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

by A. J. Macey

  “Sorry I sprung this on you,” Kingston whispered in my ear as he curved his body around mine, his chest brushing against my arm. “I didn’t know if you would come if you knew, and I really wanted to spend some time with you.” At that, my irritation melted along with my heart into an emotional puddle.

  “It was quite a surprise, but I’m glad we’re here.” I smiled. He was standing so close that his beard brushed against my scalp when I tilted back to look up at him. “What exactly are we doing? A ‘Trunk or Treat’ thing?” He nodded, his eyes falling on the petite woman with platinum blonde hair who had her brows cocked at him.

  “You’ll introduce her to your father and your brother, but not to your own mother.” She shook her head, but her smile contradicted her tone. “I’m Stella Bell, Kingston’s mom.” She turned her attention to me, the playful reprimand fading until she was smiling warmly. “It’s so good to finally meet you.” She surprised me by pulling me into a motherly hug. I awkwardly returned the hug, my coffee clutched in the other hand by my hip.

  “No Reid or Jesse?” She pulled back to question Kingston. He shook his head.

  “They were busy with some stuff today. They plan on being at the yearly cookout though.” He turned to face me. “Remind me to talk to Lyla so you have November 16th off. It’s our annual barbecue grill fest.” His mom’s laugh was tinkling as she shook her head before walking away.

  “I could just text her, you know.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket to shoot Lyla a quick text. When she responded saying it was marked down, I tucked it back away and followed Kingston to the rest of the people. I tried to remember the names of the three others, Vivian and Brett Slate, the firm’s partner and his wife, as well as Zander Morton who was one of the lawyers in the office.

  We stood and talked for a while before we had to pop open the trunks in the parking lot. They were already set up with decorations, candy, and games when the first of the kids and their parents showed up. I stood with Kingston at his trunk. It had been set up like a miniature graveyard, and he even had a little fake ghost dangling from the edge of his trunk lid. Slipping on a black hooded robe, he pulled out a plastic scythe and acted as the Grim Reaper watching over his souls. In the spirit of Halloween, Kingston’s mom brought over a pair of cat ears and colored the tip of my nose before drawing on cat whiskers. It was a good thing I had decided to go with a black shirt and my black boots tying together the whole costume as she secured the fluffy cat tail to my belt loop.

  The next couple of hours passed by quickly, and the event was over before I realized it had been two hours. We got several photos as a group before Stella and Vivian were demanding that Kingston and I get several photos together. After we were finished, Stella told me to keep the costume, saying I could use it for Halloween. I hadn’t planned on going to any costume parties, but the way she stared at me had me swallowing my arguments. Kingston’s parents and the other adults were polite and made me feel like I was welcome any time. Killian kept trying to ask Kingston and me questions, to which their dad would chase him off. After about the third time it became a game to them making me laugh with each pass.

  “So,” I began, getting into the car making sure not to smash the kitty tail I was still wearing. Kingston hadn’t taken off his robe, the hood resting over his blond hair. “What are we going to do now?” He gave me a sly smile and in a very Reid fashion he zipped his lips and started to drive. Curiosity grew each time I asked him a question and was met with silence, but after a few minutes of driving I recognized my neighborhood. “You couldn’t just tell me we were heading to my house?” I teased as he pulled into the driveway.

  “Nope.” He chuckled and smiled down at me after walking around the car. “I’m the Grim Reaper and all, so I figured being all mysterious was part of the gig.”

  “Pretty sure he’s just scary, not mysterious.” I laughed, our footsteps thudding up the concrete steps to the front door. Kingston held the door open for me but headed down the stairs first, and when I reached the bottom, the word ‘surprise’ was shouted at me. Reid, Jesse, along with our friends, Lyla, and my mom all stood around the basement in costumes. The basement and the backyard had been decorated with an odd mix of Halloween and birthday decorations, but honestly I loved the combination and couldn’t stop smiling as I looked around at everything.

  “Happy early birthday, sweetie,” my mom cheered, coming over to give me a big hug. Squeezing tightly, I willed myself not to cry at their thoughtfulness. Reid immediately scooped me up in a big bear hug after my mom let go which I thought was appropriate since he was wearing a fuzzy bear onesie complete with footies and a hood with ears.

  “Happy Birthday, Cali girl!” He nearly cut me in half with the pressure of his hug. Sucking air into my deprived lungs when he let go, I playfully back-handed his stomach.

  “Happy Birthday, Em,” Jesse murmured in my ear. He was dressed up in what I could best describe as 50s geek in eyeglasses with thick, plastic frames, a short-sleeve dress shirt that had a pocket protector in the front, and jeans rolled at the ankles to show off white socks and saddle shoes. His hug was brief, but his whispered sentiment said everything he wasn’t comfortable showing in front of everyone.

  I gave Reid and him a warm smile before I was promptly dragged away with Lyla, Zoey, and Aubrey who wanted to get pictures with me and go out and play some of the yard games they had set up. We played cornhole, the ladder toss, as well as beat the crap out of a Halloween pinata with a sparkly stick.

  “Time to sing Emma her song!” Lyla shouted cheerfully an hour and a half later as my mom came in with a pitch-black frosted cake with glittering icing that read ‘Happy 18th Birthday!’ Carter, Jason, and Brayden tried to out-sing the girls which made Reid want to one-up everyone by doing some weird interpretive dance during the song. I could feel my eyes watering with how hard I was laughing, and it was nearly impossible to blow out my candles, but I was able to get all of them out in one breath after getting a hold on the giggling.

  After stuffing ourselves full of cake, pizza, and what Nebraskans call puppy chow, Lyla demanded I open her present. Tearing open the coffee cup wrapping paper that made me laugh, I found myself gaping at her present.

  A giant basket of bath bombs and other spa type items.

  Including a gift certificate to a local spa.

  “I know how much of a girly girl you are. Besides, I figured we could go to the spa together,” she teased before moving the basket out of my lap so Zoey and Aubrey could bring me their gift which was a gift card to one of my favorite stores. There was a catch, the stipulation that we all go together because they wanted me to help them pick out cute clothes. I, of course, agreed immediately. Carter, Jason, and Brayden all went in to get me a gift card to the bookstore which made me smile.

  I might need a second bookshelf at this rate.

  “My turn!” Reid shouted as he placed a box in my lap that was wrapped in some of the shiniest wrapping paper I had ever seen. Tearing into it I was cautious as I opened the box in case Reid had something that would explode, like glitter.

  Because that’s exactly something he would do.

  When it didn’t blow up in my face, I was giddy. There was a beautiful maroon floppy hat and a matching lipstick from M.A.C. I gave him a tight squeeze, excited to wear them the next chance I got. Kingston’s present was a pretty, thick-knit scarf and a matching knit beanie hat with a little puff ball on top.

  “For your warm Cali self when the winter hits,” he teased, giving me a soothing rub on my back. The material of the yarn was fuzzy, soft, and really plush, and as much as I wasn’t looking forward to winter and snow, I was looking forward to wearing these. Jesse looked nervous as he bent down to me.

  “I’ll give you your present in a bit, okay?” he whispered softly, his honeyed tone flowing in tingly waves over the crest of my ear. I nodded and gave him a warm smile, but my curiosity was piqued.

  My friends and I spent the next hour hanging out until everyone star
ted heading out since it was getting close to dinner time. The only ones staying behind were Reid, Kingston, and Jesse. The latter pulled me into my room away from the others who were helping my mom clean up the trash and put away any leftovers.

  “Here you go, Em.” My breath caught when Jesse pulled out a small, velvet box. The soft exterior of the jewelry box brushed against the tips of my fingers as I took it from him. Inside the satin interior sat two square, pink tourmaline earrings. I could barely breathe as the faceted surface of the gems sparkled in the light of my room.

  “They’re beautiful,” I whispered, entranced by the stones. Pulling myself together, I took them out of the box and slipped them into my ears thankful that I had forgone earrings this morning. “Thank you, Jesse.” I tucked the box safely into my jewelry stand and turned to him.

  “I, uh”—he cleared this throat—“didn’t mean to, but that day you brought me home with you I saw your practice ACT score, and don’t take this the wrong way, please, but if you want help...” He trailed off looking extremely nervous. I pressed a finger to his lips as he opened them to try and explain again.

  “I would love your help, Jesse. I had been trying to work myself up to ask you since my counselor said you were the best tutor.” I gave him a soft smile as I told him.

  Exhaling sharply, the tension in his body melted away. “Once a week? Maybe on Wednesdays?” he offered against my fingertips. Pulling them away from his soft lips, I nodded and, without prompting, I wrapped my arms around his trim waist.

  “That’d be perfect, thank you,” I muttered into his shirt inhaling his mint and pine scent. He hugged me back, but soon enough my mom was calling for me out in the living room.

  “Yeah?” I came out of my room. The door hadn’t been shut, but I knew she wasn’t trying to eavesdrop which I appreciated.

  “The boys already know this, but for your birthday I figured you guys could have a sleepover out here in the living room area.” My brows shot up, my eyes widening. “No going into your room and shutting the door together. Or anywhere else for that matter, and if I find out you’ve been doing anything you shouldn’t…” I cut her off.

  “You’ll skin me, I know.” I chuckled launching myself at her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise we’ll be good.” She hugged me back before heading upstairs to get some work in, planning on going to bed early since she had a breakfast meeting with an out-of-town client.

  “I can’t believe you convinced her to let you stay the night,” I whispered, leaning into Reid and knowing he was the one who did it by his smug smile. I couldn’t help but giggle at my cute clown in a bear onesie even though I’d been looking at it for the last few hours. “You look so adorable.” I reached up and flicked his bear ear.

  “Good, because…” He paused dramatically to reach around me, and Kingston’s signature scent of cinnamon and orange surrounded me. “You get a onesie too!” Reid cheered holding up a black cat onesie between us. “Pajama party!” He did a little dance, melting my heart even more.

  “It can’t be a pajama party if only two of the party goers are in pajamas,” I teased. Taking the furry outfit, I turned and ran straight into Kingston’s chest. My gaze traveled up to land on his face. He was in a panda onesie. I bit my lip to keep from laughing, but when I saw Jesse in a bright orange fox onesie I couldn’t hold it in. “Oh, my god.”

  “Laugh it up, Em.” Jesse crossed his arms and shook his head at me. “I’m doing this for you, birthday girl.” I finally got control of my laughing, but the tears continued to spill down my cheeks at how cute they all looked.

  “I’ll be right back.” I practically skipped to my room with the pajama outfit clutched in my hands. Stripping out of my outfit, cat ear headband, clip-on cat tail, and bra, I tossed on a pair of shorts and a tight tank top before stepping into the kitty onesie. I quickly wiped the tears off my face, thankful that Stella had used waterproof makeup because the whiskers and the tiny triangle on the tip of my nose worked perfectly. The glint of pink in the mirror caught my attention under the black material. Pulling the hood back down, I admired the earrings Jesse had given me. Butterflies erupted in my chest and stomach as the presents from Reid and Kingston caught my eye from their place on my bed.

  They’re all so amazing.

  Tyler had never done sweet things like this for me. He never worried about me when I seemed upset unless it was at something he had done, and he certainly never bought me such thoughtful birthday presents. His usual go-to was demanding a hand-job or giving me a crappy makeout session.

  It was an odd sensation to feel that need, that wanting urge build within me whenever I was super close to one of them or when they brushed up against me. For a long time I thought something had been wrong with me since I never felt sexually attracted to anyone, but these three changed that. Even just thinking about them and what could possibly be hidden under those ridiculously adorable onesies had my breathing picking up.

  “Cali girl!” Reid called in a sing-songy voice on the other side of my door bringing my current thoughts to a screeching halt. Taking a deep breath, I mentally prepared to see the three of them after losing myself in thoughts of wandering hands and soft lips.

  “How’s it look?” I asked softly after coming out of my room, holding my hands up in a wave. I turned in a circle feeling the tail swinging from my lower back. All three of them lit up with smiles, and humor danced in their eyes. “Pajama party!” I randomly shouted before launching onto the couch as they all stood there. Reid recovered first, diving right at me in a playful tackle. “So, what’s the plan for our sleepover?”

  “Well,” Kingston started, turning toward the folding table that had been set up for food. Grabbing a chip out of one of the several bowls left out for us to eat, he picked up something I couldn’t see. “I figured we could do that hat thing I suggested earlier.” Reid and Jesse both appeared confused, neither having been told what Kingston and I had talked about. I grabbed a stack of printer paper out of the box within my desk as well as a few pens and handed a few out to each of them making sure to save a few for Kingston and myself. Kingston explained what we were going to do but didn’t tell them why, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want an argument or those negative emotions right now.

  I mean, heck, I’m already trying to keep my wandering mind away from dirty thoughts.

  We spent the next little while writing down our four questions, figuring it was a good number, before placing the torn and folded pieces of paper into the hat. I tried to keep it fairly ‘clean,’ but I couldn’t help but sneak in one question that was a bit more risque since it was anonymous. I was the second done, Kingston being the first since I’m pretty sure he’d been thinking of questions all day knowing we would have tonight to do this. Jesse tossed his papers into the hat, and surprisingly, Reid was the last to put in his collection. Kingston took the hat and shuffled and shook the questions until they were well mixed. Grabbing the first out, he unfolded it and read it out to the group.

  “What do you want to be when you grow up?” He smiled slightly as he looked at the paper. “Lawyer, obviously.”

  “I’m not sure,” Jesse responded. His answer surprised me at first because he was so good on the academics front, but then I realized he’d be able to pick whatever he wanted to do because he seemed to be good in everything.

  “Scientist,” Reid answered, surprising the crap out of me. I tilted my head at him not realizing he liked science that much, but I didn’t say anything as I tucked all of their answers into my memory.

  “Something within business or marketing,” I answered, “I’m not really sure what, specifically. Maybe owning a business or doing marketing like my mom.”

  “What are you most afraid of?” Jesse read quietly. We sat in silence, the TV playing at a low volume in the background as we thought of our answers.

  “Not being able to live life to its full potential,” Jesse answered softly. We had made the decision we would try to refrain from ask
ing questions about our answers and that we were definitely not allowed to judge each other.

  “Never mattering,” Reid added, “to someone or in life in general.”

  “Being unhappy,” I murmured, “in my career, or life, or relationship. Or being the cause of someone else being unhappy.”

  “Being a disappointment to the people who matter most,” Kingston rounded out the group. The sullen silence following our replies was stifling, so I reached for the hat to draw the next question quickly, unable to sit in the suffocating cloud we had created.

  “What do you think about before you fall asleep? Do you have something you do every day that helps you sleep? Technically that’s two, but I’m not too picky,” I added, finding myself smiling as I read the questions. It was sweet and more meaningful than almost everything I had asked. I answered before the others, their expressions thoughtful as they considered what their response would be. “Life, what it holds in the future, and I make little diary entries throughout the day but I don’t think they help me sleep.” That caught their attention and they all looked over at me.

  “You write in a diary?” Kingston asked curiously, but no judgement colored his question.

  “Not a traditional one, more like a digital diary. I save them to my phone and email them to myself at the end of each day when I lie in bed. They’re just a line or two with a couple of hashtags. I have a theme for each day of the week,” I added before realizing how ridiculous that probably sounded to them.

  “What are the themes?” Reid asked excitedly, slightly bouncing in his seat. I chuckled and hesitated, but his happy smile pushed me to tell him.

  “Motivation Monday, Ticked off Tuesday, Weirdness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Funny Friday, Stress-Free Saturday, and Sunday Funday,” I muttered quickly. They must have picked up on the fact I was getting embarrassed because Reid nodded while kicking Jesse in the shin to answer the question. Jesse glared at Reid, but ended up answering without any complaint on the fact his best friend just kicked him in the leg.