No reply. I prayed, wished, hoped she’d started the coffee. I needed to leave now and although my addiction was part of the problem, nothing else would get me through the next four hours. “Shit.”
The pot sat empty, the depressing sight almost making me cry. Almost. I poured a cold glass of water and surrendered to the fact my eyelids would feel like weights. My teacher bag saidMs. Askein bold letters, a gift my brother had bought me last year when I declared my major. I picked it up and mapped out the quickest way to walk there. It would take a good twenty minutes.
I locked the door, putting on my favorite playlist. Two-thousands R and B. Nothing was better. I would fight whoever thought differently. The most perfect wave of coffee hit my nose, and I sniffed the air. Maybe the neighbors had brewed some.
“Greta?”
Aaron sat at the end of the stairs, holding not one, but four cups of coffee in one of those cup holders. Bless his heart. He was my hero. “You brought me coffee? Please say I can have some.”
“I brought you coffee. Yeah.” He grinned sheepishly. “I’ve seen you order about ten different things. I never know what your actual favorite is.”
“It depends on my mood,” I whispered, but I had a tunnel vision thing going on. The dark, rich smell drew me in like a wizard. “I don’t know why you’re here right now. I don’t care. All I know is I could literally kiss you for bringing me coffee.”
He chuckled, pointing to the first one. “This one’s black. I think this is a latte or something. This is a chai tea and the last one is a gingerbread one.”
My hands wrapped around the latte and I took a large, full sip. “Fuck. This is perfect.”
He watched me drink my coffee, his gray eyes softening at me. “This is my way of saying thank you.”
“For what?” I managed to get out, but I went back for more. Coffee was the light and I was the moth.
“Talking to me last night. I had a hell of a day. I’m real sorry about falling asleep.” He cringed and ran his hand over his face. “Your voice calmed me. You started gabbing about all these things and I don’t know… I relaxed.”
“I’m glad my fifteen-year plan bored you.” I wasn’t mad. Not when he said things like that and brought me coffee. “I never got to mention how you fit into my plan.”
“Oh?” One eyebrow rose, his half-smile distracting me. “Am I there?”
“Obviously.” I bugged out my eyes. “You, along with Callie and Zade and the gang come over on weekends. And holidays. You’ll bring your hot Brazilian wife, a different one each year, and we’ll all reminisce about our crazy college days.”
“Interesting.” He fought a grin. “Now, how hot are my wives?”
“Smokin’ hot,” I joked. “Shit! I need to go. I’m going to have to run to make it on time.” I took a step toward the trail, but he caught my wrist in his large hand.
“I’ll take you. Hop in.” He dragged me to the car and opened the door. “It’s the least I can do. You helped me sleep and gave me hot wives.”
“I won’t turn down a ride. I’m tired as hell. Do you see these huge-ass bags under my eyes?” I pointed at them. “They’re worse than when I have a huge zit. A zit goes away. These will take days.”
He sighed, shutting the door and entering the other side. “I told you coffee is a drug. What made you drink it so late, anyway?”
“I figured I’m young and could handle it,” I replied, rather than say the truth. Then I changed my mind. It was Aaron. “No, I lied. My family. The money issues. I need to figure out how to make enough to pay for rent and tuition, apply for scholarships and student loans for next semester, all while convincing my parents to not give me a dime.”
“Ah, hell.” He grabbed my hand, holding it in his. The nerves in my belly danced the Macarena at his touch and I had no idea why. “I’m sorry, G. I can help you if you want.”
“We’ll see. My plan is to have a stern talking-to with myself and do it this afternoon. I have tonight off.” I twisted my hand away from his, but he tightened his grip. Interesting.
“What time are you done tutoring?”
“Noon. Why?”
He finally let go of my hand and signaled left into the school parking lot. He parked and twisted to me. His intense stare contrasted with his tan skin, but this time, his eyes looked warmer.Softer. Happier.“How about I pick you up at noon and we head to that used book store on campus? I know you love that place.”
“Um, hell yeah.” I clapped, but then tilted my head at him. “What’s in it for you? You hate reading.”
“I want to treat you. Let me, Gabs. Now get out. I have shit to do.” He grinned, motioning at the door with his head. “I’ll see you at noon.”
I had no choice but to accept the ride and wonder why he wanted to treat me. I wondered about the coffee and the ride the entire morning. Aaron had been known for doing random, nice things before. That wasn’t new. One time he’d bought Callie and me a cake for acing our finals.
Another time he’d stocked our fridge because he ate a lot of our food.
