Page 2 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 2

Jamie was once again lost in thought and jumped when he heard Max.

“Hey, Jamie.”

Jamie gave a rueful smile. “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“Anywhere good?”

Jamie shook his head. “Somewhere impossible.”

Max stared at him for a moment. “Jamie, is everything alright?”

Jamie sighed.

“How about you make us both coffees, and you come and sit with me, and we can chat,” he suggested.

Jamie shook his head again. “We’re not supposed to do that.”

Max snorted. “Like I care. We’re not busy.”

“Okay,” and with that, Jamie made them both drinks and brought them to the table where Max now sat.

“So, what’s up?” Max prodded gently.

“My landlord has decided to sell the house me and the others are renting. They have all found different places to live, mostly with their partners, but I can’t find anything I can afford. I have to leave town and move back home.” Jamie wrapped his hands around his mug, his shoulders slumping.

“I take it by the way you said that, that’s the last thing you want to do.”

“I would rather stick pins in my eyes. My dad is abusive, and my mum drinks to block everything out. I was hoping I’d have enough money to get my younger brother and sister away from them, but I don’t make much working here; it all goes on rent and bills.”

“Does your father abuse your siblings?” Max asked with concern.

“They say just verbally, which is bad enough. I literally have no idea what I’m going to do. I need to help them, but I’m also not strong enough to take my father on. He’s large and mean, me not so much.”

“Did you tell any of this to Ivan?” Max asked, sipping his drink.

Jamie shook his head again. “How could I? I’ve only just met him? Mind you, he does have that, stand in my way, and I’ll kill you vibe.”

Max grinned. “He does, as do some of the others that have been in recently.”

“You’re talking about Dave’s new boyfriend?”

Max nodded.

“Don’t laugh, but more than once I’ve pictured him and Ivan turning into vampires or shifters and helping me rescue my siblings,” Jamie told him with a grin.

“That would be scary,” Max said softly.

“Only for someone who stood in their way. Can you imagine if vampires were real? Or even the shifters I’ve read about. How cool would that be to turn into an animal, or be friends with one?”

“It’s a strange world.”

“It would be a super cool world. When is Dave back?”

Max laughed at the quick topic change. “He’s not coming back; he handed in his notice. Just as I have.”

Jamie gasped. “You’re both leaving?”