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"Order that crap second I’ve got practice, so I only have a few s," Carson says, leaning over the counter and pointing down as if Houston wouldn’t knohat he was talking about When he leans back on his heels, he lays his heavy aruess I’ll have one of those too," I say,instead of his eyes I don’t want to see the look in his eyes I don’t even like burritos

"We only have one left," he says Of course they do

"Oh," I suck in my top lip and look into the case of food for an alternative I’ry anyht…okay," he says, reaching to the side for a bag He pauses, though, before picking out one of the pre-uy could pick so else and let you have the burrito"

"Fuck that, bro! I ordered first Give me the burrito She’s fine with a sandwich," Carson says, his voice actually echoing He’s so…loud His phone rings, so he steps to the side and answers the call "Yo, what up, h he’s twenty feet away Everyone can hear hi still, his arms propped on top of the counter and his brow bunched while he stares atso loudly, he’s starting to interrupt others eating lunch at the small tables in the corner of thepersonality His confidence hat turned ma-Delta mixer He’s a starter on the McConnell team, a fullback, and year older than I am--I liked that too

Houston isit in a plastic bag He lets the burrito hit the counter with a thud, and he watches Carson pace the entire time When he sees his burrito is ready, he reaches acrosshis phone to his chest and kissing ot this?" he asks…sort of

I nod, only because he’s already gone before I could answer

"That guy’s your boyfriend?" Houston asks, finally packing upsnarky, a confident quip would put hi look in its place I can’t seem to find that fire today

"I still need to place the party orders," I say, opting to ignore his question coht, flat line

I add two more trays of shrimp and up the number of platters of meat and cheese Houston notes it all on the order sheet I wait at the register while he walks to the office and tucks ain When he comes back, he slides a bottle of tea toward me--the same sweet tea I drank the last ti my purse on the counter, I pull out my wallet and unsnap the clasp so I can pay for my lunch, but Houston stops ainst mine I don’t jerk or flinch; I only freeze It takes ister he’s stoppingforbeholden to so a trade soave away cost me toohter "I won’t take your money Not for your lunch…or his It’s onbeing pushed around I shake his grip from my hand and hold out ister, shaking his head andunder his breath

"Da, and you just obey, butyour foot up ain He rips it off and cru withit inin my other hand

I can feel the force of his eyes onthe insides of et to the door, the stronger the sensation I almost make it outside when I feel his hand on my shoulder I spin around, ready to lay into hi