by B. N. Hale
“We could move on if you want,” she said.
“I think I’m about done with eggs,” he replied.
“Me too,” she said, and then her smile turned mischievous. “But we might as well use them.”
She picked up an egg and threw it at him. It missed and shattered on the plastic covered wall, the yolk spraying the room. He flinched as it flew past his ear and then picked up a carton of eggs. He threw one at her and it broke on her stomach, but it was hard boiled.
“I can’t believe you threw an egg at me!”
“I can’t believe I missed!” she said.
She caught the other carton and ducked behind a chair. He did the same as they both unloaded the eggs in a flurry. With just a few eggs each, they were done in seconds, with both taking hits from raw and cooked. When it finished they were both laughing. As he made to stand there was a click at the door, and it swung open to reveal Marta.
“Sorry,” she said. “I just got off work and . . .”
Marta froze as she caught sight of them. Her eyes took in the room and settled on them, both frozen behind the chairs. With egg streaming down their bodies and splattered across the plastic, they looked like they’d been at war with chickens. And lost.
Then Marta’s weariness turned to delight and she whipped out her phone. “Smile!” she said brightly.
“Marta, no!” Kate said in horror.
“Too late!” she said, stuffing her phone back into her pocket.
“I can explain,” Kate said.
“No need,” Marta said. “You’ve caught me in more compromising—but less foody—situations. Enjoy your date!”
“I think we should hug her to welcome her home,” Reed said. “Doesn’t she look tired?”
Kate spread her arms wide, dripping egg white onto the plastic covering the couch. “Welcome home, Marta!”
Marta beat a hasty retreat, and when the door shut they dissolved into laughter until they surveyed the room, where egg covered nearly every stretch of plastic. Then she sighed and wiped her face.
“Ready to get cleaned up?”
“I was ready after the first egg,” he said.
She led him outside to the hose and they took turns hosing each other off. Then they went back inside and carefully rolled up the plastic and loaded it into the trash outside. Neither felt clean, so they went back outside and used shampoo and cleaned their hair further. Finally devoid of egg, they stood and surveyed the plastic free room.
“Better,” she said.
“I think we should have left it for the blondes,” he said.
She smiled and shook her head. “Ready for the treat?”
“I’m afraid to ask what it is, after raw fish and raw eggs. I’m starting to see a pattern.”
“This one I think you’ll like,” she said. “Or at least I hope you will.”
They returned to her car and she drove them down the street. He expected them to drive further but she stopped at the Wendy’s on the corner. When they stepped inside she ordered two Frostys and large fries.
“Are we dipping the fries into ice cream?” he asked, but the hope in his voice gave him away.
“I used to love doing this as a kid,” she said.
“Me too,” he replied.
They took a seat in the corner, but they had the place mostly to themselves. They’d spent a great deal of time at the restaurant and it had taken time to clean up the egg fight. The late hour left them alone, except for an older man sipping coffee and reading.
They both dipped their fries into their Frostys and grinned in unison. After the crazy food of the night the taste of hot and salty with cold and sweet was heavenly, and for several moments they couldn’t speak through the food in their mouths.
“You never answered my question,” he finally said. “What do your roommates think of our challenge?”
“Honestly?” she asked. “They think I’m falling for you.”
“Are you?” he asked with a smile.
“We’re only on our sixth date,” she said, dodging the question.
Her phone pinged and she pulled it out. The angle didn’t allow him to see the screen, but whatever it was made her smile falter. It was the third time he’d seen that look during the evening, but she put her phone away and turned her attention to her fries.
“I like the chocolate Frosty,” she said. “But the vanilla’s good too.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
“Talk about what?”
“Whatever is causing your smile to be forced.”
“It’s not—I’m just . . .” She blew out her breath. “Is it that obvious?”
“No,” he assured her. “But I like to think I know how to read you by now.”
She played with a fry, her eyes hesitant. The man in the corner turned the page of his book and sipped his coffee, the workers behind the counter laughed at something the cook had said. Then Kate met his gaze.
“Jason is coming back to Boulder.”
It felt like a fishhook had yanked on his stomach. The surge of emotion surprised him, but she was watching to gauge his reaction, so he forced a shrug, giving himself time to figure out an appropriate response.
“What does he want?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “He’s flying back in two weeks and wants to get together.”
“You don’t have to ask my permission,” he said.
“I know,” she said, absently stirring her ice cream with a spoon. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“What do the blondes say?”
She smiled faintly at his use of the nickname she’d given them. “They think I should say no.”
“And what do you think?”
“I’m torn,” she admitted. “When he asked me to meet I was relieved. I didn’t realize I’d missed him so much.”
“Go with him,” he said, even though it hurt to say the words.
She regarded him, her eyebrows pulling together. “Why would you say that?”
“If you don’t, you’ll regret it,” he said. “And if you do go, you’ll figure out what you feel for him.”
“Sound advice.”
“I do try,” he said.
They smiled at each other, but their conversation had cooled. He pretended to hunt for fries in the empty carton and exulted when he found two. He dropped them into his cup and picked them back up with his spoon.
“Go with him,” he repeated. “We can take a break from our game.”
“So, we’re not going to talk for a month?”
“Not going to date for a month,” he corrected.
Her expression revealed disappointment, but it disappeared as she drained the last of her frosty. Then she rose to her feet and threw it away. Following her lead, he did the same and then walked with her to her car. Unable to resist, he surreptitiously withdrew his phone and texted five words. Kate’s phone pinged as she turned on the car and she pulled it out to read the text.
Doesn’t mean we can’t talk.
She smiled and looked to him. “It’s about time.”
He laughed. “Don’t reply while you’re driving.”
She smiled in agreement and turned onto the road. He couldn’t be sure, but it seemed she was lighter on the drive back to his house. When they arrived, she walked him to the door and they hugged, the embrace lasting several moments longer than necessary. When they parted she smiled faintly.
“It may come two weeks later,” she said, “but stay tuned for my invite.”
“Nope,” he said. “I already have mine planned, so you’re going to have to wait your turn.”
She grinned. “Then I await your invitation.”
As she drove away he wondered if she’d meant more.
Chapter 6
“How was the sushi?” Jackson asked as Reed entered the house.
“Don’t try the octopus,” he said.
“You tried octopus?” Shelby asked.
They were sitting on the c
ouch watching a movie, popcorn and the remains of root beer floats on the coffee table. Reed sank onto the couch with a sigh and watched the screen without seeing it.
“How was Truth or Dare?” Jackson asked.
“Fun,” he replied.
Shelby’s expression was doubtful. “Without the fun cards I’m sure it was actually rather tame.”
“You know that Ember took the cards out?” he asked.
“I told you,” Jackson said. “We know everything. Besides, she gave them to us and we had fun.”
“You should try it with eggs,” Reed said.
“Hard pass,” Jackson said, but Shelby smiled.
“Next time.”
Jackson threw her a look and she shrugged. “It would have made it interesting,” he said. “You kept trying to dodge questions.”
“You’re the one that discarded some when my back was turned,” Shelby countered.
He grinned. “I thought I got away with that.”
“Nope,” Shelby said, and turned back to Reed. “How many eggs did you take?”
“Enough,” he said in chagrin. “We ended up fighting over the rest. Egg was everywhere by the time it was over.”
“We know,” Shelby said. “Marta posted it and the image says it all.”
“Of course she did,” Reed said.
He pulled out his phone and checked to see if he’d been tagged in the photo. They were both covered in egg and Kate had her hand raised as if it would stop the photo from being taken. Reed was in the back, laughing at the absurdity of the moment. The comments were already calling it the Chicken War.
“Want to join us?” Jackson asked, gesturing to the movie. “We’d love to hear about it.”
“You two are like parents waiting up for their kid.”
“We’ve taught him well,” Jackson said with a patriarchal voice. “He knows to keep the lights and pants on.”
“Have you really never had sex?” Shelby asked, here eyebrows rising.
“Shelby,” Jackson said in exasperation. “You can’t just ask a guy that.”
“Sorry,” Shelby said. “But really?”
“Nope,” Reed said.
“That puts a whole new spin on this,” Shelby said, leaning forward. “Tell us everything.”
“Tomorrow,” Reed promised. “The octopus didn’t like being eaten.”
They exchanged a look but it was of curiosity, and he realized they noticed his melancholy. Before they could ask, he stood and went to his room. So they wouldn’t think he was upset, he cast a casual comment over his shoulder.
“I think I still have egg in my hair,” he said. “I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
“Goodnight,” they said in unison.
He stepped into his room and shut the door before sinking into a seat at his desk. As he did, his phone pinged and he pulled it out. He smiled softly when he noticed the message was from Kate.
I had a good time tonight, she said.
It was an adventure, he replied. But next time I think we can skip the raw foods.
Agreed.
He paused and looked at the screen, and then replied, I won’t invite you until after your date with Jason, so you can rest easy this week.
Thank you for being honest.
I’ll always be honest with you.
Promise?
He hesitated, and then said, I promise.
I’m still finding egg in my hair.
He grinned. I hear it’s good for the follicles.
I hope so!
No reply came for several moments, and then she said, Are you really okay with me going out with Jason?
You need to go with him, and I think I can manage a few days without seeing you. He did not think it prudent to say he had other girls to go out with.
I don’t know. You might fall apart without me.
I already am, he said, adding a smile so she would know it was not meant seriously.
Our picture is all over online. We look ridiculous.
Girls seem to think I’m cute with egg on my face.
It’s a good look for you.
He grunted and shook his head. Be careful with Jason. Seeing an ex can dredge up old feelings.
Is that what it’s like when you see Aura?
His smile faded and he stared at the screen. I haven’t seen her in years, he said.
I’m sorry.
Me too.
But I’m not sorry we’re texting.
I am, he said. You’re already a distraction.
I’ve always wanted to be a distraction.
You are. He said. A very pretty one.
She responded with a smiley face emoji and a gif of a guy tripping because he was staring at a pretty girl. He smiled, pleased that they’d finally breached the texting barrier and then typed out a response.
Goodnight, Kate.
Goodnight Reed.
He wondered if there was something else she’d wanted to say but decided to end the conversation. Although he wanted to continue talking to her, he resisted the urge and put the phone down. Then he rubbed his face.
Now that he was alone he considered the hook that remained lodged in his abdomen. At first he’d thought it was just a protective urge, but as he considered his feelings it became clear he felt a different emotion.
Jealousy.
The realization caused him to lean back in his chair. He hadn’t felt real jealousy since Aura, and he marveled at how much he suddenly hated Jason. The guy had lost his chance and shouldn’t get another, but at the same time Reed knew it wasn’t up to him.
As he lay in bed that night he found himself wondering if he’d revealed too much about Aura. He’d thought it would be hard to talk about—especially with Kate—but she’d listened without judgment and her smile had been one of understanding. Still, he’d withheld the darkest part of the story. Would she still think the same if she knew?
He frowned, wishing he knew what she was thinking. Was she more worried about her date with Jason? Or more worried about him? He hoped it was him—but at the same time recognized that if she decided to get back with Jason their game would come to a resounding end.
The sounds of Shelby’s departure came shortly after and then Jackson went to bed. Like always, he crashed into the bed like a falling tree, and in minutes his muffled snores came through the wall. Still wrestling with his doubts, Reed rolled over and closed his eyes.
He didn’t sleep.
27 Dates
Volume: 7
By B. N. Hale
Chapter 1
Kate told herself she wasn’t nervous. She went to class, helped a friend with her homework, and then did her own. She ate lunch with Ember at a café outside her work, and ignored Ember’s snide comments about Jason.
“Can we please not talk about him?” Kate asked. “I’m fine.”
“Then where’s your laptop?” Ember asked.
“My what?” she asked. “It’s right here . . .”
She reached to the back of her chair but her laptop bag was absent. She looked under her chair, her search becoming frantic when she realized it was not there. Grabbing her wallet, she fumbled for her credit card to pay the bill.
“I must have left it in class,” she said.
“You did,” Ember said.
Kate looked up to find Ember using her phone to show a picture of Brittney with Kate’s laptop. The background of the selfie was clearly Kate’s classroom, and the seat where she’d left the bag.
“I noticed you didn’t have it when you got here,” Ember said. “I texted Brittney and she picked it up after her class. You’re lucky it was still there.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kate demanded.
“We’re fifteen minutes from campus,” she said. “And Brittney was just getting out of class. She could get there faster than you could.”
Kate wanted to be angry but she sank into her seat. “What am I supposed to do?”
“I’d punch Jason.”
&nb
sp; “You don’t understand. When I got that text, everything came back, all the memories, everything I felt for him.” Kate looked away. “I think I still love him.”
“He’s a great guy,” Ember said. “It stands to reason why you would still feel that way.”
Kate turned back in surprise. “I thought you hated him.”
“I do,” Ember said. “But not because he’s a dog. He’s actually one of the few guys I’ve met that’s worth it.”
“Then why do you hate him?”
Ember folded her arms. “Because he wasn’t good enough for you.”
“You just said he was a great guy.”
“He is,” Ember replied. “But that doesn’t mean he’s the right guy.”
“Then why hate him?”
She sniffed. “Because he should have figured it out before proposing to you.”
Kate laughed wryly. “Do you think I should go tonight?”
“Yes,” Ember said. “It’s the only way you’ll ever realize he’s not for you.”
“And if I decide to get back with him?”
“Then I’ll try to be nice at your wedding.”
Kate sighed and looked down at her forgotten sandwich. The panini had cooled during their conversation, but she wasn’t really hungry. She took a bite anyway, giving herself a moment to think.
Perhaps Ember was right. Jason had been her world for two years, a world that imploded the moment he’d proposed. She’d wondered a thousand times what would have happened if she’d said yes. Now would be her chance to find out. Her thoughts were interrupted when the waiter appeared.
“Can I get you the check?” the waiter asked.
He smiled, but there was a trace of irritation in his tone. Kate glanced to the front of the crowded restaurant and noticed a line of people waiting to be seated. She nodded and tried to swallow, but Ember spoke first.
“Grow a spine, would you?” Ember snapped. “If you want the table, just ask.”
The guy flushed. “Just let me know when you’re ready,” he said, and scurried away.
Kate hid a smile. “That wasn’t very nice.”
“It was true,” Ember said. “I was a waitress for six months—.”
“—until you got fired.”
