Chapter Eighteen
West
I picked up my car Saturday afternoon and drove around town just because I could. Having my car back felt like freedom. Sure, my dad would have let me borrow the Humvee if I asked, but I also would have received an unwanted lecture. Plus, the thing burned through gas like crazy.
My Fusion didn’t go through a quarter of the gas his car did. And it looked a lot cooler doing it. I drove past restaurants that had hearts in their windows. Valentine’s Day wasn’t too far away. What was I going to do about Nina and the dance?
My cell rang and a call from Matt came through the speakers. “Hey, Matt. What’s up?”
“We’re out at Bixby’s. Come meet us.”
“Okay.” The call disconnected. Why were they at Bixby’s? The retro burger place wasn’t one of our normal hangouts because it catered to families.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I was surprised to see it was crowded. The marquee announced they were showing classic movies on a newly installed eighty-inch flat-screen television. Whenever anyone said something was a classic, I always wondered who made that distinction. My dad watched Jaws any time it was on television. A crazy old guy took a scientist and a cop, who was afraid of the water, into the middle of the ocean to track down and kill a giant man-eating shark…with a rifle. I didn’t get it.
I parked in the first open spot and then went to look for Matt and Charlie. They were seated inside at one of the chrome tables with black vinyl stools. I sat next to Matt and grabbed one of his fries. “What movie are they playing?”
“Harry Potter,” Matt said, “and get your own food.”
“Why do you want to watch Harry Potter?” Neither of them had read the books, and I was pretty sure they hadn’t seen the movies.
“We’re not here for the movie.” Matt inclined his head toward the waitress who was walking toward us with a huge grin on her face.
“Not a word.” Charlie’s tone made it clear that if Matt gave him crap about this, there would be hell to pay.
“Hi, I’m Clarissa, and I’m waiting on this section. Are you ready to order?”
“Chili-cheese fries and a Coke,” I said.
Clarissa smiled at Charlie and her cheeks turned pink. “Did you need anything else?”
“No, thanks,” Charlie said, avoiding eye contact.
The girl’s smile wavered. “Okay then. I’ll be right out with those fries.”
When she was far enough away that she couldn’t hear, I said, “Is your plan to ignore her until she asks you on a date? ’Cause I don’t think that’s going to work.”
Matt snorted. “I told him to ask for her number.”
“I’m working up to it,” Charlie said.
My home life may be a mess, but I didn’t usually have trouble talking to girls.
“West, what are you doing here?” Nina’s voice came from behind me.
I turned to see her standing there with her friend. Of course, she was wearing a Harry Potter shirt, which was bookishly hot. “I’m here offering moral support to my cousin Charlie so he’ll grow some balls and ask Clarissa on a date.”
Nina smiled and glanced back and forth between my cousins. “I’m guessing you’re Charlie, since you look like you want to punch West.”
“That’s hardly a test, since he always looks like he wants to punch someone,” Matt said.
Clarissa came toward us carrying my order on a bright orange tray. Her smile faltered when she saw our group had grown by two girls.
“Here you go.” She set the tray on the table. “Anyone need anything else?”
“Clarissa, have you met Charlie?” Nina asked.
I barely suppressed a laugh at the panicked look on Charlie’s face.
“I’ve seen him around school,” Clarissa said. “Why do you ask?”
“I think he likes you, but he’s too shy to ask for your number,” Nina said.
“Well, if he ever works up the nerve, I’d probably give it to him.” Clarissa grinned and then walked off.
“See,” Nina said. “Nothing to worry about.”
Charlie leaned over and punched me on the shoulder.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“Your girlfriend is the one giving me grief,” he said.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said.
“Nope,” Nina said. “I’m just the girl he’s taking to the Valentine’s Day Dance.”
“We’re not going to that stupid dance,” I said.
“You could ask Clarissa to the dance,” Nina said to Charlie. “We could double, since West and I are absolutely going to the dance.”
Matt laughed. “I like her. She doesn’t take any crap, and she tries to boss you around.”
“Yes,” I said. “She’s a ray of sunshine.”
“You know you like me.” Nina sat next to me and stole one of my fries.
I did like her, but I still felt the need to give her some grief. “Well, help yourself, why don’t you?”
She grinned and snatched another fry. “Okay.”
I rolled my eyes. “I thought you were fluent in sarcasm.”