Chapter 20
Amber is slowly breaking into a smile as my words soak in.
Do I know her? Well, yeah. She’s stubborn, has a great sense of humor, she’s even better at masterminding revenge, and she’s broken on the inside––I saw the way she watched the family in here earlier. She’s a good dancer. I forgot to mention competitive, and hell, do I love that more than anything.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I mutter.
Her eyes narrow to challenge me.
“Fine,” I test. “We can go back to the way things were before.”
“Fine,” she replies.
“Fine,” I scoff, looking around the room. It falls silent between us.
She turns on her heel and heads toward the hallway.
“Hey,” I step in front of her. “I didn’t give you permission to leave.”
The annoyance on her face makes me bite my lip, trying to hide my laugh. Her eyes are too serious, so I step to the side. And I’m relieved when I catch her lips curling at the sides.
A customer walks in, so I take their order. While they’re paying, I turn around to see if Amber is there. Nope. I start working on their order and then when it’s done, I start wondering where she went. I walk to the break room, and she’s sitting at the table.
“Everything all good?” I ask.
She’s staring at her phone when she says, “Are you talking to me?”
“No, I’m talking to Jimmy Cricket over there in that spider web. Yeah, I’m talking to you.”
She stands, putting her phone in her pocket. I can only assume she’s texting her best friend about me.
“You stranded me out there, partner,” I joke as she walks past me.
“I’m not your partner.”
I follow her. “In here, you are.”
She raises a brow in disgust, so I say, “Your claws are coming out.”
“Then you should be careful before I hurt you.”
I lift the hat to fix my hair, running my fingers through it. It’s driving me nuts today. “In case you haven’t noticed, I like pain. No pain, no gain.”
She looks amused. “Something’s wrong with you.”
I shrug, looking down. Is there? Maybe.
“Is that why you can’t leave me alone?” she asks.
I snicker at that notion.
I can’t leave her alone? That’s hysterical.
She continues, “Why are you working here? Even bothering with me?”
I smile, looking at her through my brows. “Karma.”
Her eyes roll as a reaction.
“I’ll tell you a little secret,” she says. “I don’t mind a little pain either.”
The sound of her words registers in my brain like some secret code that opens a new door I didn’t know existed.
I’m all warm and fuzzy as I stare into her eyes.
She doesn’t mind a little pain, and my pelvis area is trying hard not to react.
But I feel it there, deep in my gut. I think that was the hottest thing a female had ever said to me.
And maybe it was in her tone, or the intense eye contact.
Or maybe it was the idea that she could handle pain.
It’s not the physical act of pain that we’re talking about either.
I’m not fantasizing about smacking her ass (maybe).
No. She’s saying that she can handle this emotional rollercoaster we’re on.
The pain that comes with giving yourself to someone fully.
Hell.
That new door that just opened, I’m picking up and throwing away that key. I’ll take the hinges off this fucking door. I’m in it, boys! I have a fucking chance at this. She and I are so much alike in all the ways that matter. It’s hot as fuck.
Her amber eyes are watching mine, waiting for a witty reply.
For once, I’m speechless. I don’t have anything to say.
Instead, I’d rather reach for her to test her theory.
I would grab her face and haul her ass up onto this counter, force her legs around my waist, and dominate that look in her eyes.
But I don’t. Rather, I break into a self-controlled smile.
Like this is the easiest moment to continue in.
But really, if I could pause time, I would. I don’t want to blink.
“Why is it so dead in here right now?” I mutter, changing the subject while glancing at the door.
“Are you really talking to me about the weather right now?” she asks.
When our eyes meet, I blink a few times because she’s doing this on purpose.
“I am,” I say sternly, turning my attention to the toppings below me. “Is this the Amber from before?”
She nods, lifting a brow at me.
I walk up to her and glance down. “I told you, Amby, we can’t go back to how things were before. I know too much now.”
She touches my chest, probably to push me away, but I grab her hand. She can’t flip a switch on me now.
I say, “So, you can stop with the attitude. I know you have it in you.”
She forces a smile, kinking her neck to look up at me. “Okay, but I kind of liked playing games with you.”
Those words do something to me, too. “Okay, then it’s agreed. I’ll fuck with you if you fuck with me.”
Her eyes soften and then harden within a split second. I can tell she likes the sound of that.
“Fuck around and find out.”
I inhale. “But first, it’s dead in here, and I need to do some homework, so I’m going to work on it on my phone.”
I don’t wait for her to reply as I pull out my phone.
Michelle texted me. When I look up, I catch Amber’s eyes on my screen.
“She must be really into you,” Amber says with a lifted brow.
I shrug. “Everybody loves me.”
She laughs, walking to straighten up containers on the counter. “It makes sense why you kept coming into the Grind Stone. You couldn’t stand that I didn’t like you. You have an ego problem.”
She spins on her heels to tilt her head at me.
A customer walks in through the door, ringing the bell. Amber turns to the single guy and says, “Welcome to the–”
I watch as her shoulders tense. The guy has a big smile on his face. He’s probably our age, dressed like he just got done working out, and a nervous look in his eyes.
“Hi,” he says, glancing over at me.
“Hi,” Amber says, sounding nervous.
He says, “I didn’t know you work here.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, it’s my fun job.”
I laugh because it’s clear they have history. And this scrawny guy? I’m about half a foot taller than him and way better looking. Someone like him is making her nervous? Hilarious.
“How are you?” he asks, eyeing her down. “Are you still at the law firm?”
She nods. “Yes, I am. How are you?”
This is brutal to witness, so I glance at my phone to see what Michelle said.
Michelle: Can I see you tomorrow?
Matt: (Leaves her on read)
The guy that Amber is talking to is now bragging about how good he’s doing and he just moved into a nice apartment. She’s smiling, laughing at the right times, and I’m wondering where the fuck this Amber is when she’s around me.
“Wanna get something started, man?” I ask, interrupting them.
“Yeah,” he says, feeling for his wallet.
Amber glances at me and then takes the guy’s order.
I get to making a sandwich for him. I turn around and say, “Amber?”
She’s laughing at something he said, and it’s making me wild. “Yes?”
“Do you have any raisins?” I joke.
“Not today,” she says politely.
Now I’m wondering who the fuck is this guy. She’s being polite, sweet, kind. What the hell?
When I’m done making the shittiest sandwich I’ve ever made, I plop it into the bag and read the name. “Kyle.”
“I go by Ky,” he says to me, turning to Amber with a smile.
I think about how he thinks Kai makes him that much cooler. “She put Kyle,” I say to him.
Kyle glances at Amber and says, “It was nice seeing you. Do you have the same number?”
I look at Amber.
She nods. “Yeah. Same number. Nice seeing you.”
When Kyle is out the door, I’m watching him like a hawk. Amber is still nervous as she moves around behind the counter.
“Who’s Ky?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Nobody.”
Oh, she’s really avoiding this. I have to press.
“Didn’t seem like a nobody?” I admit.
She walks past me. “He is.”
“Well, the nobody has your phone number.”
“Mhm,” she confesses. “He sure does.”
I cross my arms, watching her squirm.
When she catches my stare, she says, “Fine, but you cannot use this against me. Or I will neuter you.”
I chuckle. “Excuse me? Neuter me?”
“I took a few college courses with him, and then we went on a few dates.”
I start laughing. “Okay, that explains the nerves. Damn, girl, that boy made you that nervous?”
She shakes her head, her cheeks turning pink, so I slowly stop laughing. “No,” she says.
“No?” I question.
Those cheeks are turning a deeper color.
“No, it wasn’t because of him.” She takes off down the hallway as another customer walks in.
“You got this one,” she calls out. I’m left speechless as I watch her around the corner.
Is she implying that it’s me who made her nervous?
I take a moment to think as she disappears. What?
“Welcome to the Grind Stone,” I say. “What can I get started for you?”
My mind wanders to the nervous Amber who just ran away from responsibility. Is she saying that I’m the reason she got weird?
After I’ve served the customer, I walk to the breakroom. I knock on the door.
“So,” I linger on the word for a moment. “Earlier…”
“Please don’t say it,” she presses her lips together, blinking her eyes at me. “Just don’t say it. If you have to ask, you’re probably right. Let’s just get through the rest of the shift together, okay?”
I shrug, putting air in my cheek. Fuck. “Okay.”
She smiles, patting my chest. “Great.”
I follow her down the hallway. “Is that your type?”
She shoots a death glare at me, and I take that as my hint to drop it.
By the time we’ve closed up, we’re walking out to our vehicles. I need to get her to come with me to my mom’s elopement. I know I can tell my mom that I’m single, but this would so much better. I mention, “You didn’t answer me about the stupid thing. Will you come with me?”
She stops at her car. “What stupid thing?”
“It’s stupid, but I want you to come with me.”
“When is it?” she asks.
“The weekend.”
“Okay,” she says.
“Okay?” I ask. “You’ll come?”
She nods, and I feel a heavy amount of relief.
I get into my truck and pull up next to her. She rolls down her window and says, “Can I help you?”
I nod with a smile. “Honk for me.”
She smiles. “No way.”
I nod my head. “Honk.”
She shakes her head.
“Fine.” I start to drive away, keeping my eyes locked with hers. As I’m driving away, she honks three times in a row. I laugh, checking my rearview mirrors to get one last look at her face. I finally catch a glimpse of her big smile.
When I get home, Zack and Christian are playing video games on the couch.
Christian says, “Fucking perfect. You’re here. We need a third guy. You in?”
I sit on the couch next to them, take the controller, and join in the game. I end up playing for two hours before calling it quits and taking a shower.
Dylan is spamming me with screenshots of the video he forced the social media manager to edit and post as soon as possible from practice earlier.
Some of these comments are outrageous, hilarious, or flirty.
Dylan: Going viral already
Matt: You filmed my ass?
Dylan: You looked back at it
Harvey: You filmed mine too?
Dylan: Be grateful you have a professional videographer on the ice
Dylan: Just wait until this thing goes mega viral. A lot more screenshots will be coming your way
Harvey: I poop from there
Matt: Me too wtf
Dylan: They love the poopers
Mom: I booked a room for you and your girlfriend
Matt: Two beds, right?
Mom: They didn’t have it available, but I didn’t think that was a problem
That’s a huge problem.
Matt: Ok, thanks mom.
Mom: I’m so excited to be Mrs. Holmes. Do you want to change your last name too?
Jesus Christ.
Matt: No, thanks, mom. You’re getting married, not me.
Mom: Ha ha ha you knew I had to ask.
Matt: It’s okay, Mrs. Holmes.
Mom: See, it has a beautiful ring to it.
That woman loves the idea of being someone else’s.
Matt: So about that stupid thing
Matt: Can you stay the night for the stupid thing or
Amber: Who is this?
Amber: How did you get my number?
Matt: From the clipboard in the back
Matt: It’s me, your best friend
Amber: You can’t just steal my number and text me like we’re best friends
Amber: That breaks so many rules
Matt: Sue me
Amber: Maybe I will. It’s called invasion of privacy
Matt: Wait for it
Matt: Hey, Amber. Can I have your number?
Amber: What?
I roll my eyes and call her. She’s letting it ring for someone who is replying within the same minute.
“Hello?” she answers, and I hear the edge in her voice. Is she nervous? I check the time, maybe she’s tired.
“Hi,” I say. “I figured a phone call would be better than a text message, so where was I? Oh, right. Amber, can I have your number so that I can text you about that dumb thing? Can I follow you on social media and possibly DM you stupid memes?”
“Um,” she says, and I hate that I can’t see her face right now. Shit, I can fix that. I start FaceTiming her. “Uh, why are you FaceTiming me?”
“Because…I need to see you blushing.”
She answers it. “I’m not blushing.”
Her face pops up on the screen and I smile because she’s cute. “You definitely are.”
“I’m not,” she argues.
“What’re you doing?” I ask, wondering why she looks this cute on screen.
She pulls back the camera and shows me the paperwork sprawled out on the desk in front of her.
“Me too,” I say, showing her my iPad and notepad on the desk.
She smiles as I show her my setup. “Is that your room?”
I nod, pulling the camera back and stretching my arm back. “Bed, dresser, closet.” I spin. “Desk. Are you in your room?”
She’s not looking at the screen as she says, “Yeah, but that’s private.”
“Hm,” I lean my phone against the pencil holder and look at my iPad. “Are you a messy girl?”
She shakes her head, unfazed.
“Busy girl, I see.”
“Yeah, I’m in the middle of something.” I hear a notification going off on her end. She huffs, picking up the phone. “Can I call you later?”
“Definitely not.”
I watch the screen. I think she swiped me out of the way because it looks like she’s texting. I side-eye the phone as I lean back and bite my pen. Her face is neutral as she types away and then she looks into the screen at herself, placing it against something as I pretend to be studying.
I hear the notification go off again and watch her tap away on her phone.
“I can still see you,” she mutters.
I lean forward. “Who are you texting?”
“None of your business,” she says, ignoring me.
“Tell them to stop texting you. They’re distracting you from your work.”
I think she puts me back to full screen because now she’s holding the phone at arm’s length, looking cute as frick.
“You’re the one distracting me.”
I hear the notification go off again as I smile. “Prop the phone up and let’s get work done together.”