“Anything. Are you hungry?”
“We ate a few things after the game to restore calories. That’s kind of boring stuff, wild rice and salmon.”
I push down the menu he holds to the table. “Then try the grilled cheese with curly fries.” I can steal a few fries.
“I shall follow your expertise.”
That awkward air floats around us again in silence. It’s crisp and could easily break if we just give into our attraction. A few images flicker in my mind of that night, and my mouth nearly waters.
Vaughn waves a hand in front of my face. “You okay? You seem to be deep in thought.”
“Yeah, just, uh, forgot that the gossip train runs strong in Lake Spark, and my brother could discover I’m enjoying an evening snack with you.”
“Enjoying? That puts me at ease.”
I quirk my lips out then wave him off. “It doesn’t matter. He’s busy with his new girlfriend, and he doesn’t get angry at Connor for talking to you, so why should I be any different, since you and I are just two people who are chatting over grilled cheese.”
Vaughn folds his arms over his chest. “That we are. So why did you call the other week?”
Shit, Inearlyforgot why I’m here.
“I saw your game with Memphis and thought I would check in. Tampa isn’t having the best of seasons this year.”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “We’ve had better. Why do I sense that isn’t really the reason why you called?”
The waitress arrives, interrupting my opening to answer. Vaughn orders, and I ask for warm cherry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, although I can’t stomach so much.
A screeching sound of a child hits our ears, which draws our attention to a young family leaving their table and a baby that looks near one getting pulled out of their highchair.
“Yikes. I’m so happy that I get to enjoy dinners in peace,” Vaughn notes.
His comment instantly causes my eyes to whip back in his direction. “You don’t like kids?” Doom hits me, then I remind myself that I always said I could do this all alone if I had to.
“Only if I can return them to their owners. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great when kids are at a game or I help out at a camp, but babies are a whole different ballgame. I see my teammates with kids, and I’m not ready to give up the life I have for that.”
I cough once to rid the fear that is taking over my body like an exorcism. “So, one day you do want kids?”
Vaughn shrugs. “I can’t think that far ahead. I’m not really sure that I would be a great dad anyhow, I don't think I even have it in me. Right now, my focus needs to be on my last season and gulping down this grilled cheese that my table companion has raved about.”
I attempt to offer him a closed-mouth smile, but it wilts far too quickly. Vaughn has just in plain terms stated that he doesn’t enjoy or want kids. He needs to focus on his career. I’m circling back to earlier in the day of imagining the worst-case scenario.
“Oh… we forgot to ask them to include onions. It makes it so much better.” Give me the award for avoidance.
However, this is perhaps the biggest news that I could share in someone’s life. What I’m about to say will alter his life completely, whether he is involved or not.
“I’ll ask them to add some.” He moves to slide out of the booth, but I reach out to grip his wrist to keep him from leaving. Vaughn looks at my adamant hand on his wrist then to me.
“You know, I think I have a better idea. We can ask for it to-go.”
“To-go?” A smirk begins to stretch on his mouth, and he looks impressed. “Sounds like a plan.”
Great, throw me in the horrible-human category.
* * *
We walkto the parking lot because I’m not sure what I’m doing except filibustering. I need more time to figure out where his head is at.
“Are you excited to see your brother for Christmas?” I ask as we walk side by side, with the snow crunching at our feet and twinkly white holiday lights hanging all over Main Street. He’s holding the takeout bag as we walk.
