Oh my god, is she checking her out?
Gabby asks us if we have any previous experience and I panic a little on the inside. Not only do I not have any experience as a barista, but I’ve never even had a job before. How could I when my father hovered over my every move? But seriously, how hardcould it be to make several cups of coffee throughout the day? I make my own coffee all the time.
Kaitlin pops off about her previous experience serving at a diner, and I watch as Gabby takes it all in. Not just what she’s saying, but she’s been checking her out this entire time and I’m convinced Gabby might have a thing for Kaitlin. I mean, I don’t blame her. Kaitlin is gorgeous.
Half Black, half Hawaiian, with the most luscious bleached blonde curls that bounce when she laughs, and a beaming white smile. Her teeth aren’t perfectly straight, but it’s something that makes her smile so unique. If she notices Gabby flirting with her, she doesn’t act on it. She stays totally professional the entire time.
“What about you? Madelyn, right? Do you have any previous experience?”
“Um, well, no, not really. But I work hard and I pick up on things pretty fast, so I’ll be an easy trainee if you’ll give me a chance.” I give her a sweet yet confident smile in hopes I can win her over, and all I get in return is a lift of her brow. If I can’t get a job here, I’ll just keep trying elsewhere. It’s not a big deal.
“I don’t normally hire anyone on the spot. Fortunately for you guys, we’re pretty short staffed right now, and I was planning on taking in applications this weekend, anyway. Just give me your class schedules and your numbers and I’ll work you into the schedule for next week and give you guys a call. Sound good?”
Kaitlin beams in excitement and I look at her in shock, smiling at the idea that I just got my first job working with my best friend. I’ll finally have money to buy myself anything I need without having to ask my aunt for help. I know she doesn’t mind helping me, but I love the idea of finally having a taste of freedom and doing something on my own.
We give Gabby our numbers, thanking her for giving us both a job and ordering ourselves some drinks before we leave. I don’t have the money to spend on coffee, but I feel weird coming in here asking for a job and leaving without buying anything. Soon I won’t have to worry about money anymore and I smile at the thought. I can’t believe I actually have a job now.
I pull out my phone and shoot Miles a text telling him the good news. I don’t know why I’m so eager to tell him, and I get butterflies when I see he texts me back a few seconds later.
Miles: Congrats baby! They better not steal all your time away from me.
My stomach is full of butterflies at his response. I feel my cheeks flush at his confession of wanting to spend all his time with me, but I feel guilty when I realize how serious things are getting with Miles. Even if I could allow myself an ounce of relief and try to have a normal life, I can’t drag him down with my past.
“Hey, I’m going to use the restroom really quickly before we leave,” I tell Kaitlin and she gives me a smile and nods her head.
I walk into the restroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I look nothing like I did a few months ago. My cheeks are hollowed out from eating less and my eyes have small bags under them from the lack of sleep I've been getting.
Despite all of that, I can still see the glow in my skin and the way my eyes have brightened from all the happiness I’ve experienced since spending time with Miles.
I can’t keep thinking like this. I turn the sink on and splash cold water on my face to try and relieve myself of the stress and confusion I’m feeling. How would I even begin to explain that I murdered my father and fled the state to start a new life? That my body and mind were a prison where he held the key. Hecouldn’t possibly understand. Even if he could, would he even waste his time on someone with so much baggage?
I take a few deep breaths and collect myself before heading back out to Kaitlin. I pause in the restroom’s doorway when I see it. The air in my lungs leaves me and I feel my gut wrenching deeply in the pit of my stomach at the sight of the classic blue and black pinstripe Camaro sitting across the street from the coffee shop.
13.Madelyn
I can’t breathe.
The bathroom walls feel like they’re closing in around me, the fluorescent lights buzzing loud enough to make my head pound. I grip the edge of the sink until my knuckles ache, forcing myself to look at my reflection.
The memory of what I’ve done continues to haunt me and I can’t fucking escape it. It doesn’t matter how far I run or how much I try to convince myself that it’s over. It’s always there, waiting in the back of my mind, reminding me of the thing I can never take back.
I can’t keep living like this. Constantly looking over my shoulder. Constantly waiting for the moment my father appears again. The man I watched die. The man IthoughtI killed. Except he isn’t dead. And if he’s really alive…what’s stopping him from finishing what he started?
“Excuse me.” The voice pulls me from my thoughts.
I blink, realizing I’m still standing directly in front of the restroom entrance, blocking the way. A woman is standing there with her young child, giving me a confused look as she tries to get around me.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry,” I rush out, stepping aside.
My cheeks burn with embarrassment as she ushers her child into the bathroom, but before I can move, I feel someone watching me.
Glancing up, I spot Kaitlin. She’s standing a few feet away, her brows drawn together as she studies me.
“Maddie?”
I don’t answer. Because the one thing that had me in the bathroom in the first place catches my eye through the window and my heart stops once more.
Without thinking, I shove open the door of the coffee shop and run outside.
