Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《t h i r t y - t h r e e》

Audrey POV

''Where even are we?'' I ask as Ricky pulls up to a tiny cafe in the corner of some random neighborhood. The place has a petit little window with the 'open' sign flashing green.

''Ah you are about to eat the best breakfast food. All they serve here is breakfast or brunch.'' Obviously, he's been here before. His puffy hair is whistled all over by the wind and the eager smile on his rosy lips, gave me the urge to copy him.

''Yea sure I can go for some pancakes at 6 pm.'' I shrug closing the door behind me reaching for his hand to entwine my fingers around. A small bell rings as we come in and the faces of elderly women turn their attention to us.

''Ladies you all look stunning like always,'' Ricky comments leading me closer to them. By the way, he's acting so comfortable tells me there's a history. His hands grab me by the waist and pull me in front of him. Forcing me to smile. The wrinkles carving their faces lose tension and one of them gets up to greet me.

''Joana this is Audrey my...girl-friend.'' I try to hide the slight twitch from my smile as he pauses breaking the title in two. My arm was extended for a handshake but was given a peck on the cheek instead.

''Well aren't you a pretty girl?'' Her soft voices match her touch as she pats my hand.

''She's gorgeous.'' Ricky's voice sends shivers down my ears. I thank Joana then turn to give Ricky a quick glance. He still has grey patches of sleep under his eyes but he manages to give me a flirty wink. I don't know how to take that honestly. Flattered yet puzzled.

''What can I serve you today?'' Joana asks leading us to a table in the corner of the cafe. It's a cozy spot with mismatching chairs and a dying flower in the center, with half-empty bottles of pepper and salt. There's also a light radiating the color of a sunset just a few feet above our heads.

''I'll have the usual and Audrey you wanted pancakes?'' He scoots the chair before sitting down. I nod and Joana walks away with a small limp on her left leg. The place is empty with only the small chatter of the other ladies as background noise between the awkward silence.

''Look what happened today-'' He starts to say his fingers playing with the dry petals of the sunflower.

''I should explain shouldn't I?"

''No, you don't-'' His lips stretch out to form a line

''Ricky you're a horrible liar. You know that.'' He gives me a quirky grin showing little dimples near his rosy lips. There's something telling me that it's okay to tell him what's going on. My feelings for him carry trust that's he's earned over time, but a gut feeling tugs making me questioning. Nobody really knows besides my friends back home in Idaho and my family. There's just something wrong with me sharing Dad's and Andi's story.

His arms stretch out across the table his fingertips reaching for my hair. ''Well unlike you, I don't like to be all up in someone's business.'' His droopy green eyes play around looking at every detail in my face.

''Okay how about this.'' I lean forward allowing my hair to reach his hands easier. ''I'll tell you what's going on, and you tell me at least one thing about your past?'' He twirls my hair for a while thinking about the offer. After a deep sigh, he nods his head in agreement. ''Hold up. Really? You will!'' After so long he's going to willingly (sort of) talk to me?

''I mean if you really want to know, but only one thing. I don't want you thinking differently of me, if and when I tell you more.'' He says letting go of my hair as Joana came back with a juggling tray. As he helps her with the plates in glasses I question what could happen that could ever change my view of him. We thank her and I look down to see 2 steamy golden pancakes topped with cool strawberries and powdered sugar. I look around for the syrup while taking a peek at Ricky's food.