We stood up, and James took a step toward me, reached for me and pulled me against him. I would much rather stand there in his arms all day. Hell, I’d even stare at the ocean for an extended period of time if it meant that I didn’t have to go to lunch.
James tried to start up conversations during our drive to the restaurant, but I didn’t budge or offer up much conversation. I didn’t mean to be a dick, but my nerves were all over the place. I thought James understood, though. James pulled into the parking space and turned the car off, but I made no move to unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Ready, pup?”
“I guess.”
“I don’t see Garrett’s car, so I doubt they’re here yet,” James said as he looked to the left and right of the parking lot. I glanced around, though I had no clue what kind of car Garrett had. James gave my thigh a firm slap, causing me to look over at him. “Come on, pup. Let’s go get the table and get you comfortable.”
“Wait,” I said as he undid his seatbelt. Our eyes were locked onto one another’s, and I asked for a promise. I felt extremely guilty for asking for it, but I needed to hear it right now. “Do you promise you’ll bring me home afterward?”
“I promise, Brandon.”
Okay. He promised. That was as good as it would ever get, right? His word was all that I could trust.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and walked inside with James. As James chatted with the hostess at the podium, I jammed my hands in the pockets of my navy hoodie and looked around the seating area. In one of the corners of the restaurant was a booth, and it looked like it would be a good spot. Just as I was about to suggest it, James had spotted it and was talking to the hostess about it. Thankfully she said it was available and led us to it.
As we approached the booth, James slowed his pace to let me walk ahead of him. He knew that I wanted the inside seat. I slid along the maroon vinyl seat cushion, and once James took the seat beside me, I took the menu from the hostess’ outstretched hand. I stared at the two menus that she set on the table across from us.
While I glanced at the menu my, cell phone in my pocket vibrated, and I pulled it out. It was an invite from Andrew to the Lakers game Sunday afternoon. I bumped James’ arm with my elbow and tilted the phone toward him so he could see it.
Andrew: Hey, Bran, Josh and I are going to the Lakers game Sunday afternoon. Want to come?
“Can I?” I asked.
“Of course, pup.”
I smiled and quickly shot the text back to Andrew.
Brandon: Hell yeah! Thank you for inviting me.
I put my phone away as Garrett and the Salem girl stood at the hostess podium. James stood and held his hand in the air to signal where we were seated. I would have been happy, though, if they’d never seen us or hadn’t shown up. James stayed standing until Garrett and Salem reached the table.
Should I stand? Wasn’t that some ancient manners type of thing? I’d always seen my mom’s agent stand when she walked into the room. Too late now; they were at the table. I’d excuse my rudeness by saying I had been absent on the day of school they were giving manner lessons. I could say that I didn’t get a chance to take the life skills class in college because I had been sold to a dick in a kink house.
Garrett looked just like I remembered him with the brown neatly kept haircut and a day or two of facial hair growth. Facial hair like that would probably take me a month to grow. Salem’s hair was jet black with a purple streak. Though, I was pretty sure it was a recent dye job opposed to what I had seen on her all those months ago. This streak was much more vibrant and new looking.
“Garrett, you remember Brandon,” James re-introduced us.
I stood as best as I could in the booth and reached over to shake his offered hand. Of course he remembered me. He saw me in my desperate, ugliest time. I was an inch from death with my mouth pierced shut, lying naked on the floor of an iron cage. He had to practically lift me out of the cage because I was too weak. Suddenly, I felt extremely warm. I let go of his hand and pushed the sleeves of my hoodie up to my elbows.
“Brandon, you’re looking really good, bud,” Garrett said.
Bud.Chills ran down my spine. Garrett had also called me that several times the night he found me.
“Thank you.” I was proud that I’d managed to find my voice, even if it was small. I did have manners somewhere in me.
James held his hand out toward Salem and greeted her. He smiled warmly at her as Garrett introduced us to Salem. For whatever reason, an insane amount of jealousy crept into my head.
What if James was drawn to help her?
What if a relationship started between them just like ours had?
What if he wanted to start banging her?
What if he no longer wanted me?
What if he ended up stumbling onto some woman or some guy from the club and decided they met his needs more than I did?
