Page 68 of Effortless

“Cute?”

“It’s only two sides!”

“Don’t be condescending,” I snap.

His eyes widen and Logan shrinks back away from me.

“I’m not. I promise. I think it’s great. I just… sorry. It came out rude because you know me as being an ass like that but I swear I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I’ll let it slide. This time. But don’t be a dick about Red Oak or the diner or my home you’ll see later. Got it?”

He nods quickly. “Got it.”

“Be right back. Oh! And I recommend the patty melt. It’s Franky’s specialty. And the onion rings. I’ll save a couple pieces of pie for you, too.”

“Holy shit. She likes us chubby, too,” Logan whispers. “This is the greatest place on earth.”

“We’ll take that. But I want a mushroom and Swiss burger. And don’t think I didn’t see you have fried green beans. We need those. And fries.”

“That’s the spirit. I’ll put your order in, then introduce you to a few people, yeah?”

“Sounds great.”

I fill their drinks, turning their order in to Franky before dropping their drinks off and sliding in next to Logan. He scoots over, throwing an arm over the back of the booth.

“So, what’s the deal? You’re here two days early.”

Trotter takes a drink of his Coke and makes a loud “ahh” noise. “Full throttle is so much better than diet.” After another drink he explains, “I missed Brooklyn. And you, but mostly Brooklyn.” He winks at me with a huge grin.

“She’ll be excited to see you. I haven’t had the chance to tell you this yet but aboypicked her up for school today.”

Trotter sets his glass down on the table and Logan watches for his reaction.

“What kind of a boy?”

“How many kinds are there?” I ask, my head turned to the side.

“Plenty.” He lifts his hand, ticking off the list one by one by lifting a finger. “There’s the studious, the jocks, the skaters, the gamers, the stoners, the ones who don’t really have a place because they’re a mash up of everything, and the country boys.”

“His name is Weston. He’s a football player,” I tell him, shrugging. “And he works for Cash. That’s about all I know.”

“That’sallyou know? Did you not ask questions? When did this punk start coming around?”

“Relax. It was this morning. He drives a big truck, was very polite, opened the door for her and said he wants to be an electrician. I called Cash right away and he assured me he’s a good kid but he plans to talk with him and make sure he knows what’s up.”

“Isn’t that my job?” Trotter asks, seemingly a bit offended.

“Well, yes, but I didn’t know you were coming here today and Cash knows the kid already.”

“You trying to replace me?” Trotter whines.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, stop. Do you want to have a talk with the boy? I’m sure Brooklyn would introduce the two of you so her dad can get to know the kid she literally just started talking to.”

Logan snorts.

“Well, it would have been nice to be asked.”

“I just did.”

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