Chapter 19
Matt
I gotta say, I didn't think a woman would get in the way of our friendship. Yet here we were. None of the guys were talking to me. All I did was speak the truth. It might have been harsh, but it was what it was. With the tension at the Airbnb, and everyone's mood sunken to the point they wouldn't appreciate the beautiful sunshine and preferred to be cooped up in the house, I headed to the local coffee shop for breakfast.
Pushing my sunglasses up on my short, brown hair, I opened the transparent doors to the ring of a bell. Sweet, baked goodness and percolated coffee kissed my nose as I made my way over to the wooden, detailed counter. The guys could let Lily's grumpiness rub off on them, but nothing's going to kill my mood. I didn't say anything wrong.
It's a tiny coffee shop. Even though it's not crowded, there's a small gathering next to the register, which is why as I looked at the menu, and the hairs on my skin stood on end from being watched, I jumped when I ended up looking into Lily's eyes. I didn't realize she was the one standing there in light-blue nursing scrubs when I first came in, but she noticed me and now, she's frozen to the spot.
"What's the matter with you?" I grimaced. That's when her eyes looked toward the door in a haste. "You know, some people just say hi, instead of stare," I said, my brows pulled together in confusion at her reaction.
She didn't respond. Instead, she spun around, bumping into the woman standing behind her. She spilled her two 'to-go' cups of coffee all over the irritated lady, who yelled at her and called her names. Lily's breathing shortened and picked up as she eyed the door in desperation, but the woman wouldn't let her through. I couldn't bear it and as sweat droplets beaded on her skin, I intervened.
"Hey!" I shouted at the irate woman. "It's just some cold coffee. Get a hold of yourself. It's clear she's having a rough day," I admitted as Lily shook. Still, even then, her defiance was strong as she eyed me with disgust.
"I don't need YOU to stick up for me." She stormed past the woman, after whispering her apology to her.
"Well, excuse me for trying to help." I waved my hands about, squirming.
She stopped on her way to the door and whipped around at me. "No one asked you to! Why are you here?" She's still shaking, but she's determined not to cower.
With her spazzing out like that, I couldn't, in good conscience, let her walk out of here. She's either on the verge of passing out or popping like a balloon filled with confetti the way her veins are pronounced on her forehead. Walking over to Lily, I tried to take her by the arm to lead her to a seat, but this got her red.
"Get off me!" she yelled.
Looking around to make sure no one thought I'm some creep, I met her eyes with a glare. "Will you fucking stop? I'm just trying to help you," I whispered.
"Yeah, right. So you just happen to show up here, just like Eric's other friends? Why do I keep 'bumping' into Eric's friends? Are you following me? What the hell are you doing here?" She freaked.
"Fuck. You're unhinged," I said.
Her wide eyes dropped into speculative consideration, and she recoiled.
"First of all, I'm just here to get coffee. I don't know why you keep bumping into us, but I'll take a wild guess and say it's because we're staying in the same vicinity? And what am I doing here? That's a damn good question. I didn't have any plans today. Did you have something in mind?" I asked, like a smartass.
She took a deep breath, one that told me she's relaxing a little, even though she continued to glare at me. She didn't apologize, but she's not screaming at me, sweating, or panting like she's about to pass out. So, on that note, it's safe to walk away and get my coffee. Still, that interaction was odd as fuck. Ethan and Ryan weren't wrong after all. This woman needs psychiatric help for damn sure, but she could also use a friend.
Pausing on my way back to the register, I turned around. "You know, Eric's leaving tomorrow," I said. "You should stop by and tell him bye."
With her hand on the door, she stopped to look at me before dipping without a word.