Page 191 of Mountain Daddy
I’m fine.
He dips his chin once. Swallows. Then he looks down at my food. “I squeezed the lemons on your fish while you were in the bathroom. If it’s gotten too cold, or if you don’t like it, I can get you more.”
I look at my tray. At the squished lemon wedges in the corner.
My throat tightens, and my eyes start to sting all over again.
That was…
That was really thoughtful of him.
But I don’t have it in me to say the words aloud.
So I don’t say anything.
Chapter 115
Luther
Kendra picks at her food,and I know I’m making her uncomfortable.
Another reason to despise myself.
After offering to get a round of drinks, I take my time collecting two beers and two lemonades, hoping she’ll eat some while I’m gone.
I need her to eat.
My plan works, and by the time I return with the drinks, half of Kendra’s food is gone.
I do my best to engage Joe in conversation, asking about things I know will keep him talking. Like how his garbage day changed to Tuesday.
My plan keeps working. And even though I still feel like shit, I feel a jolt of success when Kendra finishes her last bite.
Chapter 116
Kendra
I reachfor Dad’s tray, stacking it on my empty one.
“You don’t have to do that,” Dad says, even as he drops his napkin on the tray.
“It’s fine, I want to stretch my legs.” I smile over at Jessie as I reach for her tray too. They’re both on their second beer. “Want another drink while I’m up?”
She rolls her neck out as she pushes back from the table. “I should stand for a bit too. Joe, you want another?”
Dad shrugs and reclines in the uncomfortable folding chair. “Won’t say no.”
Jessie asks Luther if he wants another lemonade, and while he’s answering her, I stack his tray with the rest and stand.
The cute firefighter is still here, leaning against a wall, talking with a group of people about our age. And I consider going over there. But I’d only be doing it in an effort to make Luther jealous.
And making him jealous is childish.
It wouldn’t accomplish anything.
And it wouldn’t work.
Because he’d have to still want me.
