The First Punch [t.h.]

Chapter 4 - Flirtatious Diners

The following morning came around and Tom wakes up to an unfortunate phone call. His original plans for the day were to get a little more sleep and rest up from the fights over the past two days. He'd hit up the gym later but the morning and afternoon would be spent just lazying around with Harrison. That was the plan but Arthur called and when Arthur calls, Tom answers.

Arthur wanted Tom and Harrison to meet him at a diner the two had never heard of. It was a little bit away from them, not quite walking distance and not exactly in an area they're in very often. But, Tom got out of bed and woke up Harrison to let him know which it was no surprise when Harrison started asking questions about why Arthur wanted to meet up. And as expected, Tom didn't know.

Truthfully, Tom was still on edge from the night before with Arthur. There was something with Arthur's words and mannerisms that seemed to stick to Tom's skin. A feeling in his gut that wouldn't go away. It just turned his stomach and he hated it. He hated that last night was a real inside look on how serious Arthur is about Tom listening to him. He doesn't want to piss off Arthur anymore than he has the night before and asking questions would start the day off with a pissed off Arthur. Not something Tom wants to deal with.

So, Harrison and Tom make their breakfast and eat it in relative silence besides the tv playing in the living room and when they're done, they take turns getting ready. Before either of them knew it, it was time to head to the diner Arthur had directed Tom.

On the way there, thanks to Harrison driving, Tom couldn't help but think this was some type of set up. A set up for what, he wasn't quite sure. But it didn't feel right and it was weird. Arthur doesn't do this and when they met up last time, it was a nice restaurant, expensive, close to the lake. This diner....was not. It's a Sunday and that just seemed to throw Tom off more but when Harrison was finding the place to park, Tom snapped out of his thoughts, convincing himself he'd just been listening to Harrison talk too much and it was just in his head.

"You alright, mate?" Harrison asks as he puts the car in park.

"You're gettin' in my damn head." Tom shakes his head but a laugh escapes his throat.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harrison asks as he cuts the engine and starts exiting the car.

"Startin' to think this is a weird set-up which doesn't make sense." Tom rolls his eyes as he meets Harrison around the back of the car.

Harrison chuckles and gives him a shrug. "Hey, we know nothing about this guy. It could be a set-up."

"Yeah? And what're you thinking?" Tom challenges as the two head towards the entrance.

"I don't know. You brought it up." Harrison laughs, pulling out his phone to check the time.

Tom keeps a straight face and Harrison knows whatever happened last night has been eating at him. Tom doesn't stay quiet and he's a terrible liar. He let it die because it was better than badgering him last night but now, as they walk into the door, he's regretting it. Maybe Harrison should have made Tom tell him what exactly happened. It's eating Tom and Harrison hates seeing him twisted with unease.