We're Not Related Anymore...

Yee Haw

Maddie: Present Day

Jacob and I end up talking for a while. Before I know it, the outside world has turned from day to night and we still haven't ordered anything to eat. We've been feeding off of each other: the conversation, the energy, the cord that seems to bind us together. 

He's in the middle of telling me a story about him and Josh getting locked out of their dorm room when I get an incoming call. It's Lindsay and I decide to let it go to voicemail, enjoying the company too much to interrupt it with anything. 

But Jacob notes the call and pauses mid-story. "Do you want to take the call?" He asks, his hands dangerously close to mine on the table. I move them away, as subtly as I can. As much as I'm enjoying just being here with him, there's a voice in the back of my head warning me to not get too close to the fire that will burn me again. 

"It's just my roommate," I explain, glancing at my screen when she launches a barrage of texts at me. "Wait a second, if I don't respond to her texts she's going to do something stupid like file a missing person's report."

Jacob leans back in his booth, watching me message back with a gaze that would have had past-me's toes curling. Now, it shoots a warm feeling to my belly but my brain tells my heart and lady parts to stop it. 

Lindsay: Why haven't I got updates about hottie yet?

You know what, never mind. 

You can make up for it by coming out with us tonight.

Who's us? I write despite the fact that she's still texting. 

Lindsay: Me and the new girl, Jess. She thinks he's hot by the way. She told me about this place called Yee Haws and we immediately thought you should bring your cowboy there so we can meet him officially.

Me: Shouldn't you be working?

Lindsay: Look at the time, biatch. 

I do as she suggests and suck in a breath. 

"What is it?" Jacob asks, noting every movement and sound I make. 

"It's just after eleven," I say, looking around the diner. It's open twenty-four hours but still, we've overstayed our welcome. "I didn't even realize."

It seems like Jacob didn't either because he looks around the place with eyes as wide as mine. There's a whole new crowd in here: A different set of staff and customers that look weary and tired. 

"Shit," Jacob says, looking back at me. "And we never even got food."

My stomach rumbles at that very moment proving his point. He looks like he's about to stand up but I reach out and stop him.

"Where are you going?" I ask, ignoring the texts Lindsay is still sending me. 

"I'm going to get us something to eat."

"Don't," I say and his eyes shutter at my words. 

"Do you want to go home?" He asks, his voice guarded again. I shake my head. 

"Actually, my roommate just said she and a couple of friends are headed out to another place-"

"And you want to join them," he finishes, his jaw working hard. "It's fine if you want to go. I'll understand."

"You can always join us. If you want," I add on, not wanting to sound too friendly all of a sudden. I have to keep what little pride I have left reasonably intact. 

"I'd like that," he says, standing up again. "Where is this place?" 

I follow him out of the diner after he's paid, pulling up the directions to Yee Haw as I do. "I can send you the link but I'm going to go home and change first." I'm still in my uniform even though I never even worked today. "Will you meet me there? In like, twenty minutes?"