Without You

28

I pull into the parking lot of the gas station where Adam works.

The bright neon lights flickering in the early evening. It's a small place, but it feels oddly comforting, and I can already see him behind the counter, chatting with a customer. I take a deep breath and step inside, the bell above the door jingling as I enter.

Adam looks up. "Hey, Amore."

"Hi." I say.

I sit behind the counter with him and flick through social media as he works.

"I thought you came here so I could keep you company." He says frowning at my phone. I smile and put it away.

"Alright, entertain me."

"I can't right now, I'm working."

"You are so annoying." he smiles and opens his mouth to say something but then, a girl walks in a tall blonde. She approaches the counter.

"Hi," she says. "I'm here for the lottery but I don't know how to play." she pouts, and he smiles. 

"Oh, don't worry, I'll help you." Adam responds.

Of course he will

"I love your shirt." she says to him with a smile that I find rather ugly.

"Oh, thank you." Adam says. "It's one of my favorites."

I shake my head at him

It's just a black T-shirt

"I want the mega millions," she says with another smile, and he nods.

I cross my arms, pretending to be absorbed in the chips on the rack, but my eyes keep darting back to them. 

Why is she flirting with him?

 He's mine. 

Well, sort of.

God I'm so delusional

"Can I get a soda?" she asks, her voice light and teasing. "And maybe a number?"

"Yes, you can get a soda, it's in the back." I say interrupting she smiles at me before walking off to the back.

Adam laughs, clearly not catching on. she returns with the soda and places it down, "What about your number?" She asks him again.

"Oh, uh sure."

"He would but his mom took away his phone because he was watching too much skibidi toilet on there." I say to her, and she furrows her eyebrows and laughs a little.

"Skibidi toilet? aren't you like too old for that?"

He clears his throat his cheeks turning pink and I smile. "I don't watch skibidi toilet," he shoots me an annoyed look, but I can see a hint of a smile breaking through. "And my mom did not take my phone away."

"Oh," she says and laughs. "You're funny." she says to me, and I roll my eyes.

I force a smile, but it feels more like a grimace.

As she flirts, I can see a spot of red lipstick on her tooth. "You have something on your tooth" I mumble under my breath, crossing my arms tighter.

"Did you say something?" Adam asks, looking over at me, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Just thinking out loud," I reply quickly.

The girl leans in closer, her hand resting on the counter, trying to draw his attention. "So, do you work here often?" she asks with a giggle, and I can't help but roll my eyes.