Reed - Double Date

The restaurant we're heading to is one that my mom suggested. She says they aren't too fancy with their attire or food and it's never too crowded as it's a bit low-key. She loves it for all these reasons but mainly because of the setting, she claims it's relaxing.

The moment we step inside, I immediately agree with her on how relaxing it is. There's a lot of space, the tables are small but large enough for four which gives the feel that it's intimate and not somewhere for strangers. There's a lot of flowers and plants which give it an earthy smell like I'm in my backyard.

"Nice choice Max. You have some taste after all." Leah walks in and sits, followed my Sheldon.

"Yeah man." Sheldon is looking around, then his eyes go up to the glass roof. "How come I've never heard of this place?"

I look up to and notice the blue sky, "Maybe it just opened."

"I love it," Reena says, slowly taking her seat.

"Well, I hope I never come here during a lightning storm, I'd freak," Leah says and gives a nervous giggle.

"I agree babe. Totally." Sheldon holds her hands and she looks at it before looking up and giving him a smile.

It doesn't take long for a young boy yo come to the table to tell us what's on the menu. The food he says is a combination of Jamaican with Greece, everyone looks at him weirdly but he promises us it's good, great as a matter of fact.

"I swear on my father's name, who happens to be the chef, and he's the owner."

Leah is the first to speak, and she doesn't seem all the convinced to try it. "Oh. What do you guys think?"

"Well, we are already here and I've always wanted to try Jamaican." Sheldon shrugs and looks to me, and I look to Reena.

She spots me looking and sighs, "Hey, I'm just hungry."

"Okay, tell him we'll have the special."

"And can I get some ice please?" Reena asks and rubs her belly.

"Right away." He nods his head and takes off.

I turn to her, and she's already staring at me, "I thought you said no ice?"

"Ask your daughter that?" She mocks and I smile sheepishly.

While we wait and Reena crunches on her ice, Leah talks about her school and the differences and similarities shared by hers and ours. Same strict teachers, harsher penalties, different sports, more studying time, more of the same in-groups and out-groups but at her school, you're in the in-group based on how much money your parents have.

"But it's pretty much the same." She laments.

"Except you guys drive BMW's and Range Rovers." I say and she laughs before replying, "And that."

Reena smiles and clears her throat, "So what are you planning on studying at university?"

"I really haven't decided if I'm even going to university so soon after graduating high school. To be honest, I was thinking about backpacking it across Europe first." She shrugs, "Who knows."

"Well, are you at least planning on taking Sheldon with you then?" Reena asks while looking at Sheldon with a wicked grin. Hw winks at her then turns to look at Lena who is looking down at the table.

"We'll have to see what happens first." She looks up at him then and smiles.

Reena and Lean continue their discussion about the future and Sheldon and I talk about the games coming up, the coach had wanted us rested and so didn't use us for the first round. Now that we're facing more difficult competition, it won't take long for him to call on us.

"I didn't like the idea, but I guess he wants the players that'll be taking our spots next season to get a feel for what they'll be up against."

"That's what he said, but I would think it unfair if he benches them for the rest of the season." I take a deep breath reflecting on how training as been going in last few weeks. "They need experience against these teams as well, not just the one's coach think are easy."

Sheldon nods in agreement, "That's what I said and he shut me completely down."

"And it's not just about winning, they need to know what he feels like to lose. That shows whether a team is strong not just physically, but mentally."

lean clears her throat and we look to her, "Are you guys really talking about sports?"

"Well, you guys were talking about books?" Sheldon says in our defense and Reena laughs.

"Oh, books. I forgot how unrelatable that topic is for two."

Sheldon flips her off and Lean hi-fives her. "Good one."

"Thanks."

Before Sheldon can respond, the waiter from before comes with the food. "Our special today is brown stewed oxtail, stuffed grape leaves, and Moussaka." He places an extra dish for Reena, "I hope you don't mind, the chef saw you come in and you're, pregnant so he made that salad especially for you, Horiatiki."

"Hori- what?"

He laughs and responds much slower this time, "Horiatiki."

"Oh." She smiles, "Tell him thanks."

"Will do, and it's in the house." He winks at her and strolls off.

"Did he just flirt with you?" Sheldon asks and she smiles as she digs in.

"That's absurd, I' pregnant."

"Right," I respond and she giggles, before taking a deep breath. "Oh my God. This is really good."

Sheldon steals some and agrees. "It's okay, definitely the best salad I've had."

"I'm an omnivore, but meat outweighs green every time." Lean digs into her food and I follow suit.

The food is incredible good, and before I know it I'm finish and wanting more. "Okay, I wasn't expecting that."

"Damn Reed." Sheldon says, then he looks at Reena and she's finished too.

"Okay. You two in some competition or..." Sheldon's eyes look past me to the doorway and I turn to see who or what he's looking at.

Isla.

I turn back around and take a very deep breath, and count to five.

"Well hello there." Isla is standing next to me, with a dull smile on her face.

"Hello," I respond along with Leah, Sheldon nods and Reena just stares at her.

She rolls her eyes at Sheldon and looks down at me, "I thought I recognized your car, so I came to see how you were. I had no idea you were on a date." She says date like it's a nasty word.

"Okay, Isla," I say and look away.

She gives me this incredulous look and gives a small laugh, "If I didn't know any better I'd think you didn't want me here."

"Ding-Ding!!" Sheldon cries and Reena giggles. Leah on the other side looks lost.

Isla shoots Sheldon a nasty glare but turning her attention to Reena. "You're already getting fat, you sure you should be eating so much?"

Before Reena can respond I stand. "You should leave."

"Oh, I should? And what if I don't feel like it? Hmm, you gonna fight me?"

I stare at her and grit my teeth and she smiles, "Didn't think so Max."

Reena grabs my hand and pulls me to sit. "It's okay, she doesn't phase me."

"I don't know who you are but you're being incredibly rude." Leah gives her a disgusted look but Isla dismisses her with a wave of her hand, and just when I think things can't get any worse, Amilda and Alyssa step into view.

"Well well, look who we have here." Amilda says mockingly and Alyssa grins.

"Reena, you look fat." Alyssa says and I squeeze Reena's hand.

"Okay!" Leah says standing up, "Let's leave."

"Oh, and whose this?" Alyssa asks and Amilda chimes in, "Sheldon, you didn't tell us you had a girlfriend? At least this one's cute."

"How about you three fuck off somewhere else?!" Sheldon says in a calm voice.

"Leah's right, let's go." I stand to move but Reena is still sitting.

"I need a minute." She's breathing deeply and her face looks like she's in some discomfort.

"What's wrong?" I ask and she shakes her head, "Just heartburn."

I spin on all three of them, my rage building. "Leave. Now."

Isla eyes widen in surprise and she backs away, "Let's go."

The three of them leave and I sit back down holding Reena's hand. "I need ice, please."

The waiter comes over with the ice and she starts eating it. "No dessert for you." I say and she nods, "Yeah."

"Me neither, I lost my appetite."

"Same." Sheldon says and I sigh.

I call over the waiter and ask him for the check. After that, we leave and I let Sheldon drive while I sit in the back with Reena, her head in my lap.

"She's sleeping?" Leah asks and I say yes.

"Oh. So that girl, she's your ex isn't she?"

I shake my head and laugh, "Was it that easy to guess?"

"No, I could just see the jealousy in her eyes when she looked at Reena's belly and when you held her hand."

"That's Isla, always jealous."

"And the other two were her minions," Sheldon says, and he laughs.

"Don't say, minions, say henchwomen."

I laugh at that while Sheldon gives her sideway glances, "Despicable me."

"Yes." She responds proudly.

"Think we could go see a movie?"

I look down at Reena and she's fast asleep, "You two go. I'm gonna stay home with Reena."

"Okay." Sheldon says, "Your house or?"

"My house. Drop me off and keep the car."

He nods and takes me home and the entire time, Reena doesn't budge. I play my hand in her hair and rub her belly the entire drive and when the car pulls up to my house, I don't move. I sit there, staring down at her as the same old idea pops up in my head.

It involves a ring.

I need to talk to my Dad.

***

I just wanted to leave this on a sweeter note.

I hope you guys like this idea, let me know what you think and as always thanks for reading and voting.

HAPPY READING!!!