Page 4 of Faking it With the Player Next Door

I hit the send button, slipped my black tee shirt over my head, and decided to ride my Harley Davidson Sportster S to the tavern. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and the freedom I felt when riding my bike always helped me clear my head.

Taylor’s unexpected return was causing me to ask too many questions.

***

“She’s what?” Hunter held his burger midway to his mouth as ketchup and mustard dripped onto his finger. “Taylor’s here? At Gram’s house?”

“Mm,” I murmured as I chewed my deluxe burger.

“She didn’t tell me,” Hunter frowned, setting his burger back onto his plate. He grabbed his draft beer, swallowed half the contents of the glass, and pursed his lips.

Luckily there was no band on stage playing, stifling our conversation, but across the room, the jukebox was blaring an eighties hair band song. By Hunter’s surprise reaction, I had a good suspicion he really didn’t know Taylor was back in Coleman.

“She says why she’s here?” Hunter picked up his phone that he’d laid on the table.

“Didn’t speak to her,”: I picked up a French fry and popped it in my mouth. “So, you really didn’t know?”

“No clue,” Hunter set his phone down. “I know a few months ago, I told her to come here and relax after…:” He paused. “Well, after the whole Travis fiasco…” He shrugged.

“And it’s obvious she didn’t,” I nodded.

“Maybe something’s happened,” he picked up his phone again. “Maybe I should call her.”

“Maybe,” I cocked my head. “I can stop by on my way home and find out for you.”

“Thanks,” Hunter nodded. “But I think I’ll follow you home and stop by myself. I haven’t been to Gram’s place in over a week. I have a feeling this will need to involve an in-person visit.”

Nodding, I listened to the jukebox change to a stadium love ballad from the same music era as the previous rock song. I picked up my burger and began eating while mulling over what had brought Taylor home now.

She had survived the breakup. She had rejected Hunter’s offer to come home and find refuge from her heartbreak. But now, something had caused her to hightail it back to Coleman finally, and the most suspicious piece of the puzzle was that Taylor didn’t tell her brother. Her only living relative.

Yeah, something was up.

Just as I was about to ask Hunter more about the Taylor and Travis situation, the waitress came up.

“Excuse me,” she giggled, and I glanced at her.

“Yes,” I smiled, and she waved her receipt book in front of her face and neck.

“Can I…” She giggled more, and I saw Hunter rolling his eyes across the table from me. “Are you Van Willis?”

“I am,” I continued smiling.

“Can I…” She reached into her little white apron, pulling out her pen. “Can I get your autograph? It’s not for me…” She held her hands to her bosom, and being a man, I couldn’t help butnotnotice how large her breasts were, especially when they were at eye level.

“It’s not for you?” I played into her mood. “Then who’s it for?”

“My little brother,” she gushed. “He just loves watching you play.”

“What’s his name?” I asked as I took the pen and her receipt book.

“Jason,” she smiled.

I began writing and she continued rattling on about how she had seen the game when I got injured, and I winced. I tried not to think about that day, but it seems to always invade my thoughts.

“And well, I hope you’ll be returning next season,” the waitress smiled, and when I glanced up at her to hand back her belongings, she winked at me.

“That’s the plan,” I replied, ignoring her flirting.

---