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

by A. J. Macey

  “Putting on a show, Em?” he teased quietly as we sank into our seats. I couldn’t help but chuckle because that’s exactly what I had been doing. Eyes continued to drift in our direction at our soft conversation mainly because Jesse and I hadn’t talked in homeroom even after we waved our tender white flag a few weeks ago. “I’ll see you in chem.” He gave me a soft kiss on my cheek before heading to his first class. I floated on cloud nine all the way to history.

  He kissed me.

  Jesse. Brooding and stubborn Jesse.

  Cue the internal girly squealing.

  “Hey, babe.” Reid sank into his seat next to me with a kiss dropped on the top of my head as he did. He narrowed his eyes on me when he looked at me, leaning in close to me as he examined the expression on my face. “Someone looks happy.” He gave me a cocky smirk. “Jesse kissed you, didn’t he?”

  “On the cheek.” I jutted my chin out proudly. “So…” I stuck my tongue out maturely. He leaned into my ear to whisper.

  “Be careful with that tongue, Cali girl. I might not tease so nicely.” I flushed at his heated words as I discreetly squeezed my thighs together at the building heat between my legs.

  “What would you do?” I found myself whispering back, my cheek brushing against the scruff on his jaw when I angled my face toward his ear.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he taunted as he pulled back with a smirk. I huffed but couldn’t hold back my giggle. Mr. Fergusen started class before we could continue our conversation, but I felt Reid’s thigh pressing up against mine under the desk warming my body and sending a wave of tingles over my skin. Reid walked with me under his arm to my next class where Kingston was waiting for us at the door.

  “Hi, Kingston.” I felt myself blushing as he directed me into the classroom, my skin practically burning under his touch with the amount of attention I was putting into his hand against my back.

  “How’s my baby doll?” he asked, sinking into his chair. I couldn’t stop the giddy giggle that bubbled out of me. “That was adorable.”

  “Oh, shut up.” I rolled my eyes. My face was bright red, but not because of embarrassment. “I can’t help it, you’re too sweet.” He beamed at me, his fingers brushing against my thigh under the desk until class started. After class was over, Kingston walked me to nutrition. I mentally prepared for the onslaught of questions I was about to get from the school gossips. Steeling myself, I pressed a quick kiss to Kingston’s beard covered jaw before heading into the classroom.

  “I thought you were dating Reid?” Left Twin questioned with a brow raised, her shrewd gaze was locked on my face as I walked to my desk.

  “I am,” I answered while pulling all my materials out of my bag.

  “So, why were you kissing Kingston?” Right Twin took over for her sister in the ‘interrogate Emma’ questions.

  “I’m dating him too.” I ignored the silence that followed my statement as I flipped to the right page in my notebook.

  “What about Jesse? Rumor has it you were holding hands and kissing this morning,” Ashley finally chimed in, but for once her voice was hesitant and confused. Looking at her, I smiled making sure to keep it friendly despite wanting to throw something at her.

  “Yup, him too.” I couldn’t help the slight smug tone that laced my words. Her mouth opened as her brows furrowed in confusion, but I cut her off. “Yes, I am dating all three of them, and yes, they all know. We made the decision together, but last I checked, our personal lives aren’t any of your business.” I couldn’t help the harsh note my statement ended on. I may have come in ready for the interrogation, but that didn’t mean I was all right with their incessant prying.

  “Seriously?” That was all she said; her one question made her unspoken question clear—you’re not pranking me?

  “Yeah, seriously. Any other questions before you go tell the entire school?” I cocked a brow. She reeled back, surprised by my directness, but she shook her head, turned around, and left me alone for the rest of class. Despite the gossips having just left with ‘their scoop’ to dish out, I felt eyes wandering toward me as I made my way back up to my homeroom classroom for civics. Brayden was just as much of a gossip as Ashley and the twins. I held my head high as I walked into class. What I had told my boys was true, I wasn’t ashamed of them, and I wouldn’t cower because of it.

  “The school gossips officially know”—I smiled over at Reid—“so, everyone else should know by the end of the day.”

  “You just straight out told them, didn’t you?” He chuckled and grabbed my hand so he could intertwine our fingers. I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

  They knew me so well.

  “If they were going to talk about it, I’d rather have them spread the truth.” I shrugged, tingles spreading as he rubbed circles on the back of my hand. “Does that bother you?” I realized while we talked about it not being secret, I might have been a bit too quick for their liking.

  “Of course not, Cali girl.” He gave me a heart melting smile. “I’m not ashamed of us. I don’t give a shit who knows about us. We aren’t hurting anyone.”

  “Good.” I leaned forward. Reid seemed to read my mind because he met me halfway for a quick kiss. Someone in the back of the room whooped and clapped at us making me laugh as a blush rushed to my cheeks.

  Good thing I didn’t put on blush today.

  The smell of coffee was soothing as I changed into my work shirt. I had picked up an extra shift when Rick had called this weekend saying there was an event going on at the business next door and we would be busy later in the evening. My mood was brighter today than it had been in a long time despite all of the rumors going around about me and the boys. Lyla was manning the front, her red hair freshly cut in her stylish long bob and straight across bangs. Rick was, as per usual, trapped under a mound of paperwork he was filing for last month after finishing his input into the computer system. I hopped right on in taking and filling orders, the flow of work comforting.

  “Emma.” Rick poked his head out of the hallway door a few hours later when the after school rush was finished. “You want to come help me in the back storage room? Just got a new shipment in today that needs to be put away.” I nodded before heading back. His red hair was bright under the fluorescent lighting of the stock room. Shelves lined all three walls, the wall that the door was propped open against held several large cardboard shipping boxes stacked together.

  “All right, so just open the box and put it on the shelf?” I asked looking to Rick who had just grabbed the box cutter off the wall hook. “I’m assuming pulling the older stuff forward so it gets used first?” He nodded with a happy smile.

  “Perfect, this is just cups, sleeves, and lids and then two boxes of syrups. We got beans delivered yesterday,” he explained cutting open the first box. We spent the next little while working our way through the supplies until we were left with flattened cardboard boxes to go out in the recycling. “I’ll take one side of the stack if you want to take the other.” Rick pointed to the half he wanted me to lift. Together we walked the thick pile out to the bin.

  “That all?” I asked him as we stepped back into the employee area. I felt comfortable around Rick having worked with him for a while, but not as comfortable as Lyla since she and I talked constantly even when we weren’t working. Rick was a good boss, fair in his expectations, and he never yelled if one of us messed up, only explaining what needed to be done to fix it as he helped us.

  “Yup”—he nodded looking around the hall—“if you want to go take your fifteen minute break, I’ll go let Lyla know.” I nodded and headed to the break room. I had just sent a message to the boys when my phone started to ring. Without looking, I answered the call expecting Reid or Kingston.

  “Hey.” I smiled, but as soon as the other person started speaking it turned down into a frown.

  “Hey, Emma.” Tyler’s voice surprised me as I pulled the phone back to look at the number. It was indeed his, but I had deleted the contact aft
er finally telling him to stop calling and texting me. “How’s everything going in Nebraska?”

  “It’s good,” I answered hesitantly. “Why are you calling me, Tyler?”

  “I just missed talking to you. I figured we could talk for a bit, you know, like old times,” he explained. His tone was respectful and polite, but it still threw me off.

  “I only have a tiny bit before I have to go back to work,” I lied knowing I still had almost the full fifteen minutes.

  “Where are you working now?”

  I felt my brows furrow. Why does it matter?

  “Local coffee shop.” I kept my answer short.

  “So…” He hesitated and I braced myself knowing the entire reason he was calling was about to be revealed. “You seeing anyone?”

  Nosy jerk.

  “Yes, actually, I am,” I answered brusquely.

  “Emma, I miss you. Would you consider giving me another chance?” he pleaded. “Please?”

  “No, Tyler.” I rubbed my forehead feeling a headache coming on. “I’m not getting back together with you. If you decide you can settle for being friends, and friends only, I will consider that, but we’re not getting back together. I’m happy with my boyfriends.” My phone beeped telling me there was another call, and without looking I said goodbye to Tyler, despite his protests.

  “Hey, sweetie.” Now it was my dad’s voice on the other end surprising me. This was the first time I had talked to him in two months that wasn’t through a couple very short texts. “How’s everything going? I’m sorry I haven’t called recently, we’re working on expanding the vineyard to include a brewery, and we’ve been traveling like crazy to plan for that.”

  “It’s surprisingly not bad. I’m on break at the coffee shop I work at.” I felt my throat close up in the wave of emotions that flooded me, my eyes prickling with the build of tears. “When is the addition supposed to be done?”

  “Spring next year is when we’re going to be opening.” There were several hollers in the background that I didn’t recognize calling for my dad’s attention. “I’m sorry, Emma. I have to go. I’ll call you soon, love you.”

  “Love you too,” I whispered before hearing the click of the line, my heart cracking painfully in my chest. I might not miss much about California, but I missed my dad.

  Even though it seemed he was too busy for me.

  When technology could put us in contact at a moment’s notice.

  Heck, I still didn’t even know why my parents had gotten divorced.

  I went back to work drowning in wave after wave of loneliness while a cracked heart stuttered painfully in my chest. With those bearing down on me, I made my way home after my shift had ended. I came home, unsurprisingly, to my mom still out working. I found myself curled in bed surrounded by the sound of my tears. The only consolation in the hollow walls of my house were the warm texts my boys sent me.

  At least I’m not completely alone.

  16

  November 14th

  I’ve proceeded to have 3 sit down dinners at the table with my mom since we’ve moved… What happened to my mom from Cali?

  #IMissMyMom #WeirdnessWednesday

  “Morning,” I murmured to Jesse who had just sank into the car. Pulling away from his house, I made sure he buckled his seatbelt. The house I picked him up in front of was run down and small. It couldn’t be bigger than two bedrooms, if that. One of the windows was boarded up, and the yard was full of junk. Both times I had picked him up, Jesse practically ran to the car and slid in urging me to drive as soon as he had closed the door.

  “Morning, Em.” Jesse’s hand came over the console to gently rub against my jean-covered thigh. The drive to Coffee Grounds was quiet but not uncomfortable, and his fingers traced a figure eight on top of my leg until I was parked. Our silence continued as we walked into the shop, my hand nestled in his tightly as we dropped our bags at one of the two person tables.

  “What do you want, babe?” I asked quietly leaning over Jesse’s shoulder. My arms slid around his toned chest, and he gripped them lightly hugging them to himself before giving me his order. His dark eyes focused on my face next to his when he looked over.

  My heart stuttered to a stop when he closed the tiny distance between us, and smooth lips tasting of mint met mine. The kiss lasted for only a moment, but seemed to go on forever. Jesse felt perfect wrapped up in my arms with his soft lips against mine. I felt my blood start to flood with an unknown fire, an ember sparking between my legs. Pulling back, I squeezed once before letting go and stepping up to the counter where Lyla was giving me a huge smile and thumbs up. My face flushed as I realized we had just kissed in front of everyone within the shop, my body burning in a room full of strangers.

  “Oh, girl”—she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling—“please tell me you two are dating.” I blushed, leaning in to close the distance between us.

  “I’m dating all three of them,” I whispered, and her face paused in stunned silence before she started hopping up and down excitedly. Her uncontrolled squeal caught the attention of the couple customers within the store, but she didn’t seem to care.

  “I knew you’d end up with them.” She grabbed ahold of my arm closest to her and shook it encouragingly. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled pulling back to stand properly. Once she calmed, I gave her our orders. As soon as they were finished, I sank back into my seat across from Jesse who had arranged our materials. “Here you go.” I handed him is small black coffee, his fingers brushing against mine making me tingle again.

  “Thanks, Em.” His smile was dazzling enough that I felt my brain fizzle out of commission, so when he kept talking I didn’t understand a word he said. “Where do you want to start?”

  “Hm?” I hummed, mentally shaking myself in an attempt to focus. “What?”

  “Emma,” he huffed, but his smile contradicted his stern tone. “Focus. What do you want to start with? I was thinking we could work the first section and continue down the line from there.” I nodded flipping to the proper part of the study booklet. After about twenty minutes of studying, a familiar face I absolutely did not want to see stepped through the shop’s door.

  Mr. Derosa.

  He ordered quickly, his tone harsh and short as he stared down Lyla who worked as quickly as she could on the other side of the counter. My heart rate picked up when he turned to scan the shop. Feeling his eyes on me, I kept my head turned down looking at my work page without actually seeing any of it.

  “Miss Clark,” he practically sneered my name as he walked up to us. “Mr. Parker.” He definitely sneered Jesse’s name which made Jesse clutch his pen tightly within his grasp.

  “Mr. Derosa,” I responded coolly. Nerves worked their way through my body as my stomach clenched painfully. My hand shifted, reaching for Jesse’s under the table. My resolve steeled as I felt his tender squeeze.

  “What are you two doing?” Mr. Derosa demanded.

  It is way too early for this.

  “Studying.” I waved to the paper, my tone making it sound like it should have been obvious.

  Which it was.

  “Hm.” His judgmental hum was cut off by Lyla calling out his order saving us from any further confrontation. When he walked away to grab his drink, Jesse squeezed my hand once more before letting go. Unfortunately, Mr. Derose caught the motion, and a smug smirk curled his lips. A sense of dread washed over me. I glanced at Jesse whose thinned out lips indicated he saw the facial expression.

  “Come on, Em.” He tried to give me an encouraging smile, one that looked more like a grimace than a smile. “Let’s get back to work.”

  The day was almost over, and I was swapping out my books for the ones I needed for homework before my last class so I could immediately leave after dance. Jesse had just left to go to his class, which was AP calculus, when three sets of feet entered my vision; my eyes were angled toward the floor as I double checked my backpack. Looking up, I found Ashley an
d the twins staring at me.

  “Can I help you?” I snapped when they didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to be late to my last class and I still had to change into my dance outfit. “I’m kind of in a hurry.”

  “What really happened that night at the party? With Brad,” Ashley straight up asked, her tone hesitant. “I know we don’t get along, but you haven’t tried to hide or lie to me about what’s been going on, and there’s a lot of rumors going around about it still.”

  “I had gone upstairs to go to the bathroom since the main level one was occupied. He had tried to corner me the night before at the haunted house place he worked at, so when I saw him on the other side of the door, I tried to get away from him by going around. He blocked me in and then kissed me without permission,” I ground out. I explained the rest of what happened as briefly as I could; the memory of the feeling of Brad’s lips and hands on me made my skin crawl. “If you could spread around the truth of what happened, I’d be very grateful.”

  “You got it.” She nodded, for once looking sincere. The three turned and walked away without further questions or banter. They might be the school gossips and struggle with asking things nicely, but I came to the realization they weren’t so bad.

  Maybe they could get the rest of the students to believe the truth.

  I’m not going to hold my breath though.

  “Are you kidding me?” I muttered to myself looking through the cabinets and refrigerator.

  Nothing.

  All empty except for some moldy bread and curdled milk.

  Can I just say ew?

  I checked the cash I had in my purse. I was saving all of my paychecks except for the cost of gas, so I had some to spare for food. Sighing, I grabbed the list I had left my mom four days before and tossed it into my purse as I headed out the door. The local grocery store was only a five minute drive from my house and the lot was fairly empty since most people were still at work. I grabbed a cart and started walking down the aisles being sure to grab only what we needed because I only had fifty dollars with me.