The Rack Room isn’t as dingy as it looks from the outside. There are a dozen pool tables lined up on one side of the building. The other side has a small area with video games and an air hockey table. They’re separated by a seating area in the center of the room next to the bar. It’s only three forty-five and the place is packed. The synthetic melodies of the video games drown out the music playing from the jukebox as the arcade fills with the same kids I just saw at school.
I try not to watch Nick walk over from the bar, but I can’t help sneaking a glance. Everyone in this place is staring in his direction. Some wave while others just gawk. He exudes more confidence than anyone I’ve ever met. When he finally turns towards our table, I pretend to watch a game of pool going on in front of me. Nick sits down with a beer in his hand and sets a soda on the table for me. Matt disappeared to use the bathroom and hasn’t returned, leading me to believe he’s giving Nick and me time alone. “Do you play pool?”
“No, but if you want to play, go ahead.” I take a sip from my soda like I’m totally fine, when I’m totally not. Practically everyone in this place is staring at our table, including three girls in the corner that have been eyeballing me since we got here. I don’t know what I’ve done to offend them, but it looks like I’m about to find out. The trio stand from the stools along the wall. One of them fusses with her boobs before they head to our table.
They walk up behind Nick, and one of them places her hands over his eyes. “Guess who?” She leans downs and kisses his cheek.
Nick pulls her hands away from his eyes with an exasperated look on his face. “What’s up, Katie.” He takes a drink from his beer and leans towards me. “Dani, Katie. Katie, Dani,” he says in that bored way people do when someone they can’t stand is in their presence.
Katie shoots me a dirty look through her overly mascaraed eyes and ignores Nick’s introduction. “So, what’s up tonight? You want to hang out?” She leans into Nick’s side, if he turns his head, her boobs will poke him in the eye.
“We’re busy.” Nick scoots his chair away and smiles at me. His rejection doesn’t faze Katie. She runs her hand over Nick’s head and starts to pull out the chair beside him. Nick stops her. “Matt’s sitting there,” he says as he holds the chair in place, denying her access to join our table.
“So what, are you with her now?” Katie looks at me like I’m gum on the bottom of her shoe. I think I finally get that saying, if looks could kill.
Nick takes a pull on his beer and tilts his head to the side with a coy smile. “No, she’s with Matt.”
“I’m not with Matt,” I say quickly, trying not to choke on my soda. I like Matt, he’s a nice guy, but we’re not together. Not that I don’t want to be with him. I don’t know. Maybe I do. I don’t think Katie really cares about Matt. She isn’t standing here with her boob in Matt’s face.
My internal rambling isn’t helping my case. I look at Nick, then to Katie. “I’m not with anyone,” I tell them both. I don’t know if I can be any clearer. Katie’s death glare subsides slightly.
“That’s good to know,” Nick raises his right eyebrow and my heart does a backflip. Why is he giving her the impression he’s interested in me? Is he trying to get me killed?
Katie shoves the chair against the table and soda splashes out of my glass. “Whatever,” she hisses and stomps away with her friends in tow.
I take a napkin from the dispenser in the center of the table and place it over the puddle of soda. “She seems nice.” I laugh nervously. “Is she an ex-girlfriend or something?”
“I barely know her.” Nick smiles and takes another pull on his beer.
I barely know Nick, and I can tell he’s full of shit. I roll my eyes and look around the room. Everyone looks away. Nick seems like a nice guy, and I bet most people wouldn’t mind the attention, but I can’t take much more of this. Just when I’m about to make an excuse to leave, Matt comes back to the table. He tells Nick that Pete—the bartender who serves minors—is asking for him. Nick leaves and Matt sits down. He looks as uncomfortable as I do. I wonder if he hates the attention too. Or maybe he’s just uncomfortable around me. I don’t think he wanted to bring me here, which sort of hurts. The longer I’m in his presence, the more I realize how wrong I was. Matt definitely doesn’t like me.
I check my watch; I have an hour until my shift. Eureka Coffee is just up the road. If I leave now, I’ll only be thirty minutes early. Any place is better than here.
“Do you have to go?” Matt asks. These are the first words he’s spoken to me since we got here.
“Yeah, I should get to work.” I stand up and see Katie nod to her girls. One of them starts to take off her earrings while the other pulls her hair into a ponytail. I look towards the door where Nick disappeared with Pete. Maybe I should wait for Nick to drive me; it’s probably safer than walking alone.
Matt stands and picks up my backpack. “What do you have in here?”
“Books.” I blush. I like to carry my favorites with me just in case I feel like reading. Maybe I can use my backpack as a weapon if Katie tries something. I hold out my hand to take my bag, but Matt slides it onto his shoulder.
“I’m going to get a workout carrying this thing.” He smiles his sweet, genuine smile.
I get really happy at the idea of Matt walking me to work. Even happier when he touches my shoulder as we walk to the exit. I look back at Katie, who seems to be settling down now that she sees me leaving with Matt. Crisis averted.
Matt and I are halfway to the door when Nick emerges from the backroom. “Hey, where you going?” he calls out and hurries towards us.
Matt keeps walking, but I stop. I don’t want to be rude. “I have to work. Thanks for the ride and the soda.” I smile a fake smile.
“I’ll drive you.” Nick places his hand on the small of my back and guides me out the door. I don’t want it to feel good, but it does. His hand on my back feels so damn good. I look back and see Katie seething. Maybe not that good. I’ve been in one fight in my life. It was in the seventh grade, and it isn’t something I want to repeat.
Matt is standing next to Nick’s car, glaring at us as we step outside. “Dude, you were drinking. You really want to drive?” I appreciate Matt’s concern, but I don’t mind taking the ride. I want to put as much distance between me and Katie as possible.
“I had half a beer,” Nick scoffs. “I’m fine.” He looks at me to make sure I’m ok with accepting a ride from a slightly intoxicated chauffer. I shrug like it’s no big deal. With that body, those muscles, I’m sure he can handle driving after a shot of tequila.
Matt holds out my backpack with a sad smile. He looks disappointed that we won’t get our walk. Part of me is sad too. I like Matt, at least I thought I did. I’m pretty sure Matt set me up with Nick, which is why he left us alone in the bar. If that were true, he wouldn’t be trying to stop me from riding in Nick’s car. I’m almost positive it has nothing to do with Nick’s blood alcohol level. Boys are harder to figure out than the Pythagorean Theorem. I want to walk with Matt; he makes me feel safe, comfortable. I like comfortable. I take my backpack from Matt and turn to Nick, who looks like he just won a bet. Those eyes smiling at me feels like riding a bike with no hands. It’s scary, but I don’t want to grab the handlebars just yet. I want to see what happens next. Nick moves to open the door when his cell phone rings. He takes it out and flips it open.
“See you Monday, Dani.” Matt waves and offers me a small smile.
I look at Nick as he walks away from the car on his call. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but he has a serious look on his face. The call doesn’t look pleasant. I’m grabbing the handlebars now.