Page 19 of Strong Coffee

I took that chance to head farther into the kitchen. All three of my friends were standing around the espresso machine sitting on the floor in broken pieces.

“We really can’t afford a new machine.” Shane sighed, shoving a hand through his hair. “Let me work the numbers,” he grumbled, heading to the office and shutting the door behind him.

“We only can’t afford a new one because the one we want is high-end and has so many bells and whistles it might as well grow coffee beans as well.” Presley ran a hand through his hair, staring down at the machine.

“Maybe we can find a cheap one instead that’s just as good.” Noah pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll check Amazon or Marketplace.”

I was tempted to go check on Shane. Money always stressed him out. Even if we had a really good month, he still stressed about it.

“Brady.”

I turned at the sound of Cam’s voice. He was standing at the entrance to the kitchen.

He glanced at the pile of broken Espresso parts on the floor. “Everything okay?”

“We’ve been trying to get our espresso machine fixed for months now but it hasn’t worked and now…” I was very aware that Noah and Presley were watching us and probably wondering at the same time who the hell Cam was and why he was in the kitchen.

“I know someone who could help.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You do?”

Cam shrugged. “I know people and this person owes me a favor anyway. I could ask what the best machine is, and I could have it replaced...” He pulled his phone out of his pants pocket. “Tonight probably.”

“Who the hell is this guy?” Noah muttered.

“Who gives a shit?” Presley retorted. “We need a new machine.”

“I appreciate that,” I said, ignoring my friends. “But we’re good and can get a machine on our own.” I didn’t want him to think that I was some sort of charity case.While it was kind what he was offering, it was too damn soon to accept gifts from the guy.

“I don’t mind helping, Brady.” Cam put his phone away and took a step closer. When he stood beside me, looking down at the mess of the espresso machine lying on the floor, his shoulder brushed mine. That tiny act sent a shiver down my spine. What was it about this guy that affected me so? I hardly knew him. We fucked once after only finding out each other’s names. There was something about him that called out to me. It sounded so damn cliché when I thought about it, but I couldn’t control myself.

“It’s okay.” Noah crossed his arms under his chest. “Thank you for the offer but we’ll figure this out.” His eyes flicked to mine.

I gave him a small nod, appreciating that he took over the conversation because I knew that if he didn’t, I would have caved and taken Cam up on his offer to buy us a new machine.

“Hey.” Cam grabbed my hand, pulling me to a corner of the kitchen where it was more private, and the guys wouldn’t overhear. “It’s not a big deal. I’m happy to help in any way that I can.”

“I’m not a charity case,” I blurted.

Cam winced like I had just slapped him. “Do you think that little of me?”

“I hardly know you to think anything of you.” But it wasn’t true, was it? My head was a mess. Why was I fighting this?

“Fine.” He pulled away from me. “I know when I’m not wanted.” He gave me a final look and left the kitchen, taking all the air in my lungs with him.

Shit. I sighed, running my hands through my hair. This was not how I wanted our night to go.

I could feel the eyes of my friends watching me and the exchange between Cam and I but before they couldquestion anything like I knew they wanted to, I went out to the dining area to find Cam.

Much to my surprise, he was sitting at a table near the wall to the right. A part of me thought maybe he would have left and been done with me completely but seeing him sitting there, looking down at the menu he was holding, it took me a second to approach him. He was beautiful and I couldn’t help but watch him.

When one of our servers went up to him to take his order, he looked my way while talking to her. He lifted his chin, almost like he was challenging me in a way. Maybe he was trying to get me to open up and see that this was right between us. It didn’t matter that this was so new. I needed to get my head out of my ass and just let things move in a direction we both enjoyed.

After the server left Cam’s table, I joined him. Clearing my throat, I sat across from him and played with the napkin sitting beside the cutlery.

“I’m new to this. I don’t have commitment issues, but I do have a hard time trusting people outside of my best friends.” I took a chance and looked at Cam then. When he only stared at me and didn’t say anything, I took a breath and continued. “Everything with Shane messed me up. Our friendship hasn’t been the same and it’ll probably never be the same. Even though I know he’s slept with others since we did our thing but it’s…”

“You still long for him,” Cam finished for me.

---