• Troublesome • Rhett x Reader •

• Chapter Twenty Five •

Rhett honks his horn from outside. The sound is muffled, but audible from my bedroom. I take one final glance at my outfit and toss my messy hair around a bit before scooping my phone up and heading outside, locking up behind me.

I can't quite see him from outside of the car as I approach but I still feel the need to awkwardly avoid eye contact upon my approach, feeling his eyes on me. I sit beside him. He wears blue jeans with a casual dress shirt and some new glasses.

"Snazzy shades." I smirk, pulling my seatbelt across my body and clicking it in place.

"Not shades, but thank you." He pulls off of my street and we make our way to the closest Applebee's.... which is in the city.

I find myself nervously exploring the door handle with my fingertips as I blankly stare into the outside world. I hardly notice Rhett's hand joining my available hand set in my lap, as if he owns the place and is simply taking what is his.

"So," He slows to a halt at a red light and smoothens his beard with his left hand. "Would it be wrong to assume that you've never openly dated an, uh..."

"Celebrity? Yes it would be wrong. Harry Styles is my ex. Don't you know?" I joke. He snickers and shakes his head.

"No, no. I prefer 'Internet personality.'" His thumb brushes soothingly along the skin of the back of my hand, sending goosebumps up my arm. "I mention it because - I'll get to the point. Expect to be interrupted during our dinner by a fan or two."

The light turns green and we begin moving once again.

"Oh, no, I understand. I really do."

"Okay, I'm just making sure because I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable." His voice is hushed.

"I wouldn't mind if it were a hundred fans, Rhett. I think it's amazing."

He takes a look at me and closes his mouth, giving me a nod and a smile.

"It's... new to have someone who isn't at least a little discouraged by that." He concludes.

Applebee's is crowded as usual, and I almost forgot that there is almost always an hour wait before we're even seated. Especially at this one.

"Take a seat and I'll show you over when there's a table available." The waitress smiles warmly in our direction.

"Okay. Thank you." I say, taking a seat on the cold leather cushion of the bench, patting the space beside me for Rhett to join me.

"Can we get a menu so we can just order when we're seated?" He asks, to which the waitress nods and pulls two folded menus from her apron and passes one to either of us.

"Let me know if you need anything else. It shouldn't be too long now." She returns to her booth.

"So... what are you thinking of ordering?" I attempt small talk as he settles beside me, folding open a menu.

"Not sure, I haven't eaten here in a while." His eyes scan the paper.

"How about some fava beans and liverrrrrr." I nudge him with my arm, to which he visibly gags.

"Not now, not ever." He laughs.

"Except for those taste tests!"

"Yes. I save my suffering for the show. At least then I get more revenue." He rubs his thumb and index finger together and mouths "mon-ayyyy"

"Ah, yes. Getting paid makes suffering so much more bearable." I return my gaze to my menu, searching for my next victim of the night. "A waffle."

"'Scuse me?" He looks bewildered.