Their Broken Pieces by Jessica Gomez
Chapter Thirty
Jasmine
An overweight woman seats us today, only this time, there are no derogatory statements made about her weight. She couldn’t make it through two chairs and Alex rushed ahead of us and moved them apart so she could move through the aisle. His actions melt my heart and the last of my resistance. He owns me if he’d just take me.
He reaches back and grabs my hand, leading me to our table. When we reach the chairs, he pulls mine out to sit, and then slides me in when I do. Looking at him like this makes it hard to believe that so many people are terrified of him. He’d never admit it, but he’s so sweet and kind. I watch as his eyes devour me, tracing my face, my body, and they see right through me, to the real me… not the fake me that everyone else sees, but the real one; the one that’s broken and hurt, the one that loves him unconditionally.
We’ve made a compromise, one that will free us from one another once we return home. No strings attached. How am I going to give him up? Just the thought of leaving him digs a knife deep into my soul and the thought of him leaving me is heartbreaking.
“What are you thinking?” he asks, breaking my train of thought.
“Hmm?”
“Are you thinking about Andrew?” A jealous twitch follows Andrew’s name.
I laugh, trying to let go of my worries and enjoy the now. “No. Not even close.”
His smile stretches. “Good.” He picks up his menu. “What do you feel like eating?”
I scan the menu, unsure of what I’m hungry for when a pita wrap catches my eye. “I think I’m going to have this.” I point to my menu and Alex finds it on his.
“That sounds good.” Unlike Andrew, he takes the time to see what I like instead of ignoring me.
“What are you going to have?” My eyes twinkle as I lean over, sharing his menu, even though I have mine right in front of me.
“I’m going to go with the flame thrower burger.”
“Flame thrower, huh?”
“You know I like my food spicy.” Somehow, he turns a sentence about his lunch into something erotic, lighting a fire within, the heat tickling all the right places. Warmth creeps up my neck and into my face. The smile on his lips lets me know that he’s achieved exactly what he meant to accomplish.
The server flips open her tablet to take our order. Alex orders for me first, and then orders his own. This is when the server announces that they have a restaurant challenge.
“Challenge, you say?” His voice going all superhero, giving off a high-pitched tone that has me grinning wildly.
I roll my eyes, knowing I’m getting a glimpse of the goofy Alex, the one before the accident. “What’s it about?” I ask her, trying to avoid that voice again.
“We have a record of seven flaming burgers. If you can beat that, you’ll get your name and photo hung over there.” She points to a board by the register with a handful of pictures on it. “And you get to eat here free for life.” She smiles at us, challenging Alex.
“What do you think?” He looks at me for the answer.
“We don’t have anywhere we need to be, so I say go for it.” He smiles, a look of pride in his eyes.
He sits back in his chair and rubs his hands together, like an evil cartoon character. “Let’s do this.”
The server brings out our food about fifteen minutes later. I have one plate, next to Alex’s three, all filled with gigantic flaming burgers.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” the server says loudly. Everyone in the restaurant turns to look at us. So much for low-key. “We have a flaming burger challenge. He has to eat eight flaming burgers to beat the record, and has only three hours to do it in.” She turns back to Alex. “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Go,” she shouts, looking at the clock. It’s 2:15 pm on the dot.
Alex digs in, not in any rush. The first bite of my pita melts in my mouth.
“Mmm. This is so good.”
“So is this.” He smiles with his mouth full of food. “I’d give you a bite, but that would be cheating.” He chuckles.
Two and a half hours, and seven burgers later, Alex looks sick. He did fairly well with the first four, starting to have trouble with number five, toughing it out through number six, and just barely choking down number seven. Now he’s working his way through number eight.
“Are you all right? You know you don’t have to finish.” I feel bad for him, but can’t seem to wipe the smile off my face. He’s doing it to himself, and it’s pretty damn funny to watch.
“No,” he moans. “I don’t quit things I start.” He takes the first bite of burger number eight, receiving a few claps in the crowd.
I’m sipping on my third water, my food long gone. I couldn’t imagine eating as much as Alex is. I would have thrown up after burger number two, three at the most. How can he possibly be on his eighth burger?
Down to the last two bites, I’m clapping and chanting, “Go Alex!” repeatedly, as the server, and half the restaurant, cheer along with me. Alex smiles, cheeks full as he takes the last bite, followed by a sip of water.
Everyone cheers and claps louder. “Oh my God, Alex! I cannot believe you ate that much. I would hug you, but I’m afraid you’ll puke all over me.” I laugh, holding my stomach.
“Thank you. Thank you very much,” he says in his best Elvis voice.
The server comes over right away. “Oh, wow. I’ve never seen anyone beat the challenge before. Congratulations! Would you come over here so we can take your picture?” She’s already leading him across the restaurant.
“Can my date be in the picture with me?” He raises his eyebrows at me in challenge.
“Oh, no, Alex…” Rummaging for the words to get me out of taking a picture gets me nowhere, as I come up empty.
“I don’t think so.” Grabbing my hand, he drags me with him to the photo area.
“All right. Stand up against the wood panel,” the waitress instructs.
Alex pulls me close, putting our cheeks together for the photo. “Say ‘flaming burger,’” he whispers.
His words draw a smile to my face and laughter through my lips. The server takes the picture. The light is blinding, but I still cannot stop laughing. The last time I had this much fun, Jace was alive. I feel light, carefree, and completely head over heels for Alex.
“How are you doing?” I ask him as we walk back toward town. He has an arm around my shoulder to help hold himself up.
“Not too well, Captain.” His nice tan skin has turned pale green and sickish, like a seasick rookie on a boat.
“Do you want to sit down?” I ask, motioning to the bench in front of a convenient store. The store reminds me of a house, only the entire front wall is made of windows.
“Yeah, I think I better.” I help him to the bench and excuse myself to go inside the store.
I walk to the coolers and grab two waters, then down the Oh-crap-I-forgot-something-aisle and pick up a toothbrush and toothpaste. After paying for everything, I walk back out to the bench where I left Alex.
It’s empty.
At first, I panic, thinking he might have left me here alone, but then I remember why I visited the store in the first place, for toothpaste, a toothbrush, and bottled water. I walk around the side of the building where the restrooms are located and knock on the men’s room door.
“Alex? Are you in there?”
There’s no answer at first, but then his voice reassures me.
“Yeah, I’m on my way to feeling better.” Translation: he’s throwing up.
“I bought something for you. If you can open the door, I’ll give it to you,” I coo.
“Can it wait?”
“No.” I feel a little tormenting is in order.
It’s silent, but I can almost hear him moaning on the other side of the door. The lock clicks, and the door opens a few inches. He still looks green, but slightly better.
“Here.” I hand him the sack of toiletries, keeping the water for when he finishes.
He looks inside, then back at me. “How did you know?”
“Eight burgers. That’s how I know. I would have hurled after two. Are you feeling any better?”
“Yeah, but I’m not done.” He looks embarrassed.
“Oh no, I’m sorry. I’ll wait out front.” Spinning on my heels, I turn to walk away when he calls out to me.
“Jasmine?” He’s looking down, more vulnerable than I’ve seen him in a long time.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.” He flicks the hand holding the sack toward me.
“You’re welcome,” I say, and finish walking out front to wait.