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Lucas rolls off of me, taking me with him, his arms enveloping me within their warmth. Exhaustion takes hold and I feel the darkness surrounding me. Before sleep takes hold, I can’t help wondering why Lucas is so upset about the poetry night, when he’s soon to be a published author.
Chapter 15
LUCAS
It’sbeenamonthsince Rachel and I were in Boulder. A month filled with work and avoiding Lori’s calls. I really should call her back, but what will I say?Hey, yeah, I haven’t started working on those chapters… Yeah, I know they’re due in about three weeks… No, I haven’t deposited the check and part of me is really considering tearing it up.
Yeah, that won’t work. She’ll be pissed, probably bring up the contract, find a way to sue me and then I will be even more screwed over than I was in the beginning of all this. Fuck me, what am I going to do. Lori’s check is burning a hole in my wallet and I can practically hear it calling out to me:Do it, Lucas. This money will solve all your problems. You know you have to.
“Um, hello?” A girl waves a hand in front of me, looking annoyed as she cradles her cellphone in one hand and a purse on the other. “Like, are you going to take my order or what?”
Ugh, I really need to find a way out of this place. I put on my best customer service place and straighten myself, running my hands over the wrinkles in my apron as I say in the best cheerful voice I can muster, “Sorry. I don’t know where my head’s been at. What can I get you?”
The girl scoffs and rolls her eyes. “I already told you. A medium iced vanilla latte with five pumps of sugar free vanilla and non-fat milk.”
I nod while I write down her order on a to-go cup, not bothering to ask if she plans on staying. It’s hard for me to care anymore. Sure, it’s my job, but when I have to deal with customers like this, I can’t bother to put any effort in.
“Alright, that should be done shortly,” I say brightly while passing the cup to Jason, who gives me a perturbed look. I don’t know why. There’s no way in hell I’m making it and if he’s going to choose now of all times to go on a smoke break, I’m going to snatch his cigarettes and cram them down his throat.
Thankfully, the doorbell rings and I have to remain at the register, leaving Jason to make the ridiculous drink order. “Why hello!” I call cheerfully. “What can I do for—” My face drops and my words die in my throat as I see my parents stepping inside.
Fuck.
Were they supposed to come today? I completely lost track of the time. Mom looks around at the place shrewdly, her nose wrinkling in distaste while she clutches her purse closer to her body as if one of these college kids is going to mug her. Dad looks pained. He reminds me of myself when I was a kid, forced to sit through a board meeting while waiting for him to finish and take me to the museum. Of course, that didn’t happen.
This time it’s easy to smile, happy to see my parents are out of their element and forced to enter a cafe that has zero Michelin stars. “Mom, Dad,” I say with a wave of my hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Mom forces a smile while Dad decides to find something interesting on the floor to stare at. “Lucas!” Mom calls while closing the distance between us. She nudges the girl out of the way and I have to bite my tongue to stifle the laughter rising up. For once, I’m happy Mom is the way she is. It’s definitely useful at times.
“We’ve checked into the cottage near the river,” Mom says while rifling through her bag, “and everything is prepared for tomorrow. Do you think six is too early to start?” She pauses and looks between me and Dad, who still hasn’t looked at me or uttered a single word.
I shake my head, hoping I remembered to ask for time off. “Six is fine,” I say while looking at Dad.
Dad nods in agreement.
“Perfect.” Mom claps her hands together and pulls out a key with a very large wooden key chain attached to it in the shape of a hawk with the number three carved into it. She hands it to me. “This is to our cottage if you have the time to visit tonight.”
I grimace. “I’m working the late shift.”
“And tomorrow,” Jason adds from behind me.
Like a viper, my mom’s gaze narrows in on Jason, making my manager flinch. His eyes widen as he backs away, but the counter is only a step behind him and he has nowhere to run to. I hear the girl tapping her fingernails, waiting impatiently for her coffee, which is currently in Jason’s hands.
“What do you mean he’s working tomorrow?” Mom practically hisses, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Oh, he’s really in for it now.
“He, well, he f-forgot t-to…” Jason stutters while looking between me and Mom. I can see him silently begging me for help, but I’m enjoying this too much. Karma is a bitch.
“He forgot to what?” Mom places her hands on her hips.
“Hello, my coffee!” The girl shouts, waving a hand at Jason.
Jason shakily hands the coffee over, the girl scoffing while flicking her hair over her shoulder. Usually one would say thank you, but I suppose that’s too far below her. I watch Jason slowly step away from the counter, angling his body behind me. I don’t know why. Does he expect her to jump over the register and grab him by the collar? I would pay good money to see that.
“He didn’t ask for time off this weekend,” Jason practically squeaks.
I flinch when Mom’s gaze sharpens on me. Thankfully, I’m her son and she would never kill me. At least, I don’t think she would now, given I haven’t published the book, yet. “I’ve been busy,” I say with a shrug. “I forgot. But Saturday mornings aren’t that busy. I suppose I can come in the afternoon, right, Jason?”
