Sleeping With the Professor (NOT CONTINUING)

Thirty-One.2

The rest of our meal went undisturbed. Caroline was busy so she didn't really pay our table any mind. I was the only one to take notice because my mom and Tony were enthralled in a boring conversation I took a rain check on after the tattoo remark.

We were getting ready to pay when the conversation was steered my way. It was Becca asking me to go to the bathroom with her. So we excused ourselves before going to the bathroom.

"What's the matter?" I ask when the door clicks shut behind us.

"Eric," she said through gritted teeth. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. "With my lab partner."

"I can't remember the name?" I scrunch my eyebrows together. Seeing my best friend upset is unnerving.

"Her name is Kathleen." She sighs and sits down on top of the toilet. Thank God this is a one person stall. "He needs to back off."

"I agree, he better not start shit with my mom."

"He also will recognize Tony," she gasps and leans her head back wailing.

"We are going to go out there and get the check and leave. Nothing else. Text Kathleen right now."

"I left my phone at the table." Becca is exasperated. "What if he hurts her like he hurt you!?" She cradles her face in her hands. "I'm a terrible friend."

"It's not your fault babe," I laugh lightheartedly to ease her mind.

"My two closest friends getting involved with horrible people," Rebecca pauses to look up at me. "Friends protect friends from Eric's."

I try to calm her down for a little while longer until she's ready to go back out there. We rush out of the bathroom trying to avoid stares from innocent bystanders. They will probably be confused by two girls leaving a single person bathroom at the same time.

Once the table is in sight Becca gasps. Eric and Kathleen are two tables away. We sit down as nonchalant as possible and I interrupt the conversation Tony and my mom are having. "We need to go."

"Excuse me Lillian," my mother swats at me. "Where are your manners!?"

"Mom, now isn't the time for this." Becca grabs on to my hand. Her eyes flicker to our intertwined fingers and she nods.

When Caroline walks past my moms stops her and asks for the check. She pulls it from her apron. "You were my next stop."

"Thanks hun," Caroline smiles at my mom and walks away without looking at anyone else.

My mom opens the book and swallows. Tony notices her discomfort. "Let me get it Bella," He extends an open palm.

"I can pay, it's fine." My mom trips over her words.

"I insist."

I can see the internal battle she is having from the way her eyes dart from the check to Tony's outstretched hand. "I invited you though, you're the guest."

Tony doesn't move his hand and my mom sets it in his palm when I give her a slight nod. He slid his card into the small booklet and set it flat on the table. Becca and I were growing anxious with every passing second and it didn't take long for Tony to take notice. He glanced in the direction I averted my gaze to several times, and he responded by taking his wallet back out again.

"What are you doing?" I whisper to Tony. My mom is chatting with Becca who is practically shaking in her seat.

"Paying cash, I'm not in the mood for this today." Tony removed his card and counted exact change.