Page 30 of Lucas

“You stay right there, I got this.” I don’t have the heart to tell her I’ve lost my appetite. So, I scrape off my plate and fill it with a new batch. It’s not brimming with food like last time, but I’m hoping she won’t notice.

After a few tasteless bites and an uncomfortable silence, I decide to put my two cents in whether or not she wants to hear it. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through or what you’re even thinking anymore. So I’m just going to get this off my chest. You can tell me to shut the fuck up, but first hear me out.” She nods when our eyes lock in a shared understanding.

“I desperately want to promise you that everything’s going to be all right. Unfortunately, we both know it would be an empty promise. What I can do is give you my word that I got your boy. Whether we win or lose this audition, Trevor will be here whenever you need him. You will never be alone. That’s my solemn promise to you.” I don’t add the part about never paying another medical bill, because if I did she would throttle me within an inch of my life. We both startle when Trevor walks into the room.

“Mom, what’s going on?” Busted.

***

Abby

Once again,I stopped by to drop off the bag for Lucas and he wasn’t home. I decided not to leave the bag by his door, just in case the creeps of New York stole them. It would be kinda weird to see someone walking around wearing Lucas’s clothes. Hey, stop laughing. I know I’m weird like that, but it also gives me a reason to go back. Besides, I didn’t want to be late for work. I might have jumped his bones if I knew he was home. No judgement.

I tuck the bag behind the counter after walking into the coffee shop. It’s slow in here today, so I decide to work on the books while I have some free time. “Give me a holler if it gets busy, Maria. I’m going to be in my office.”

“Will do. I’m sure you’ll have more fun than me. Kinda slow today.” She grabs a rag and begins wiping everything down. Knowing her, she probably did it ten times already.

My mother’s words echo in my ear when I plop down in my cushy chair and boot up the laptop. “You could be working for a Fortune five hundred company with your business degree, but you insist on working at the coffee shop. Why, Abigail?”

Mom just doesn’t understand that I’m not that kind of girl. I don’t enjoy being on the frontline where I need to reprimand a CEO for over-compensating their bonuses and risking their company. I’d rather manage a coffee shop and do their petty payroll and accounting. I can make my own hours and I’m happy. Corporate America will suck all the joy out of me, so I went in a different direction. Anyway, Adam owns Java Joe’s, and he gives me full reign, pays me very well, and he gets to sit back and reap all the bennies. Brother or not, that’s what he does. Buys up failing businesses and turns them into treasures.

One thing about having your nose buried in a ledger—time sure does fly by. Reminding me I need to get up and move instead of being hunched over. It’s the perfect time to go grab a cup of coffee. At least I know I will make it just the way I like it.

I reach for the doorknob just as it opens. Stumbling back, a hand reaches out and steadies me on my feet. That was a close call—I almost hit the damn floor. When my eyes meet his, he looks frantic. Adam stands before me and my stomach drops at his expression. “God, Abby, I’m sorry. What are the chances that I’d be walking in at the same time you’re walking out?” Yeah, like what are the odds.

“Crazy, right? I was just taking a break, and I was going to make myself a latte. You want one?” Of course he needs to check the time. Wonderful. Why the hell does he even bother coming if he can’t stay? I’m done.

Shaking my head, I try pushing past, but he grabs my elbow.

“What?” I snap. “Am I holding you up, because if I am, just go. I’ll keep running the shop and you won’t have to come here anymore. Just leave, I don’t know why I even bother trying anymore.” His hand drops and I take that opportunity to rush out the door. Fuck him! I’m so sick and tired of waiting around for a man to give me the time of day. It started with him and then Lucas, but now I’m so done.

“Abs, we need to talk. The office is more private, so grab your coffee and meet me back here.” I quickly turn to face him just in time to see his hands run through his hair. Yep, just like I thought. It’s got to be bad news.

“Give me five and I’ll be back. Unless you need to rush off.” I leave the question hanging and I walk away. It doesn’t help my nerves when every employee is staring at me as I round the counter. Do they know something I don’t?

“How long has he been here?” I ask no one in particular as I start the machine, grab a mug, and quickly turn around. Fine, if no one wants to answer, then maybe I don’t really want to know.

Carla’s on the side of me and whispers, “He’s been here for twenty minutes and already pissed off several of the customers. I don’t know what his problem is, but we’re all a bit on edge when he’s here. Do you know why he came here today?”

The machine is making so much noise, I just shake my head since she wouldn’t have heard a word I said. Damn, I hope we don’t need to replace this monstrosity because it’ll cost a fortune. Grabbing my steaming cup oflife, I try to put on my best happy face. “No, I don’t, but I’m about to find out. Wish me luck!” I squeeze her arm in reassurance, but I wish someone was here to do the same for me. My thoughts turn to Lucas, but I quickly shut it down. He hasn’t answered a single one of my texts, so he’s no better than Adam. They’re both on my shit list.

Bracing myself for the worst but hoping for the best, I walk through the door. I know I’m in trouble when he’s sitting at my desk, waiting for me. Yeah, normally he’d be on his phone. This is so not good. I take a seat, close my eyes, and take a sip of my coffee. I have a feeling I’m going to need something so much stronger when we’re done. “Okay, Adam. Spit it out. The suspense is killing me.” More than he’ll ever know.

He scrubs his hands over his face and a pent-up breath rushes out. That’s when my knees shake. “You’re so smart, Abby. Why are you wasting all of your talent making coffee when you could work for a prestigious company? Fuck, you could have a 401k and be stashing money away for your retirement.”

Oh, so he’s here to give me the same lecture Mom loves so much. I wonder if she sent him here, but then I notice a different look in his eyes. One of regret, or guilt.

“I never intended to keep this stupid coffee shop for any real length of time,” he says. “I’m sorry Abby, but I have a buyer who offered me five times the market value, so I’m selling Java Joe’s.”

Gluttony

“In love, as inGluttony, pleasure is a matter of the utmost precision.”

Italo Calvino

21

Lucas

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