Page 34 of Quarterback Sneak
I shrug. “I guess it’s what I’m used to.” I cut another piece of bread and dip it in the oil.
“Are you going to eat the entire loaf of bread?” he asks.
“Probably,” I tell him and take a bite. “Are you sure you don’t want any? It’s really good.”
“No. I don’t want the extra pounds.”
My bite pauses halfway to my mouth, and I raise an eyebrow at him. He doesn’t look away, and I’m not really sure I like the glint in his eyes. Surely, he’s not saying what I think he’s saying. I finish the last piece of my bread and swallow. “Are you trying to say something, Jace?” I ask.
He smirks. “Nope.”
Suddenly, that smirk that has always seemed sexy no longer does. I fold my napkin again over my lap, wondering if I should keep my mouth shut. “Are you saying I have extra pounds?”
“How come you’re not drinking your wine?” He asks instead.
I glance at the glass in front of me; I hadn’t even noticed it until now. I guess I really was in a bread coma. “I don’t drink.” I hold his gaze as I say the words, so I don’t miss the frown.
“Why not?”
I shrug. I’m not getting into this with him tonight. “I just choose not to.”
Our waiter arrives, saving us from any more awkward conversation. “King Crab for your dining experience tonight.” I don’t register his words, and when I look down, I jump and barely keep from letting out a yelp. Because on my plate is an entire crab.I’m going to be sick.I swallow hard and regret all the bread I just ate. I don’t even manage a thank you. If I open my mouth right now, I’m going to throw up.
Unfortunately, Jace has no such inhibitions. He picks up some metal tool and then breaks off a leg of the crab and uses the metal tool to crack it open. My stomach turns when he slides meat out of it. When he dips it in butter and eats it, my mouth waters and not in a good way—in the way it does before you throw up. “Excuse me,” I mutter and push back my chair. I walk as quickly as I can towards the back of the restaurant, following the signs for the bathroom. I throw open the door to the stall and fling myself to the floor, hovering over the toilet. I gag a few times, but nothing comes up. I spend a few minutes wishing I would have never agreed to tonight. I take a deep breath; I just need to focus on getting through this night. But I know right now that once I’m done with tonight, I need to tell Jace I’m not interested. I feel bad, but I feel like tonight was a major eye opener. And maybe it’s not even Jace. Maybe it’s just me; maybe I’m not date material. All I know is I don’t want to put myself through something like this again.
When I know I can’t stay in here any longer, I force myself to leave the stall. After washing my hands, I stare into the mirror. “You just have to get through the next hour and then never again.”
Chapter 16
Evie
After my pep talk, I leave the bathroom. I take shallow breaths, so I don’t breathe in the seafood smells. When I get to the table, I grab my white cloth napkin and cover my crab so at least I don’t have to look at it.
Jace lifts his gaze to mine and then to my plate. “What are you doing?”
I take a long drink of my Sprite. “I can’t stand looking at it.”
He stares at me. “It’s King Crab.”
“I know. I don’t like looking at the crab; it makes me feel like I’m going to throw up.”
“Okay,” he says slowly. “Then don’t look at it. I can pull the meat out for you.” He starts to pull my plate over to him.
“I don’t want to eat it,” I tell him.
“Eve, that’s almost a hundred-dollar plate of King Crab.” I’m almost too upset to notice he shortened my name.Almost.I take another drink of my Sprite, trying to stay calm.
“Well, if you would have asked me, I would have told you I don’t like seafood, Jace. But you didn’t ask; you just ordered for me. So, this is kind of on you.” His gaze burns into me, and I drop my gaze. “I’ll cash App you a hundred,” I tell him quietly, not that I have a hundred dollars to blow on a stupid meal. I suddenly feel like crying; this has been the worst night. “Are you done eating?” I ask softly.
He slides his plate forward, scowling at me. “I am now.” He leans forward and laughs.
“What?” I ask, cautiously.
“You. You come across as all quiet and kind when underneath all that, you’re actually a...” he pauses. “I’ll give you a hint. It rhymes with witch.” He stands up and shoves his chair in. “Thanks for a great date, Eve.” His words are harsh. I’m stiff as a board in my chair and refuse to let the tears fall. I take several deep breaths, pushing down all my emotion. I still have to get back to school, and I refuse to cry in front of him on the way back. When I feel like my emotions are in check, I slide my chair back.
The waiter appears next to me and drops off a black book. My stomach drops, and I glance behind me. I close my eyes.He left me with the bill.I’m scared to even look. With shaky hands, I reach out and pick up the small black book and open it. My eyes skim to the bottom.
$279
