Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,43
sugar and processed fat sounded amazing. “I’m in. If my parents say yes.”
“Same,” Jordan said. “I still need to see what Chester found at his weirdest cleaning job.”
“Chester, the old guy who sits in the restaurant?” I asked. “Isn’t he retired?”
Rory nodded. “He has to be. He’s always there.”
Jordan grinned. “He is, but he used to do housekeeping at a hotel. I bet he found all sorts of strange stuff.”
My stomach roiled at what he might have found, but my curiosity was also piqued. “Operation Chester is on then.”
“Good,” Jordan said with a smile.
The bell rang, and we parted ways.
Jordan reached into a paper bag she held and extended what looked like a coffee cake muffin.
I raised my eyebrows. “Is that from Seaton Bakery?”
“Want it?”
My eyes widened. “I had organic granola for breakfast. Of course I want it.”
She laughed as I took it and dug in. Unfortunately, I was so preoccupied with the muffin, I missed the brick wall in front of me, along with Jordan’s warning against it.
I slammed into the wall and fell down, crumbs covering my body.
“Are you okay?” Ray asked.
“That looked like it hurt!” Jordan cried, dropping to the floor next to me.
I kept my eyes closed. “Let me lie here in a pool of my own embarrassment. It’s been nice knowing you.”
“Is she always this dramatic?” Ray asked, sounding amused. His voice was closer now. Had he gotten down too?
“More or less,” Jordan answered, taking one of my hands. “Let’s get you up.”
Ray took the other hand, and they hauled me to my feet. Jordan brushed crumbs from me while I did my best to avoid eye contact with Ray.
Unfortunately, that didn’t keep me from seeing his smile as he said, “You don’t need protection, huh?”
“Only from myself.” I said and sat in class, my head, cheeks, and pride on fire.
Twenty-Eight
I texted my mom from inside a bathroom stall, asking if I could hang out with my friends after school.
Mom: Do you have your homework done?
Never mind that the day wasn’t even over, but so far?
Ginger: I don’t have any.
Mom: What are you doing?
Ginger: Hanging out at Waldo’s.
Mom: Okay, but don’t eat there. I’ll have supper ready at 7.
I gazed toward the ceiling for a moment, but then typed back a quick “OK” and put my phone in my backpack pocket. I was about to get up when I heard heels clacking over the tile of the bathroom floor.
“Did you see Ginger and Ray this morning?” Tinsley asked. Her voice was unmistakable—she was the only one who could hit that blend of whiny and pompous at the same time.
A scoff came next, then Merritt said, “I don’t know what is with the guys in this school. It’s like they all saw Beckett go for Rory, and they all decided to chase after cows instead of real women.”
Poppy laughed, snorting. “Ray’s all about the cows anyway.”
“Exactly,” Merritt said. “It’ll all blow over once they realize there are actually hot girls around here interested in dating them.”
“You are?” Tinsley asked.
Merritt’s voice became suggestive. “That cowboy can ride me any day.”
I nearly gagged but fought to keep quiet until they left the room. When I finally reached the sink and looked in the mirror, my face was as white as my uniform shirt. The only difference was the smattering of dark freckles over my nose and cheeks.
Was Merritt right? Had Rory and Jordan had their chance and now it was over for the rest of us? Did Ray only want to spend time with me because he thought fat girls were on trend?
I asked the girls the same question at Waldo’s diner.
“What?” Zara sputtered. “That’s ridiculous.”
Rory and Jordan gave each other a look, and Callie said, “Never mind that there are girls out there with good hearts and fun personalities.”
“Exactly!” Rory said. “It’s like no one can see past our fat to know the person underneath.”
“Yes,” Jordan agreed, “or acknowledge that curves are attractive to some men!”
I frowned and shook my head. “But Merritt probably wouldn’t be worried about breaking a horse’s back just by sitting on it.” I told them about being at Ray’s and how scared I’d been just to get up on the horse. How much he’d had to help me just so I could sit down.
Rory said, “But he told you that you were fine! I know it’s hard when a guy hasn’t treated you like you matter before, but try not to overthink it.”
Jordan smirked. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”