Page 14 of A Fowl Match

“I’m not moaning,” Dustin says.

“Yes, you are!” Olive, Mason and I say in unison.

We all laugh. “Don’t make them so delicious and I won’t,” he says with a shrug. He shoves another bite into his mouth.

I can’t blame him. They are that good.

“How is training going?” Mason asks.

“Honestly better than expected. We have the chicken race in the bag,” The part I leave out is how our last trial was a disaster. Olive looks at me with a smirk, insinuating something. I ignore her taunting gaze the instant her eyes stare into mine. I know that look.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Dustin grumbles.

After everyone leaves the shop, ranting and raving over her new menu addition, Olive and I are the only ones left.

“Now that everyone’s gone, I have to tell you what happened yesterday.”

“What happened?” I ask, curiosity lining my voice.

“Out of all the people I expected to show up, guess who did?”

“I have no clue?” I think I know exactly who showed up.

Chad.

The infamous Chad.

Their on and off again relationship reminds me of a rollercoaster. Not some bunny hopping slow ride. More like one of those ones that makes your stomach drop to your feet as it flips upside down. He’s a nice guy when hewantsto be. But he has major commitment issues. He breaks her heart, puts on the charm and she takes him back. It’s been a never-ending cycle of disappointment. She has a soft spot when it comes to him. Not that I can blame her; he is charming, just like Prince Charming, minus the sculpted face and long blonde hair. Okay, maybe I have an obsession withShrek. Can you blame me?

“It was Chad!” she exclaims.

Told you.

“He had the audacity to show up with his new girlfriend. It’s only been three days! Three days since we broke up. He couldn’thave the decency to wait even as little as a week before he moved on.”

“Oh, Olive, I’m so sorry you had to see that. I can’t believe he would show up with someone else at your shop.” Okay, maybe I can believe he would do that. He is that kind of jerk. I mean come on, his name is Chad. “What did you do?” I have a feeling things didn’t go well by the look of pure rage shooting from her green eyes directly into my soul. I’m just glad I’m not on the receiving end this time.

“I’ll get there, Vivi. I didn’t even get to the best part—” She pauses, staring at her coffee while it swirls. The ice cubes race each other in a spinning whirlpool. “He showed up with Chelsea. I could have screamed. She has had it out for me since elementary school. Remember eighth grade when Will kissed me during study hall? Well she had a crush on him and the evil sprouted from that day on. She was so mad that he liked me that she made a vow to make my life miserable. I swear she is Regina George’s twin. I know she still has it out for me. It’s been her mission to steal every single guy I show interest in. Then what she did to you in high school. Unforgivable. Are you hearing…”

“Woah. Woah. Woah. Slow down,” I say, tapping my fingers on the coffee cup. I do not need to think about what happened in the past. “I remember what she did to me. We don’t have to talk about that. Back to what you did. Whatdidyou do?”

“Ha! Well, I was going to act civil until he came up to the counter and flaunted his newrelationshipin my face. He grabbed her hand and kissed her right at the counter. So, I did what any self-respecting person would do—I threw a cup of cold brew all over him. Then I threatened him. She got caught in the crossfires and I can’t say that I regret it.” A menacing grin crosses her face.

“No way Olive, you didn’t!” I laugh so hard coffee shoots out of my mouth. “And what did you threaten him with?” I step aroundthe counter to grab a rag to clean up the mess I made on the floor.

“If he ever steps foot in my coffee shop again, I wouldn’t be so nice. I will use hot coffee next time. He knows I’m not bluffing. And the asshole could go to Annie’s Diner for coffee or just make it himself. As long as he’s out of my life for good.”

I laugh so hard tears start to form in the corners of my eyes. What I would have given to see the look on his coffee covered face.

“I don’t think I’ll be hearing from him anytime soon. And I will admit it’s time to move on from him. He dragged his feet out of the door, coffee soaked and all. Chelsea hung on his arm scowling at me as they left, stomping out of the doors. And it was worth all the mess I had to clean up.”

“I am so relieved to hear you say that. I think you dodged a bullet with that one.” And this is the truth.

“Come in dear. You’re late. I was just about to leave to play a round of bingo, this better be good.”

“Nice to see you too Darcy,” I sing-song while skipping in the door.

“Oh please sit down and relax, I have all day. What’s that?” She points in the direction of the paper bag I’m holding.

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