Page 5 of Hot Chicken

“Pay up, big boy.”

Fuck. What the hell was I thinking?

You weren’t thinking about anything but her, numb nuts.

I dart back over to the counter, placing the cartons of food down long enough to reach for my wallet. “I’m so sorry.” I’ve been so mesmerized by this hot chick my mind has short-circuited. “I think the heat has fried my brain.”

She hands my card back along with the receipt and a skeptical look. Get your shit together, Matt. You’ve been in town a hot minute and already drooling over the hot chicken counter girl.

Parking the truck in front of the construction site, I can’t help but fixate on what just happened. I’ve seen plenty of beautiful women. And I’ve got much better game than the way I acted back there. But there was something about her that had me transfixed. It was more than just standing before a gorgeous woman, wanting more. It wasn’t her aloof demeanor or her sexy confidence despite my acting like a love-sick teen. I just can’t put my finger on it.

“It’s about time. I thought we’d have to put out a search party for you,” Gus says as he swiftly scoops the cartons of food I’m carrying out of my hands.

I follow him to where the guys are seated atop buckets and a few folding chairs. They’re obviously famished as they surround Gus like piranha.Jeez, I hope there’s something left.

“You found it,” Harry says from behind me, his hand landing on my shoulder. Initially, it feels like a brotherly gesture until I consider whether he’s just trying to move past me to get some grub before it’s gone.

“Yeah. Hey, save me a chicken wing or something.” I chuckle. “You could’ve warned me that the place looked like something from a horror movie.”

“Oh, Salty Jo’s?” Harry snickers. “It’s been that way so long I didn’t even think about it.”

“He said you’d helped him with the place a few times after storms blew through.” A few more guys take their seats, hands full of food, and I wonder if I’ll have to drive back for more.Hmmm… maybe that’s not a bad-

“Jo’s a good man.” Harry hands me a paper plate loaded with chicken, mac n cheese, green beans, a spicy cucumber salad, and a biscuit.

“No. You’re a good man!” I grin at the plate as the aroma of Southern goodness envelopes my face. The space grows quiet as everyone tucks into their food. I don’t realize just how quiet until I sink my teeth into the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted and let out a groan.

The boys all erupt with laughter at my reaction, catching me off guard.

“Holy shit, this is good. I was starting to think you guys just went there for the hot chick behind the counter instead of the food.”

“Who? Elliot?” Vince asks.

“Who?” I ask, puzzled.

“Ellie. You know. Long red hair, big green eyes. Curves for days,” Vince confirms.

“That’s Elliot?” I ask, stunned around another big bite of chicken.Hell, this stuff is like crack.

“Yeah. Ellie Albright.”

I immediately start to choke. The delicious food is now lodged in my windpipe. My brother leans toward me, half-heartedly slapping my back with one hand while still shoveling food into his gullet with the other.Thanks, man.

As I wash the remaining chicken down, clearing my throat, and my breathing returns to normal, I sit speechless.

I can’t believe it. That beautiful girl is my Ellie.

Chapter 7

Matt

The guys finish up their lunch and return to work. I, on the other hand, take my time, devouring every morsel of food on my plate. I can’t believe Ellie can cook like this.

“So, I take it you knew her,” Harry says quietly before taking a gulp of his water.

“Yeah. Well, kinda. She was a year behind me in school. I only knew her as Ellie. She was sweet. Quiet. But those assholes I hung out with were relentless. Always picking on her.” I shake my head at the memory. “She was shorter and a little heavier back then. But still beautiful. I don’t know, man. There was something about her. I’d catch her looking at me, and between the long red hair, the freckles, and her big green eyes… hell, I was a goner.”

“Why didn’t you ever ask her out?”

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