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I snatch our orders from the front, hoping some coffee will liven Rachel up. Coffee is the one thing that can make all bad things go away. Parents practically disown you? Have a cup of coffee. Broke your foot? Coffee will surely help. Mom pops by out of nowhere and might discover you’ve been fooling around with all your roommates? Coffee.
Of course, I’m being facetious. I still feel terrible, and no amount of coffee will solve my financial squabbles with my parents. And coffee most definitely won’t solve Seth’s issues with track. However, I feel like Rachel is making something out of nothing.
Maybe coffee will make her realize that there are worse things to be concerned about.
She groans and swipes the cup from me, taking a large drink before grimacing.
“I think I burnt my tongue.”
“Oh, will you stop acting so depressed,” I say angrily while shaking my iced coffee at her. “You’re fine. Your mom won’t discover anything.”
“Easy for you to say,” Rachel mutters while leaning back in her seat.
I roll my eyes. “I think it’s quite sweet she came all this way to see you.”
Rachel purses her lips. “I’m wondering if something is going on at home.”
“Did she say anything?”
She shakes her head while taking a sip of her coffee. “She doesn’t have to. It’s not like we have the money to be traveling back and forth all the time between New York and Colorado.”
“Well, what could it be?”
Rachel shrugs. “I don’t know.”
I take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze, earning a sad smile in response. She sighs and releases my hand, and I can’t help but feel like I should be doing more for her. I hate that we have to keep our relationship a secret. Sure, our friends kinda know about our relationship, but they don’t know the entirety of it. Seth demanding Rachel tell her mom is a bit selfish, but in the end, if this continues, we’ll have to tell them eventually.
“I’m sorry. My problems are so silly compared to yours and Seth’s.” She pushes a stray strand away from her face and leans towards me with an elbow on the table and her chin digging into her palm. “Have you spoken to your parents at all?”
Ugh.
“Nope,” I say. “Not since we saw them at brunch. The only way I communicate with them these days is through my credit cards getting declined.”
Rachel’s brows pinch together in worry. She’s not wearing any makeup so I can see the freckles littering her nose. Honestly, she’s adorable with and without of makeup.
“What about school this year?”
Well, at least there’s some good news there, I think while smiling back at her. “Paid for. I suppose they don’t want to hear through the grapevine that I didn’t get a college diploma. I am their only child.”
“So, you just need to worry about rent and food, then?”
I sigh. “And books and clothes.” I press my fingers against my temple, already feeling overwhelmed with all the work I need to do. This is my last school year at Aurora and then I’m out in the real world. If I don’t want my parents’ money and I don’t want to follow their predetermined future plans for me, then I need to find a job quick. I couldn’t even buy this iced coffee. Rachel had to. I can’t be living off favors for much longer. It’s making me feel absolutely useless.
“Don’t worry,” says Rachel while lacing her fingers with mine. Her warmth soothes me ever-so-slightly, but I know coffee and holding hands won’t solve my problems. “Hunter’s therapist always tells him to take one thing at a time. You should do the same.”
“Rachey?”
Rachel flinches and she jerks her hand away from mine as if stung by a bee. Her face deteriorates into a mixture of worry and irritation. I glance over my shoulder, finding Rachel’s mom pushing the chairs away while she stumbles towards us.
“Hi, sweetie!” she calls while waving her hand.
“Hey, Mom,” Rachel mutters, straightening in her seat. “What are you doing here?”
Real smooth Rachel.
“Oh, I just came by to get a nice cup of coffee before seeing what you’re up to.” Rachel’s mom glances in my direction and her eyebrows lift so far, I swear they nearly disappear into her hairline. “Oh, why isn’t it,” she pauses and taps her chin, “Hunter?”
“Lucas,” I say with my most charming smile. I slide my chair to the side. “Why don’t you sit with us, Mrs. Miller.”
