Just One Chance : Chapter Three

Chapter Three.
I smile up at the hot waiter as he sets down my order. I see a faint flicker of emotion in Michael's eyes that I can't seem to put my finger on. I take my cinnamon latte and move it toward me, picking up my straw and pushing off the paper.
"How's Lily today?" I casually blow on my hot drink.
Michael glances up from his phone. "Huh?…Oh, she's fine, I guess. Why?"
"Just curious." My eyes flicker to the door behind him and I stiffen as my ex boyfriend Jared swaggers in the door in that annoying way of his. Michael frowns and twists in his chair, then turns back to me. "Hey. You deserve better. That's why you ended it. Remember?"
"I know why I ended it, but I'm sick and tired of him thinking he can win me back. Crap. Here he comes."
Michael takes my hand and squeezes it. "I'll take care of it."
"Hey darlin', you ready to make up?" Jared snaps his gum loudly and winks. I frown and shudder.
"Never." Ew.
Michael, in all his tanned glory stands up in a whiff of cologne.
"Dude, buzz off. She wants nothing to do with you, got it?" My. Hero.
Jared sneers at me, but backs off. "Whatever man. Chill. I was just joking." And he turns on his heel and walks to the counter, checking me out as he goes. I jump up and grab my cup. "Can we go to the park or something?"
"Sure thing Kay." He puts a hand on the small of my back, giving me chills, and we walk out into the mid morning sun.
Michael pulls my car into a parking space and climbs out. I grab my purse, my keys and my latte. We make our way to a park bench and I plant my butt firmly onto the seat. Nothing else will disrupt my guzzling of cinnamon goodness in liquid form.
I take a sip of the steaming coffee and close my eyes. Much better. I pivot my body towards Michael but keep my gaze focused on the foamy brown liquid in my cup. After sitting awkwardly in silence for what seems like ten minutes, I set down my cup and pull out my iPhone, checking for messages. I bite my lip and slip it back in purse.
"Katya…?" Michael's voice sounds hesitant. Strained. He rarely uses my real name. Usually he calls me Kay.
I raise my head and gaze into his captivating blue green eyes. "Yeah?"
"I-I think…" He swallows.
I catch my breath. Lean closer to him.
"We should probably leave. I need to get to work." He stand, dismissing me. My shoulders sag as he walks away. He had something else to say, I just know it. Part of me wants to hope against hope that he feels the same way I do. The rest of me doesn't believe in hope.
***
Dylan Parker is totally checking me out. Oh, he would never admit it, but I can so see it.
Michael's arrogant, cocky, annoying yet kinda hot soccer buddy tears his gaze away from me as he sees me looking at him. He laughs at something Brad Henshaw says, barely able to keep his attention off of me.
I sigh and fiddle with my key ring, waiting for Michael to get back to the car. His car is in the body shop getting a tune up so that makes me the automatic chauffeur for a while.
I run my tongue over my teeth, looking at my appearance in the rearview mirror. I turn on the radio and start singing along. I tap my fingers on the steering wheel as I survey the field full of buff soccer hotties. It's strange; soccer players are usually portrayed as nerds, but not these guys.
Mmm-mmm.
Michael approaches the car, walking backwards, talking to Dylan.
Not checking out his butt. Nooo. Okay… Maybe just a little peek. Michael puts a hand on the door and lifts a hand at Dylan. He slips and rolls down the window. "See ya later man."
Dylan nods and glances at me. "Hey Kay."
I smile briefly and start the car.
Michael rolls up his window as I turn up the AC to full blast. He turns the vents toward his face and glances over at me. "I've lived here all my life, and I'm still not used to these roasting hot California summers!"
I roll my eyes as I change lanes. "I know. I've sweated through two shirts already. That's why this girl has such a large wardrobe."
Michael's deep laugh sends chills skittering through my body. Man, I've got it bad for this boy!
Silence fills my car as we turn a corner.
"Soo… Did I tell you that I asked out Nicole?"
My chest constricts and I feel the blood pounding in my head. I grip the wheel tighter and grit my teeth. "Uhh nope. You did not."
"Yeah. Who wouldn't thought, right?" And he has the audacity to laugh.
"well not me, I know that." My tone sounds a little harsh, but I don't care. I grimace. Ugh. Nicole. The gorgeous, quiet brunette. The worst thing about her is that she is super sweet. So it's not like I can hate her.
"Aw, don't be mad chickadee."
I swallow. "Why would I be mad?" Yeah. Seriously. It's not like I have this massive crush on you or anything, dear best friend.
"Because we always talk about stuff, and normally I would've told you that I was planning on asking her out." He shifts uncomfortably in his seat. This is so far from what I was actually thinking that I laugh. "What? No, you're a big boy now, and besides, we don’t really talk about everything anymore. That could be kind of awkward, you know?"
"So you're not mad?"
"No." I. am. such. A. liar.
"You're lying."
Sometimes I swear he's a mind reader.
"No, I'm not. I'm fine, really. It's awesome that you and Nicole are going out!" Oh, my mama would have my hide for this outrageous lying. But what can I say? I can't just announce that I like him. That could ruin any friendship we have.
And that, is the last thing I want.

xoxox**