Switching Lanes by Renea Porter Read Free Book Online Page A

Layne asks.
    “Yes ; whenever you can untangle from Blondie there,” I say as she gives me a “Fuck You” look, but she knows better than to say it, because Layne would leave her flat on her ass. I’ve seen him do it before.

Chapter Seven
     
    Layne untangles from Blondie and he stands, throwing his arm around my shoulder while we make our way out of the club. “Hungry?”
    “I am ; I could go for a cheeseburger and fries,” I smile.
    “Oh, you’re feeling adventurous. I don’t recall ever seeing a chee seburger or fries in your hands.”
    “Well, I’ve heard the diner has the best ones. So it only makes sense to try one.”
    Layne pulls my new car into the diner and we head inside, finding a booth in the middle. It’s like walking into 1950 with all the memorabilia decorating the walls and the décor. The waitress approaches, handing us menus and taking our drink order. We don’t even have to look at the menu; we already know what we want.
    “We’ll both have the cheeseburger platter,” Layne tells the waitress when she returns with our cokes.
    “I had fun tonight. Thanks for making my birthday special.” I offer a smile.
    “That’s what I’m here for.” His dimpled smile melts my heart every time he showcases it.
    Our food arrives and I take my first bite of the burger. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I last had one. But this is simply delicious. I come to the conclusion to keep my feelings about Layne to myself. It would be unfair to unload it on him at this point and time. I do know Amber was the first girl he loved, so I can’t imagine how he feels.
    I put the thought in the back of my mind. I must have burned so much energy at the club that I eat every bite of the cheeseburger platter. “I’ll be right back,” Layne says. I watch as he walks over to the bakery counter inside the diner and the waitress hands him a slice of cake. I turn back around so he doesn’t see me watching.
    “Happy Birthday,” he says, placing the slice of chocolate cake with chocolate icing in front of me. I smile at his sincerity and he smiles back. Everyday should be filled with goodness. I wish I could take his pain away. He smiles, but his eyes are sad.
    “You have a fork; you need to help me eat this. It’s too much. You’re gonna make me fat.”
    “You could use some meat on them bones . But I will have a bite or two.” He grabs his fork and digs into the cake.
    “Oh my god, this should be illegal; it’s to die for,” I tell him.
    “It’s good , isn’t it?” I just make a face, like the taste just sent me to heaven. “Well, you about ready to go?” he says after we finish the cake.
    “Yes, whenever you are.”
    Layne pays the bill, insisting he’s treating me for my birthday. I don’t argue with him, since it is a special occasion. We head out to the car and we get on the road back to his house. He didn’t have to twist my arm to get me to spend another night. Being around him feels normal and like it’s always been between us.
    “Renee. ”
    “Yeah?” I ask.
    “I know we didn’t celebrate your birthday last year, and I’m sorry about that. But I know you had Dylan. So…”
    “ It’s okay, Layne. Really, it is. Dylan and I celebrated it. You and Amber were so wrapped up in each other, I didn’t want to intrude. And I didn’t mind; you were in love. And she loved you, you know.”
    He looks straight ahead and takes a deep breath . “I know she did.”
    The rest of the ride home is quiet as we reflect on the past year. We’ve been through a lot for such a young age. No one should experience watching their twenty year old best friend die. I think it almost killed Layne seeing her like that, and as her best friend, I couldn’t imagine life without her. But here we are holding on to hope that maybe with time it will get easier. Only time will tell.
    Layne pulls into the driveway and we quietly head inside.
    “Do you mind if I take a shower before bed?” I ask