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Trying to push those thoughts aside, I focused on making breakfast for myself and Frankie. As I cracked eggs into a bowl, my mind drifted back to the previous night. Despite my embarrassment and regret, I couldn’t get Jake, Rex, and Matty off my mind.
But that was a dangerous path to go down. They were my brother's friends, and I didn't want to risk ruining their friendship over some stupid crush. Plus, I didn't even know if they were interested in me that way. Who was I kidding? They weren't into me. They made that clear.
Frankie got up from the table and grabbed his bag as I finished cooking breakfast. "I'm heading to work. You gonna be okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine."
But as soon as Frankie left, I wanted to crawl back into bed and stay there forever. I had a few hours before work and nothing to do but replay the events of last night. I was such a fool.
I spent the rest of the morning trying to distract myself with mindless activities, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the three men. I wondered if they ever thought about me romantically or if I was just their little sister figure.
Before I knew it, it was time to head to work. I worked at a small diner in town and enjoyed the simplicity of serving tables and chatting with customers. It was only temporary until I could pay for cosmetology school. I couldn't concentrate on anything today. My thoughts were too distracting.
As I worked, I noticed a group of guys come in. One was tall with shaggy brown hair, one was blonde with a smile that could melt any heart, and the last one had dark hair that hung in his mischievous eyes. My heart raced as I recognized Jake, Rex, and Matty. They smiled when they saw me, and my face flushed with embarrassment.
"Hey, Mal," Jake said, leaning against the counter. "Table for three."
"Can you join us? We are celebrating." Matty slapped Rex on the back.
"Gotta work, but what are you guys celebrating?" I asked as I grabbed three menus and walked them over to a booth in my section.
"Our boy here got into Florida. He got a full-ride scholarship." Jake smiled as he sat down.
Rex had been playing football since before he could walk. An injury in high school had him on the bench during the season when scouts picked up their new players. He had to go to community college and work hard at getting a scout to notice him. It's impossible to be picked up in your sophomore year, but he did it.
"That's amazing, congrats!" I said, genuinely happy for him.
The guys ordered their food and drinks, and I tried to act normal as I served them. But every time Jake touched my arm, Rex grinned at me, or Matty made a joke, my heart raced with excitement.
As the night wore on, the restaurant cleared out, and I found myself sitting with the guys at their booth, sipping coffee. We discussed Rex's college plans, and I shared my aspirations of becoming a cosmetologist.
"That's so cool, Mal," Jake said, his hand resting on my thigh. "You'll be great at it."
A shiver ran down my spine at his touch, and I couldn't help but wonder if it meant something more. But then again, maybe he was just being friendly.
"It sucks that this is our last summer together." Matty tore at the wrapper from his straw.
"Huh?" I chewed my lip. Everyone grows up and moves on; I knew that. I just hadn't thought of all three of them leaving.
"Yeah, Rex got the scholarship. I leave for New York in September to help run my dad's company." Jake smiled, but it fell flat. "And our little genius here, Matty, will teach Geometry at Harvard."
Matty graduated high school at fourteen and college two years after. He had a photographic memory and was a genius in mathematics, hence his early graduation and the invitation to teach at Harvard. I stared at my empty cup, hoping they didn't see the tears that threatened to leak out.
"I'm going to miss you guys," I said, my voice cracking with each word.
Jake's hand squeezed my thigh. "We'll miss you too, Mal. But we'll always be friends, no matter where we end up."
I nodded. Part of me was happy that we would always be friends, but another part wished for something more.
As the night wore on, the guys paid their tab and got up to leave. Jake leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
"Goodnight, Mal," he said, his hand lingering on my shoulder. “If you are bored later we will be at Outskirts bar tonight. We can get you in.”
"Goodnight," I replied, watching them leave with a heavy heart.
As I cleaned up the restaurant and got ready to go home, I couldn't shake the thought of this being our last summer together and my last chance to express my feelings for them.
"What's wrong?" Sammy asked as she filled the ketchup bottles.
