Sidelined: The QB and Me

(32) "Figured."

"I'll have... two sugared donuts and- wait no scratch that. One cinnamon bun and- oh na I don't want that either. Um, got any fried chicken? Actually, I don't feel like fried chicken. Ooh I'll have-"

I smile tightly, internally distressed at the length of time it's taking for this air head to make an order. The line behind her is getting longer and longer and as if Monday's aren't bad enough already, she's really pushing me past the brink.

When she finally places an order and takes a number, stepping out of the way, Grayson steps forward and flashes a bright smile. He's a regular at this point and I already know what his opening request will be.

"Mates rates yet?" He grins a cheeky, dimple baring smile that I know for a fact, makes Spencer weak because she's explicitly told me on multiple occasions. "Spencer and I have been together for a while now. Must be time to gain some benefits?"

"Spencer doesn't work here, Gray. I do." I punch his order total into the cash register because I've become quite familiar with it and scrawl it down for the kitchen staff. "She doesn't even get free food. So why would you?"

"What's the use of having a friend work in an eatery if you can't get free burgers?" He huffs but complies, swiping his card through the cash machine.

"Here." I lift the lid of our glass muffin tray and slide a double chocolate chip across the counter. "Free. Now shut up."

"Oh girl" - he picks up the muffin and eyes it with wide delight - "you are the best."

"Stefan!" I call out to my blonde co-worker who's been standing at the same table with a tray of cups, flirting with the female occupants for the last fifteen minutes. "Come take the till for a minute."

He shoots me a bothered look but quickly comes and takes my place so that I can round the counter and chat with Grayson. The annoyance that Stefan has regarded me with as of late, is refreshing to say the least. I don't miss the possessive flirting or hopeless advances, at all!

"So what day is Drayton's actual birthday?" I ask Grayson once we've moved off to the side, out of the way of the waitress walking food to and from the kitchen.

"Friday," he mumbles through a mouthful of muffin. "Why?"

"Can you convince him to do his party on Saturday?"

"Um, I guess." Grayson licks his fingers with furrowed brows. "Again, why?"

"I want to do something with him on Friday," I explain a little vaguely. I'd been coming up with various ideas for how I could surprise Drayton for his birthday this year. But I'd need a little help making it achievable.

"Oh I got you, I got you." Grayson nods with a wide smile as he folds his arms over his chest. I'm aware that Gray is big on bro code, so I have to hope that he'll have my back and keep his mouth shut. "Sure I'll just tell him I've got plans on Friday so we have to do it on Saturday."

"Will he think he's going to be alone on his birthday though?" I suddenly worry that he'll feel abandoned and I don't want that either.

"Na Na. Well," Grayson nods his head from side to side, "maybe? What are you planning for his birthday?"

"I can't tell you." I feel a little blush trickle my cheeks when I think about the romantic but also hot plan that I've conjured up.

"Oh." Grayson awkwardly averts his gaze with a light chuckle. "Okay well will it be at our house?"

"Yes!"