“I should get back to work,” I tell him.
“Yeah, we’re almost done,” Carson says, picking up his sandwich.
I leave them be, trying to ignore Jackson over at the bar. But there are a couple of tables in that area that need clearing, and that’s my job for tonight, so eventually I’ll need to go over there.
May as well make it now.
Thinking I can sneak past Jackson unnoticed is silly of me. Of course, he spots me. And of course, he has something to say about it.
“Putting some
of my tips to use, huh?”
I come to a complete stop, glaring at him. “What do you mean?”
“Flirting it up with ol’ Carson over there. How convenient that he showed up tonight,” he says.
I absorb what he just said. The look on his face. My gaze goes to the drink in front of him. Looks like iced tea. Maybe he does know Chuck. Maybe he thought he could come in here and kill time before I’m off work. Maybe I’m overreacting about him showing up when I don’t necessarily want him around.
But then again, maybe it’s a good thing he did show up. I don’t think I’m overreacting when I think this but…
Pretty sure Jackson Rivers is jealous.
Fifteen
Jackson
I showed up at Doghouse Grill a little early in the hopes I could just hang out until she’s ready to go. Maybe talk to Ellie for a little bit, watch her in her element. Plus, this is a favorite spot for me and my friends to come eat. The food is good. The atmosphere is fun. You always run into someone you know here, like it’s one big party.
Pretty dead tonight, though. And I already ate dinner, so I’m not hungry. Chuck the bartender is a Bulldog football fan, so he’s easy to talk to. I’ve chatted him up before, and he knows I’m on the team. He waved me over when he spotted me walk in and offered me a free iced tea so I’m not going to turn him down. Wish it was laced with something else, but I’m underage, which sucks major ass.
What I didn’t expect was to see Ellie’s potential new love interest here with his dorky friend. Making eyes at her as if she’s the prettiest girl he’s ever seen.
Here’s where I’m getting real.
I have been with beautiful women. Talked to them. Kissed them. Had sex with them. I moved around a lot when I was younger. I have seen a lot of parts of this country and done a lot of things. The summer tour only reiterated my feelings about my life, and what I can do with it.
As in, I don’t want to settle down. Especially not now. I’m young. There are plenty of women out there I haven’t met. Beautiful, gorgeous, down for anything women.
My favorite type.
Here’s where it gets tricky.
There is something about Ellie. She’s pretty. No, more than that. She’s beautiful. On the outside, as well as the inside. She’s got that sweet, girl next door vibe going for her, and I can’t help but find it attractive.
As in, I’m attracted to her.
There. I admitted it.
But.
Isn’t there always a but?
I am not good enough for her. I will only disappoint her in the end. What I want, she can’t give me. She’ll get too involved, because she cares too much, which is one of her best traits. And while I will do whatever I can to help her, to be there for her, to be her friend, that’s all I can do.
I realized this last night, after I went home and jerked off in the shower to thoughts of fucking Ellie in the back seat of my car. I don’t know what possessed me to say those things to her. To touch her like that. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex. I need to rectify that.
I need to get laid.