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It was late. The sky was long past dark as Jake made his way home. He’d had a hell of a day. Being a metaphorical punching bag for his father and then knowing his boss was watching his every move had Jake on edge. He didn’t know what he needed, but if he didn’t figure it out soon enough, he’d be seeing the bottom of a bottle of whatever liquor he had on hand and paying homage to the porcelain god soon after.
He thumbed his phone, tossing up who to call. His mates from school all knew his father. They knew what he was like, they knew how deep his words cut, but Jake couldn’t face them. He didn’t want their pity or their boisterous advice on how to escape his clutches. He needed something more. Something he could get lost in. Someone he could escape into.
Cassidy.
Before he could second-guess his decision, he dialled her number. “Sorry, I need to take this,” she uttered before a rustle sounded, a door closed, and there was a hush. “Jacob, hi.”
“Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I can call you later or some other time.” His voice sounded hollow even to his own ears. Beaten down.
“Are you okay? You’re… quiet.” Concern laced her tone, and Jake shook his head before blowing out a breath.
“Yeah. No. Kind of. I just kind of wanted to see you.”
“I’m at my parents’ place, but I’ve got a few minutes to talk.” The mention of family twisted the arrows his father left buried in him, and Jake sucked in a breath. But the rest of her words sunk in, and Jake smiled. Lending an ear, giving him time was the nicest thing she’d ever said to him. Determination filled him. He knew she was worth the wait. “Rough day?”
“Yeah.” He exhaled. Just hearing her voice raised his spirits. She made him lighter, buoyed him, allowing him to fight against the current dragging him down. Thinking about her made him smile. “Some parts were better than others, though. I tried out a new coffee place. Grounds on George Street. Have you been there?”
“No.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “Was the coffee good?”
“It was terrible.” He huffed out an embarrassed laugh. “I didn’t get what I usually drank and ended up with a horrible concoction with far too much sugar and milk.”
“So, not a recommendation then?” she asked, hesitating.
“No, you should.” Jake nodded, a flush crawling up his throat to his face. “Look for Phoenix at the counter. He, um, might be the reason why I couldn’t string together enough words to actually ask for what I wanted.”
Cassidy laughed, and a husky “Mmm” followed. “Phoenix, hey? And what should I ask him for?”
“His number.” Jake coughed, not actually intending to blurt that out. “And maybe an espresso, or whatever you drink.”
“I prefer a latte with a phone number.”
Jake groaned and shuddered at the memory of the sweet milky clash of flavours.
“So, what happened?”
“I got… tongue-tied. He was beautiful, Cass. I opened my mouth and nothing came out. Then when I tried speaking again, I ordered what the last bloke had. I don’t know what he was on, but he had some sweet drink from hell that was so on the nose the whole shop rolled their eyes at me. I couldn’t even swallow it. It was awful.” The line was quiet for a moment before Jake heard a snort. “Are you laughing at me?” He tried to feign offence, but it was hard not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it, even though he’d ruined any possibility that he’d ever walk back into the shop.
“I’m sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry at all as she giggled.
“I can’t go back there! He’ll think I’m some psycho who likes their coffee… ruined.” Cassidy laughed harder, and he heard rustling on the phone again before a murmur.
“He was that hot that you couldn’t even speak?”
“Yes.” Jake groaned, looking up to the darkened sky. He couldn’t see the stars with all the light surrounding him. He wanted to see them.
“Maybe I’ll swing by there,” she teased, still giggling.
“Cass, I know we’re not together, but I’d like to be. If he makes you happy…” Jake’s comment was quiet. Far too serious for the conversation that they’d just had, but he needed to get the words out. He needed her to know what he wanted—that he wanted her to explore what made her happy. If he could be a part of that, he’d jump at the chance. If not, he’d be happy for her.
She didn’t respond for a long time, so much so that he checked they were still connected. “Thank you,” she whispered. “No one has ever reacted the way you have. They always tell me that they want me to change, but you’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am.” He nodded and smiled. Jake didn’t want to limit her. He didn’t want to change who she was. He just wanted to share her passion and her fire.
More voices sounded in the background. “I’m sorry, Jacob. I need to go. Can I see you soon?”
“I’d like that.”
Five
