Page 38 of Grounded
"He's not a customer, he's my stepbrother, and he's leaving. Right, Theo?"
"I think I'll stay." He chooses a table opposite the cash register.
You've got to be fucking kidding me.
A group of new customers comes in, and I let Theo fade into the background so I can do my job.
Ringing up is easy, and once the orders are placed, I help Tawny make drinks whether she likes it or not.
I'm reminded how to properly sanitize the machines and that we're never allowed to give away free drinks.
I catch Theo staring in our direction. He's checking out Tawny, which aggravates me more than it should.
This is literally eleven years ago, back when our parents weren't married yet, and Theo hung around the shop like he was an unpaid employee. One day I even put him to work and gave him a rag and cleaner to wipe down all the tables because he was just sitting there. Maybe it was his way of trying to form a friendship while our parents slowly fell in love.
Well, it was ineffective and won't work now, so he shouldn't waste his time.
When an hour passes, and during a quiet part of the day, Theo approaches the counter.
"Yes?" I growl as Tawny asks, "What can I get you?"
"Just one more for the road." Theo shakes his empty cup to Tawny. "And your phone number?"
I blink rapidly, confident my senses have failed me. That's not what I think he said, right?
"Oh my gosh, yes, of course!" Tawny reaches for a new cup and writes her phone number on it. She proceeds to fill it up with fresh coffee and hands it over. "It's on the house."
I scoff loudly, because umm, didn't shejusttell me we aren't allowed to give away free drinks?
"Thanks. I'll text you," Theo assures her.
Tawny's a giggling kindergartner and attempts a beauty pageant wave goodbye as we watch his perfect ass walk out the door.
WhenIgethome,I see Theo's bedroom light on above the garage.
"Gawwwwddddd," I complain to myself and only myself because I refuse to let him know he still agitates me.
I park my car but take a moment to compose myself. No, I'm not envious he asked for my coworker's—no, sorry, mymanager's—phone number. I don't mind one bit. He's fucked his way across the southern continent, and if that's his prerogative, great.
When I enter from the garage door, I see him eating at the kitchen counter.
Instead of bypassing him and going straight up to my room, I linger at the entrance. A petty comment is on the tip of my tongue, but I refrain from pointing out how he’s wasting electricity with keeping his bedroom light on.
"Need something from me?" Theo doesn't bother looking up from his phone screen.
"Yeah. Are you going to be hanging out at Roasted like old times? Trying to figure out if I need to buy pepper spray if your stalking continues."
"Wow, Amelia grew an ego. I'd be going for Tawny. She's cute."
"I'm so glad you finally get to experience reciprocated attraction, but I have a job to do, and I don't need you getting in the way."
"Do I distract you?"
He finally looks at me, and I can already feel myself gasping for air as I drown in his ocean blue eyes.
"Yes." I realize I need to include why so he doesn't assume it's because of his looks. "I'm waiting for you to nitpick me like you used to. 'Oh, Amelia, my friend wanted more whipped cream. Amelia, you didn't make this hot enough. Amelia, can you wipe down this table?' That was kid's shit. I don't need that at my age now."
"I was just getting coffee today. You're making a bigger deal out of this. Did I once criticize you?"
