Limbo

The Guy By The Window

ASHLEY:

We've had to cut off our day at the studio early again today, thanks to the crazy squirrels, and since Charlie and Susan said this morning that they were going out shopping, we've decided to stop at the cafe for lunch before we go back to the house. I pull into a parking spot, Jinxx and Bob with me, and Jake comes in a couple of slots away, with Andy and CC. Bob looks around as we get out of the car and comments, "Well, at least it looks like we've missed the lunch rush, so maybe we won't have to wait forever to get our food."

"And if we're lucky, we won't get noticed," Andy adds. "Don't get me wrong, I love meeting our fans, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to finish a meal while it's still hot."

We all just sort of nod in agreement and head inside, where we see that there seems to be only one other customer at the moment. Melissa is standing at the counter, and when the buzzer goes off she looks up, a big smile spreading across her face. "Hi there, guys! I haven't seen you for a few days. We were beginning to think we'd lost you to the competition in town."

"No, we've just been really busy in the studio," I reply. "But we had to knock off early today, so we decided to stop and see what's good."

The cafe's owner is bringing some bundles of silverware from the kitchen as I say this, and he calls out, "It's all good, it just depends on what you're in the mood for today."

Melissa takes us to a table, giving us a rundown of the specials, and we make our orders. As we sit back and wait for our drinks, I notice the other customer sort of looking us over. I lean forward and tell the others, "Looks like the guy by the window feels like he needs to check us out."

"Yeah, I can see that, too," Jinxx says. "He doesn't look like a typical fan, so I'm guessing either he's not crazy about our 'type' hanging around, or he's maybe a little paranoid about people he doesn't know, considering what happened to Rachel and the others."

"Oh, well, as long as he keeps his hangups at his own table, and doesn't interrupt our lunch, I'm not gonna worry about him," CC informs us.

Melissa brings our drinks and sets them down on the table. "Your food should be out real soon, fellas," she says, and she gives me a wink before heading across the room to check on the other dude.

As soon as she's out of earshot, CC bursts out, "What's up with you, dude!? She's obviously got the hots for you, and she's definitely your type, so why haven't you made your move? Since we haven't hit any of the titty bars yet, I know you haven't had the chance to get laid since we left LA, and I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised that you're still relatively sane."

Everyone is looking at me, waiting for an answer that I can't give them. After what happened the other night, Rachel and I talked, and we decided not to share this part of our relationship with anyone else, not even the guys. This is obviously partly because they'd probably freak out and think I was nuts, but it's mainly because whatever we do when we're alone is special, something that belongs to just the two of us, and not something to be bantered around like it's a one-night stand on the tour bus. So since they don't have this piece of information, they're under the impression that I haven't gotten any for nearly a month, and I'm not about to tell them otherwise.

Fortunately, Melissa comes back to the table, saving me from having to think of any sort of explanation right now. She seems a bit hesitant as she says, "I kind of need to ask you guys something. It seems that somebody here in town told my cousin over there that you were staying up at the old Berridge place, and he wanted to know if maybe he could come over here and talk to you a bit?"

We all turn to look at him, not even trying to be subtle about it now, and he sort of nods, and lifts his trucker cap just a bit in acknowledgement. "Funny, I wouldn't have pegged him as a fan," Jake remarks, and Melissa shakes her head slightly.