The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 41: Suit and Tie

Asher

"She said what now?" Dani exclaimed quite loudly at our table. Luka held her waist to keep her grounded. "I fell asleep for two minutes, and she dropped bombs on y'all. Asher, how do you feel about this?"

I looked towards the darker girl who leaned forward as best she could. She was clearly upset about the news from Maksean, but I didn't feel anything. I didn't seem to care. I wasn't sure if it was because it hadn't hit me yet, or if it no longer mattered since I am happy with Maksean, but I don't care. "I don't know. Honestly I couldn't care less." I answered, earning a concerned look from the other two, but Maksean seemed to stare right through me.

"You sure?" The girl next to me asked. Maksean had her curly hair tied back in a ponytail that reminded me of a fox's tail. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew I wasn't too torn up about it.

"Yeah, I'm sure." I drape my arm around her shoulder and pull her close before looking back up at the other couple. "Now, how about we talk about the dance? Luka, you've gone to Prom before, where can I find the best suits?"

***********

The day was nice and practice was long. My back became sore from falling on the mound, but I got to pitch a good bit during practice. Our first game is the night before Prom and as of now I'm on the starting line up. Maksean already copied the schedule I was given and hung it up in her room and Trey was excited to watch me play.

While on my way to Candy's to pick Maksean up, Luka called and claimed he found a place to get a suit that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to rent. My father had sent in his payment for me, so I had plenty of cash to use on prom.

"Alright Saturday afternoon, we'll go. And the girls can come help to make sure we match." Luka confirmed as I pulled into the familiar pathway. With a silly nod that I forgot Luka couldn't see, I hummed out an agreement, and hung up.

I watched from my truck as the two teenage girls served a larger table of boys. Samuel wasn't there, but the majority of the other guys including that one from the next town over was there. The smile on Maksean's face was her usual work smile that was bright, but not as natural.

Leaving the truck, I walk into the diner and enjoy the smile that is thrown my way as the bell above the door rings.

"Afternoon, welcome to Candy's." Nichole greeted as she popped from under the bar with two booster seats for a family the opposite corner from the teen boys. "Please have a seat and we'll be right with you-" her words paused and smile dropped as she saw me standing in the doorway.

I nod at her and glance back at Maksean who was taking the family's drink orders. "I'll sit myself at the bar." I state and make my way to the tall stool and countertop. Candy could be seen with her husband working on some burgers and pasta. It amazed me how well the two of them cook and how diverse their menu is for some small diner.

Nichole stood still in the same spot she was in as she saw me. I guess she figured if she didn't move, I wouldn't see her. "Nichole? I think that family needs their booster seats."

With a shake of her head, she says nothing, but finally walks back to the corner to deliver the seats. Maksean quickly runs into the kitchen and is back out with two trays of food that made the teen boys howl.

After waiting about five minutes for her to pass out the orders, she places a gentle hand on my shoulder blade. "What can I get you tonight?"

I smiled up at her and with a quick glance through the small window at Candy and Chief, I knew what I wanted. "One chocolate milkshake and a plate of waffles please." The sweetest thing that night wasn't the milkshake or the waffles or even the candy Chief had given us as we left, but the smile that beamed down on me as I ordered. The night was nice, and I had even been ab;e to enjoy the way Nichole walked on eggshells around me, but as we left, I had an odd but familiar feeling in my stomach.