Choosing You (Gravity Hill #3)

20. Chapter 17

“ A lright friend,” I hear her before I see her. Cracking my eyes open, I find Opal leaning over the couch of her apartment, hands held at her side. “You have to get up and take a shower. You’re on shift.”

“Koda changed them,” I retort, not budging from the couch.

“I have a date tonight, so you’re on closing duty. Now get up,” she says, ripping the blankets off my body, she crosses her arms and taps her foot.

“It’s cold!” I shout, earning a glare while I try yet again to reach for the blanket clutched in her fist.

“You’re getting up, taking a shower, shaving whatever that wanna-be beard is, and going to work!” Her jaw is set in a hard line, and I might be a little worried that she’s going to try shaving my face without my consent.

“Okay,” I throw up my hands, touch the newly grown hair on my face, and sit up. Damn, it’s longer than I’ve ever let it get. Sitting up makes my head swim and I feel like I’ll either throw up or start spinning. Either would get me out of work, but I know I can’t lay here forever.

“I respect that you don’t want to talk about… whatever it is that happened last weekend with your family, but you’ve got to get moving, or else you’ll waste away on my couch moving from house to house with me like a bad piece of furniture I can’t get rid of.”

“Thanks, Opal,” I mutter. Comparing me to a piece of furniture no one wants reminds me all over again that the person I love doesn’t want me.

She sighs and comes to sit beside me, “I know it’s tough moving on, but you have to Henry. You’re gorgeous, and the customers eat you up at the cafe! You’re a people person, so go people and see how much better you’ll feel.”

“You think I’m gorgeous?” I try for a smile, but it ends up being more of a grimace.

“Objectively,” she winks, and we laugh. Swatting me with her hands she gets me to my feet and giggles, “Small wins.”

“Small wins,” I agree, walking to the bathroom that’s covered in girl stuff. I need to figure out where I’m going to move. I can’t stay on Opal’s couch forever. It’s already been nearly a week, and I need my own soap. The shampoo, however…

One of the girls must have gone by my dorm because my work stuff is laid on the bathroom sink, along with a razor and men's shave gel. Opal wasn’t kidding about the beard, but I think with some shaping, it might be something worth trying.

Showered and dressed, Opal offers to drive me but her apartment is right across the street from campus. “Nah, I think I’ll walk.”

She nods, hmphs, and takes off down the hall wishing me luck over her shoulder. The walk isn’t too bad, and I make a mental note to get my coat when I can since it’s only going to get colder here.

Koda’s clocking in when I make my way to the back. “Hey,” he looks down at his phone he took from his apron pocket. “I thought we rearranged your schedule this week?”

“Opal has a date, so she asked me to cover.”

“Are you okay?” Koda’s face pinches. His usual brown eyes are darker back here in the lower light.

“I will be,” I answer with the best I’ve got. I’m not okay, and I’m not sure when I ever will be again, but I’m trying. He seems to understand and nods, stepping aside so I can use the machine to clock in.

Doing my usual routine of poking about the kitchen before heading through the door that leads to the front, I memorize what’s back here. It will be whatever’s on the menu. We don’t serve the usual lunch and dinner. It’s mainly sandwiches and sweets, along with your favorite coffee or tea.

The bell over the door chimes, and I hear Koda answer before stepping through to the front of the cafe. The female voice that answers him makes me pause. I remember that voice and the order. Caramel latte with no whip.

“Hey Charlie!” I greet, looking up in time to see she’s not alone. My smile immediately falls.

“Henry! Holy shit, it’s good to see you vertical,” she smiles, and I have to clear my throat to even think about responding. Banks is behind her, eyes locked on mine. It feels like a lifetime before Koda asks Banks if he wants anything.

I watch in shock and horror as he places his hand near the small of her back and leans over her to give Koda his order, after which he pays for the two of them. My mind spirals.

Are they on a date?

Is he fucking her?

Does she know he’s engaged?

Does she care? All of my thoughts spin and tumble over one another.

Snapping fingers appear in my vision and I turn my head to find Koda looking at me with eyes as wide as saucers. “Earth to Henry.”

Shaking my head and the lump in my throat away, I chuckle, “Sorry, I spaced out there. Did you need me to make that latte?” I ask, picking up a steaming carafe with shaking hands.

Koda eyes me for a moment before something registers. His eyes go soft, and his mouth turns into a line. “You deserve better than him, Henry.”

My lungs seize as if they, too, forgot how to work, and I nod once, forcing my feet to move to the machines so I can make Charlie her latte. Banks ordered a bottle of water, and I have half a mind to poke a hole in the bottom, so it slowly leaks out all over his lap.

Koda grabs it before I can follow through, along with their sandwich and bagel, and walks their way. He offers them his usual smile but cuts his gaze at Banks.

I like that he’s protective of me.

It makes me smile. It’s small, but it’s there, and I’ll take joy just about anywhere I can get it.