Page 14 of Ripped & Shipped
@Fab-U-lous_EllaMae: He is all that. And no. We’re just friends. Thanks for your support, girly!
@beefitupfitnessdude: So you’re near Columbus?
@EllasSoBella: Stalk much? That’s not appropriate to ask, bruh.
@beefitupfitnessdude: I’m just curious. You never know, we could be soulmates. I’d treat @Fab-U-lous_EllaMae so right.
@EllasSoBella: Just no. She keeps her private life private for a reason.
@EllaMaeFan4ever: Squeeeeee! OH MY GOSH! YOU AND DRAKE. I JUST CAN'T EVEN. DEAD. I’M DEAD. Marked on my calendar and set two alarms on my phone. I jumped up and down, btw. A bunch. My roommate had to come ask me what all the screaming was about.
@midwestcutiepie: I still want more of that hot man from the coffee shop. Do a collab with him. ?? But this time have him face the camera, alright?
@KeepingItFabu: I can’t wait! This is epic! Heading to the website to pick some scrumptious food for you now.
@ariapilatesgoddess:Thanks for the shout out, Ella Mae. I know you’re committed. 80-20, gurl. 80-20. And go slay the day with Drake! I’ll see you in our virtual classes this week.
CHAPTER7
Chris
“That’sa double bacon cheeseburger with extra onions, large onion rings, and shake—make it chocolate today, Georgia.” Duke smiles at the waitress and then smirks in my direction.
Yeah, yeah, so he cleared more leaves out of Memaw’s gutters than I did. I’ll get him next time.
Our waitress, Georgia, collects the menus from everyone and turns to leave. “Put mine on this guy’s tab, Georgia,” Duke says, pointing at me. “And that color looks fantastic on you.”
Duke flashes the woman one of his charming smiles. Georgia’s close to our parents’ age, but Duke’s charm knows no age limits. She looks like she’s about to fan herself. A blush rises up her cheeks, and she smiles at Duke like a groupie at her favorite concert. I simply nod to let her know that, yes, I’m paying for this overgrown toddler’s meal.
“Hey, Aiden,” Duke shouts down to the other end of the group of tables we’ve bunched together. “Did you know Chris is paying for my dinner?”
“I heard.”
“I cleaned more of Memaw’s gutters than him this week. That’s all it takes to get a free dinner around here.”
Aiden shakes his head. The three of us were thick as thieves growing up. Only, Aiden and I were more subdued most of the time. Not that we didn’t do our fair share of stupid stunts. It’s just, compared to the two of us, Duke was the one always pushing the limits and constantly making us laugh.
“I can be fun,” I blurt out without thinking.
“What was that?” Duke asks.
“Nothing,” I mutter. But then I notice Duke still staring at me, so I repeat myself. “Nothing. Okay?”
“You can be fun?” Aiden asks with a smile that says I’m in for it.
Trevor, Aiden’s younger brother, walks in and pulls a chair up to our table. Thank goodness. I’m saved from the humiliation of explaining my momentary onset of Tourette syndrome. I never blurt. I’m a non-blurter. I barely talk half the time, preferring to observe and listen, giving myself time to consider my responses to situations. I don’t know what came over me.
Ella Mae, that’s what. That woman. She’s like a splinter—a loud, outspoken splinter in a mini skirt, outrageous heels, and lipstick.
I know better than to let her teasing get under my skin. Most of what she says seems solely intended to get a rise out of me. I rarely give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
Rob, another friend of ours, follows behind Trevor. He grabs a chair and greets everyone. Then he adds, “Grant’s not coming out tonight. Said Jayme wanted a quiet night, just the three of them.”
“Ahh, the life of a family man,” Duke says almost wistfully.
He’s got another look on his face that seems like he’s itching to say something. I watch him, but he turns the tables on me and eyes me with a purposeful stare.
“And speaking of family men,” Duke says, “Chris was just announcing how he can be fun. Fill us in, Chris.”
