Page 22 of Hunt for the Roses
I slowly nod as I say, “Me too.” Awkward silence falls between us once again as we hold each other’s eyes, and I decide to end both our misery as I vaguely gesture a hand out in front of me. “So thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Dane takes my cue and starts walking toward the front door, but is half turned to me as he says, “Anything you need, just let me know alright?”
I smile. “Deal.”
Then Dane waves goodbye before walking out my front door.
Band-Aid ripped off.
Friday, June 10, 2022
Friday night, Kate, Trent, and I decided that we would take Aria out to the Annual Summer Kick-Off Festival in town. Seeing as it’s her first time out with all of us in some time, we figured we would do something out of our element. Something fresh.
There is no need for Aria and I to take separate cars since we live next door to one another, so I offered to drive us over to the festival to meet up with Kate and Trent. When Aria opened her front door, I was happy to see her dressed in a pair of high rise denim shorts and a flowy, yellow off-the-shoulder crop top. Her long, dark brown hair is down in soft waves, and although it seems silly to notice her appearance and make a big deal of it, there’s a lot to be said about it. She’s dressed like she used to dress, and she looks more like the person she wasbefore. I guess I’d be lying if I said that didn’t make me smile inwardly.
The festival was more inland than where we live, so it was about a fifteen-minute drive to get here. At first, the car ride was a little too silent for my liking, but eventually, Aria and I were able to fall into a natural conversation about work, and have a little venting session about crabby clients and misbehaved students.
When we reach the parking field of the festival and meet up with Kate and Trent, we can see tents set up for shopping, food trucks, and a few standard carnival rides and games. Luckily, Kate and Trent do not have as much of an awkward introduction with Aria as I did last Sunday, so I’m hoping that’s an indication that tonight will go smoothly.
As the four of us make our way through the entrance of the festival, Kate turns to us with an “Oh my god” face. “Guys, there is a Locos Tacos Food Truck.” The rest of us look at each other with confused expressions, and turn back to Kate to silently ask her to explain. “You guys have never had Locos Tacos?” We all shake our heads to answer her. “Okay, we’re fixing that right now,” Kate says as she grabs Aria’s arm, and Trent and I follow suit.
I shove my hands into my jean pockets as I look up at the menu board, and wait in line with Trent behind the girls. Kate turns around with her arm still weaved around Aria’s. “The Locos Nachos are a must.”
“You two can have fun with that. I chose to have my cheat day yesterday,” I say.
“Same. Except mine was Wednesday,” Trent chimes in.
Aria rolls her eyes, thinking it’s the most ridiculous excuse. “Whateveryou self-disciplined moguls.”
“Again, perks of being a woman,” I say.
Kate and Aria look at each other in confusion, and then turn to Trent and I. Trent looks over to me, and I gesture my palm outward to give him the floor. “No woman wants to go home with a guy who has a flabby gut,” Trent says.
Kate bobs her head in agreement, waiting for Trent to explain further. “So what does that have to do with women getting the upper hand?”
“Well, a guy is less picky when choosing to sleep with someone,” I chime in.
Kate furrows her brows. “So? That sounds like your problem.”
“Seriously,” Aria adds, and then she points between Trent and I. “And we’ve seen the women you both take home. You guys aren’t exactly un-shallow.”
“I guess that’s why we’reself-disciplined moguls,” I say while emphasizing the phrase Aria used earlier.
Aria just smirks and shakes her head as she faces forward again. Once Kate and Aria order, they wait a few minutes for their loaded nachos to come out while Trent orders, and then I place my order after him. I grab my black bean and rice burrito from the food truck counter, and then I make my way over to Kate and Aria who are now standing off to the side eating.
“You guys gonna breathe at some point?” I say as I eye them devouring the nachos in generous handfuls.
Aria’s holding a couple loaded nachos between her thumb and forefinger as she speaks mid-chew. “I know I have a line of chili sauce dripping down my chin and hand. Just ignore it, I’ll clean it up later.”
She definitely does, but I smile at her admission and careless attitude. It’s endearing, actually, and refreshing to see a girl not be so timid while food is in front of her. “I see nothing,” I say, and then take a bite out of my burrito. “Where’s the beer around here?” I ask.
“I think I saw a sign for beer that way by the Ferris wheel,” Trent answers as he points to the right of us. I finish my burrito in three more bites, then throw out the foil in a nearby trash can before walking back over to the group to see if anyone wants anything.
“Wait, I’ll go with you,” Aria answers while wiping her chin and fingers with a napkin.
Kate and Trent let me know what they want, and Aria and I trail off to go get some beers. “Ugh, I think I’m going to regret that later,” Aria says with a scrunched face while putting her hands over her stomach.
“Woah,” I say as I place a hand on Aria’s shoulder to stop us both in our tracks.
