AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It's hot in New Jersey, early for the season, but it doesn't exactly phase me being from Texas. The rest of the guys are miserable, choosing to stay at the hotel while I take a walk. All but Echo , who walks beside me just as miserable.
"What if we stopped somewhere?"
"Where? We aren't from here; I don't know where anything is."
He groans, "Ughh I'm tired! And sweating in unsavory places!"
"I'm sure I'd savor them just fine." I smirk.
He smacks my arm, "I'm serious Callum, can we get some water? We have the internet we can find a cafe."
I sigh, though already pulling out my phone, "I thought because it's my birthday I get to choose."
"Yeah, sure, you can choose the cafe."
I roll my eyes, "There's one a block away."
"Another block?!"
The doorbell rings as we enter the quaint cafe with a rainbow flag in the window.
"Welcome!" the cashier says. There are a few people sitting, and I'll admit their air conditioning does feel nice.
We're spending some time here on a break before we head to New York for shows; It's nicer than I expected it to be. I'm seeing a lot of places for the first time, as are the others.
"Can we get some waters?" I say to the cute barista.
She smiles, with rosey cheeks to match her pink hair. "Of course! Anything else?" She turns to Echo.
"Two espressos and one of those cakes" Echo says, pointing through the glass display.
We sit with our waters and Echo's cake waiting not too long for our espressos. At least, I assume one is mine. He doesn't need two.
"See, isn't this so much better?" he says, looking around the colorful space.
"It's definitely cooler."
"Here," he slides the cake my way.
"For me?"
"It's your birthday." he lifts a shoulder.
"Thank you."
I haven't expected anything from Echo in terms of gifts in years, though I mysteriously still receive four every Christmas and birthday. Him directly giving me something, even just this cafe cake that may not be good, means everything.
Every little step brings us closer together. I've never been a patient man, but for Echo, I'll wait an eternity.
My phone rings, showing my mothers name. I smile, despite the nerves creeping up the back of my skull. Like she'll somehow figure out from the tone of my voice that something is different.
"Hey Ma,"
I can hear her smile through the phone, "Hey baby, how's your day so far?"
"Pretty good, took a walk with Echo, now we're getting coffee."
"That's good to hear. James!" she calls my father into the room. I hear muffled speech in the background before my father's booming voice comes through my speaker.
