AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mate, are you serious? Fuck yeah, that’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to go to one.”
“Yeah, awesome…”
The Lakers game turned out to be premium seats meaning the tickets cost a fortune. I have no way out of it, so I just max out my credit card and curse at myself for bringing up the idea. Sure, I had a great time, but the entire way home I’m stressing about how I’m going to pay rent next month. Journalism pays nicely, but I’m drowning in debt. Now I have Tristan living with me board-free, and another mouth to feed.
This is why you shouldn’t snort lines, you fucking idiot.
As the days pass, Tristan stays out of my way. Where he goes during the day is beyond me. He talks about trying out for some acting jobs just to get some cash. I laugh at the thought of him lined up with every wannabe actor in Hollywood, but I’m made to look like an idiot when he gets a small gig in a toothpaste commercial. Well, he does have great teeth, I guess.
I dive into my work, trying to cover every story I can for the extra cash. The reality is that I need to get my book published. I’ve been writing a manuscript and am about halfway through it. If I can get a publisher on board, then financially, I’ll be ahead, not to mention conquering the dream of becoming a published author. After pulling a few strings, I manage to get a meeting with a publisher tomorrow afternoon.
My nerves are getting the better of me, so I decide I need something to calm me down. Bring me back to reality.
Charlie reality.
I sit in my usual spot, the corner booth hidden by the coat rack. Thankfully, the menus at the café are tall, and so I hide like every other time I have done this. I glance at my watch, eleven—her usual coffee time. Without fail, she’s been here every Tuesday for the past three months. She always looks flustered when she comes in, rushing with her order of a double mint hot chocolate, replacing the long black she always orders.
Last Tuesday, she was extra flustered, but fuck, she looks so gorgeous when she is. Seeing her pregnant is like a double-edged sword. I yearn to watch that glow she gives off, but the evident growth of her stomach reminds me it’s his, and it kills me. Another man touching her—he’s touching her.
“Uncle Jools!”
What the fuck?
“Earth to Uncle Jools? Mate, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He grabs the menu I’m hiding behind, causing me to panic.
“What are you doing here? And don’t call me that.”
I nervously watch the door. Fuck! Any second now she’ll be here. I yank the menu from him, pretending to be reading it, trying not to attract any attention.
“Well, you were out of juice, and I yelled for you, but you didn’t hear me, so I just followed you.” He dumps his skateboard on the floor, making a loud sound. I raise my finger to my mouth, motioning for him to keep the noise down, and he proceeds to give me a ‘whatever’ look.
“That’s kinda stalkerish, don’t you think?”
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
“Stalkerish if you’re a hot chick.” He leans down to look at my legs. “But clearly, you’re not a hot chick.”
From the corner of my eye, I search the door only to be met by Eric’s stare. Shit, Eric!
He walks over to the counter and places an order, his back facing us. Perhaps he’s forgotten who I am. Yes, surely, he won’t remember me. I haven’t seen him since the gala. But then again, remember it’s Eric? He has a photographic memory. That time I got fitted for a tux for the charity ball, he said I was ingrained in his mind, and should I decide to switch teams, he’ll be first in line with a paddle and ball gag at the ready.
He turns around and winks at the coffee guy before walking toward us.
Just breathe, it’s a coincidence.
You aren’t here to see Charlie.
People need coffee, I need coffee.
Yes, stick with that!
“Well, well, well… Mr. Baker. It’s been a while.” He smirks.
“Eric, how have you been?” I politely ask, shaking his hand.
“I’ve been fabulous. But you don’t want to know about me, and if you do, then ding, ding, ding!” He raises his eyebrows up and down causing me to laugh. Eric hasn’t changed one bit.
“I believe we’ve established this on more than one occasion.”
