Winning Skylinn

56

||Jonny's POV||

I was bussing tables at work when I got a text from Skylinn. I checked it when I got a break.

Thought we'd come by for some frozen custard. You're working, right?

Yeah, I replied.

Can you get us free custard? 😁

Haha we'll see.

Okay. See you soon.

"Jonny, pay attention! We have customers!" my manager yelled.

"I'm on it!" I called to her. Then I walked over to the counter to serve the newest guest. "Hi, welcome to Culver's, how can I help you?"

- - -

When Skylinn and Denver walked through the door, I immediately felt a little lighter. Seeing a familiar face was always nice.

They stepped into the line, and after a few other customers had ordered, it was their turn. "Hey, can I get a Reese's concrete?" Skylinn asked.

"Of course. And for you, sir?" I replied, pretending they were strangers. I always did.

"Yes, I'd like a turtle sundae, please," Denver ordered.

"Coming right up!" I gave them the little pink plastic card with a number on it, and they went to find a table. One of my co-workers, Coleen, made their custard and handed it to me. "Thanks," I said to her, and walked off to find Denver and Skylinn.

They were at a booth for two. I placed their custard on the table and picked up the pink card. "How are you guys?"

"Good. We just came from that cool new Mexican place downtown," Skylinn replied.

"Oh, cool. Is it good?"

"Yeah, really authentic. I liked it."

"Me too," Denver spoke up.

"Oh, by the way, good to see you again," I said to him, and we shook hands. "I guess I should leave you two alone now."

"You can stay if you want," he offered, but I could tell he didn't really want me to accept the invitation.

"No, that's okay. I've got work to do. Bye, guys." I waved and Skylinn waved back, smiling, as I went back to my job.

Sometimes it was painful seeing them together, but I'd gotten used to it. It wasn't like every time they went on a date I was filled with jealous rage or something. They'd been dating for almost four years, and it was like second nature for them to be together.

When I got back to the counter, Coleen was standing at one of the registers, so I took the other one. "Denver's back, eh?" she said.

"Yeah, he just got back this morning."

"I'm sorry..."

"What?" I looked at her, confused.

"Come on, Jonny, don't play dumb. I see the way you look at her. It's like every day is Christmas morning when she walks in the room. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that you love her."

I fidgeted just a bit. "H-how, um...what makes you think that?"

"Pretending not to care that Denver is back? Being the good friend and staying away because she's with someone else? There are signs, Jonny, and those are definitely good ones."

I sucked in a breath. "Really?"

"Yeah, really. And one day you're going to have to tell her how you feel. I get being a good friend and all, I do. And it's really nice that you haven't made a move while she's with him. But, Jonny, you have to start thinking about what you want. It can't always be about him, okay? Or her, for that matter. Do what's best for you."

Her words cut deep, and I knew that everything she was saying was absolutely, 100% true. But I couldn't hurt Skylinn like that. Telling her would only hurt her, mess her up in the head. She wouldn't know what to think.

"Maybe her best is my best," I told Coleen, hoping I sounded as confident as I wanted to. "Maybe what's best for her is what's best for me. Maybe not telling her is my way of protecting her."

"Yeah, I get that." Coleen seemed to be weighing her options as she chewed on her lip-an old familiar habit I shared. "All I'm saying is, one day you're going to be the one hurting. In fact, I bet you already are, and have been for a long time. It's gotta be tough watching the girl you love be in love with someone else."

I didn't want to talk about this anymore. I'd always liked Coleen, and went to her for advice, but I was tired of this subject. Mostly because I knew she was right.