Chapter Four
868 Words
Coffee You Didn't Ask For
REN
It's Saturday morning. I just finished my run and a workout. Sweat still drying on my skin. I grab two coffees from the shop around the corner and walk to Adam's house.
Nothing about being nice. Just feels like it.
I knock once. Then I open the door because of course it's not locked. These people act like crime doesn't exist.
"Coming!" Rue's voice echoes from upstairs. Footsteps pound down the stairs.
She rounds the corner in shorts and an oversized hoodie. Hair messy. Face bare. When she sees me, her whole expression drops into a frown.
"Don't you know how knocking works?" She crosses her arms. "You're supposed to wait for someone to answer. Not just walk in."
I walk past her. Head straight for the kitchen. "Do you know how locks work? Because if the door was locked, no one would just walk in. Bean sprout."
"Bean stalk." She follows me. "What do you want?"
She hasn't forgotten the damn nickname. Of course not.
I make myself comfortable at the dining table. Set the two cups down. Lean back in the chair.
She ignores me. Starts making toast. Butter knife clinks against the counter.
"Why do you have two coffees?" She doesn't look at me when she asks.
"None of your business." I watch her hands. "Yours isn't missing."
She glances at the cups. Then at me. Then back at the toast. I know she's practically addicted to coffee. I know she wants one. But I won't give it to her. Not yet.
"You're jobless," she says, buttering aggressively. "Coming to people's homes so early."
"Ten AM is not early." I stretch my legs out. "But you wouldn't know that. You're the jobless one who sleeps in." I pause. "Tulip."
Her head snaps toward me. "Ass."
The front door opens. Adam walks in, yawning, rubbing his eyes.
He looks at me. Then at Rue. Then at the two coffees.
Rue's eyes keep darting to the cups. She wants one so bad. It's almost funny.
"Stop eyeing my drink," I say. "Eat your toast."
Adam reaches for one of the cups. Takes it. Drinks.
I let him.
The initial plan was to give it to her.
But she's standing there with her arms crossed, glaring at me like I'm the devil. And Adam is talking now—something about med school paperwork, something about needing to pack. She ignores him completely. Keeps looking at the remaining coffee cup on the table.
She won't ask. She's too proud.
So, I changed my mind on that.
RUE
I have nothing to say to Adam. Not after yesterday. But he's leaving tomorrow, so I need to not be difficult.
I give up on the coffee. Turn to face my brother. "Do you need help?"
Adam blinks at me. Bewildered. Like I just asked him to solve a math problem in a different language.
Behind me, I can hear Ren's brow arch upward. I don't need to see it. I just know.
"Actually," Adam says slowly, "I'm almost done. Just finishing."
"That's nice."
I grab my phone and text Maisie.
Me: Hurry up with it
Her reply comes fast.
Maisie: You sure? I might have poisoned it for all you know. You can't send the enemy to get a cake for her enemy.
I roll my eyes and type back.
Me: Of course. And you still didn't decline when I asked.
Maisie: Open the door. Me and Amanda are outside.
I head for the front door. I feel Ren's attention leave his phone. Feel it follow me across the room.
Adam calls out, "You heading out?"
"Umm."
I open the door. Maisie walks in carrying a cake box. She drops it on the table like she owns the place.
Amanda follows. "Hey, everyone."
Maisie looks at Ren. "Hi, Ren." Then she looks right past Adam. Ignores him completely.
Typical.
Adam stares at the cake box. "What's this for?"
I cross my arms. "My farewell gift to you. I know how much you love chocolate cake."
He thanks me. Then he squints. "How do I know I won't die if I eat it? Especially after yesterday." He glances at Maisie. "Plus the fact that Fire Head delivered it."
I point at the cake. "Eat the damn cake. If I wanted to kill you, the vase wouldn't have missed yesterday."
Silence.
Then a sound.
Small. Low. Almost hidden.
A laugh.
From where Ren sits.
I turn to look at him. He's not smiling. His face is still cold. But I heard it. I know I heard it.
He nods at the coffee cup on the table. The one that's still full. "Take it. Before it gets cold."
Oh.
I'm shocked.
I pick up the cup. Wrap my hands around the warmth. "Thanks."
He gets up. Pushes the chair in. "Enjoy your cake, Adam. I'm heading to the office."
Office?
Where...?
Before I can ask, he's gone. The front door closes softly behind him.
And just like that, Maisie is already cutting herself a slice of cake.
"Maisie!" I yell.
She doesn't stop. Just lifts the slice onto a napkin. "What? It's my payment.”
- Writer
