Amongst our time

2: slimy claws

I no longer drive. I can't trust myself after having my first "flash" while driving and put myself in the hospital for a month and a half. thank God no body else was hurt and Liam was with Spence at the time but until then you will never see me behind a wheel again. so that being said, I am currently half jo-nning-ie. jonningie is something I made up as a mash up of jogging running and dieing. eh what can you say when you're afraid to go to sleep at night which leaves your mind to wander? Just like now 'what street am I even on? ... 16th.. 17th there!'

I stop and catch my breath while I wait for the walking signal. there it is just up ahead my little cafe 'the hunting rabbits' it's early on Monday morning about 8:45am now and something is off. it's deserted. like literally no one is here. even with school starting we have ALWAYS been busy.

the place is owned by Jessica and Bryce they have been there for me through everything. they're about the same age as my parents would've been. but being raised by your big brother since you were 10 Jess and Bryce have been amazing. they truly are the closest parents I have. the hunting rabbit is an odd name yes, but with Bryce's love for game meat and Jess' amazing recipes and the cozy homey vibe this place has been constantly a hit for the past 27 years. there was never a 'slow day' not once since I've been working a little over 5 years ago. so why now?

I walked through the employee door that was left open for me and even the cooks are standing around not even making anything. while Mariah our other server other then me is pacing biting her nails.

"who died?" I asked and she jumped apparently just now noticing me.

"oh. you're here. hi." she tries to compose herself but failing miserably.

"hi to you too. again, who died?" I asked again

she furrowed her eyebrows "no one died. but Jess asked me to send you in as soon as you got here. some people are here and it doesn't look good, I don't know why they'd ask you to join them. they're trying to take the cafe." she tells me biting her finger nail again.

"trying to take the cafe?!" I asked still trying to comprehend exactly what that meant. "where are they? I have a degree in business that's why."

"just go. you'll find them soon enou-"

shoving though the door when suddenly something crashed to the ground

"I TOLD YOU. YOU WILL WAIT YOUR PRISSY BITCHY ASS FOR MY FRIEND!" I heard Bryce yell and as i rounded the corner I heard a nasily voice say "there is no need to get yourself all flustered up mista Ruben we can talk about this like the adults we are!" she clapped her hands together. 'i already wanna slap her' i thought to myself just as i very familiar deep voice one that I never thought I'd ever hear again.

"Crystal, you decided to drop by no meeting set or anything and started making demands. the 'adult thing' would be respectful and politely wait for this friend as you ambushed them and they weren't prepared." he sounded so...broken. so emotionless. absolutely nothing...

"oh thank God she's here! this is Evermor she has a degree in business and the both of us completely trust her with our entire cafes future. now I believe we can have this 'discussion' you are so badly wanting ms. Monay. Ever hun, please join us!" Jessica said ushering me towards them but I could not move nor breathe as my focus was stuck on those honey golden eyes...

"Stop it! ahhh-!" I couldn't breathe and he kept groping my sides where I'm most ticklish. he'd do anything just to hear my laugh. most of our days were spent like this we could be anywhere have no plans no money nothing and hed make it always something memorable. he finally stopped so I could catch my breath while he hugged me and leaned his head to rest his forehead on mine.

"marry me." he suddenly said and I looked at him wondering if I heard him right. we were only 17. yes been together since 14 best friends since forever. I could never picture my life without him. so yes my answer is yes...except....

"your mother......"

"to hell with her. to hell with her superficial lifestyle and marrying into wealth! f**k her. I won't let her have a say. she will not come between us." he says with finality. "I want you. all of you and only you. marry me...please.."

"Ever dear are you alright?" Bryce snapped me out of my own head and I recomposed myself as best as I could hastily walked over to them.

"I am sorry I'm late" I said with the most sincere apologetic smile I could.

"oh worry not. Oh! was my little man excited about his first day?! did you get me pictures?!" Jess gushed in her usual Nana way and I felt my heart drop as I glanced at Logan who is still staring at me not uttering a word.

"it's quite the story trust me Spence would love to be the one to tell you. you'd be so proud of his maturity now that he has started school. now enough with that for now, shall we?" I ask taking a seat.

"oh yes this is Ms-" Bryce began but was cut off by nasal nose

"Crystal Monay its a pleasure and this is my fiance Lo-" this time I felt the need to cut her rude ass off

"Logan Dursk it has been quite some time." I also noticed how visibly uncomfortable he was being introduced as her fiance and the slight wince he did every time she spoke.

"hey.." he quietly said looking at me with so much emotion it hurt. our "meeting" took forever I couldn't help but notice how this whole thing is her doing. she's opening a high class restaurant down the road and since she's gonna take all our business she wants to buy the cafe as 'extra storage' or somethin'! Logan looked my the unimpressed with her idea of business. and knowing him he's probably tried to reason with her but gave up and is gonna let her 'make her own noose' so to speak. I also noticed how everything she spoke I had a professional legal counter response for her and everytime I did he had a smirk and the look in his eyes looking at me...happiness? no..pride.

"Ms. monay we can go on and on about this but I think it is pretty clear that you will not be getting your slimy claws on this cafe. I think we are done here. would you like me to show you the way out? or do you think you can manage" I asked as I stood up but right at that moment the doors bell rang and in came a certain hot pink hair bouncing my laughing boy on her hip.

"let's go find mommy! she's got to bes somewheres!" he giggle yelled.

"oh! dere she is!" he said and Spencer looked up.

"hey love! it was getting kinda late and you weren't answering your ph-" her eyes widen and she tightened her hold on Liam.

"-Logan" she says instantly pinning him with her eyes which he always squirmed under. no matter what he could never ignore her pinning eyes. even now and he awkwardly rocked on his feet.

"uh...hey Spencer." he gave her that sheepish lopsided smile that still gave me butterflies. Spencer handed Liam to me and turns back towards Logan with a look to kill yet only to smile and engulf him into a hug.

"you're still scared of little ol' me?!" she giggled but upon seeing Crystal who has her arms crossed and is fuming mad, Spencer asks "err...whose this?"

crystal scoffed. "I am the future owner of this cafe and I am also his fiance! and you are?" she says in her nasaly voice while Logan looked disgusted and rolled his eyes. yeah, I thought so..

"oh honey. it doesn't matter who I am. what does matter though is I've known him a hell of a lot longer then you obviously. and this little 'arrangement' his mommy made cause she can't seem to keep her nose out of her son's life and insists on him being miserable the rest of his life, just don't get too comfortable hun. because you have no idea how fate works." she smugly winked at Logan.

yet it went unnoticed and it seems he is completely unaware of the ongoing conversation between the two as his eyes are filled with so much emotion and locked on Liam who is animatedly telling me all about his first day at school. I tried my best not to notice him and keep my attention on Liam but my mind is everywhere yet no where if that was possible.

"that is it!" Crystal screeched cat hing everyone's attention again "let's go babe!" as the prissy brunette grabs Logan's arm and yanks him out of the cafe. he let her and seems to still stuck in a trance he looked at Liam and I with so much regret and pain I had to bite my lip and look away. when they were gone Spencer engulfed me into a hug as I didn't know I was crying until Liam wiped his little finger on my cheeks

"mommy why are you all leaky?" Liam whispered.

"its not important right now baby. lets go home now. I'm so sleepy." I faked a yawn and pinched his cheek. Liam just nodded and continued to scrutinize me.

Just before we left Jess grabbed my arm and hugged us both "things may not be at all what it seems. it'll work out love." oh if she only knew...

I smiled at her and we said our goodnights while the whole time Bryce just stood aside and silently watched everything. oh, lord only knows what's going on in that head of his.