Roommate Roulette

17 | A game

[-Grayson-]

I should've never told her anything because it almost slipped my mouth.

After my dad would hit her. 

"Gray-" Her voice was soft and barely audible.

I parked the motorcycle in a parking space near Rick's Diner. "We're here." I held my breath and helped her off, accepting the helmet she offered back.

Eve hugged my jacket closer to her body, showcasing the dip of her curves that were always hidden under her clothing. I tried not to stare for too long and I guided her to the entrance with a hand on her back.

I opened the door for her and she stepped in, quietly thanking me and inhaling the air. "It smells good." She muttered.

"No shit." I smiled as she playfully hit my side.

"There's a lot of people here." She commented, nodded to herself. I pursed my lips and frowned to myself.

Rick greeted us at the cash register with a familiar smile on his face. "Delgado! Long time no see."

I chuckled. "It's only been a month, Rick." I placed my usual order and I glanced at Eve to see her staring at the counter.

"A month too long. And who might this be?" Rick leaned on the counter, the corner of his eyes crinkling at Eve.

Her eyes snapped up. "Oh, uhm, Evelyn, sir."

"No need for formalities. It makes me feel old. What would you like?"

"Anything you recommend?" She asked, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

He pointed at a list from the board above and she picked a classic poutine. "Tried it before?"

She shook her head, smiling slightly. "Moved from the US so, no." She still hasn't looked him in the eye.

"You're gonna love it."

I rested my palm on her lower back again, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. "There's more people than usual today." I said, paying with my card.

"Oh, no." Eve reached out. "I have my own-"

"I'll pay. Don't worry about it." I practically feel the waves of panic coming off of her and I rub her back in slow circles.

Rick tracked my movements with a glint in his eyes and he winked at me as I glared. "I'm in my late fifties. Business has been around long enough for people to start coming." 

"Are you going to start moving or what?" A voice called at the end of the line.

He sighed into his hand. "And around long enough for... that. Nice seeing you again, Delgado."

"Bye, Rick. Thank you." I waved.

We picked up our food on a tray and picked a table near the corner of the diner. Before I dug into my food, I saw her eyes darting all over the room, her leg shaking the table as it bounced under it.

With a sigh, I trapped her legs in between mine, crossing them at the ankles so she couldn't move. 

She looked at me with a soft laugh. "Sorry." She leaned forward and picked up her fork.

"Is it the noise?"

"Holy shit, this is good." She gestured at her poutine and I smirked. "And what about the noise?"

"You're all tense and jittery." I noted, back on track. Her fingers are pressing against the texture of the fork, fidgeting and she's pushing around the fries in her plate.