Playing The Waiting Game

Chapter Four

June 13th 2015

"He's here? Like here in Ocala?" Tyler asked as he ringed somebody up. We were at work and I had just told Tyler what Noelle had told me yesterday. The aftermath wasn't very pretty, from what she told me he was here for a few weeks visiting his grandparents and he had reached out to her via Facebook asking her to meet up with him at a local Café, she did and now they are on 'somewhat' good terms. I was shocked, angry, and heartbroken all together. I knew Noelle very well, of course he apologized to her and she accepted it. She was a very forgiving person, but I also knew Jimmy and how he would soon be manipulating her into going back with him. I wouldn't let that happen, not on my watch.

I nodded my head at Tyler's question, as he shook his. "Oh man Maxwell" he muttered as he handed the customer their change back. "He wants to come on the road trip" I mumbled as I prepared someone's lunch. "What?" Tyler yelled only enough for me, him and the happy customer to hear. Tyler walked away from the cashier standing by my side, "Wait. He wants to come? Or did Noelle invite him?" I took the question and analyzed it. Would he really want to come? Why would he? He knows I would be present there and so would Tyler and Ryan. It doesn't make sense, of course but how would he know we were going on this road trip? Noelle must've told him. But I told Noelle the day after the boys planned it out which was on Wednesday. So that means she went out for coffee with him yesterday which is the day she came to my house. So they were together prior to her being with me. She invited him, she wants him there. Despite knowing how I feel about him. Why though? Why him?

"Noelle invited him" I said threw gritted teeth, I was so angry scratch that I was seething. I needed to get out of here. But you're working, Maxwell.

"Wha-Why? Why would she invite him knowing how we all feel about that damned prick?" Ryan asked he was as equally as pissed as I was. I shook my head, I didn't want him going on this road trip was I had to make a certain excuse up for him not to go, and I had the perfect plan.

"When are we going on this road trip exactly?" I asked Tyler as he shrugged.

Oh I needed to know, and quick.

Our conversation was soon cut off as I heard someone yelling precisely sounding like a young girl, "Um can any of you help me?" Tyler and I both turned around and saw Noelle standing there and by her side stood the prick. Jimmy, I dislike that guy so much. I groaned and rolled my eyes. Noelle had a small smile plastered on her face and Jimmy looked flushed. I felt Tyler pat my shoulder and he walked away to counter. Noelle waved at me I waved stiffly back turning around a continuing on my work. What in the name of God was he doing here? What was she doing with him? Maxwell get over it, they are going to get back together and you know it. I slammed my fist down on the metal counter and left towards the back room avoiding all gazes and small whispers.

I just couldn't watch them being together even if they weren't really together. It didn't matter. The last thing I would want to see is my best friend end up with the same dipshit who broke her heart. It bothered me so much, why was he here?

__________

I am sitting in the backroom contemplating on whether I should run out there and beat the shit out of that asshole or remain calm in this room. Thankfully the manager, Jones wasn't here today she would of kicked me to the curb with no questions asked. As if someone heard me, walking into the room is her oldest daughter Mary. Well she is about my age and I've always suspected that she's had a crush on me ever since the "Sorry, I accidentally touched your crotch" incident.

She wasn't bad looking, she's actually very attractive but the fact that she was very forthcoming wasn't something I was into. She easily gave in, and that wasn't very attractive despite her looks. "Hey Maxwell" she said happily, walking over to me as she sat down. "Hey Mary" I mumbled, I was still upset over the fact that Jimmy Neutron was here.

"Why are you back here alone?" she asked quietly raising an eyebrow. I shrugged and looked at her, "I'm on my break" I lied; my break was an hour ago. She nodded then got up from her seat, I almost was screaming with joy thinking that she was going to leave but instead she walked over to the refrigerator bending over with such a posture I almost thought her pants were going to rip. I shook my head and got up from my seat, she straightened up as soon as she saw me walking past her. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"To work" I said when really I was on the hunt for Tyler to ask him what went down. But when I got to the cashier I spotted them all on my own. Walking out of the restaurant was Noelle and Jimmy both very close, and laughing. Well, she was laughing and he was smiling. I fisted my hands as I watched them leave.

"He's invited" I turned around and gazed at Tyler. I furrowed my eyebrows then realizing about who he was talking about I flattened out my expression. "You invited him? He shakes his head quickly. I sigh, Noelle and her good heart.

"Fuck" I mumble this road trip was going to be amazing. I feel Tyler grasp my shoulders and shake them, "It's going to be alright bro" and with that I turn around and continue to work.

___________

After work I head home arriving to an empty house. Mom must be at work, and Mark must be out somewhere. I don't really worry for Marina; she's probably out with John picking out decorations or different flavors for the cake. I sigh walking into the kitchen grabbing a water bottle. I lean against the counter thinking about this damned road trip and how ugly it is going to be. I hear my phone ringing, and I see that it is Ryan I pick it up.

"Sup man" he mutters happily. I reply with a greeting and soon we are having a conversation about the road trip.

"So I was thinking that we could drive up to Miami on Wednesday stay out there until Monday at my dad's beach house?"

"Sounds like a good plan, but are we all leaving in separate cars?" Hopefully the answer was yes. The thought of being stuck in a car while Noelle and Jimmy were all up on each other made me sick.

"Well, see that's the only problem. My dad wasn't all for us going to Miami in the first place due to the last time we went-"I laugh thinking about the last time we went on a road trip to Miami and how Ryan had been on the cover on U.S weekly butt naked and drunk running around the streets of Miami. Luckily he wasn't arrested because his father could pull such strings, but when we got back it was hell. Ryan's dad is an entrepreneur and owns a lot of hotels around the world. So when it came to his only son, he was always there. But sometimes Ryan could be a little too much to handle. And, I as his friend knew that very well.

"Yeah, I know"

"Anyway, after 2 hours of begging him and promising him that I wouldn't drink as much he finally complied but only if he had his personal driver Johnson, drive us there and back." He said slowly.

"What does that mean?"

"It means Johnson and his friendly friends shall be watching us the entire time. Also, meaning that we all have to leave in the same vehicle." Those were the words I was dreading to hear.

"Oh" I mumbled. C'mon stop being a little bitch so what if they are going to be in the same car as us. Be mature and show that it does not affect you.

My subconscious was right as much as it affects me I shouldn't show it. It's immature and simply stupid. It's just a car ride. How bad can it actually go?