Page 58 of Never Too Late

“Is something wrong? you both look very suspicious,” he asks while raising an eyebrow, handing out the drinks to me and Ty.

“No, we’re fine,” Ty speaks up. “The boys here got dropped off a bit earlier, so we’re just hanging out that’s all.”

It’s as though Jae didn’t believe Ty that there was anyone else in the shop at first because he looks over his shoulder to check if anyone was there.

“Oh, hey boys, I didn’t know you were here.” His smile lights up the room as he speaks.

The boys don’t respond verbally, as they are both tucking into the snacks Ty gave them minutes ago, but Frankie waves over, showing he heard what Jae said.

“Anyway, what did you two love birds get up to on the weekend? Actually no, forget I asked that. Don’t answer, I don’t want to know.” Ty holds his hand up in front of his face regretting asking the question. He slowly starts to make his way over to the boys on the couches, still shaking his head while walking.

I can’t help but laugh at him. And that’s when I feel Jaes arms wrap around my waist, squeezing me towards his body, pressing a kiss on the back of my head. “Hi, pretty boy, I’ve missed you.”

“Ewwwwww, we’ve got children here, get a room!” Ty shouts while he takes a seat, causing the two boys to laugh alongside him. Both are still more interested in what they’re eating and drinking.

“I’ve missed you too, what have you been up to? Do anything fun?”

“Just been in the garden. I’ve ordered some new seeds to plant, so wanted to make sure I had some space for them when they arrived. Then I went to drop off some flowers to Lottie. I texted Idah but she hasn’t gotten back to me. I went to see if she was at the cemetery but she wasn’t. Has she been in contact with you at all? I’m worried about her. She’s on her own.” I can hear the concern in his voice. I can see the discomfort in his face and the way his shoulders are now slouched, and I know how important he is to her and she to him. “No, she hasn’t been next door either. Maybe she’s just having an off day? We all have one of those. I’m sure she'll reply in the morning or later on.” I try to comfort him, already aware I’m doing a bad job of it, so I move my hand to his arm, slowly rubbing up and down to calm him down as much as possible.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I don’t know, I just feel uncomfortable. She’s never not spoken to me for this long before. We’ve had the odd day or two with no contact, but not multiple days. I don’t feel right about this.”

“If she doesn’t reply by tomorrow morning, we’ll both go look for her, yeah? I know if I don’t want to talk to anyone, the last thing I would want is them to turn up to where I live. People don’t talk for a reason sometimes. She could even be asleep, anything. We can’t jump to conclusions just yet.”

“You’re right,” he says. Pressing another kiss to the back of my head.

As I’ve finally been able to have a sip of my coffee since it’s cooled, the store phone starts to ring, and Jae quickly moves to the side so I can get around the counter to answer.

“Ocean Notes Records, Dax speaking… Okay that’s fine, don’t worry… Not a problem. I’ll ring the parents and put a sign on the door outside. Hope you feel better soon. Thanks, mate. Bye.”

Jae moves around the counter, placing his hand around my waist “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, Alex has had to cancel the lesson tonight,” I shout towards Ty at the back. “I’m going to call the parents to let them know.” I start to flick through the contact book that’s kept near the phone with the parents’ names in for emergencies or important information. I can hear him mumbling to the boys.

“Anything I can do to help?” Jae asks.

“Could you stand by the door just in case anyone comes early?”

“You got it, boss.”

I stand, watching him walk away, unable to take my eyes away from the back of him when I hear someone answer the phone, and for a moment, I completely forget why it was I rang in the first place. Shaking my head and ignoring Jae standing at the front door, I explain to the parent on the phone that the music lesson has been cancelled this week, but it will be back on next week.

All the while subtly looking back, unable to take my eyes away from my sunshine at the door.

It didn’t take much time calling all the parents, thankfully we were able to get through to them all before they left the house to come to the store. Wiping my eyes with the back of my hands, I stretch my arms above my head, letting out a yawn.

I’ve been sleeping much better since I started staying at Jae’s house. But that doesn’t keep the nightmares away.

Tyler slowly walks over, noticing my body slouching over the counter.

“You can head off if you want to, I’m covered here. I’ll stay here with the boys until their mum picks them up. It’s no big deal.” He looks back at the two boys while saying so. While I appreciate him offering, I can’t help but feel guilt. I’ve left him alone in the shop a lot recently, it’s not fair for me to keep running off. I go to open my mouth to argue back, but he speaks up again. “Honestly, D, it’s fine. Are you managing to get some sleep? You haven’t been home for a few days. I’m worried about you.” I shrug. Because I don’t know what else to say.

Tyler knows I’ve had problems with sleeping since we got here. Hell, I’ve had problems sleeping since we lost Mum. But when I got used to sleeping beside Jae every night, those demons seemed to fade. Or maybe I forgot about them. I think that’s what scared me the most when Jae left, the memory of them haunting my mind every time I closed my eyes.

Tyler on the other hand, knows all about those too.

He’s heard what happens when they come to me at night. He’s witnessed how I react.

“I’m getting some sleep. I am. Just not much. I don’t know. It’s not as bad as it was at least.”

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