“Oh wow amazing.” I tried my best to sound interested in this guy’s conversation but it was impossible. I use the term conversation loosely it was more him talking, and not stopping. I wouldn’t consider myself a rude person, I try to be polite and respectful towards everybody but this guy was making it so difficult. He’d gone on how all his teammates were overly jealous of his skills and everything he owned. A sportsman? A high flying lawyer? A manager of some multi-million corporation? Maybe Iron Man? Nope he was none of them, he was talking about his ten-pin bowling skills on a Friday night when he goes out with his friends and gets off his face. I discreetly tried to look at my watch to see how long I had managed to endure so far, 8:30 the hands indicated it was. I’d only been here for half an hour!? This is how I get arrested, I’m going to kill him before a swear word can even be said on tele!
“I’m going to the gent’s babe then I’ll tell you all about the time I tried out for Manchester United.” He winked at me as I just offered him a smile that I prayed anyone else looking at us what see I needed help.
“You could just pay for your drink and leave.” I said to myself quietly. “But that’s so nasty and so rude and that’s not you.” I argued back hating myself for being so nice. I felt someone tap my arm as I turned round the edge of the booth to see no one but a tattooed arm stretched round with a white napkin with black ink on it as they waved it at me. I took it slowly and unfolded it frowning slightly, Text this number. Was all it read along with a number. I frowned, about to dismiss it when I heard the conversation from the arm owner’s booth.
“Oh wow so your ex is here is he?” A softish voice rang out as I quickly typed the number in my phone.
Hey? I texted it just as I noticed Thomas making his way over to the table looking round and his eyes instantly drawn to the booth behind me. He recovered quickly, just as I started to put the picture together, a girl passing him towards the bathroom.
“So babe as promised my try out story.” He coughed as he sat down about to start the undoubtedly long story when my phone started to ring. “So sorry.” I apologised looking down at my phone to see the number flash. “Sorry it’s my mum. Hi mum everything ok I’m a little busy at the minute?” I answered putting just the right amount of worry in my voice.
“Act like I’m telling you your pet has died or something. Did you drive here?” His soft voice came out.
“Oh my god yes.” I spoke out raising my hand to my mouth.
“Tell him you need to leave an emergency at home. Wait 5 minutes in the carpark and ring this number back? I need to get out of this date just as much as you do.” He spoke out again as I nodded adding a little sob like I was taking a lot of emotional information in.
“I’ll be right there mum. It’s going to be ok I promise.” I hung up looking over at Thomas, my eyes glazy. “I have to go there’s an emergency at home and I’m needed back. I’m so sorry. You have my number so give me a call and we can try again if you want.” I grabbed my stuff and made my way out of the booth before he could stop to ask me for my number.

I gave it 5 minutes as I got in the car and slid down the seat so Thomas couldn’t see me. Fortunately, he hadn’t seen me pull up so he didn’t know what car I drove. “I’m in the black beetle.” I spoke into the phone as I tilted my mirror so I could see the entrance to the American style diner. I noticed a smallish guy looking round the carpark before spotting my car and making his way over quickly, keeping the phone to his ear.
“I’m Frank.” He told me as he neared the car.
“I’m Ruby. Wrong side buddy.” I told him as I noticed him making his way to the driver’s side. Of course I’d picked up his American accent so clearly he’d not been over here long enough to get used to our cars. The door opened just as the phone went dead and I noticed the familiar tattooed arm of my saviour.
“Nice to meet you Ruby.” He smiled a pearly white smile at me as we looked at each other. He was so handsome with his black hair that was long enough for him to quiff messily but not so that it looked like he was just too lazy to get it cut. He had tattoos on his knuckles and from what I could see on his neck. He wore a leather jacket, a v neck black shirt underneath and black jeans.
“Thanks for saving me.” I smiled at him slightly blushing. “Where you heading?” I asked sitting up in my seat better and readjusting my mirror so I could pull out.
“The Cherry Tree in town?” He asked me to see if I knew it as I nodded setting off down the road towards the hotel. We drove in silence for a few minutes as I noticed him looking around at his surroundings. “So how did you end up on the date from hell?” He looked over at me flashing that smile again which made me grip the steering wheel tighter hoping he wouldn’t notice.
“Ugh my best friend said I needed to get back out there.” I laughed, “she said her friend had a single friend and that they’d set us up to go out. No warning. She literally texted me his name on the way there.” I told him as he laughed out.
“Wow and you still went?” He asked shaking his head, “you’re too nice to say no aren’t you?” He laughed as I blushed even more. This stranger figuring me out in like 10 minutes.
“She said he’d already be there!” I tried to defend myself hopelessly. “How come you was on the second date from hell?” I retorted back to him once he’d calmed down slightly. “My bandmates.” He rolled his eyes. “She worked at the venue we are playing at and the jerks set it up. They drove me here and left me stranded. I don’t even know where I was.” He admitted as I burst out laughing.
“Oh that is rough! At least I could have left if I wanted too!” I spoke in between trying to take breaths.

We carried on talking a bit about ourselves on the way back to his safety away from the diner. He told me all about his band, who I listened too occasionally through my best friend, and how they were playing 3 shows here as part of their UK tour. I told him about having a law degree and working on films to ensure no issues of copyright or any lawsuits can arise. I pulled up at the hotel looking over at him.
“Thanks for the ride Ruby.” He smiled leaning in to kiss my cheek politely as I smiled.
“You’re welcome Frank. Thanks for saving me.” I smiled at him as he pulled away opening the door.
“Anytime.” He winked before running up the stairs to the grand entrance as I drove off smiling to myself. I guess the date wasn’t so bad after all.

Notes

Hi guys, hope you enjoy this. Let me know what you think of it if you feel like it! :)