dip them in. Tyler orders his weird egg burger and regular fries.
About fifteen minutes later, she comes back to the table with two red trays overflowing with fries and burgers. “Enjoy, and let me know if you need anything else,” she says.
I say thanks before she walks off, then look up at Tyler.
“Get ready, baby. After you take a bite from that, you’re gonna be ruined,” he warns me, and I pick up my hamburger, which is half-wrapped in white paper, and smile at him before I bring it to my mouth. My teeth sink into the soft bun and juicy meat, and the flavor hits my taste buds, making me groan. “Told you.” He picks up his own burger and takes a bite.
I chew and swallow, then grab a fry and dunk it in ranch before popping it into my mouth. Holy cow, even the fries are better than any I’ve ever eaten, and the ranch is obviously homemade, with what tastes like finely chopped green onion.
“I’m so moving here just for this place,” I tell him as I dunk another fry in ranch.
“We can come back anytime you want.” He leans over, giving me a swift kiss.
“How’s yours?” I eye his burger.
He shakes his head. “Take a bite.”
I do, and even though it’s an odd combination, it’s still really fricking good. After we finish eating, he pays, because apparently I’m not allowed when I’m out with him, and then we get up and leave.
“Wanna go get a beer?” he asks when we hit the sidewalk outside.
“Sure.”
We walk hand in hand down the street, which has gotten a little less crowded, and head toward the bar at the end of the block. When we get inside, Tyler orders us each a beer from the bar, and once we have our drinks, he leads me through the crowded room. The moment people start to notice him, they smile and wave or stop to say hello. He introduces me to everyone as his girlfriend, and I can’t help but feel a little giddy every time he says it.
After I’m stopped and introduced to two guys he went to school with, we make it to a table where five guys are sitting, drinking beer, and laughing. I spot Eli in the group, and when he notices us, he grins and stands. He shouts Tyler’s name and brings attention to us. All the guys turn, and when they do, they smile and stand. Tyler doesn’t release my hand as he lifts his chin and gives out back pats to the guys. One of them brings over two chairs, but before I can sit in my own seat, Tyler pulls me down to sit on his lap. His fingers skim along the edge of my jeans, and I relax against him and sip on my beer. I listen to him and his friends talk and share stories, and I answer questions when they’re directed at me.
When my bladder urges me to get up, I look around for the restroom sign, spotting it near the bar. I turn to look down at Tyler. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you know where it is?” he asks, and I nod my head. “All right, come right back to me,” he orders, and I roll my eyes.
I get up and head toward a sign that directs me down a long hall. I notice a guy and a girl talking in the dim light at the end of the hall, but I don’t pay much attention to them as I go into the single bathroom. After I take care of business, I wash my hands and leave the bathroom. I hear a hissed “Stop” and look back down the hall to where the man and woman were, and I notice the guy has the girl pressed to the wall.
For a moment, I think they’re in the middle of a hot and heavy make-out session, but then I see the expression on her face and notice that her head is turned to the side, her eyes are closed, and her hands are pushing against his chest like she’s trying to shove him off. Without thinking, I walk toward them and ask, “Is everything okay?”
The woman’s eyes open to meet mine, and the guy growls, “Fuck off.”
“Are you okay?” I ignore him, directing my question at her, and she gives a short sideways jerk of her head.
“Fuck off,” the guy repeats, and I look at him.
“Let