Chapter 3-1
674 Words
Chapter 3
Damn kids. They would decide today of all days that they had questions.
Tom finally saw the last of them out of his classroom, hurried to the restroom to pee and wash his hands, then raced to the parking lot where his Jeep waited patiently for him to get in and drive to Loueller’s.
Thank God Jack hadn’t shown up just yet. Tom let the hostess show him to a back booth. As soon as he sat down, a waitress sauntered up.
“Hi, sugar. I’m Kelly, and it’ll be my pleasure to serve you today.”
“Hi, Kelly. Fern’s not on today?”
“Nope. It’s her day off.” She took in the two menus. “You’re waiting for a friend?”
“Yes, I am.”
“All righty. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a Coke, and my friend will have a beer. What do you have on tap?”
“We have Michelob, Bud, and a something from a local brewery.”
Tom knew Jack was adventurous when it came to beer and wine, so he ordered the local brew for Jack. “This will be one check, and I’ll take it.”
“Got it, sugar.” Within a matter of minutes, she was back with an ice-filled glass of soda and a tall glass of beer.
About five minutes after that, Jack strolled into the diner. And shoot, he wasn’t wearing his hard hat, as Tom had hoped he would. There was just something about a man in jeans, work boots, and a hard hat that was hot.
Jack murmured something to the hostess. She was young and pretty, and she gazed up at him with dazzled eyes.
Tom sighed. That was Jack, effortlessly charming every woman he came into contact with. Was this even a good idea?
The hostess led Jack to where Tom was waiting. “Thank you, ma’am,” Jack said to her, then sent a grin Tom’s way. “Hey, buddy.”
“Hey, Jack.”
The hostess gave a dreamy smile, then started and hurried back to her station.
“I ordered you a beer,” Tom said, nodding toward the tall mug with the amber brew and white foam. “Is that okay?”
Jack pulled out a chair, dropped into it, and picked up the glass. He took a healthy swallow, then licked the foam off his upper lip. Tom wanted to moan, but he contained it.
Jack did moan, though. “Damn, this is good stuff.” He set down the glass and reached for the menu, but he didn’t bother glancing through it. “What are you having, Tommy?”
“I thought I’d go with the Cobb salad, but I’ll have them substitute turkey bacon.” As a Jew, Tom didn’t eat pork.
Jack leaned across the table and ruffled Tom’s hair. “Sounds like a good idea.”
“Then you’ll have it, too?”
Jack’s grin broadened. “Nope. I’ll have the bacon double cheeseburger and the cheesy fries.”
Tom couldn’t help laughing. “No chicken fried steak?”
“Not today. Becca made it for us for dinner yesterday. She’s turning out to be a good little cook. I’m glad she enjoys it, but…“ He frowned. “Her momma’s been pushing her to learn how to cook because Becca’s husband will expect it.”
“Her husband? But Rebecca is only eleven.” Tom was horrified. His twin sister had turned her back on every one of her beaux and had gone to college. Once she’d graduated, she’d gotten a very well-paying job. She’d eventually met and fallen in love with the man who was to become her husband. But never once had their mother insisted Lizzie put marriage ahead of every one of her other ambitions.
Jack’s mouth tightened. “Tell me about it.”
“Is that what you want for her?”
“Of course it isn’t, but what say do I have in it? I only see her every other weekend and two weeks in the summer.”
“Jack—” Tom shut up. Their waitress approached the table before he could put his foot in his mouth. This wasn’t his business.
“What can I get for you boys?” Kelly asked.
They placed their order, and Jack began talking about the contract for the strip mall he’d given the estimate on.
Tom listened as Jack explained how he figured out costs. Jack was good at the building side of the business, but damn, how had he not gone broke before now?
Tom wasn’t an accountant, but his mother was, and he’d picked up a lot from her. If he could give Jack a few tips to keep him solvent, he’d be happy.
And maybe Jack would consider it payback for having s*x with Tom. If Tom could talk him into it.
- Writer
