Page 8 of Baby, It's You
“Feet off the dash. Also, you’re twenty-nine, not forty,” Wes says. “And you have accomplished more in twenty-nine years than most people ever have in their lives.”
I nod my head in agreement. It's true. Eddie was a star college soccer player and then decided he wanted to give it all up one day to start his own app. One night he was sitting in his dorm room and couldn’t find a show to watch while he ate his meal, so he just sat there scrolling through a million options and streaming services while his food got cold. That’s when the idea struck him. He started an app that tells you what show or movie you should watch based on what you're eating, and it actually became wildly successful. Who knew people just wanted someone to tell them what to watch while they eat? The world is easier when we can just shut off our brains sometimes and enjoy a good bowl of pasta while watchingBreaking Bad.
The app is called Watch What You Eat. So basically, Eddie is an immense success compared to most people, and his existential crisis is unnecessary. I think most adults feel that way every time their birthday comes around, though. I know I have gotten the birthday blues before, too.
The sun begins setting behind us as we drive around the winding mountains to the other side of Clairesville. The wind is blasting us as we speed around each turn and I’m unsure how Wes is even able to drive with his long, blond hair whippingaround his face. Girls have always loved Wes; back in high school they called him a Greek god.
He has never lacked in the dating department, and he’s definitely the most outgoing of the three of us. I wouldn’t even call what he does dating. More like dialing any woman’s number out of his phone and having a hookup. He is always trying to convince me to go out with him to the bars and have casual hookups, but I just can’t do it. I need to feel invested in someone to get to a place of intimacy with them. Eddie and Wes both give me a hard time about that.
“I’m starving. Let’s grab something on the way,” Wes shouts over the wind.
“Let the birthday boy pick,” I respond.
Eddie looks up from his phone where he’s suddenly in work mode, texting an employee about marketing. Even drunk he is still a boss, but thank god for autocorrect. “Obviously I want Bricks.”
Wes nods. “Bricks it is, captain.”
Bricks is a pizza spot that we have been going to since we were all fourteen. We used to skate around and find quarters on the ground to grab some one-dollar cheese pizza slices there every day after school. Looking back, those were some of the best times. Even Dennis used to come with us every once in a while. The guys agree that he used to be pretty cool back in the day. His dad’s lack of fathering just really did a number on him. While we grew up with structure, he grew up with chaos.
Wes parks the Jeep in front of Bricks, and we all jump out and head inside the metal warehouse door that takes to you the front counter. Before it was a restaurant, it used to be an airplane hangar, so the inside of Bricks is huge. Bands perform shows here all the time after closing since the space is so large; it can get pretty wild. Wes hung from a ceiling rafter during a punk show once, fell, and broke his ankle. The owner, BrickWrigley, was furious even though Wes promised not to sue. He was unable to skate for months.
“You guys go get us a table and I’ll order,” I tell the guys, making my way up to the counter.
Brick Wrigley’s daughter, Savannah, stands at the register and gives me a huge smile when she sees me. The guys have always said she has a big crush on me, but I just haven’t felt any interest in asking her out. Don’t get me wrong, she is beautiful. She’s blonde and has ocean blue eyes and an enthusiastic sense of humor. But I’m not going to waste a woman’s time if I’m not invested in getting to know her. My dad always taught me to be a man of good intentions, and I stand by that, always.
“Hi, Hunter,” Savannah says, looking up at me through her lashes. “I like your hair today.”
I reach up and touch my hat. “Oh yeah, thanks. A hat is the only way to keep it under control.”
“I love it. There’s something about a man in a hat that really gets me…” She trails off, staring at me. After we stand in silence for an uncomfortable few seconds, I clear my throat. She snaps out of her trance and looks embarrassed.
I try to save the awkward moment and give her a sincere smile. “Hey, thanks, that’s kind of you to say.” I quickly change the subject. “Can I get six slices of pepperoni and three beers for the guys and I, please? We are in kind of a rush, hitting a karaoke night for Eddie’s birthday.”
She tucks her hair behind an ear and recovers. “OMG, sorry. Yes, of course! I’ll put it in right now.” She punches our order into the register and adds, “Tell Eddie I said happy birthday!”
“Will do. Thanks, Savannah,” I say, as I hand her my card to pay.
She swipes it, gives me my receipt, and then pops into the kitchen with our ticket like someone just lit a fire under her. That thankfully puts an end to the awkward exchange.
When I get to the table, I can see the guys cackling, looking at me.
“Do I hear wedding bells in the future?” Wes teases.
“Dude, you’re so red right now,” Eddie chimes in.
I run my hands over my face. “Stop. I don’t want to make her feel bad,” I say, glancing back towards the counter to make sure she’s not in earshot.
“I don’t see why you just don’t give her a chance,” Wes says. “She’s super-hot. I would go there.”
“You already have.” Eddie laughs.
Wes looks confused. “Have I?”
“Yes, you have,” I tell him. Wes looks perplexed as I turn to Eddie and continue, “So what’s the name of the place that we are going to?”
“Whiskey Jane’s,” Eddie responds. “It looks like kind of a shithole but those are always the best bars.”
We quickly eat our pizza slices, chug our beers, and walk to the door to head out. I can feel Savannah staring at me from the register, so I turn and give her a quick wave goodbye before pushing the door open. Her eyes widen as I acknowledge her, and she gives me an overenthusiastic wave back.Shit.
