7. Tobias
CHAPTER 7
Tobias
W hat the heck was that?
I reached out to grab a piece of donut and accidentally touched Goth Girl’s hand, and a warm tingle went straight to my balls. I’ve put aside my needs, so I am not used to feeling things for anyone. But for my mortal enemy?
There are so many reasons I can’t get tangled up with that girl. For one, I’m fourteen years older than her. I mean, it’s not a huge difference in age, but it seems large enough to think twice.
Then there’s my mom, who I’m caring for. What twenty-something wants to be stuck with a guy who’s responsible for his mother, whose health is declining? Plus, Mom can be a handful, especially in the middle of an episode. She can get mean, so mean that I have to remind myself it’s not my mom saying the hurtful words but her illness.
The mail comes, and as I go through it, I see that the postal worker got our boxes mixed up again. I received The SeaSong’s mail with mine. I put it aside in a pile and contemplate what to do with it. Should I just put it in the outgoing box? Should I walk it over there?
Well, I can’t throw it away. That’s a crime. Plus, I don’t want to be that guy. But weren’t you already that guy, Tobe? Ugh. I have been a rude bastard to Goth Girl.
I’m struggling to put her out of my mind. There’s something there between us. That tingle proved it. It’s something I haven’t felt in a long time. And never as strong as this. If I wasn’t already broken by the lack of love I let in because I don’t want to perpetuate the anguish of my mother’s decline.
Gathering the mail, I decide to do the right thing and take it next door. When the bell rings above the door, Harmony looks up from helping a local man who I just so happen to know likes to read historical biographies. Her momentary but genuine smile falls from her face and is replaced with the fake customer service one. One I’ve seen before. The first time I was in The SeaSong.
It's no surprise. I’ve given her no reason to trust me. No reason to deserve that beautiful blinding smile of hers.
Approaching the counter in the back, I try not to think about the angry words from our first meeting. I went too far with that first interaction. Way too far. It wasn’t my most stellar moment.
While she finishes up with the customer at the counter, I take a look around. It hasn’t changed. But what I’m most surprised to find is that it’s not empty like the last time. There are people at a few tables—a couple holding a conversation over coffee, a younger lady working on her laptop in the corner, and a small family that screams tourism near the sprawling front window. All are settled into their spots in the café. Like they belong here, even the four who are clearly only here temporarily.
“How can I help you, Mr. Kelleher?” Goth Girl grits out. She obviously gave up on me as a friend.
“Please, call me Toby. No one calls me by my father’s name.” I try to be friendlier, but she just stares at me as if she’s trying to figure out why I’m here.
“I have your mail.” I hold up the few pieces that were mixed in with my mail. “I thought it might be important.”
When she narrows her eyes on me, I become fascinated by their unique shade of blue. It reminds me of a darkened ocean as the sky transitions to night. Complete with a few specks of light like the first brave stars of the night reflecting on its surface.
My eyes are a light brown. I’ve always thought my eye color was boring. Not like hers.
“Oh? Did you open my mailbox?” Her eyes are mere slits as she accuses me.
“No. Our mail carrier is a sweet lady, but she makes mistakes sometimes.” I hold the mail out and she moves to grab it, our hands touching like they did the other day. A similar tingling moves up my arm and then rushes down my spine, setting my heart on fire on its path. The intensity causes a stirring behind my belt that I have to stop this instant before things go too far. Before I do something crazy like try to kiss her. Judging by the way her eyes glaze over and darken, she feels it too.