Page 24 of The Bro Date
“I mean,technically, maybe a little.”
Toby huffs, folding his arms across his chest. “I didn’t need your bodyguard services tonight, Shane. Thank you very much.”
“Actually, you did,” I counter, leaning over to unlatch the door for him and pushing it open. “Now, get in.”
“No.” He turns away and starts walking down the sidewalk again.
I ease my foot off the break, rolling next to him like I have all the time in the world. My tires slowly crunch over the sandy asphalt. “You’re not walking home.Get in,” I repeat with more force.
“Stop following me!” he yells, and I glance around, making sure no one’s going to call the cops on us.
“Now is not the time to be stubborn,” I growl. “Please. Just get in the truck, Tobes. You know I can’t leave you here.”
“Ugh!Fine! I don’t feel like walking five miles home anyway,” he concedes before climbing into the passenger seat, buckling himself in, and crossing his arms with a pout.
We drive in silence for a while, neither of us knowing what to say. I don’t ask him what happened, since I clearly witnessed it for myself, and I’m not sure what to say to soften the blow. But I need to cheer him up.
A little shop with a giant, lit-up ice cream cone and a blue and white striped awning grabs my attention, sparking an idea that might put a smile on his face.
“I’m in the mood for ice cream. Want some?” I ask casually, pulling into Coastal Creamery, known for its elaborate milkshake concoctions. “My treat.”
Some of Toby’s light sparks back to life, and he perks up a little. “Hell yeah.”
We step inside and seat ourselves according to the sign. It’s decorated like a nineteen-fifties soda shop, with black and white checkered floors, a long counter, and cozy booths along the windows. I choose a secluded booth in the corner, and we quietly browse the selection of over-the-top milkshakes.
Soon, a girl around our age comes over with a bright, welcoming smile. “Hey, guys! I’m Hailey, and I’ll be taking care of y’all tonight. What can I get for ya, or do you need another minute?”
“You ready?” I murmur, and Toby nods.
“I’ll get the Candy Crusher, please,” he says with a small grin, knowing his milkshake is going to be piled high with peanut butter cups, mini chocolate bars, and sour gummy worms.
“And for you?” Hailey asks, winking at me.
I ignore her flirtation, never having been interested in dating, just the occasional hookup with a tourist I’ll never see again. “Double Cookie Crunch.”
“Mmm,” she hums. “Good choice. That one’s my favorite.”
I nod politely. “Cool.”
Hailey beams at my one-word answer. “Be right back.” She spins on her heel, darting into the kitchen.
Toby is staring out of the window, completely zoning out and likely replaying his horrible date over and over in his head, overthinking like always.
I can’t confront him as if he’s done something wrong, but I just wish he would talk to me.
I want him tochooseto open up.
Everything he’s going through can’t be easy, and all I want to do is be there for him like he’s been there for me my whole life.
I stare at my empty lunch tray as if it will spontaneously regenerate more food like one of the cool science fiction books Mom got me from the free book drive. Ms. Patricia, my favorite lunch lady, retired last week, so I’m back to one scoop of mashed potatoes and no dessert.
A shiny red apple suddenly appears on my tray, and I blink at it, confused as to whether my mind is playing tricks on me or not. A chocolate chip cookie appears next, along with a small hand darting away.
I peer at my new friend, wondering why he’s sharing his food with me.
“Wanna try my turkey wrap?” he asks with a genuine smile I’m unfamiliar with.
Mom and I moved here last year from New Jersey, and I haven’t made a single friend until now. I cut school a lot when we first got here,‘acting out after my parents’ divorce,’as my guidance counselor declared in my school records. The transition wasn’t easy for me, I’ll admit, but it’s still better than listening to constant arguing and having to stay up all night in case I needed to protect my mom.
