Chapter Eight #2
The brat was grinning at him like he knew what Jacob was thinking.
“You’re going to either fall or run into a wall,” Jacob warned.
James’s loud laughter echoed around the hall until they stepped into the kitchen. Jacob headed straight to the coffeepot. “Coffee?” he asked.
“You don’t know that?” James taunted as he leaned against the counter beside the fridge.
He had to press his lips together. Jacob enjoyed seeing James like this. Yes, he liked brats. Sue him. “Grab two juice glasses from the cabinet above your left shoulder and pour us some juice, please.”
“No fun,” James complained but did as Jacob requested.
“You’ll just have to try harder to push my buttons,” Jacob challenged. He got the coffeepot started and turned toward the fridge to get the food he’d need for breakfast.
James was grinning at him. “Oh, you shouldn’t have said that.”
“I think I’m safe.” Jacob winked.
“You winked!” James pointed an accusing finger at him. “Where have you been hiding this side of yourself?”
Even though Jacob knew that James was joking, the words were like a dart to his chest. It had been so long since he’d had such a fun morning. Usually, his mornings were silent and boring. “I guess you just bring it out of me.”
“I’m totally taking credit!” James was grinning so big as he poured two glasses of juice.
Pretty good start to the morning, in Jacob’s opinion.
* * * * *
James
The afternoon rush had finally died down, giving James the chance to clean up the front of the shop. They were getting busier in the afternoons as students were returning to campus and families returned from their holidays.
“I’m going to grab some cups and lids from the supply closet,” Luca called as he finished cleaning the espresso machine.
James waved his hand to show he heard him.
There was only one older couple in the shop.
Regulars that liked to sit while holding hands and talking.
From what James remembered, they had been childhood sweethearts that had lost touch after high school.
They’d gone their separate ways, even marrying other people and having children with their spouses.
After several decades they had reconnected through the internet.
Both had lost their partners but had found comfort with each other after years apart.
It was a romantic story that James couldn’t help to be a little jealous of.
He was young. Didn’t he get told that all the damn time when he complained about anything.
Like being young meant he shouldn’t have any problems or anything.
It irritated him when he was dismissed so easily.
Surprisingly the one person that didn’t dismiss or make light of his concerns was Jacob.
Even his brothers often rolled their eyes and told James that he had plenty of time to find what he was looking for.
James had been so wrong about the professor.
Not only had Jacob shown how kind he was but James was also seeing that Jacob often suffered from an awkwardness that came across as sternness. As James teased and joked, Jacob would often freeze as if he wasn’t certain how to respond.
Before work James had tried to Google more about Jacob and his twin. He figured he might get more information on Jesse Lambert as he was a much bigger public figure. An hour on the internet had shown James that there was a good lack of valuable information available. It was suspicious.
The door opened and James turned.
The newest member of the Surf City Fire Department walked inside.
James grinned. “You’re not a true crew member until you’ve become addicted to the Coffee Cove,” he called.
Brad threw his head back and laughed. “That’s what Josh said. I’m supposed to be meeting him here.”
“Well come on in,” James welcomed. He finished wiping down the table he’d been cleaning and dumped the trash before heading to the counter.
“So what’s your poison?” James asked as he passed.
Rocking back on his heels, Brad hummed while searching the menu above the counter.
“We’re going to need to order…” Luca trailed off as he took in their newest customer.
James snorted as Luca’s eyes widened. Yeah, James got it.
Brad could stop traffic on a normal day but dressed casually in faded light jeans and a gray sweater that made his blue eyes pop was enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
Brad blinked rapidly then looked up Luca up and down. Without a word Brad returned his gaze to the menu. Like he was dismissing Luca.
“Fuck!” Luca muttered quietly as he shook himself.
James was shocked by Brad’s reaction to Luca.
Working together at the fire station, they’d gotten along well.
Brad was nice and funny. Seemed to have a life plan firmly in place.
The dude must be used to being checked out.
James had done so himself. Luca might have been obvious in his reaction but did that bother Brad that much?
Huh, he wondered what was up with the newest member of the crew.
Not that James wanted to get involved in that drama.
The door opened and Josh stepped inside. James relaxed. Josh and Luca were good friends. If something was off, Josh would surely pick up on it. Maybe James was just seeing things that weren’t there. He did have other things on his mind.
“I’m here to brighten your day!” Josh announced loudly as he spotted James.
“Yippy,” James deadpanned. This was the man that James had considered reaching out about his questions on age regression? A self-proclaimed Daddy. Josh couldn’t be more different than Jacob. Which was good for James. He liked Josh but there was no attraction between the two of them.
“Hey, man.” Josh slapped Brad on the back.
Brad turned his head and nodded. “You’re late.”
Josh laughed and waved off Brad’s comment.
Luca had recovered and leaned against James’s shoulder as he grinned at Josh. “Do you have something for me?”
“It’s nice to see you too,” Josh said with a pout.
James laughed as Luca rolled his eyes. “Did you talk to him?” Luca pressed.
“They’re all on the way. He’s even sending signed special editions,” Josh replied. “He said to tell you that he can’t wait to meet you.”
Luca squealed then leaned over and smacked a loud kiss to Josh’s mouth.
“Dude!” Josh jerked back with a scowl. “That’s like getting a kiss from my brother!”
“Do you often kiss your brother on the mouth,” Luca teased as he danced back. “Just for making me happy, your coffee is on me tonight.”
“Special editions,” Josh said slowly. “Sprayed edges and foiled covers. That should get me at least a month’s worth of free coffee.”
Luca’s grin was wicked. “I’m more of a what did you do for me lately person. So, since you’re now telling me about the books, you can have one free coffee. Maybe once the books come in you can have another. But don’t be greedy.”
“Books?” Brad finally added to the conversation but his tone held an edge of something dark.
“Yes, books,” Luca replied haughtily. “I’m hot and I can read. Surprise!”
James choked and nearly swallowed his tongue at Luca’s sassiness.
Josh snorted. “Do you…have you two met?” he asked.
“Of course not,” Luca said when a frown. “Where would I have met a man who thinks he’s so good-looking that the rest of us mere peasants should drop to their knees to worship him.”
Oh! This was not good. They had to have met before and from the sound of it, Luca and Brad were not going to be friends.
Brad smirked. “Some men look better on their knees.”
Shit! James slowly backed away from the counter. He was not going to get between Luca and Brad. He liked his throat intact.
“Okay,” Josh said loudly. “Why don’t we just order our coffees?”
Luca sniffed. “Fine. Your usual?”
“Yes, please.” Josh’s eyes were huge.
James was pretty sure he had the same expression on his own face.
Luca pressed his lips together and glanced at Brad. “Did you decide?” The coldness of his tone chilled James. How Brad was standing was beyond James. He would have turned tail and run as far and fast as he could.
“Medium bold coffee. Hot. Black. I don’t need room for cream or sugar,” Brad ordered.
“How utterly boring,” Luca responded and moved to the espresso machine to make Josh’s drink.
James caught Josh’s gaze and widened his eyes, asking what the hell was going on.
Josh gave him a small shrug in return.
“I’ll go find us a table,” Brad said and spun on his heel.
“Sure.” Josh watched him go before turning back to James.
Luca was ignoring them. Because of course he was. It wouldn’t be easy to get answers out of Luca. When he decided to keep something close to his chest, Luca could be a real pain.
James grabbed a medium cup before walking over to the brewed coffee dispenser that James had made a fresh batch in at the start of his shift. Luca continued to work on Josh’s lavish and sweet iced espresso drink, even adding extra caramel drizzle on top.
Luca had been the manager of the Coffee Cove for as long as James had worked there. Everyone in town from the residents to return tourists knew who he was. Luca was as part of beach as the sand and the waves.
Even though Luca had come to Surf City for college and to catch the best waves, he’d quickly claimed the city as home.
He’d been on the surfing circuit for at least five years.
There had been talk that he’d turned down a major sponsorship that would have him traveling the world surfing, but James hadn’t asked.
Luca seemed content attending the university part-time, running the Coffee Cove, and surfing in his free time.