the return

Chapter 21

When we enter the car, our conversation turns into a debate on which burger place is the best and why we should go. Tanner votes for Culver's, which is a very basic and boring option. I'm craving something more authentic, so I vote for Foster's Grille. Growing up, every once in a while, my parents would treat me to Foster's Grille. They have the best burgers and were probably the first place I saw a drink fountain. Drink fountains were so cool to me, especially the fancy movie theater ones with screens.

Kendra says that she's been to Culver's too many times, so she likes my restaurant idea.

"But Foster's Grille is too greasy," Tanner complains, almost as much as he used to when he was younger.

"Your face is too greasy," Kendra retorts, annoyed but laughing.

"There's a barbecue place next door. What if we went there?" Trinity has always been a big Texan barbecue fan. Tanner's ears perk up at the sound of barbecue; I wouldn't be surprised if there were barbecue in his bloodstream.

"Oh, Trinity! What if you and I went and the kids went to Foster's?" My mom was the type of woman who'd get rid of a kid any chance she got.

"I like that," Trinity smiles. "Kendra, drive us to Foster's and we'll just get out and walk to the barbecue."

As much as I hate to say this, I'm enjoying myself. The moms left us about five minutes ago and we're waiting in line for our build-your-burgers paper. Foster's Grille wasn't like most restaurants. They had a piece of paper that you'd fill out with what you wanted on your burger or hotdog. Foster's Grille also served the most delicious fries with the perfect saltiness and grease. The scent alone makes you feel indulgent.

On the paper, they'll ask for your name. I've always put my name on, but Tanner puts on a fake name. One time his 'name' was Moe Lester; let's just say the waiter did not find it funny. Another time his 'name' was Hugh Jass. Everyone at the table broke into a huge fit of laughter. All Tanner said was, "Thanks for noticing," and the waiter went back to the kitchen with rosy, pink cheeks.

"So, Tanner, what's the name today?" I ask him as we all sit at a booth.

Tanner smirks. "Probably... Jack Mehoff."

"You're such a weird perv," Kendra says while slapping his arm.

"Ow, what the heck, man. Someone obviously has no humor."

"I do have humor, but yours is stuck in the early two-thousands."

Kendra and Tanner's sibling-ship is interesting, just like Blake's and Valentina's. Kendra is very much like Blake, both very calm and reserved, while Tanner is a lot like Valentina. Except the Valentina Kai deals with.

There's an awkward stillness between us. It isn't fully quiet since there are other people around us, TVs are on, and chaos is happening in the kitchen, still, none of us are talking. I clear my throat and ask, "How did you meet your fiancé, Kendra?" I kinda knew the whole story; I knew from my friend Patricia, I knew from social media, I even knew from my mom. But Kendra lights up from this question.

"I met Paul at one of Tanner's soccer games! It was the end of the game, Tanner's team won, and I saw Paul. He's an older brother to one of the kids," Kendra's eyes are dreamy. "Paul's brother was the best, and now he'll be family somehow. Not sure how family trees work."

I laugh at Tanner's comment.

"ANYWAYS," Kendra says above Tanner's snickering, "after the game we went to get ice cream and Paul tagged along. The only adults there were Paul, the coach, and I."

Tanner cuts off Kendra and says, "You weren't an adult at the time."

"Okay, I wasn't fully an adult, but I was older than everyone on the team. Paul and I were the only older kids, so we naturally hung out and the rest is history."

My eyes are slightly pricked with jealousy, jealous of the fact I never witnessed or was never in the loop of her dates. I wasn't the girl she called right after a perfect date. I smile through the hurt and nod along. I shouldn't be upset over something that happened years ago.

Fortunately, before any more pain could happen, our food came.

"Burger and fries for Aurea?"

"Here," my voice almost cracks.

"Hotdog and fries for Kendra?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Okay, and a burger for Jack Mehof—" the waiter sighs, "Jack Mehoff?"

"Any time, my good friend," Tanner winks at the waiter who's slightly pissed but also laughing.

"You're so weird," I say, pointing an accusing finger towards Tanner. He holds his hands up, unguilty and grinning.

"You should be in jail for harassment."

Kendra nods her head when I say that.

"Eat your fries," Tanner says, rolling his eyes and shoving a handful of fries into my mouth. I couldn't tell if he meant it flirtatiously or friendly. I try not to read into it.

"Ugh, I'm stuffed," Kendra says while taking a last sip of her root beer. "I want a milkshake. Anyone wanna split?"

Tanner asks, and Kendra shakes her head no.

"I'll split only if it's strawberry," I say because strawberry is my favorite flavor.

"Ew, fine."

"Tanner, I know you secretly love that flavor. You'd buy strawberry all the time because you knew it was her favorite."

"Ah, shut up, Kendra," Tanner's ears are a bright red.

"I'll go order the shake," I awkwardly smile and get out of the booth.

Now that I think about it, Tanner would always get strawberry-flavored items. I figured Kendra just told him to, but maybe he truly liked me. Getting with Tanner would've been a dream come true, but I have Kai now. It'd be mean to just leave Kai last minute. I can't be like, "Hey, remember my childhood friend? Yeah, well, I'm going to date him now and you can't do anything. I hope I never see you again." That'd be horrible to say. The bigger problem is that I still love Kai, and Tanner is making his way to my heart. I'm so deep in thought I hardly hear the cashier yell, "Next!"

"Hey," she slaps her lips while chewing gum relentlessly, "what do you want?" She gives me a slightly disgusted look.

I roll my eyes. "Just one strawberry milkshake with two straws," I force myself to smile.

She scoffs. "You sure don't need one, but that'll be three fifty."

I'm shocked at what I hear. "Huh? Did you really just say that?"

She laughs. "Yeah, I did. What are you going to do?"

"Nothing, but you should pick on someone your own size." I definitely was slightly smaller than her. She stomps off after my comment and I just shrug it off since it doesn't bother me. What does bother me is the Tanner and Kai situation. It'll bother me for the rest of this trip, especially if Tanner keeps flirting.

As I walk over with the now acquired milkshake, Kendra and Tanner are not going to believe the audacity of this lady. I slam the shake down and declare, "Guys, you'll never guess what the cashier said," I'm almost giggling as I say it.

Tanner sticks a straw in the milkshake and says, "What?"

"The lady was like, 'You shouldn't be drinking that,' in a super rude voice, and I roll my eyes and say, 'Pick on someone your own size,' and she got SUPER pissed. It was hilarious."

After telling Kendra and Tanner, I couldn't tell which was funnier: their faces or the past interaction. Kendra's jaw is dropped so low it could probably touch the table, and Tanner can't tell if he should laugh or be concerned.

"She didn't hurt your feelings or anything?" Kendra asks. She's always been a motherly figure.

"Nah," I take a sip of the milkshake. "It didn't bother me at all because of how random it was." Now Tanner is starting to crack a smile, and I'm grinning.

"We should probably pay and go find the moms," Kendra suggests.

"They're probably drunk," Tanner says.

"Ugh, I hope not."