Page 58 of Play It Off

Not yet. That sounds way too intimidating.

Maybe it won’t be so bad, having a secret relationship with him for a while. He can concentrate on football and having a successful season, and I can cheer him on as a supportive “friend” who allows him to fuck her endlessly whenever he wants. And once the season is over, we can make our relationship public. If we make it that long.

What am I saying? If I’ve been this patient for as long as I have, we are going the distance. The poor man doesn’t have a chance of getting away from me, not that I think he wants to. I saw the way he looked at me, touched me. His growly “this ass belongs to me” comment after he made me come so hard; I saw stars.

Talk about possessive. I never thought I wanted to be owned, but when it comes to Gavin, I guess I do. He can own me all night long.

Sigh. I need to get all thoughts of dirty, delicious sex out of my brain and concentrate on work. At least my shift is only for five hours.

The moment I clock in, I get straight to work, tossing all the trash left behind on the tables and wiping them down. There’s eventuallya lull in customers coming in around ten thirty, and I go behind the counter to help clean up, wishing I could work the register. It’s the easiest task and the least messy. The only issue that could come up is disgruntled customers, but everyone’s generally content when they come in here, and I think it’s the atmosphere. No one who works at Back Yard Bowl is tense or in a frantic rush. We’re all mellow and friendly, and I love it.

“I’m taking a break,” Matty announces to me after he rings up the last customer and we’re all alone. Our general manager and the owner’s son, Matty is twenty-five and a lifelong Santa Mira resident and university graduate too. He’s also the typical surfer dude, with his long wavy dirty-blond hair that’s prettier than mine and a never-ending positive attitude. “You missed out, Sienna. It was even busier when we first opened this morning.”

“I’m glad I missed it,” I say with a laugh, wiping down the counter with a fresh, hot rinsed rag. “Though I’m hoping the lunch rush will keep us going.”

I prefer to be busy while I’m here. Time flies by faster that way.

“Don’t worry. It’ll get busy again soon,” he reassures me.

“Maybe I can pick your brain a little more,” I suggest. The last few shifts we’ve worked together, I asked Matty endless questions about running a business. Specifically a business that deals with serving food. Back Yard Bowl isn’t a traditional restaurant, but it’s not necessarily close to being an ice cream stand either.

My parents have been encouraging my dream. To the point that my mother helped me choose a few business courses I’m going to take next quarter. My dad has been searching on the internet for cheap freezers, and while they’re all out of my price range—we’re not made of money—it does help me to see what I’ll need to save up for.

This dream might seem silly to some, but I’m truly excited about it. I’m grateful for Matty’s advice, too, because he’s got a lot of insightful information about the restaurant and food scene in Santa Mira.

“Sure—” Matty starts, the little bell hanging above the door ringing, indicating someone is coming inside.

A woman enters the shop, carrying a massive floral arrangement that’s so tall, we don’t even see her face. I watch as she carefully maneuvers her way through the tables and chairs until she’s at the front counter and carefully setting the vase down.

“Can I help you?” Matty asks, sounding amused.

“Delivery for Sienna Cooper,” the woman announces, glancing over at me. “You Sienna?”

I nod, stunned. Giddy with excitement because no one has sent me flowers before. “Those are for me?”

“Sure are.” She smiles brightly. “Have a nice day!”

I don’t move until the woman has left the store, and when I glance over at Matty, I find him watching me, curiosity written all over his face.

“Flowers, Sienna? I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. Or girlfriend, or ... whatever. I’m not one to judge someone for whatever their sexual preference is.” Matty holds his hands up in front of himself in a defensive gesture.

His dismay at potentially offending me knocks me out of the shock that came over me, and I laugh. “I don’t have a boyfriend, Matty. I don’t have a clue who these flowers are from.”

Okay, I’m lying. I have a sneaking suspicion they’re from Gavin. A thank-you for blowing his mind last night? I know he enjoyed that blow job I gave him. I’m eager to do it again as soon as I can. I’m just surprised he would be so obvious, sending me flowers at work. Did I even tell him where I was working?

I don’t think so, but I can’t remember.

“There’s a card included,” Matty points out, and for a moment, I don’t want to open it, almost afraid to read what’s inside. What if Gavin says something stupid, likeThanks for the friendship?Thanks for the friendly fuck; that was amazing!

I wouldn’t put it past him to say something dumb like that. He’s not the best with his words, but would he really send me flowers and write a message like that? God, I hope not.

Or ... maybe he sent me flowers after realizing last night that he’s madly in love with me. Once he saw Ryland and me together, that sealed the deal. Now he’s proclaiming his undying love for me, and we’ll live together in blissful contentment for the rest of our lives.

Ha! I sound absurd even in my thoughts.

Plucking the card from the plastic holder that’s nestled among the flowers, I open the tiny envelope and read what’s written inside.

I know how you feel, but Sienna, I can’t stop thinking about you. I hope you’ll give me another chance. It would mean the world to me if you did.—Ryland

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