Chapter 25
Isaac
I found the third piece of the poem yesterday, the paper tucked inside my jacket pocket. How or when Trevor managed to slip it in there I have no idea.
It’s now sitting with the others on my nightstand, three pieces of lined paper forming part of a whole. The most recent reads:
Yet in deepest sleep I could count.
And then there’s the flowers. Eight stems, nestled in a vase beside the unfinished poem. Bright red-orange poppies.
I stare at them as I contemplate getting out of bed. I already texted Trevor to let him know I wouldn’t be meeting him at the library this morning. It’s not him. Or even me. It’s just…this fucking day.
I huff, resigning myself to being a turtle, when my phone dings.
Bruiser: I’m at your door with a latte. If you don’t want to let me in, that’s fine. Camden looks like he’d enjoy your drink.
“Oh, hell no.”
I throw my covers off, checking to make sure I’m wearing clothes before tugging my bedroom door open. Camden is in the kitchen when I get downstairs. I shoot him a glare, lest he think he has a chance with my latte.
Trevor is outside the front door as he said he’d be, waiting patiently. “What are you doing here?” I ask, ushering him inside.
“Figured if you weren’t feeling up to visiting the library this morning, I’d bring your latte to you. Hazelnut. Still hot.”
I melt, accepting the tumbler he hands me. “Do you want to stay?”
Trevor gives me an apologetic smile. “I have to get to class.”
“Yeah, of course,” I say, kicking myself for being such a sad lump that I missed my time with Trevor. “Um. Have a good day.”
Trevor leans down to kiss a freckle on my cheek before turning for the door. I slump as he heads through it.
“So, uh,” Camden says, his voice close. “He asked me to give this to you.”
I turn to find my housemate holding out another poppy. I let out an incredulous huff before looking through the front window. Trevor is already gone, the sneaky fuck.
“Thanks,” I tell Camden.
I head back up to my room, adding the flower to the vase and cradling my drink in my hands. It’s warm, smelling of bitter coffee and hazelnut, so perfect I want to cry. I savor my first sip.
Another ping has me quickly grabbing my phone. It’s not Trevor this time but the group chat.
Lumi: Doing all right, babe?
Me: Fine.
Lumi: Oh boy.
Lumi: Should I come over?
Me: No.
Me: Thanks, though.
It’s a minute before another text comes through.
Todd: Check outside your door.
Sighing, I get up and open my bedroom door. There, in the middle of the hallway, is another poppy.
“The fuck,” I mutter, looking down the hall for Todd. His door is closed, although I know precisely who put him up to this.
Despite myself, a smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I pick up the flower. I put it with the others and cocoon myself inside my fluffiest blanket. Wrapped up, I sip my hazelnut latte, the memory of Trevor surrounding me and keeping me warm.
It’s after noon when I finally force myself to get out of bed and act like a human being. I shower, dress in actual clothes, and am just about to scrounge for lunch when my phone dings.
Bruiser: Can I ask you for a favor?
My eyebrow pops up, but I reply without question.
Me: Of course. What’s up?
Bruiser: I left a flash drive at home with a project I need to hand in during my next class. Any chance you could swing by and pick it up for me? My uncle can let you in.
Me: Sure.
Bruiser: Thanks, Red.
Grabbing my keys, I mentally shift plans and head out.
The parking lot behind the tattoo shop is busy today, presumably because it’s business hours. I find a spot to park and walk around to the front door. The buzz of equipment reaches my ears when I push inside, an employee at the front desk lifting her head. “Can I help you?”
“Um, hi. Is Rafael in?”
“That Isaac?” I hear from the back. A second later, Rafael rounds the corner, a grin on his face. “Hailey, this is Trevor’s boy, Isaac. He mentioned you’d be swinging by. You have a minute first? I was just setting out lunch.”
“Oh. Uh…sure?”
Rafael waves me back. I give Hailey a smile before following him into what looks like a break room, a tray of enchiladas set out. Rafael grabs a tub of sour cream from the fridge, then a little bowl of chives, and places them alongside the enchiladas.
“Food’s on,” he calls, lowering his voice to ask, “You want to join us? It’s not often I cook for this bunch. You may want to grab a plate before they descend.”
“Are you sure?” I check, despite my growling stomach’s interest. “I don’t want to impose.”
Rafael waves his hand with a psh. “Please. Have a seat. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“Their bark is worse than their bite,” Hailey says, shooting me a wink as she joins us. She hands me a plate, and I let my hunger win out, holding it steady as Rafael places an enchilada on top.
And that’s how I find myself eating lunch with a half-dozen tattoo artists. Everyone is loud, as Hailey warned, and kind, as I expected. I find myself understanding instantly why Trevor feels so comfortable here.
This is his family, isn’t it?
Once the platter has been licked clean, Rafael leads me around to the back of the building and up the stairs. He unlocks the apartment for me, waving me inside. “I’ll wait for you here.”
Nodding, I head to Trevor’s room, realizing I never asked him where the flash drive is.
My question is answered the second I set eyes on a red-orange poppy lying atop his small desk.
The flash drive is next to it. I shake my head, a fizzy sort of warmth taking up residence beneath my rib cage as I pick up the flower and pocket the drive.
Rafael raises an eyebrow upon seeing the poppy, but he doesn’t comment, just locks the door behind me. “All set?”
“Yeah, thanks. Um… See you soon, I guess?”
“Hope so,” Rafael says, a gentle chuckle in his voice. He gives my shoulder a pat before heading down the stairs.
As Rafael goes back to work, I get in my car. Trevor is likely in class, but I’m sure he’s waiting for my text.
Me: You’re really fucking sneaky, you know that?
Bruiser: Whatever could you mean?
I send him a picture of the flower.
Me: Stop being cute. I have your flash drive held hostage. What’ll you give me for it?
Bruiser: Now who’s being cute? Meet me outside the garden at the west side of campus. I’ll have your payment.
I snort, sending him a confirmation that I’m on my way before starting my car.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling into a mostly full lot near the west gardens.
As I scour for an available spot, I’m reminded exactly why I rarely drive to class.
Parking is a nightmare. Eventually, I find a spot and continue on foot.
It’s a pretty area, the manicured gardens surrounded by buildings with a small fountain at the center. I spot Trevor approaching before long, wearing a smile I refuse to be charmed by.
“Well?” I say once he’s close. “Where’s this promised payment?”
Trevor stops in front of me, plucks up my chin, and kisses me square on the mouth. I’m so shocked it takes me a second to react. Trevor’s wrists are warm as I wrap my hands around them. He tastes of chocolate for some reason, and I can’t help but moan into his mouth.
He gentles the kiss with a couple small pecks before pulling back. “Paid in full,” he murmurs.
“Christ, you’re cheeky today.”
Trevor’s response is to hold out his palm. I slap the flash drive into his hand, and he slips it in his pocket. “Could you do me another favor?”
“Really?” I ask, even as I’m smiling. “What is it this time?”
“I’m texting you an address,” he says, fingers flying over his phone. “Could you stop there on your way home? They have something that needs to be picked up.”
“Uh-huh,” I say slowly. “It’s not sex toys, is it?”
Trevor lifts an amused brow. “No, it’s not. Although that sure is giving me some ideas.”
I clear my throat, refusing to think of said ideas right this minute. “Well, if that’s all.”
Trevor chuckles. “Thanks, Red. I appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble,” I tell him truthfully. “See you later?”
He nods, blowing me a kiss as he walks away. I check my pockets, fully expecting to find a slip of paper tucked somewhere and coming up empty.
“Hey,” I call.
Trevor turns back around.
“Where’s the next line?”
His lips twist. “No clue what you’re talking about.”
I groan, but a ping from my phone distracts me. It’s the address Trevor promised. I’m curious as I plug it into my maps app and return to my car. It’s only a five-minute drive.
When I stop outside a bakery, my eyebrows climb. I’m starting to feel like Trevor is sending me on a very purposeful treasure hunt.
As promised, there’s a package waiting for Trevor inside, already paid for. The lady at the counter hands it over with a smile. Attached to the top of the box by string is a single poppy and a note reading, “Don’t open until 8 PM.”
“What are you up to?” I mutter, even as I suspect I already know.
I bring the box back home with me, getting a few more texts from Lumi and Todd as I hide in my room. My mom texts, too, a simple message telling me she hopes I’m having a good day.
I’m surprised to find I sort of am.
At six o’clock, I get a text from Trevor. My pulse spikes as I see the picture he sent.
It’s our table in the library. And on the top is a slim strip of paper.
The next piece of the poem.
His message comes just after.
Bruiser: Bring the box with you.
I stare at my phone for a long while before grabbing the bakery box and leaving the house.
I walk this time, needing the extra minutes to prepare myself. My cheeks are flushed once the library comes into view, the box in my hand shaking slightly. I have no doubt Trevor is waiting for me up on the third floor.
There aren’t a lot of people inside, most everyone getting a start on their weekend. I climb up the flights of stairs, the door to the stairwell thunking closed behind me. I pass stacks of books. Old magazines. Cassette tapes.