Chapter Six #3
"That's high praise from you. So, tell me everything you've done these past few years, Meredith."
“I went to UCLA for college. Tried to major in astronomy before deciding to pursue something more serious. Something I could actually get a job with after I graduated.”
“Astronomy?”
“Yeah, I’ve always been fascinated with the universe. But the job prospects weren’t interesting, so now I’m just an amateur astronomer. Anyway, then I spent a couple years in San Francisco before moving back here."
"How come? Most people I know who moved to California didn’t come back."
“I missed being closer to my family. My parents had a bit of a rough time."
"Why?" I sat up straight, frowning.
"The business went from okay to bad. And then to worse. They never told me that. If I had known, I wouldn’t have accepted money from them to pay my tuition. Anyway, now I'm helping them as much as I can."
"I'm sorry to hear about their business. I quite liked their store."
I’d been to it a couple times. They sold outdoor equipment, kind of like a Cabela’s.
"I know. So did I, but times change. People order their stuff online, and I can't even blame them. I order everything online too. Anyway, back to boxing. I still can’t believe it. How is Colton?”
"He's running a biotech company."
"Wait, wasn’t he into soccer?"
"Yes, he was. Until Mom passed away."
"Wow. It impacted him so much.”
“More than I knew." The whiskey was loosening my tongue. Or was it Meredith's voice? It was so easy to talk to her about things I usually didn't even think about. "I don’t think I ever realized that it’s what still drives him until today when he mentioned it."
"Oh my God.”
“He also mentioned something else. That Mom liked you. I don't even remember you interacting with her."
"What are you talking about? She was there every time I came to your house, always coming to your room with snacks and things. I think she wanted to make sure we were actually studying, not doing anything else. Just like my dad did."
Interesting that our parents would think we might be up to funny business. At the time, I liked Meredith, but only as a friend. "I don't remember any of that."
"Well, I do. Then one afternoon, you literally forgot I was coming to your house. You were too busy being part of the cool group. Your mom was baking a cake, and I helped her."
I cleared my throat. Remembering those adolescent years made me realize how much I didn’t like who I was back then. "I was an ass in high school."
"You were just a teenage guy. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It was a long time ago. Your turn."
I disagreed. I should’ve been a better person. But hindsight was twenty-twenty, as they say.
"Did you go away for college?" she asked.
"Yeah, I was in DC. Hated it. I even went on an exchange semester in London."
"Wow. That's amazing."
"It was all right. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come back and take over the coffee branch of Whitley Industries after I graduated."
"Do you work with your dad?"
I stiffened. "No. He fucked off to Sydney years ago. Never heard from him again. It's like we don't even exist."
"I'm sorry about that." The sincerity in her voice did something to me. I liked it. Liked that she cared.
"Don't be. I'm not. If I don't see him again, I won't be sorry.
We don't miss him around here. He left most of the companies in Whitley Industries in shambles.
The Boston Coffee Expert was still in relatively good shape, just with a shit reputation.
I want to restore it. I know it would mean a great deal to my grandparents. That's why I entered the competition."
"That's a valid reason," she said. "How are your grandparents?"
"They’re doing great. Grandfather had a health scare, but now he’s feeling good. Grandmother is meddling in our lives more than usual. By the way, apparently she and your mother are in the same book club, and, well, you can see where this is going."
"Oh my God. That's why Mom didn't seem surprised when I mentioned you. That's sneaky. She didn't tell me that."
"Yeah." I flexed my right hand. “I need to put some ice on my knuckles.”
“Are you bruised?"
"If I say yes, will you come over and take care of me?"
She sucked in her breath. “Cade.”
I groaned. “I’d say it’s the whiskey talking, but that’s not entirely true. Ever since we met again, I’ve been obsessed with you.”
“Oh! That’s… I’m not even… I’ll… Okay, I’ll stop before I embarrass myself.” She drew a deep breath before adding, "I don’t know what to say. I'm at my parents' house now."
"Have fun. Tell them I said hello."
"No, I'm not going to do that. Mom would know we’ve been talking, and who knows what idea would pop into her head?"
"If she's hanging out with my grandmother behind our backs, she's probably got too many ideas already."
“True.”
We said our goodbyes a few seconds later, but instead of letting this drop, I followed my instinct and messaged her.
Cade: You can still come over and take care of me.
Meredith: My mom wants to watch a movie. She’s made popcorn and pie. I don’t think you can top that.
Cade: I’m patient, Meredith. I can bide my time.