Chapter 10 Xavier
I enter the café and see Jess already sitting at a small table toward the back. Being the godsend that she is, she already has coffee and a couple of sandwiches on the table. I sit down heavily in the chair across from her.
“You look like shit. I know you did not drink enough last night for this to be a hangover, and you sounded panicked on the phone. What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath and tell her about Declan showing up at my apartment and everything that was said to me.
“And what the fuck is this ‘you’re mine’ shit? Who even says shit like that? Is he so fucking entitled that he thinks people are possessions? What are you going to do? Are you going to take the job?”
“Fuck no. I’m going to apply here before we leave. They’re constantly looking for help. I applied online to a whole bunch of places this morning. I’ll get by. I always do, but I’m going to do it while I steer clear of Declan Murphy.”
“That’s probably for the best. But it’s also one hell of an opportunity for you. If you’re going to be that uncomfortable around him, then don’t do it. I’ll support you either way.” Jess pats my forearm. “My couch is always available if you need it.”
“Thanks. I want you to know how much I appreciate you. Speaking of friends, have you heard from Blake?”
Jess frowns. “Not really, other than a couple of texts here and there. Every time I call, I get sent to voicemail. I’m starting to get worried about him.”
“He keeps putting me off, too. I wish he could have gone with us to the club last night. I actually enjoyed myself until all the drama.”
“That’s not the first time he’s canceled on us.” He really began pulling away when he started dating that dickface, Mike. Blake tells us that he makes him happy, and I am happy for him if that is true, but that guy gives me the creeps.”
“I know what you mean. The last time I was around them, Mike kept his hand on the back of Blake’s neck. Several times it looked painful, but Blake just smiled up at him like he was the best thing in the world.”
Blake, Jess, and I have been the three musketeers since our junior year of college.
We met in the cafeteria on the first day and have been inseparable ever since.
So, for Blake to constantly flake out on us is odd.
We need to find time to see him without his shadow around and figure out what is going on.
“Do you want me to wait on you while you ask about a job here?”
“No, don’t worry about it. Since it’s Saturday, the person I need to talk to probably isn’t working. I’ll just see if they are hiring and what I need to do to apply. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Jess gives me one of her signature hugs with an extra squeeze.
I don’t know what I would do without her.
She’s been my rock for the past five years.
She’s my family, my sister by another mister.
Sometimes I wonder whether I would have been close to Tara if she had lived through the accident.
She would be almost eighteen now, almost grown.
Instead, she is forever frozen in my memories as the ponytail-wearing ten-year-old who would sneak into my room when she had a nightmare.
The thought of Tara has me hugging Jess just a little tighter.
Jess leaves, and I walk to the counter. The man at the register is not the same one who waited on us earlier. He’s of average height and looks like he works out. His sandy-blonde hair is pulled back into a half-ponytail and almost reaches his collar.
“Hi, I’m Brad. What can I get ya?”
“Hi, I’m Xavier. I was wondering if you’d know if the café is still looking for help?”
“Oh my god, yes! I’m the general manager.” He offers his hand for me to shake. I take it and smile at him. “Do you have any experience? You know what, never mind, it doesn’t matter. Can you start tomorrow?”
I let out a short laugh. “Sure, just tell me what time. And to answer your question, I do have experience in the service industry.”
“I could kiss your feet right now. We’ve been short-staffed for way too long. You having experience is icing.” He’s enthusiastic and bubbly. He seems like a good guy. Maybe the universe has decided to throw me a bone after all.
The next morning, I show up at six am, excited to have work.
It’s not ideal, but it’s money coming in.
Brad has me fill out all the necessary paperwork and hands me a T-shirt with the café logo on the back and an apron.
We spend the next few hours going over the opening process and the coffee machines.
I’ve worked as a barista, and I quickly catch on to their way of doing things.
He tells me that I’ll be on morning shifts for the foreseeable future.
I’m totally fine with that; I’m a morning person anyway.
— ? ? ? —
Monday morning, I am going through the café’s opening routine.
At seven, I flip the sign to open and let Marie know that we are ready for business.
She’s been there since four this morning, getting all of the baked goods ready.
I notice it’s seven thirty. I wonder if Declan actually sent a driver to my apartment, and if so, did he realize I’m not going to show up yet?
But the thought is fleeting as soon as the morning rush starts.
Customers are friendly for the most part, and many say they are regulars who will be seeing me often.
Brad shows up around 10:30. Since they have been short-staffed, he’s come in early every day and told me he’s thrilled to sleep in.
“Hey there, Xavier, how was your morning?”
“Great. Thanks again for the opportunity.”
“No worries, I’m glad you took it.” We start prepping for the lunch rush as they begin trickling in.
“Well, hello there, Mr. Handsome.” A tall blonde guy with a megawatt smile says to me as he takes his turn in line.
“Hello. What can I get for you?”
“Your number to start.” He winks at me. I hear Brad chuckle from the espresso machine. He walks over.
“Xavier, this is Brian, my brother. Don’t worry, he’s harmless.”
“Xavier.” He repeats my name in a salacious way. “I like it, very unique.”
I know he’s flirting with me, and normally I’d give it right back.
He’s tall and good-looking, but I can’t help but compare him to Declan.
Someone like Brian, an eight on the looks scale, is suddenly knocked down to a 4.
I smile back at him. If I keep thinking about Declan and comparing every man I meet to him, I’ll be single for the rest of my life.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brian. Did you come to visit with Brad, or would you like to order something?”
“Both could be true, but I’d like to add visiting with you on that list as well.”
Okay, that is just cringy. I think Brad senses my repulsion and steps in. He quickly enters Brian’s order into the POS.
“Knock it off, Brian. I put in for your usual. Now go have a seat so we can wait on those behind you.”
“Okay, okay. Talk to you later, Xavier.” He winks as he walks to a table by the windows. He sits where he still has a clear view of the counter.
“Sorry about him. He really is a good guy, but sometimes he thinks he is funnier than he actually is. Please don’t let him scare you off.”
I smile. “Trust me, right now, no one is going to scare me off. And it’s fine. It’s actually good for the old ego.” Brad laughs, and we get back to work. Brian stays for a while talking to Brad off and on, but he doesn’t bother me again. I have a feeling that Brad warned him off at least for now.
The day flies by, and by 4, I’m exhausted, but I feel good about the work I did today.
I’m heading home with a little over a hundred dollars in my pocket from my tips.
I am still calculating what I can get at the grocery store for the 25 dollars I’m budgeting for when I realize my door is unlocked.
Did I forget to lock it this morning in my rush to get to work?
I must have. I push the door open and see a man standing in the middle of my room, facing the window.
I let out what I’ll swear to my dying day is a manly yell.
The man turns, and I see that it is Declan.
His usual casual demeanor has been replaced by something else, something dark.
“What the fuck are you doing here again?” I ask him. His showing up uninvited and knocking on my door is one thing, but his breaking into my home is another.
“You didn’t show up this morning, nor have you answered any of my calls or texts.”
My mouth hangs open at his statement. “I was at work. I didn’t have my phone with me because I forgot it.
Besides, I told you on Saturday I wasn’t going to take the job.
So, if that’s all.” I gesture at the still-opened door for him to leave.
The silence between us is palpable. He stares, and I glare right back.
He’s insane; there’s no other possibility.
Even if I call the police, what would that do? He’s a Murphy, above the law.
“What job?” He breaks the silence. I throw my hands up in a huff.
“That’s none of your business. I started yesterday, now please leave.”
He walks toward the door, and I think that he is finally getting the message to go. But instead, he closes the door and locks it.