Free Ruined by Rachel Hanna

he has a nice build. He's not too tall, not too short. Just right. I almost laugh when I realize I sound like I'm retelling the Three Bears story.
     
    He groans and smacks his hand on an empty tape case when something doesn't go quite right in the editing process. Such a perfectionist. I wonder if he wants to be, or if he does it in a constant quest to make his father proud.
     
    "Hey," I finally say from the doorway. He turns around, and his blue eyes already look tired.
     
    "Oh, hey," he says with a relieved smile.
     
    "Help has arrived, although I'm not sure how much help I'll be," I say as I walk over and take the seat next to him.
     
    "You're more help than you know, Miss Blake," he says as he bumps my shoulder with his. "I've grown tired of doing all of this alone most of the time. No one takes it as seriously as I do. I mean, I'm sorry about Dexter's grandmother, but he hasn't even checked in once. I had to track him down on a text message." Reed really does take this "job" seriously. But it isn't even really a job since he doesn't get a paycheck. I wonder how long his Dad will continue allowing him to live without expenses in Journalism school.
     
    "So what can I do?"
     
    "Take me to dinner," he says with a smile as he leans his head back and closes his eyes.
     
    "How long have you been in this room, Reed? You look shot, and it's only seven."
     
    "Four hours."
     
    "What? Four hours? Why didn't you wait for me?" I ask slapping him on the arm.
     
    "Because I didn't want to take up your whole evening. I'm sure you have better things to do."
     
    "Not really. Trust me," I say rolling my eyes. "No more working for you, young man. Food. You need food. And drinks." I grab his hand and pull him up out of the chair.
     
    "Why, Miss Blake, are you planning to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?" he asks as he stands up and throws an arm around my shoulder.
     
    "Let's see how it goes," I say with a laugh as we turn off the lights and head for his car.
     
    A few minutes later, we're walking into Surfers, a favorite local restaurant, bar and all-around hangout for local college students. Set right on the beach, the restaurant is usually loud and boisterous which is why most families stay away from it. On this night, trivia is the focus. Each table has a trivia box where anyone can answer the questions popping up on the big screen throughout the place. I've been here once with my mother since we moved to town, but she swore she'd never go back because it was too loud. Music blares tonight from the speakers, and someone is giving a terrible karaoke performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings". In fact, it sounds like a large turkey's wings are being crushed.
     
    "Welcome to Surfers. Can I start you off with something to drink?" the perky blond waitress asks. Her shirt is two sizes too small, it seems, and her shorts would rival Daisy Duke.
     
    "I'll take whatever you have on draft," Reed says before looking at me. "Are you drinking tonight, Miss Blake?" he asks with a crooked smile before looking back down at his menu. Oh no he didn't just do that, did he? Is he being sarcastic? He's not my parent. I don't need someone telling me what I can or cannot do.
     
    "I'll have the same," I say smirking at him.
     
    "Can I see your ID?" she says. Oops. World just stopped turning and Reed is trying not to break into hysterical laughter. He baited me for sure, and I obviously wasn't remembering that I'm nineteen and not able to drink legally yet. Well played, Reed Miller.
     
    "I forgot it at home," I say without making eye contact with her. "I'll just have sweet tea." She walks away, smacking on her gum the whole time, and Reed starts cackling. "Not funny!" I say as I kick him under the table.
     
    "Ow!" he yelps, and I feel kind of bad. Not really. "That was epic."
     
    "I'll get you back for that one," I mutter as I look up at the trivia board. "I bet I'm better at trivia than you are." I am pretty good at trivia given