Hard Shells
Zach stood outside the taco place. The only taco place in a mile radius of the coffee shop. He really hoped it was the right one. He'd never been there. Though he never really went anywhere beside class. And more recently, the coffee shop. But really, other than that, nothing. Just sleep and class and sleep and class. Yep. Such an awesome life. He was really taking full advantage of this whole college period of his.
He bit his lip as he shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other. This was stupid. Why was he here? He glanced up at the building. "Hard Shells." He shook his head. "Dumb name." He mumbled under his breath to himself.
Zach had just about completely psyched himself out of the whole thing when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out. New Text from Hot Owen.
Coming in or what?
Zach glanced up and squinted his eyes at the window. But it was dark inside and he couldn't see anything.
His phone buzzed again. I can see you.
"Damnit." Zach glared at the phone and quickly stuffed it in his pocket. Then he took a deep breath and pushed through the door. The moment he was inside, he saw Owen waving wildly at him. Zach blinked and rushed over. He smiled and slid into the chair opposite him quietly.
"Hey." Owen said, smiling.
Zach glanced up at him and then glanced at the table, feeling tongue tied and nervous again. Like he always did in the man's presence.
"Oh." Owen grabbed his phone off the table top and swiped his fingers along the screen. Then he set it down and slid it across the table towards Zach. "I uh... never got your name."
Zach watched Owen and tilted his head to the side. Had he never introduced himself? Well no, of course he hadn't. He'd always been too nervous. He reached for Owen's phone and looked down at the contact. Cute Coffee Guy accompanied his number. Zach smiled and shook his head as he quickly hit edit, delete, and then typed in his name. Then he slid it back.
Owen reached for the phone and looked down at it. "Zach Mitchell?" He smiled. "Nice to officially meet you. I'm Owen Grady."
Zach nodded and pulled out his phone. Now that he knew Owen at least thought he was cute, he was feeling a little better about the situation. He hit his contact button and brought up Owen's number. He turned it towards Owen and held it up.
"Hot Owen?" Owen said with a laugh. "How did you..." He stopped and glanced down at his shirt. "Oh... the name tag."
Zach nodded.
Owen laughed again. "That's awesome. So Zach, you been here before?"
Zach shook his head.
"Me neither." Owen said, picking up one of the menus on the table. "I've ridden past it a few times. And the name's funny."
Zach smiled and nodded and reached for the other menu. The waitress came a few minutes later. She smiled brightly at both of them and was obviously trying to flirt her way to better tips. Owen had smiled but kept his attention on Zach as he ordered. Then the waitress looked at him and Zach bit his lip as he looked over the menu. Why was he so indecisive in front of this man? Owen was going to think he was a complete idiot.
But Owen just smiled again and leaned over the table towards him. He pointed a couple things out and in the end, ordered for Zach. And Zach was completely fine with that. He smiled and nodded and the waitress left to put in their order.
And then Owen started talking. About joining the navy when he was 18 and eventually training dolphins. He was really good with animals. But he needed a break and moved back and gotten a job at the coffee house on a whim. He'd only been working there a month when Zach first showed up. And then the food arrived and it was okay. But Zach really wasn't paying much attention to it. He was transfixed on Owen. The man really liked to talk. Owen didn't seem to even stop to breathe. He just kept talking. About the navy, about the dolphins, about his friend Barry. Then he moved backwards, talking about high school and his family and really, he just didn't stop.
And then it was suddenly getting late. And Owen's eyes widened when he glanced at his phone. "Uh... sorry... you probably have studying or something to do. I didn't mean to talk your ear off."
Zach shrugged and smiled. He hadn't minded.
The check was paid and they were getting ready to leave. Owen lingered just outside the door, his eyes looking down the sidewalk. "Can I... walk to you home..."
Zach nodded and they walked in silence nearly the whole way back towards the campus. But it was comfortable. Owen walked beside him, occasionally bumping against Zach's shoulder lightly. And all too soon, Owen stopped in front of the building. Zach turned towards him and smiled.
"Soooo..." Owen shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on in heels. "I uh... had fun."
Zach smiled at the man's sudden awkwardness. It was cute.
"Can I text you again?"
Zach nodded.
"Free tomorrow night?"
Zach nodded again.
Owen smiled. "Awesome. I'll... text you."
Zach couldn't keep the smile off his face as he headed inside the dorms. It never occurred to him that he hadn't said a word the whole date.
