Choosing You (Gravity Hill #3)

14. Chapter 11

A rriving at the cafe ten minutes before six-thirty, I fully expected to take a beat to myself and enjoy the crisp morning air. As I round the corner a girl is already here stabbing the key in the lock for the front entrance, murmuring to herself.

“Hi,” I say, throwing up my hands so she won’t pepper spray me or kick me in the face or something. She startles, dropping her bag and placing her hand over her chest. “Fuck, you scared me.”

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention. I’m supposed to open with Opal, today’s my first official day.” The words just won’t stop as she takes deep breaths, and I start to worry that I’ve scared her into a heart attack.

She giggles, “I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings, a cardinal sin in girl world. I’m Opal, so that means you must be Henry.”

“That’s me,” holding my hand out, she takes it and turns the key in the lock while I pick her bag up from the cement.

“Thank you,” she says after I’ve picked up the stray remnants that fell out and the door to the coffee shop is open. Following her in, we go through the list of opening procedures, and when we're done, she leans up against the counter and huffs, “I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever opened this place.”

“I’ve worked in coffee shops before. It’s what I’m good at,” I smack my stomach for proof, and it makes her laugh. Lifting her hand to her mouth, she giggles, and I smile back at her.

“Wait, aren’t you part of those new freshmen that Charlie invited to our party?” Her eyes squint, and she tilts her head to the side. “Yes! I remember you with the twins and that other guy who danced with practically everyone that night.”

I nod, licking my bottom lip to keep from remembering what else I did with Banks that night. “Yeah, they’re basically my brothers, except the dancing one, we’re…” I sigh, not really knowing how to define what Banks and I are. “Well, anyway, yes, I was with those guys that night.”

“I’ll say, I swear half the party left after y’all. It was the strangest thing.”

My brows furrow, and I ask, “What do you mean?”

“Well, weren’t y’all with a big group? It’s just I remember there being a lot of people with y’all when you showed up.”

I can’t remember a big group. I remember Gemma and Cin were with us, but that only adds two. She acts like we had an entourage of twenty.

“No, it was just us and Talon’s girlfriend, plus Gemma,” I add in because I’m not sure exactly where she fits.

“And Gemma is…”

“She’s a friend of the family,” that’s the best way I can describe her without slut shaming her and Toby. Technically, it’s true. We all adore her. She’s always around a lot more since Cin and Talon got hurt, and other than being away this summer, she’s like a sisterly addition to our group.

“Mhmm,” she hums as her eyes search my face. “And the handsome red-haired one who dances so well? What’s he like?”

“A selfish dick,” it comes out faster than I can stop it, and my cheeks flush pink. “I mean…”

“No, no. I get it,” she winks, “men can be assholes, especially if they think you’re a sure thing.”

“That’s not…” I stop myself when she gives me a look that says she sees through the bullshit and won’t believe whatever lie I was about to feed her. “Yeah, they can.”

“You’re sweet, though,” she smiles, “I’m sorry he’s not treating you well.”

“Is it that obvious?” I’ve never known a practical stranger to be so honest or intuitive.

“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes, which either means you aren’t sleeping or you’ve been crying. Your shirt’s on backward, so you got dressed in a hurry or in the dark to avoid something or someone. The way you basically shot daggers at me with your eyes when I asked about your handsome friend. Shall I continue?”

Immediately, I look down, willing her to be making a joke about the shirt, but alas, my shirt is indeed backwards. Bringing my arms out of the sleeves, I twist it around so I’m not looking like a total fool on my first day. “Thank you. You know, you could have told me sooner.”

“And ruin my spot on analysis? I think not,” she laughs, and I find myself enjoying Opal and her company. She’s honest, blunt even, but in a way that’s… soft. “I’ve got to open the door, the show waits for no one!”

I didn’t even realize the bakers were here. We’d come in through the front doors, and I hadn’t needed anything from the back at all, plus I’d gotten lost in our conversation and the ease in which we talked.

Students filter into the shop in waves, some I recognize from walking around, others I don’t. Everyone seems friendly enough, and by the time Opal asks if I want to take a break, it’s almost time for us to switch shifts.

Getting lost in the flow of something I enjoy made today fly. It feels good, knowing that my first day wasn’t a complete disaster and that the routine was easy enough to pick back up.

“I think I’ll pass, but if you want to go, I think I can handle it for a few minutes.”

“You sure?” Her eyes light up, and she starts to untie her apron.

“Absolutely, I’m fine,” I assure her. She flips the neck strap over her hair and walks through the kitchen door with her phone in her hand. The rush is pretty much over, and the lunch sandwiches we had are almost gone. The case up front is basically bare, ready for the last few sandwiches to be bought or thrown out.

I wonder if I can take them back to the dorms for the guys. I’m sure they’d enjoy them. Chiming from the bell over the door snaps my attention away from the case, and my heart skips a few beats.

A few jock-looking guys walk through the doors. One I recognize from our old high school, but it’s the one behind him that makes my chest clam up and my heart riot against it.

Banks’s smile drops when he sees me, but Jax lights up. “Holy shit! Are all of the quads here?” He makes a beeline for the counter, offering his hand to me. “Henry, you’ve grown.”

I’m not certain if he means I’ve gotten fat or if he genuinely means I’ve grown up. The last time I saw him was at Fauna’s funeral, and that didn't end well.

“It’s good to see you again Jax.” I take his hand and shake it firmly, just like dad taught me. “Been a while.”

“Damn right it has, I can’t believe it, and Banks here is still just a natural at the game. But he won’t give me any details about his last season. How about you kick him in the ass for me, yeah?”

“He didn’t play,” I offer, looking straight at Banks, and his eyes narrow on me.

“What?” Jax chuckles and turns to face him. Banks shrugs, but his eyes don’t leave mine.

“Didn’t have much time after the move,” he dismisses the conversation, his words sounding final.

“Oh,” it’s all Jax says, effectively bringing down the mood.

“How about some coffee?” I offer.

Jax nods and orders a protein coffee for each of the guys, along with Banks. Swiping his card to pay while the group moves over to the side where they pick up their drinks. Banks’s eyes follow me, I can feel them blazing on my back.

If he didn’t want anyone to know, then he should have just answered Jax himself or played last year. Ravard Prep had a really good team, he would have fit right in. Instead, he chose to quit the sport he loved so he could focus on getting high.

Or drunk.

Basically, whatever would dull him enough to forget the pain of losing his mom. I guess pushing everyone he loves away was a full-time job.

After gathering each of their coffees they walk out, but not before Banks turns around and gives me one last look. He stays in a perpetual state of irritation these days, so his pissed expression doesn’t bother me… much.