Tommy
​
“Tommy, you remember my brother, Zach. Zach, you remember our friend Tommy from Walden,” Chad said, confusion lacing his voice.
I didn't know why Zach had growled. I nodded slowly and stood to welcome him. “Yes, I remember you,” I said. I reached out to take his hand.
As soon as we touched, it was as if a shot of electricity sparked between us. Zach's eyes rounded, and his nose flared. My dick began to harden. I’d never felt such a wave of lust from a simple handshake. I had no idea what was happening to me.
“It's very nice to meet you properly, Tommy,” he said. His deep voice went straight to my cock.
“You, too,” I said, finding my voice.
He released my hand, then took a seat next to mine. Granted, it was the only seat left at the table.
“What brings you to Belle Fort?” he asked.
I turned to face him. “My nana. She had an accident and broke her leg. She lives in Tyler, and I came to help her until my sister gets back from her vacation.”
“Hello, what can I get you?” a hurried voice asked before Zach could respond to me.
The others at the table gave their orders while I scanned the menu.
“For you, sir?”
I glanced up to find the waitress staring at me. “Um, I'll have a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese. Also, can I get a large bowl of your sausage potato soup to go?”
“Absolutely, honey. I'll get your orders in,” she said and turned away.
Zach growled low beside me, and I turned to look at him. He smiled wryly and asked, “Is that going to be enough? Just a soup and sandwich?”
I smiled. “Yeah, it's actually my usual lunch. That or a salad.”
He nodded, seeming to put that information away. Talking resumed around the table, and I turned back to the others. I didn't understand why I was reacting to Zach this way. Yes, he was sexy as sin, but I’d thought the same thing when I’d seen him last week. What was so different now?
“How long until your sister gets back?” Zach asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“She and her family went on a Disney cruise. They should be back Sunday.” I turned back to Chad and Addison. “Maggie said you’re moving today.” I needed to not look at Zach. I didn’t trust myself not to say or do something stupid.
“Yes, the movers just finished packing up the truck. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Last day with my family,” Chad replied as the waitress came and put our plates in front of us.
“Here's the soup, sweetie,” she said, placing a bag on the table beside my plate.
I heard a small growl to my left but ignored it. Zach seemed to be growling a lot. Maybe it was just his thing.
I smiled up at her. “Thank you so much.”
“Do you want some of my burger?” Zach asked quietly.
I turned to face him; I hadn’t realized he was so close. All I had to do was lean forward, and our lips would be touching. I shook my head. “No…uh…no thanks. I'm a vegetarian.”
He pulled back like I’d hit him, and his eyes widened comically. “A vegetarian?”
I laughed at his reaction. “Yes, I haven't eaten meat in a couple of years. I don't mind it. It's just not my favorite. Not to mention, I’d probably get sick after not eating it for so long.”
“Hello, Zach,” a strong male voice said.
I turned to see a handsome, dark-haired man standing behind us. Zach's face clouded with anger. “Robert,” Zach said through clenched teeth.
“Robby, good to see you,” Zach's mom said.
“Hi, Mrs. L,” Robert said.
“Why don't you join us? We'll get another—” Alisha began.
“He can't. He was just leaving,” Zach cut in.
“I just got—” Robert began.
“No, you were leaving,” Zach said again, more forcefully.
“Zachary Tyler Lawson, what has gotten into you?” Zach's mother asked.
“Mom, leave it alone. Robert is leaving,” Chad said, giving Robert a menacing stare.
I shifted my head between them. Something was going on, and I tried to put the puzzle pieces together. Is this an ex? If so, who is that woman out front? And why was she yelling at Zach? Is he bi? Why do I even care?
Before anyone could respond, the waitress arrived. “How is everything?” she asked.
“Can I have my check, please?” I asked quickly. The air around me was too tense, and I was nervous being around men who could easily crush me.
“You're leaving?” Zach asked, looking at me in surprise.
“Yeah, I have to go make sure my nana’s okay. I've been away for a while,” I said, quickly standing up. “Addison, Chad, it was great seeing you. I'm sure I'll run into you both again in Walden. It was nice meeting you, Alisha, and you, Maggie,” I said.
“You didn't finish your meal,” Zach said, standing up.
“I'm fine. I really need to get back to my nana. It was good seeing you again,” I said, grabbing my soup.
Before Zach could reply, I turned and rapidly made my way to the front of the diner. I needed to get out of here. I needed air. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to explode. I glanced back at Zach one more time. His eyes bored into me as I exited.
It's for the best. I can’t get involved with him. Zach obviously has too much going on, I thought to myself. But why did I feel like I’d left a part of me at the table?