Date & Switch - McShep

Date & Switch - McShep

((100% inspired by this post [right here] – 1,851 words))

Rodney checked his watch again, frowning, then suddenly realized how bad that looked and moved to scratch his arm like that was all he was doing. Just scratching an itch, not looking at his watch for what felt like the dozenth time. He put his hand back on the table and drummed his middle finger nervously. He realized how bad that looked and quickly distracted his hand by grabbing his glass and taking another sip of water. He felt his eyes being drawn down to his wrist again, but quickly suppressed the urge, beginning to heave a heavy sigh which he quickly covered in a light cough. His waitress appeared at the table, refilling his glass with a sympathetic smile. This cycle had been going on for a while, and he’d gone through several glasses already.

Rodney looked across the restaurant towards the door, hoping against all hope to see a blonde bun come bustling through. He realized he was looking desperate, again, and pretended to simply be scanning the dining area absentmindedly. This allowed him to take stock of the glances being sent his way, some pitying, some amused. His eyes shot back down to his table, retracing the floral engravings at the base of his silverware. That wasn’t helping.

He felt eyes boring into him and turned to find a young blonde woman sitting in one of the booths along the wall staring at him sympathetically. Her boyfriend didn’t appear to notice her diverted attention, continuing to talk rather frantically, something about turtles. She ducked her head slightly and shot him an apologetic smile, assuredly some attempt at solidarity. Rodney’s spine straightened and he raised his chin, turning back to look straight ahead at a fixed point on the wall, eyes flickering as he considered his options.

He contemplated pulling out his cell and faking a phone call. Something about feeling sick, or her dog getting out, or maybe, her brother is, uh, in jail. Rodney calculated how pitifully transparent that would look and then how utterly pathetic he would look, and was well on his way to working out the pros and cons of faking an allergic reaction when suddenly a man slid into the seat across from him, already talking, loudly.

“Aw man, sorry I’m late, traffic is insane out there. Have you ordered yet?” Rodney stared at him, bug eyed, mouth hanging open slightly, when the man continued in a much quieter tone of voice, “Hey, name’s John, just roll with it okay buddy? They’re not worth it anyway.”

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