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Mya
I've managedto ignore every text he's sent me. Until today.
BRADY: I need to see you. Please meet me at the coffee shop by my apartment tomorrow. Two o'clock. Trust me.
Two words is all it takes to spark my curiosity.
Trust me.
How am I supposed to trust him? The last time I saw him sitting inourcoffee shop he was with Evie Palmer. I'm aware it's Max's little sister, and that he was helping her, but he was also sitting close to her. His arm was on the back of her chair. She was facing him with stars in her eyes, and the smile on his face, the pure joy I saw radiating from him, hurt to see.
What was I supposed to think?
I tried really hard not to jump to conclusions, but anger was coursing through my veins. My heart ached in my chest, and the only thing I wanted to do was punch him square in his pretty face. I even took two steps toward the table before I second guessed myself and ran out of there as fast as I could.
When he asked me to come over later that night, I agreed only to confront him. My blood was still boiling as I slammed his door behind me. He mistook my anger as lust and jumped me.
My body betrayed me the second his lips touched mine. It craved more. It wanted everything Brady had to offer. So I gave myself to him, one last time. I swore that was going to be it. I was going to let him fuck me, and then I'd walk away. Because if there's one thing I can't stand, it’s cheaters.
And that's exactly what Brady was. A cheater. He was sneaking around with Evie behind my back. Taking her to our spot.
Or so I thought until Thanksgiving. Max punched Leo. Evie defended him and then punched Max. They stood side by side, proclaiming their feelings for each other without having to say a word. At that point, I felt like an idiot for even thinking he was sneaking around behind my back. I couldn't face him. I didn't want to admit that I'd let jealousy come between us.
That I didn't trust him.
Because I did.
I plan to tell him all that, which is why I'm standing outside the coffee shop, but my feet refuse to carry me the three steps to the entrance. My heart is at war with my head as I stare at the door handle. I don't know how I want to approach this. Him.
The second I see him I'm going to want to jump into his arms. That's my heart talking.
Knowing I shouldn't, that I need to be strong and resist the magnetic pull he has on me, has my head saying I need to keep my distance. To play it cool. Avoid eye contact.
Squaring my shoulders, I make my way into the small cafe, keeping my eyes focused on the barista behind the counter. Once I order, I allow my eyes to drift over to where I know he'll be seated. When I spot Evie next to him, my hands start to shake. They're both staring at me, Brady's eyes holding my gaze.
With my coffee in hand, I slowly make my way over to where they are. Evie is a sweetheart, so I'm sure she has no idea anything is going on between us, or that her presence is a surprise. It's not her fault. I try to keep that in mind as I approach.
"Hey, Evie. Brady. What are you two doing here?"
"We have a standing coffee date. Would you like to join us?"
"Uh, sure." Brady has yet to say anything, but I can feel his eyes on me as I take the seat directly across from him, sipping my coffee. Unsure what to say, I hear myself ask her about Leo.
"How's your boyfriend? Leo, right?"
"He's good. On his way home for the holidays."
Not really knowing where to take the conversation, I ask how they met. She gives me a brief rundown of everything they've been through the last few months. Mostly thanks to her brother’s overprotective actions.
I listen, attempting to keep my focus on our conversation, but I can't help but look over at Brady. He's staring straight ahead, zoned out. It's clear he's avoiding eye contact, which I don't understand since he's the one who invited me here.
"Are you heading home for the holidays?"
"This is home for me. My parents live about three blocks from here. I actually went to school with Julian." My answer feels rehearsed, but it's all I can manage.
"That explains how you knew about this place."
"They have the best coffee in town. I've been coming here since high school. I used to drive out of my way just to stop in the mornings."
