Need You Now

Chapter 4: Pickles & Chocolate Milkshakes

I had in fact, never been to Bob's Diner seeing as it was located almost on the opposite side of the city from my place. 

It was also technically called Bob's Diner 2.0, which was interesting. We were sitting in a window booth on the far left. I was by the window with my back towards the entrance. Raven eagerly took the seat beside me, Axel across from me, and Brandon beside him. 

They had driven here in a black SUV that I assumed was Axel's since he was the driver. As crazy as it seemed, I already gave these men some trust. Enough to follow these strangers in my beat up sedan to an unknown destination with the promise of a free warm meal. 

I wasn't ashamed to take charity when it was given; life wasn't kind enough for me to feel that way.

Axel's face had turned into a calm mask. 

His age showed in his face handsomely. I found myself captivated by the older man. He was studying the menu in front of him vaguely, as if he already knew what he would order. I looked over to Brandon who hadn't even bothered to pick-up his menu. The blonde had his beautiful eyes focused on me, only a hint of anger remaining. I wondered if I had upset him or if he always looked a little bit angry. 

Unbothered, I stared back at him boldly, and noticed another emotion in those eyes. The sadness and pain hidden there was intimately familiar to me.

I tilted my head, wondering what or who had hurt him in his past, and he looked away.

Raven had one of his arms resting behind me along the back of the booth and was relaxed back with a foot sticking out into the aisle. I cringed thinking it would be a tripping hazard for anyone who walked past. He was currently gulping down his glass of water that the waitress had given each of us. 

Chasing after purse snatchers in the summer heat would make me thirsty too. 

We fell into a silence that was bordering on uncomfortable, when the waitress came back to take our orders. I quickly perused the menu while the guys ordered. When she got to me, I grinned, knowing my order would confuse the men around me.

"I would like a large chocolate milkshake, a bowl of pickles, and a basket of fries please." 

The waitress looked concerned as she walked away to put our order in, while Brandon snorted.

"I'm sorry, do you have an issue with what I ordered?" I boldly asked the man, sassiness thickly coating my words. 

I never handled being mocked or made fun of well. 

My defense mechanism was to retaliate verbally, and physically if necessary.

"Yeah, what are you? Pregnant? That's the most absurd order I've ever heard someone make," Brandon's tone was haughty, his arms crossed, and eyes narrowed at me in a challenge. 

I smirked knowing exactly how to make this man eat his words; I just had to tell the truth.

"Yes, as a matter of fact. I am." 

His whole body seemed to freeze as his mind rebooted.

Even Axel and Raven had paused in their movements. 

Axel's hand was half way to his glass of water, suspended in air, unmoving. Raven had snapped his head towards me, his mouth open in a comical "o" shape. 

Their reactions suddenly made me feel insecure about my situation, so I lashed out.

"Jesus, don't look so astounded. It's none of your business anyways. I just wanted to shock Brandon since he was acting like a brat."