Page 25 of Weather the Storm
When I step through the door, the cool air in the coffee shop makes my skin turn to gooseflesh. Wrapping my arms around myself, I scan the funky little café, looking for my girls. Luckily, they’re loud as hell, which makes them hard to miss.
I step up to the reclaimed wood coffee bar to place my order. “Welcome to Dream Beans. What’ll you have today?”
Offering the barista a timid smile, I spout off my order. “Just a small coffee with room for cream, please.”
She taps on the touchscreen order pad a few times before telling me my total. “That’ll be two dollars and fifty-six cents today.”
I fish out a five-dollar bill and tell her to keep the change.
“Your coffee should be ready in just a few. We’ll call your name when it’s up.”
I thank her before winding my way to the table in the back where Seraphine, Myla Rose, and Azalea are all seated. “Well, look who finally made it!” Seraphine hollers as I approach.
Ducking my head, I smile at them and take the seat next to my cousin.
“Where’s Brody?” I ask Myla Rose.
“With Cash’s mom. I swear, she can’t get enough of him.”
Her words make me smile. If there’s one thing in this life I know without any uncertainty, it’s that her son is well loved.
“Gotcha. That’ll certainly make shopping easier.”
“Who cares about shopping!” Azalea scoffs. “I want to know about you and Simon.”
Internally, I cringe. Ever since seeing him hold my hand at Azteca’s, they’ve been on me about him. I’ve skated by at the salon, avoiding them by busying myself with clients, but I have a feeling the jig is up.
“There’s n-nothing to say. We’re…we’re friends.” I try to sound strong and convincing, but it’s hopeless. I sound about as strong as a sapling in a hurricane.
Azalea smirks at me, and I know she’s about to tear my story apart. “Just friends, huh?” She tilts her head, assessing me with her striking green eyes. “Hey, Myles, do friends hold hands?”
Myla Rose shakes her head no, a small smile lighting up her face.
“Do friends live together? Buy each other cars?”
“W-wait a minute!” I interject. “I…we don’t live together, we’re roommates, and Simon didn’t b-buy me a c-car, he helped me buy one. Yes, some money came out of his p-pocket, but I’m gonna pay him back!” My cheeks are red, and my skin is hot by the time I finish. I don’t want Simon’s friends to think I’m some leech, attaching myself to him and using him. The very thought horrifies me.
Azalea opens her mouth to speak, but the barista calls my name before any words can tumble out.Thank God.
I shove my chair back from the table and stalk over to the counter.
“Sorry that took so long. We had to brew it fresh.”
“N-no problem.” With my back still turned to my friends, I take small sips of the hot beverage, trying to get my emotions under control.
I flinch when I feel a hand on my shoulder. “Mags,” Azalea says, her voice pleading. “I was only joking. Please come sit with us.”
I nod, eyes down, and follow her back to the table.
Our conversation usually flows effortlessly, but thanks to my outburst, we’re silent. Even though I’m mortified, I know I need to apologize. “I’m s-sorry for—”
The words are hardly out of my mouth before Azalea cuts me off. “No! You havenothingto apologize for. I was pushing, and I shouldn’t have. You and Simon aren’t any of our business.”
I reach across the table and give her hand a quick squeeze. “It’s just…” I release a long sigh. “I don’t want y’all to think I’m u-using him. I like him so much, but he and I…it’s complicated.”
Myla Rose’s eyes spark. “I know all about complicated, Mags. Complicated isn’t always bad.”
“Plus,” Azalea says, “we would never think that.”
