“I can ask around,” Cash says. “There’s never a shortage of bands wanting to book gigs.”
“Sounds good.” The bar is most empty. All the patrons have gone home and it’s just the employees cleaning up the place. I want to get out their way, but at the same time…I need another chance to talk to Lisa. Once again, I fucked up by cornering her like that. Well, verbally anyway. Even though it wasn’t all my fault. She turned to kiss me. She could have moved and gotten away from me. That action told me everything I needed to know. I only need to find a way to make things right and have her by my side.
“Are we ready to load up and head out?” Cash has all his drum equipment together. Right now, I’m kind of wishing we brought separate cars, but I’m the only one with a truck and it’s easier to load everything into it than shoving it in back seats.
“Yeah, give me a sec.” I could approach Lisa right now to see if she’ll talk to me. I won’t though. From what my sister has said Lisa hasn’t changed her number so I shoot her a text instead.
Devin
Can we talk?
My eyes are focused on her to see if she’ll check her phone. It never leaves her side, even when she’s working. She doesn’t disappoint. She pulls her phone out of her back pocket, reads the screen and her eyes meet mine from across the bar.
Lisa
That’s probably not a good idea.
Devin
Please. We don’t have to do it here. Maybe you can come by after you get off.
Lisa
Sorry. I rode over with Delilah.
Devin
Breakfast tomorrow? We can even go over to the next town so nobody will see us together.
She looks at the phone, then at me. Indecision over what to do. Finally, her fingers move over the screen.
Lisa
Fine. But we can’t make this a habit.
Devin
I’ll text you a time and place when I get home.
There’s no response after that. I’m considering it a victory. Turning toward the guys, I wave to the instruments. “Let’s hit the road.”
My palms are clammy. I haven’t had that issue since I was a teenager taking my first girlfriend out on a date. For whatever reason, Lisa evokes the same anxiety. I’m so terrified I’m going to screw things up. Say something I shouldn’t because I can’t seem to say the right thing to her.
My phone is sitting on the table and I tap the screen to check the time. She’s late. People are coming in and out of the restaurant, going about their day. The waitstaff keeps glancing in my direction to see if the person I’m waiting for is going to show up. It’s odd being on this side of pitying looks. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced, and I know for a fact I don’t like it. I refuse to order my meal until she gets here, and feel bed I’m taking up space when it’s such a busy morning for the restaurant.
A part of me wants to grab my phone and walk out the door. If I do that, I’ll feel like an asshole if she shows up. I don’t want to be that guy. Especially not when it’s one of her biggest fears. People walking out and abandoning her when she counted on them for everything. I won’t be that person to her. I wasn’t in the first place; we just couldn’t agree on some things and she ran.
“Can I get you anything?” A girl about my age approaches the table.
This is the third time they’ve sent someone over, and even though I don’t want to start eating without Lisa, I need to order something. “Coffee would be great. I haven’t decided what I want to eat yet. Can you give me a few more moments?”
“Sure thing.” Her voice is chipper, but the look in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. I’ve been stood up. She leaves to get my coffee, and I pick up the menu to look things over. No more waiting. Lisa has given me her answer despite how much I don’t like it.
I’m so focused on finding the right breakfast item to match my heartbreak, I don’t notice someone has slid into the booth in front of me. At least, not until she speaks. “Sorry, I’m late.” Lisa sets her bag down beside her. “I debated whether or not I should come.”
Setting the menu down, I study Lisa. She’s not kidding. Her hair is thrown into a bun and she’s wearing leggings and a sleep shirt. She must have decided when she was supposed to be here already. “I’m glad you came.”
“You may not be by the time we leave.” She grabs the menu in front of, lifting it in front her face so I can’t see what she’s thinking. “Have you ordered, yet?”
