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

by A. J. Macey

  “The next day.” Jesse’s somber tone successfully distracted me from the previous topic.

  Does this have to do with that time I found him on the side of the road all bruised and bloodied? I pushed the thought away, determined to follow the rules we set, but they didn’t stop me from glancing over at Reid and Kingston. Both caught my eye and if I didn’t know those two so well, I wouldn’t have noticed the minute grimace and averted eyes.

  So yes, that did have to do with his bruises.

  I ground my teeth and locked down the urge to demand answers from the three of them.

  “I daydream,” Kingston answered quietly, distracting me from the swirls of questions that danced on the tip of my tongue. “I love that logic and facts come with law, but sometimes I just like to imagine. I don’t have anything in particular that helps me sleep though.” My heart melted a little more at his answer, his soft tone engraving his answer deep within my chest and my raging emotions.

  “What matters most to me.” Reid gave a sly smile but didn’t give anything else away as to what that was as he grabbed the hat from my lap.

  “Best compliment you’ve ever received that isn’t from one of us.” He nodded as he read it, his tone respectful at the deep prompt.

  “This is some of the best work I’ve ever seen,” Jesse responded proudly. I assumed he was talking about classwork since he was one of the highest recommended tutors within the school.

  “You make me proud,” Kingston beamed. Remembering how his parents seemed to constantly be proud of Killian and him during the ‘Trunk or Treat’ event today, I figured he had to be thinking of his parents or someone else who meant something to him.

  “You light up a room.” Reid’s tone was wistful, his eyes unfocused on the far wall while the tiniest curl of his lip appeared. Shaking himself out of his memory, the boys looked at me, and I wracked my brain for what I could say. Wincing, I thought of one of the nicer things anyone, other than them, had said to me.

  “You look hot,” I whispered. All of the boys perked up at that looking at me with such intense gazes I wanted to be swallowed up by the couch. None of them questioned me though, remembering the boundaries we had set as Kingston pulled out the next question.

  “What do you wear to bed?” He chuckled as he read the question. I held back on my blush as best as I could before responding.

  “My flannel pajama sets”—I coughed trying to mask my second portion of my statement—“no bra.” The way they all focused on me made my cheeks heat even further.

  “Boxers,” Reid answered proudly.

  “Sweats and a t-shirt,” Jesse added, though his tone was normal to Reid’s blatant statement.

  “Nothing.” My brows shot up at Kingston’s answer. My blood pounded within me thinking about his tanned, lean body naked and tangled within the sheets of my bed. I prayed for Jesse to take the hat faster to curb my dirty thoughts as they ran rampant.

  “What’s something you’ve always wanted to try?” I forced, with great effort, the thought of a naked Kingston out of my mind and focused on the question.

  “Skydiving.” I smiled, pepping up. “I don’t really like heights.”

  “Flying,” Jesse shared quietly. At my curious gaze, he answered my unspoken question. “I’ve never been on a plane.”

  “Well”—I started, placing my hand reassuringly on his arm—“we’ll fly somewhere after graduation as a celebration.” He cocked a dark brow at me.

  “Oh, really?” he playfully challenged. I nodded flashing him a large smile that made him chuckle.

  “Diving in the ocean,” Reid answered before continuing. “We can fly somewhere on the ocean and go diving!” His tone was excited, and I could see the cogs within his mind moving as he planned silently.

  “I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.” Kingston looked at Reid who seemed to pick up on his subtle hint. I kept my mouth shut, but I knew exactly what they were doing.

  We were going to be flying to Hawaii after we graduated from high school.

  “If you could live anywhere, where would you pick?” Reid read after drawing a paper.

  “Where I could have my own practice,” Kingston responded quickly. I kept thinking of an answer as they others responded.

  “I really like it here, but I also like the east coast,” Reid supplied. “Don’t have a location, but more of where I could get a good job.”

  “I have no idea.” Jesse tilted his head in thought. “I don’t think I’ve ever really thought of it.”

  “I love California, but I don’t know if I would go back,” I murmured softly, admitting to something I hadn’t wanted to think about, but I wanted to be honest with them. “I’ve always loved places in Europe, but I don’t know if I would live there, so I guess I’m with Jesse.” The boys nodded in understanding as Kingston drew a question.

  “Have you ever told someone you loved them and didn’t mean it?” Silence reigned over the intense question.

  “Yes,” I whispered knowing they would understand that I hadn’t loved Tyler, not really.

  “No,” Kingston supplied, but didn’t add anything to it so I wasn’t sure if he meant he loved someone or if he had never said it to someone.

  “Yes,” Jesse added, “but not in a romantic way, more familial if that makes any sense.” I nodded in understanding as did the other two.

  “Well,” Reid started seeming to struggle with his answer. “All right, I did love them at the time, or at least I thought I did, but now I know I didn’t, so I guess yes?” His statement went up at the end making it more of a question, but I knew he was talking about Veronica. I tried to push the jealousy down at the answer, but it was hard.

  I mean, it was my question, so you’d think I would have been better prepared than this.

  “Perfect way to ask someone out.” Jesse chuckled at the question before answering. “I think just being upfront about it.” I nodded before putting forth my thoughts.

  “I mean, I’ll always appreciate the flowers or romance, but I think just being upfront in what you want is best. I have to be honest though, I love cheesy or sweet or silly ways to ask someone out,” I admitted looking to Kingston and Reid.

  “I’m pretty partial to the make them laugh and find you funny beforehand,” Reid joked, but didn’t answer anything else.

  “I don’t know if I really have an answer for this.” Kingston scratched his beard lightly. “I’ve never asked someone out on a date.” My brows shot up my forehead.

  Handsome, sweet Kingston hadn’t asked anyone out?

  Color me surprised.

  “How do you know when you’ve fallen for someone?” I felt my words go from reading at a normal volume to a whisper by the end of the question, my earlier thoughts flooding my mind. “I think you just know.” I shrugged wanting the answer out and away from me. “You care about them, you’re willing to work with them to get over hurdles and talk about problems, find yourself craving to be around them more.” A pregnant silence happened after my response before nods and agreements went up around the group.

  “Something you’ve always dreamed of.” Reid made a humming sound before asking, “Is that too similar to the something you’ve always wanted to try?” We agreed before moving on to the next question; Reid pulled out another paper. “Something on your bucket list, same thing.” He dug around for a third piece of paper. “Biggest deal breaker on a date?”

  “Being on your phone the whole time,” I added at the same time Reid answered with, “Someone who pays attention to everything except you.” We smirked at each other as the others chuckled at us.

  “I agree with those.” Kingston nodded thoughtfully. Jesse hummed an agreement and signaled Kingston to draw the next question.

  “Describe yourself in three words.” He tilted his head. “Laidback, friendly, loyal.”

  “Funny, loyal, caring.” Reid looked to Jesse and me, waiting for our answers.

  “Stubborn, reserved, loyal,” Jesse revealed. Then all thr
ee sets of eyes centered on me.

  “Caring, lost, loyal,” I murmured telling them the truth. I cared about them and my friends and my life, but I felt lost after everything that had shaken up my life at the beginning of September. Despite all that though, they had stuck by me, and I would do the same.

  “How far have you gone sexually?” I felt my face bloom in a wash of red as Jesse read the second to last question.

  “Fingering, hand-jobs,” I muttered in embarrassment.

  “All the way,” Reid said quietly, his almost faded tan blooming with pink. “Not exactly my best moment.” I rubbed his shoulder reassuringly while keeping my jealousy contained.

  “Same,” Jesse whispered dipping his head toward Reid. I was honestly surprised he had with how closed off he was, but Kingston’s answer surprised me the most.

  “Kiss.” He wasn’t ashamed or quiet in his answer. “I’ve never had a girlfriend. Never really wanted one.” I couldn’t help but smile at him. He was seriously the sweetest.

  “Biggest turn-on.” I groaned as I read the prompt. “I honestly have no idea. Like I said before, I’d never really wanted to do anything in Cali.”

  “But you have in Nebraska?” Reid teased, his hazel eyes sparking as he looked at me seemingly able to read everything I was trying to hide. I blushed realizing that’s exactly what I had implied.

  He’s not wrong.

  “I plead the fifth.” I tipped my chin up before zipping my lips closed.

  Hey, if they can do it to me, I can do it back.

  “Fine, spoilsport.” Reid chuckled. “Someone who I can be silly with, someone I’m comfortable around. Although, a nice laugh certainly helps.” I couldn’t tell if I imagined his glance over at me, but my skin started to tingle.

  “I like someone in my clothes,” Kingston added. “Seeing her in my shirt or sweatshirt.” Reid nodded adding that he liked that as well.

  “Nibbling my neck and ear.” Jesse rubbed his nose to try and cover up his words, but we heard him. Reid and Kingston looked at him in appreciation while I felt my skin erupt in flames. Thinking about doing that, feeling his warm skin under my lips, the beating of his heart pressing against my chest, all had me shifting on the couch to relieve some of the discomfort between my thighs. The embers in my body grew sharply to flames as my mind wandered to him or the others doing that same thing to me. I made sure to press my legs together discreetly.

  Holy crap. I felt a slickness rubbing against me from my underwear. Apparently, nibbling was a turn-on for me too.

  Who knew.

  The guys had started to talk, but I couldn’t focus on what they were saying; tingles and sensations seared through me as we transitioned from our game and on to the couch to watch a movie. Situating myself the way we had a couple weeks ago, I found myself unable to focus on the TV with all three of them touching me. I shoved the thoughts away and ended up drifting into a dreamless sleep still in their arms.

  14

  November 2nd

  Heard another funny joke- “I woke up this morning and forgot which side the sun rises from… then it dawned on me.”

  #AnotherTerribleJoke #YesILaughed #FunnyFriday

  The parking lot was filling quickly when I parked, and the chill in the air had me shivering. The weather was getting to the point I wasn’t used to, the app on my phone saying it was low 40s with a chilly breeze. I yanked down my hat and adjusted the scarf Kingston had gotten me for my birthday, my lips adorned with the lipstick courtesy of Reid, and to round out the group, Jesse’s earrings sparkled in my ears. Speaking of Jesse, I had picked him up this morning early enough for our first study session. It had gone well as we fueled up on caffeine over at Coffee Grounds.

  “Cold?” Jesse noticed my tightly wrapped arms holding my jacket closed. I nodded, shivering slightly. Without further exchange, he wrapped his arm over my shoulder in a very Reid fashion and pulled me into his heated torso, the warmth curbing my shivering. “Better?” I nodded gratefully soaking in the heat that radiated from his body.

  How on Earth is he so warm in just a t-shirt?

  We walked into school, and the eyes of my fellow classmates finally didn’t dart to me in harsh judgement. It only took almost three weeks, but I was glad I could walk through the student body without feeling every set of eyes on me. Reid greeted me with his usual smile as Kingston rubbed my back once Jesse’s arm fell away.

  “Good morning!” Reid cheered, pulling both Jesse and me into a tight hug, one of us in each arm. “The stupid bell is about to ring, isn’t it?” I started to chuckle, which made Reid laugh, and I heard Kingston chuckling as he stood right behind me. Finally, Jesse joined in, unable to not be sucked into the laughing fest. His laugh was just as honeyed as his words.

  “Yes, Reid.” I pressed my face into his soft t-shirt to try and stop laughing, but unfortunately it turned to butterflies and tingling at being wrapped up by my three boys.

  “Lame,” he huffed when the bell rang. “I’ll see you next period, babe. I’ll see you guys later.” Reid made a goofy kissy face at me before waving to Kingston and Jesse and splitting off toward his homeroom.

  “See you soon, baby doll.” Kingston’s hand rubbed against my lower back, nudging me into his tall body. I wrapped my arms around his trim torso and squeezed lightly before stepping back to stand next to Jesse. “See you at lunch.” He clapped Jesse on the back before following the crowd of people.

  “Come on”—I tugged on his sleeve—“I don’t want to be late.”

  “Hey, Emma.” Brayden nudged my arm. “How’s it going?” I swerved around the people going the opposite direction of us.

  “Not bad, have tonight off work. How’re you?” I felt my arm brushing against Jesse’s lightly, and a blush bloomed on my cheeks at the contact.

  “Pretty good. Going camping this weekend.” He gave me a quick rundown of his plans before eyeing us with an expression I couldn’t make out as he walked down the hall to his homeroom.

  I’ll have to deal with that set of rumors soon, I’m sure.

  Yup, knew it.

  “So,” Ashley started, but I cut her off, already tired of whatever questions they wanted to field my direction.

  “No, Jesse and I weren’t cuddling or making out in the hall or cafeteria.” I couldn’t keep my tone flat, the irritation blatant in my words. She smirked at me.

  “Are you and Reid dating? Because that’s what his ex-girlfriend told me.” She sat patiently waiting for my answer.

  This is going to come back to bite me.

  “Yes,” I huffed, unsure of what else to say since Reid had played it off that way. “We are. Which Veronica already knew when we told her almost two months ago.”

  “How does Reid feel about you walking in with Jesse’s arm around your shoulder or you hugging Kingston?” Right Twin questioned haughtily. I internally groaned, my fuse shortening until it was almost non-existent.

  “He doesn’t care because he isn’t jealous. Jesse and Kingston are our best friends; we’re not going to stay away from them just because we’re together,” I reasoned, my heart squeezing with the fact that I had to pick one of them, but this finally had me staring what I had been ignoring right in the face.

  I like all three of them.

  As in like like all three of them.

  I’m so screwed.

  As soon as the bell rang, I tried to keep myself from bolting out of the classroom in a frantic urge to make it to Reid. The hallways were crowded, and while it normally didn’t bother me with how long it took to get anywhere, today was different. I didn’t want Reid to be blindsided or upset with the entire school thinking we were together. My skin was flushed when I finally got to the classroom. Reid’s curly head was tilted down as he reviewed the information in front of him for the test we had coming up next week.

  “Reid,” I whispered sinking into my seat before I leaned into him. “Okay, so Ashley and the creepy carbon copy twins were pestering me today in nutrition asking about Jesse a
nd all that normal crap,” I rushed to explain, my words blurring together as they came tumbling out of my mouth. “Then they brought up Veronica and how she was talking about how we were dating, and they were asking me about that and so I told them that we were dating. I’m sorry, I probably should have talked to you first or something. I’m not sure if this will be weird or not…”

  “Woah, woah, woah. Hold up, Emma,” he whispered, pressing his fingers to my lips lightly, effectively silencing me. “All right, let me get this straight. Ashley has been talking to my ex about us?” I nodded, his fingers rocking against my lips at the movement. “You told them we were dating?” I nodded again feeling my chest tighten painfully. “I’m going to ask you some personal stuff, all right? Do you want to have a boyfriend?” My brows furrowed, but I couldn’t stop my head from answering yes. “Do you like me like that?” Again, I nodded. “You also like Kingston and Jesse, correct?” I closed my eyes unable to look at him as I dipped my head in agreement. He was silent for a moment, and my heart pounded deafeningly in my ears.

  This is it, he’s not going to want to be my friend anymore.

  “Emma.” At my name I opened my eyes; his hazel eyes were soft as he looked at me. “It’s okay. I’m not blind, I’ve known for a while.” He didn’t sound mad or upset, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t. Tyler had been the best at sounding normal when he really wanted to just blow up. It made it hard to trust if people’s tones were true.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered against his fingers that shifted to my cheek. His palm cupped my face, the years of lacrosse callouses a rough pressure against my skin.

  “You don’t have to be sorry.” He smiled at me, humor lighting up his eyes. “I like you too, by the way.” I blushed at his admission. “As do Kingston and Jesse.” My cheeks practically radiated heat as I felt the flush deepen.

  “So, where does that leave us?” I could hear the worry and fear wavering within my question.