Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,17
my thumb in the direction of the main street that runs past campus. “There’s this place, Coney Island, just a couple of blocks down, and my man, Luca, makes the best chili-cheese fries. So, I just think you should try them … maybe now. With me.”
“You want to go grab some food? Together?”
She seems confused, and I don’t blame her. I have no idea what’s going on.
“You have to eat, right?”
She looks toward the large brick building to the right that houses the campus cafeteria. “I was just going to grab something with my meal plan.”
“Seriously, nothing in there will hold a candle to Luca’s fries. It’s my treat for being an asshole on Saturday and all other times to come.”
“So, it’s an apology for Saturday and future times when you’ll be an ass?”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you just not be a dick?” she questions, holding back a smile.
My lips form a slight pucker. “I can’t help it. It’s what I do, but I’m admitting that what I said Saturday was wrong, and I’d like to apologize over a plate full of fries … and who knows? Perhaps, we can be friends.”
“Friends?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
“Okay,” she answers quietly with a shake of her head, as if she can barely believe she’s agreed to hang out with the guy who screamed at her a few nights ago.
I can’t believe she’s agreed to come with me either.
We’ve taken a few steps toward the road when regret starts to surface. It’s only a matter of time before it will scream within. This isn’t a good idea, and I’m fully aware of that fact. However, I’m incapable of stopping it. I need to see her, to be by her.
Maybe I could do the friend thing with her.
As much as I want it, I know it’s a lie.
NINE
Alma
Leo is silent as we walk toward the restaurant. There’s a nervous energy encircling us. It’s like we’re surrounded by one of those glass plasma globes that you see at science museums. There are strands of electric currents shooting out from us in all directions, and everyone around us is immune to it. However, if I were to reach my arm out or step out of place, I’d be shocked with a volt of electricity that would bring me to my knees. I just know it.
“So, you were coming from class?” I ask an obvious question. Smooth, Alma.
He hesitates. “Uh, yeah, Econ.”
I nod. “I was just reading. Nothing for school, just a romantic comedy. I’m done with classes for the day.” Word vomit spills from my mouth, and I hate myself.
Leo doesn’t respond.
We reach the diner, and he opens up the door. I step in, and a man greets us from behind the counter.
“Leo, my boy! My favorite customer!” the man shouts with a large grin.
“Please, old man. You say that to all the kids.” Leo waves him off and takes a seat.
The gentleman places two red plastic cups of water down in front of us a second after we sit. He pulls two menus out from under his arm and sets them before us. “Just in case you want something different,” he says to Leo. “This is the first time you’ve brought a lady friend.”
“Stop being creepy, Luca, and just bring us two plates of chili-cheese fries and two Cokes.” He hands his menu back to Luca with a small grin before turning his attention to me. “Do you want anything else or something else to drink?” He tilts his head toward each shoulder, stretching his neck. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
“No, fries and a Coke are fine.” I give my menu back to Luca as well.
“You got it,” Luca says before heading off.
“You come here a lot then?” I ask Leo.
He nods. “Yeah. Honestly, the food is great, and Luca’s a good guy. He lost his wife and only son in a car accident my freshman year. It’s sad. So, if you know any single middle-aged women, send them in. I think he’s lonely.”
Leo’s words are so surprising. The conversation is almost normal and shows a side of him I never imagined.
“So, you’re a matchmaker in your free time?”
“I have many talents.” His words are suddenly deeper, and I take a quick drink of my water.
Luca comes back with our drinks and food. “Enjoy, friends.”
“Thank you,” I tell him as he retreats back behind the counter.
“So, each fry needs some chili, cheese, ranch, and ketchup.” Leo loads up a French fry with all of the fixings on his fork