Page 22 of Fear of Falling

As Wyatt slid into the driver's seat, I quickly stopped my gawking. “Ready?” he asked with a smile as he started the engine.

“Ready.”

When Wyatt saidhe knew a good burger joint, I thought he meant an actual restaurant. Not a food truck parked out the front of Kmart. For a moment, I thought he was joking, but as he turned the ignition off, I knew he was dead serious.

“I promise you they havethebest hamburgers in Toronto,” he said, as though sensing my uncertainty. As I got out of the car, I saw there were a few tables around the food truck. There were only a few people standing around, but then again it was only 4:30 on a Monday afternoon.

Wyatt led me towards the food truck, his hand on my lower back. It was a simple action, yet my back tingled at his touch. His hand was so big I could feel it spanning up my spine. The thought of those big hands touching me elsewhere flashed in my mind before I quickly cast it aside, hoping he couldn’t see my face turning red.

Before we reached the truck, I could smell the food, making my mouth instantly water. The menu was filled with so many kinds of burgers, different styles of fries, as well as dessert.

I was so busy looking at the menu I didn’t notice someone had popped their head out of the window until a booming voice called out Wyatt’s name. My head snapped up to find an older man with gray-streaked hair and a bushy beard covering half his face, beaming down at Wyatt.

“My boy! Been awhile since I’ve seen you.” The guy's eyes landed on me. “And I see you brought someone with you.”

Wyatt’s hand pressed into my lower back a bit more as he introduced me. “Josie, this is Rick. He owns the truck and cooks the best burgers in town.” The last part was directed at Rick who just laughed.

“The kid isn’t wrong. Nice to meet you, Josie.”

“Nice to meet you,” I smiled, already liking him.

“What can I get you two today?”

Wyatt looked at me, waiting patiently for me to go first. I wasn’t sure what to pick so I just quickly rattled off the first option that came to mind.

“I’ll take the bacon cheeseburger with fries and a water, please.” I turned to Wyatt, and as I saw him raise his eyebrows at my order, I worried I’d said the wrong thing.

“I see—Wyatt recommended his favorite, did he?” Rick winked.

“Uh, no, I didn’t,” Wyatt replied, and I thought I saw a little twinkle in his eyes.

“I think this one’s a keeper,” Rick said, and I felt myself blush again. “You kids go take a seat, and I’ll bring it out to you when it’s ready.” Rick disappeared through the window.

“Your usual huh? Come here often?” I asked as the two of us headed for an empty table off to the side. It occurred to me that Wyatt didn’t seem concerned about concealing his identity here, and I hoped it meant he felt comfortable around me.

“You could say that. I actually found this place by accident. After my first game with the Knights, the entire team went out to celebrate and I may have drunk a little more than I should have. I stumbled out of the bar and just started walking, with no idea where I was going.”

I fought back a grin imagining a drunk Wyatt stumbling around.

“I ended up coming across a food truck that was still serving food at two in the morning. I met Rick and he made me something to eat, free of charge since he had watched me play earlier. It was love at first bite.”

“And so, you’ve kept coming back ever since,” I said with a smirk.

“Yep. I’ve pretty much tried every burger on the menu, but I always come back to the bacon cheeseburger.”

“It’s a classic. Even if the grease may kill us one day.”

“Sometimes you just have to take the risk.” I had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about hamburgers as he looked at me.

11

JOSIE

“I’m glad you showed up at the rink. I wanted to apologize,” Wyatt said a few minutes after we sat down.

“Apologize for what?”

“For leaving you that morning at the elevator. I should have helped you answer the questions I’m sure the manager had.” I could see the guilt in his expression before he ducked his head. Before I knew what I was doing, I reached across the table and touched the back of his hand.

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