Lads & Lattes (High School Clowns & Coffee Grounds Book 1)

by A. J. Macey

  I sank into the driver’s seat behind the wheel, tears welling up and spilling over despite my best efforts to keep them contained. Today had been about as terrible as I had expected. Sideways glances judged me, a few people straight up came and asked me about it, and finally, several people in the halls and classrooms whispered ‘slut’ when I walked by. The only people who stuck by me without any wavering were my boys, Aubrey, and Zoey. Carter, Jason, and Brayden stood by us, but it was clear as day in their faces that they weren’t sure what to believe.

  For the first time since starting at Arbor Ridge, I saw Brad within the halls and cafeteria. It seemed my brain zeroed in on him as soon as he was in my eyesight, not giving me a moment’s rest from thinking about what had happened. While it was nice to know when to be aware, I just wanted to go back to being blissfully ignorant and focus on school and not the guy who tried to force me into the bathroom at some stupid party.

  The only consolation was that his pale skin was adorned with large, dark bruises and gashes across his brow, nose, and lip. At lunch when I saw him for the third time that day, I leaned over to Jesse to thank him again. When my boys saw Brad watching us, they glared intensely until he finally looked away in fear. Zoey and Aubrey came and sat with us at lunch, the six of us crowded at a four person table, but the show of support was definitely appreciated after everything.

  Reid’s Jeep was right behind me on the drive home. I could tell from the way they looked in the rearview mirror that the boys had just as hard of a time today as me, especially Jesse who slammed the Jeep door shut when he got in. My tears dried by the time we reached my house, my mom’s SUV gone from the garage as per usual. The mood was somber and sullen as we sat around my basement table.

  “I’m sorry,” I mumbled when the silence became too much for me to handle. A wall of wavering images filled my eyes as the tears reappeared.

  “For what?” Reid asked, his hand grabbing mine off the table in a comforting grasp.

  “Everything this last weekend and today. I know it’s my fault…”

  “No,” Jesse barked out harshly staring at me. “It’s not your fault. It’s Brad’s fault for being a fucking rapist.”

  He sighed, looking tired, before slipping out of his seat and tugging me lightly on my sleeve. Curiosity won out despite his grouchy tone, and I followed him to my room. Standing in the middle of my room, I waited for him to close the door. I wasn’t afraid of being alone with him like I had been with Brad. Jesse might be gruff and harsh with his bluntness, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. He closed the distance between us quickly and wrapped me in his arms. I curled mine around his trim waist and clutched desperately to the back of his t-shirt as everything flooded my system. Sobs wracked my body, soaking his shoulder in a fresh wave of tears. His hand threaded into my hair as he clutched me to him.

  “Fuck, Em,” he exhaled sharply. A wet drop hit my neck, and I realized he was crying while he held on to me like I was a life preserver and he was drowning. “Reid told me you had gone inside to go to the bathroom. When I went in to make sure you were okay, I thought I saw Brad at the top of the stairs, but I told myself I was imagining things after the night before.” His exhale was shaky, his tears falling faster against my skin. “Then I heard you scream, and I couldn’t run fast enough. No one moved when you screamed, they all just looked around, but I knew it was you, and when”—he swallowed before taking a steadying breath—“and when I saw him shoving you in the bathroom, I saw red. I was going to kill him, but I knew you needed me more, so I stopped.”

  “Thank you, Jesse,” I murmured, turning my head so it was pressing into his neck. The heat from his body made it feel like I was trapped in a sauna, but I didn’t care.

  I needed this.

  I needed him.

  I lost track of time of how long we stood there, holding each other like our lives depended on it, but by the time we stepped apart, I felt much better.

  October 18th

  All I have to say is… my boys rock.

  #BestFriends #LoveThem #ThankfulThursday

  The thin sheet of paper crinkled in my hands as I made my way to the counselor’s office. I had successfully been ignoring the ACT and college situation in the last few days with everything that had happened with Brad and all the stupid rumors, but I was staring it right in the face now. I still hadn’t figured out a plan on how to fix my ACT score other than get some study materials and practice until I was used to it.

  I pushed the thoughts away as I opened the door. A different student sat behind the desk as I waited for Ms. Rogers to come grab me from the little lobby area. The counselor’s upbeat attitude was a nice change of pace from all the glares and stares I had been fielding all week. At least most people were starting to go back to ignoring me whenever the boys were around.

  “Emma,” she greeted warmly. Smiling, she held an arm out down the hall to have me follow her. Her red cat’s eye glasses were still secured with a chain, but this time it was a bright gold, and her blouse was an emerald green instead of red. “How has everything been going? Any more thoughts on career or college?”

  “I took a practice ACT test,” I divulged, my tone somber. As if she knew, she started to nod slightly, getting up from her seat to grab a few items off her bookshelves.

  “I’m assuming it didn’t go well?” I shook my head, feeling the burn of tears build in the back of my eyes, but I was able to hold them in. “These are some study materials for it that you can have and should definitely help. Was it the test itself that was difficult or something else?”

  “I get really nervous when I take tests, so I think that didn’t help, but I definitely think studying and practicing would be good.” I looked through the materials seeing a very thick book as well as a few topic specific ones like for the English essay section.

  “I have some techniques that can hopefully help with anxiety, but before we get into that have you considered getting a tutor to help with the test practice?” I shook my head unsure of how I felt about getting a tutor. I should be smart enough to do it on my own.

  Right?

  “You’re friends with Jesse Parker, correct?” My eyes shot to hers, what did Jesse have to do with this conversation? She chuckled, clearly reading my confused expression. “He’s a tutor part-time. Maybe you could talk to him about help.”

  “What?” I couldn’t process what she had said.

  My Jesse, a tutor?

  “He doesn’t have any students that he’s helping right now, but he is usually the most recommended tutor for the school, so I would suggest speaking with him soon.” She pulled another pamphlet out of her acrylic holder on her bookshelf. “If he gets booked, or you would prefer someone else, these are the tutors I would recommend and their contact information.” She circled three names on the sheet before handing it to me.

  “I’ll think about who I’d be more comfortable with and call them.” I started looking at the names but I wasn’t actually reading any of them, my brain still focused on the fact that Jesse hadn’t told me he was a tutor.

  “Good. As for the test anxiety, let me show you a couple of techniques.”

  A little while later our meeting concluded, and I exited the office into a nearly empty hall and cafeteria. There were only a few students sitting around a couple of tables, and some familiar faces stood near the bottom of the stairs. When Carter spotted me over Jason’s shoulder, he waved. Jason glanced over and threw a friendly smile, waving his hand to have me come over.

  “Hey, Emma,” Carter welcomed happily, no longer seeming to be listening to the rumors flooding the student body. His blond mop of curls was trimmed but still unruly as it splayed over his forehead. Jason gave me a nod, his black hair had grown out and now shifted when he moved. I had to look up at both of them; they weren’t as tall as Kingston, but at least half a foot taller than me.

  “Hey, guys,” I greeted. I noticed they had switched out their typical attire of basketball and cargo shorts for jeans and sweat
s in the wake of the cold fall weather moving in. “What are you guys doing out here?”

  “We had a free period. Just got back from getting some coffee. Doing your career counselling stuff?” Carter had a slight accent as he talked, a bit of New York or Boston, but I wasn’t sure which since it was so faint. I nodded, readjusting my backpack on my shoulder as it had started to slip. “Cool, cool. Any idea what you’re doing after graduation?”

  “Go to college, not sure which yet, but I have tours scheduled for after Thanksgiving. You?” I glanced between them. While we weren’t the closest of friends, Carter and Jason tending to stick closer to Brayden than anyone else in our group, and the conversation flowed easily between us.

  “I’m hoping to get a scholarship for track and field. I want to study sports medicine,” Carter responded first. I nodded, it made sense, both of them as well as Aubrey and Zoey were either on the cross-country team or competed on the track and field team.

  “Not sure yet, but possibly physical therapy. I thought about sports medicine too. Maybe nutrition,” Jason tacked on, glancing at the clock. “Crap, class is about to get out, and my next one is on the other end of the school. I’ll see you later, guys!” He waved and took off in a fast-paced walk, hoping to beat the crowd of students that would soon rush the halls. Carter and I said our goodbyes and went on to our next classes. Although the conversation had been nice with them, it didn’t distract me enough from my worry about my ACT score or my new mission to find a tutor.

  13

  October 27th

  Today, I will not think about tutors, tests, crappy thoughts about how I don’t know my friends as well as I thought, or about the fact I haven’t talked to my dad in ages and my mom is never home.

  #EndOfRant #FocusOnWork #DontThinkAboutIt #StressFreeSaturday

  The morning rush helped keep my mind busy, the steady stream of customers holding my attention instead of reminding myself that I had yet to talk to Jesse or any tutor for help despite it being over a week later. Something about Jesse or even Reid and Kingston not bringing up that he was a tutor, only referring to his ‘part-time work,’ stung. I knew it wasn’t any of my business, but they knew so much about me and I felt like I didn’t know much about any of them. All we tended to focus on was school, what plans we were excited for, or me.

  I nibbled my lip as I started making one of the drinks, Lyla’s list of orders having grown too long for her to keep up. We were busier than normal since it was right before Halloween and Rick had organized a ‘Trunk or Treat’ event in the parking lot this morning for parents with younger kids. A lot of the costumes the kids had worn were adorable and had me smiling, but not even happy little smiles could lift my dour mood. Lyla knew something was up, and so she gave me a comforting pat on the back when she went by to grab more syrups from the back.

  “Hey, Emma.” Kingston’s smooth voice pulled me from my zoned out process of working on drinks. His coffee brown eyes darted around my face, his lips falling into a frown the longer he eyed me. “You all right?” I tried to give a smile, but I was pretty sure it looked forced.

  “Yeah, I’m good. What can I get you?” I finished up the last drink order before stepping back to the register.

  “I have a large order,” he warned, still looking concerned, but dropped the subject as he handed me a scrap piece of paper with eight different drinks written on it. I entered the order quietly before shifting to help Lyla. “You’re off in a few minutes?” I turned to look at the clock surprised to see that my shift had already come to an end.

  “Yeah, at eleven.” I turned back to him, his forearms resting on the counter as he looked down at me. “Why?”

  “Wondered if you wanted to come help me with something?” Despite the bad mood I had been sporting, he piqued my curiosity. “It’s only for a couple hours, so we can hang out afterwards.”

  “What would we be doing?” My tone conveyed my suspicion as I started on the fifth drink. “Just us or would the other two be there too?”

  “Well”—he tilted his head trying to figure out how to respond—“we wouldn’t be alone, but Reid and Jesse are busy until later, so it would be me and you.” I noted he didn’t tell me what we would be doing, but I trusted Kingston, so I agreed.

  After clocking out, I changed my shirt and shoes into my usual attire, stuffing the slip-ons and work shirt into my bag. I waved bye to Lyla and took one of the two to-go trays, following Kingston out to his car that was parked in the back of the lot. I ignored the feeling of his gaze on my face as I stared out the window. Kingston pulled off to a gas station parking lot before throwing the car in park and turning to me.

  “What’s up, baby doll?” He reached out and rubbed my neck in gentle circles, the smooth pads of his fingers warming my skin until the tingles spread across my body. “You seem upset.”

  “Why didn’t you guys tell me Jesse was a tutor?” I murmured, still staring out the window. I couldn’t look at him right now knowing I would cry, and I had done enough of that since moving to the middle of freaking nowhere.

  “Never really thought about it.” He sounded confused, and his hand stilled. “How’d you find out?” I sighed, feeling dumb for being so upset over it. I knew it wasn’t a big deal, but something about it had just hurt. It might have been the fact it was after everything we’d dealt with the last couple weeks and their intense insistence that it’s a ‘we’ and not ‘me,’ or it might just be the fact I was PMSing.

  Sometimes being a girl really sucked.

  “Need help preparing for the ACT; Ms. Rogers suggested Jesse” I glanced over at Kingston. “It was quite a shock to find out one of my best friends is a tutor. I feel like I barely know any of you or your lives, when you guys know almost everything about me.”

  “What do you want to know?” His head tilted as he leaned closer, his left elbow resting on the center console, his fingers brushing my left arm in a gentle caress. “Here, I have an idea. How about next time we’re together, we’ll all write the questions we have on different scraps of paper and put it in a hat. We’ll draw them out, and we’ll all have to answer them.” His massaging fingers were soothing the hurt I had in my chest as he talked. His smile made the butterflies scatter in a wave of nerves when I realized it was just me and him in the car alone. “How’s that?”

  “Promise?” I whispered, feeling better than I had in the last week. His suggestion sounded fun, and I was happy he came up with it.

  I should have just brought up what was bothering me sooner.

  Once again, hindsight is 20/20.

  “Pinkie promise, baby doll.” He held up his pinkie making me chuckle. After returning the promise we started toward wherever he was taking me in a much better mood than before. The drive was only another five minutes, and then Kingston was pulling into a large lot in front of a swanky looking building with the sign that read Bell and Slate Law Office.

  I guess this would explain why Kingston wants to go to school for law.

  There were several cars in the lot lined up in two rows with their trunks facing an open space between them. There weren’t any kids and no one was outside, so either this was a ‘Trunk or Treat’ Kingston brought me to that hasn’t started yet or it just finished. Getting out, I took the tray and followed him into the building. The overwhelming scent of paper mixed with the smell of coffee that wafted out of the cups I had clutched in my hand as we walked past the lobby desk and into the hallway. There were five adults and one kid who looked to be middle school aged hanging out in the main office area of the building. Several clusters of desks were positioned around the large area, with offices and conference rooms with open doors on the far wall and two side walls that held large windows. A tall man with the same tanned skin and blond hair as Kingston stood and came over taking the holder from me with a friendly smile before setting it on the table. The younger boy was instructed by a woman who had platinum blonde hair with a petite figure to pass out the drinks.

  “Dad,” Kingston add
ressed the tall man. His hair was wavier than Kingston’s but cut shorter. Proud, dark brown eyes fell on his son. “This is Emma. Emma, this is my dad, Kaleb Bell.”

  “It’s very nice to finally meet you, Emma. Kingston and the boys have not stopped raving about you since you moved to town.” His voice was deeper than Kingston’s with a bit of roughness as he reached to shake my hand. I felt my face flare under his admission and glanced quickly at Kingston who, for the first time, also held a pink tinge to his own cheeks.

  Reaching out to take his father’s hand, I responded politely, “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” I wished Kingston would have warned me that I was meeting his dad today. Before either of them could say anything, the younger boy came up to them with two drinks.

  “Here’s yours, King.” He held out a cup for Kingston to take. “I don’t know whose this one is.” He held out the cup for Kingston to read.

  “Oh, that one’s Emma’s.” He took it from who I assumed was the younger brother that I didn’t know he had, before handing it to me with a sweet smile. My skin warmed under his gaze, and a wave of tingles washed up my arm when our fingers brushed. “Emma, this is my little brother, Killian. Kill, this is Emma.”

  “Hi.” He waved at me before leaning forward to stare intently at my face. “She’s much prettier in person. You did a terrible job at describing her.” Their dad chuckled at his son’s words as I felt the heat intensify on my cheeks.

  “Thanks,” I murmured before taking a sip to keep myself from saying anything embarrassing.

  “Are you Kingston’s girlfriend?” Killian asked, but Kingston’s dad saved me from having to answer.

  “Killian, that’s personal. If they wanted you to know, they would have told you,” he chastised, but in a nice way as if he was guiding him instead of berating him. As I watched him and Killian go over and converse with the other people in the room, it became even more obvious that Mr. Bell really loved his kids.