Page 80 of The Has-Been

She nods, her face heating.

“You ate like five burgers,” I joke, grinning slowly. And damn, do my cheeks hurt after spending the day with her.

We sang in the car, my cheeks sore from laughing at her off-tune notes. I can’t remember the last time I sang—the last time I blared music from the speakers.

“It was not five!” she shakes her head as the waitress places our food in front of us.

“Thanks,” I say, briefly smiling at the waitress.

I haven’t seen her before, and that’s saying something because I eat in here like three times a week.

The waitress’s face blushes slightly, but I don’t think much about it.

When I reach for the ketchup, my hand falters as I see Aubrey already has it, blooping a large dollop on her burger. But her eyes are on me.

“What?” I shrug, patiently waiting for her to hand me the condiment.

Her eyes trail on something behind me. I turn my head and see her watching the waitress who dropped off our food. I look over her meal: two burgers and an order of fries. “Is something wrong with your food?”

She hands over the ketchup, shaking her head.

“I guess some things never change.” She remarks as she shoves a big bite into her mouth.

Ketchup quickly covers the corners of her mouth as she chews. She closes her eyes to savor the flavor.

I grin because why do I think this is cute—Aubrey Vaughn getting jealous while shoving a burger in her mouth.

So I play along, like I don’t know what she’s talking about.

After she swallows her food, she says, “She practically passed out when you looked at her.” Aubrey was never the jealous type, but she always loved pointing out whenever girls noticed me.

But I guess I never really paid attention—don’t really pay attention even now.

I’m too focused on schoolwork, working with the team, and staying sober.

And pretending to hate Aubrey.

Which, after today, I suppose my act is up. I’ve shown my true colors—realized what I really want isn’t graduating and leaving this place behind as fast as I can manage.

No, what I want is her.

It’s always been her.

Why else would I return to Delleth? I could have transferred schools; any college has my major. But not every school has Aubrey Vaughn.

That’s why I came back…no matter what I told myself.

She takes another giant bite, cheeks round and full like a damn chipmunk as someone approaches. I nearly choke as I recognize who it is.

“Noah—” I greet, my throat aching from forcing food down.

Aubrey is still desperately trying to chew down her food, but is clearly failing. I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh outright at how ridiculous she looks right now.

But then Noah touches her shoulder, and I’m suddenly not smiling anymore.

“Hey, I thought that was you.” He announces, quickly eyeing me before slipping his backpack from his shoulder and digging through its contents. Finding what he is looking for, he winks once at me as he drops her bra on the table.“Thought I should return this,” he says, turning to walk away.

Aubrey spits her burger on her plate, coughing—clearly moments away from choking on it.