Chapter 29 Definitely Not Saying You’re An Idiot #2
I blink in surprise, trying to not show the utter shock on my face. It takes some effort, but I manage to school my face before Emil turns back to me.
“You can go.”
We’re stuck there for a total of two seconds before Elias reacts, pointing at Jax and Theo to turn and lead the way out. We file toward the exit, confused, and feeling some way I can’t quite name.
Why did he show us that?
Was it to get me to react?
Did he think I would be upset?
I’m still deep in thought, trying to understand Emil’s actions when we reach our motorcycles again. It isn’t until Jax slides my helmet on that I snap out of it.
“I still hate you for this stupid thing.”
“It’s a better helmet than the one you had. I just added the cat ears cause I wanted you to fight me. I love it when you fuck me all angry.” He winks at me as he slides the visor down. I punch his arm in response.
“I’ll fight you alright.”
He just laughs, and the atmosphere changes back just like that.
That’s his gift, isn’t it? Always easing everyone.
“Hey. Can I have a moment?” A young girl breaks our banter, calling after us from the door of the cafe.
We all turn to face her, wondering who she is or what she wants.
Her outfit tells me she works at the cafe, a simple white dress and cute plaid apron with her name tag clipped to the front.
Kybella. She seems nervous when she finally reaches us, whatever determination she had when she first stepped out ebbing away as she fidgets, staring at her feet.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
And now I’m even more confused.
“What would you have to thank us for?” I ask, confused, tilting my head and accidentally hitting Jax with the tip of the helmet cat ears.
“Ow, fuck,” he complains, rubbing his eye.
I’m about to turn to check on Jax, to poke fun at him and say 'that’s what you get,' but then Kybella laughs and I can’t look away.
“You’re good people. Emil told us you would be giving us the money every month to keep us in business. I don’t know why you’re being so kind, but I just… I wanted to thank you.”
What?
Wait.
Jesus.
“We’re doing what now?” Jax asks, covering the eye I apparently poked, rubbing it every couple of seconds.
“I know you didn’t want anyone to know, but I found out.
Please don’t be mad at Miss Alice, she wasn’t the one who told me.
I just overheard her and Mr. Ward speaking.
” She fidgets again, fisting her apron over her dress.
“This place. It means a lot to us, to most of the people in this neighborhood. No one wants to see it gone.”
I nod as if I understand everything that’s going on, even though it makes absolutely no sense. My dark blue eyes focus on her as I slide the visor up.
“Don’t mention it,” I respond, because this girl gathered the courage to come out and say thank you even though I haven’t done anything, and despite not fully knowing what she’s talking about, I don’t want her strength to have gone to waste.
She nods, almost bows, and then turns on her heel and runs back inside the cafe.
“What the fuck?” Theo is the one who breaks the silence first, which is shocking.
“Elias,” I call over my shoulder at him. “Is Emil secretly some kind of twisted good guy?”
Elias shrugs, brows furrowed as he stares at the cafe. “I’m honestly not sure. Everyone always seems so frightened of him. It’s hard to imagine.”
I nod in agreement, staring at the cafe like it could give me answers.
The money I give Emil is going to keep this place open?
The guys start to slip their helmets on as I continue to stare in wonder until the door opens and Emil steps out. I don’t wait. I don’t stop and think. I march right up to him, ridiculous cat helmet and all, and stare right up into his dark eyes.
“What is going on?”
His face is stoic, giving me nothing to cling to, to help me read him in any way. “You’re paying your rent,” he answers simply, and then steps past me.
“Wait!” I call after him, but he doesn’t stop. He slides into his back seat, his driver closing the door behind him before taking his spot behind the wheel and driving them off. I’m left standing there with an idea of what just happened but not understanding why.
The money I pay him will be going to this place. To keep it open.
I’m not mad, not bitter about the fact that my hard work is going here.
Quite the opposite, in fact. I like knowing that my debt is at least helping someone who isn’t the person who owns my debt.
With a new hope in my chest, a new feeling about this entire thing, I turn and head for my bike, for the three guys who taught me how to lean on others.
“Have I told you lately that you guys are idiots for getting Emil involved?” I ask them, swinging my leg over the seat as I grip the handles. “Because I take it back. I think I much prefer him.”
The bike roars to life beneath me, vibrating between my thighs as I kick the stand.
“Do I need to be jealous?” Jax asks, leaning forward on his motorcycle to get a better look at me.
I slide my visor back down as I answer, “Maybe,” and speed off down the road, knowing they’ll follow.
I can do this.
As long as I have them.
Five years is nothing.