again. I don't want to ever to drink again as long as I live. I start a checklist in my head before I doze off.
1. Drinking=bad.
2. Football players=bad.
3. The Jake Ryan=Satan
4. Staying away from all of the above while in college=good