Black Tide

Chapter Fourteen:: Conversations Over Waffles

The sunlight filtered through the blinds of Kaine’s bedroom, casting lines across the walls. He stirred, pulling himself out of a dream that lingered in his mind longer than it should have. Jalisa had been there—laughing, her curls bouncing as she playfully poked fun at him for something trivial. It had been so vivid that, for a moment, he forgot where he was. Then reality came rushing back, dragging along its usual weight.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Pred chimed, his tone laced with his usual sarcasm. “You’ve got three Crimson Dawn leaders to handle, one breakfast date, and roughly seven hours until this world pisses you off again. Shall we?”

Kaine groaned, rubbing his face. “Can you not be like this first thing?”

“It’s literally the only thing I can be,” Pred shot back. “Now, updates: Marcus Vega’s safe house is crumbling—metaphorically. He’s in panic mode, cycling through mercs faster than his wallet can keep up. Sophie LaRue, aka Viper, is floating on her little fortress of paranoia off the coast. And Vex? Mojave Desert, tied to some Darknet server farm.”

Kaine swung his legs over the side of the bed, stretching. “Good. Let them squirm a bit longer. What else?”

“You’ve got a message from Jalisa. Subject: breakfast. She wants to meet at Waffle World. Something about needing company that doesn’t suck.”

Kaine’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Text her back. Tell her I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Already did. I also mapped the quickest route, checked the weather, and made sure Waffle World doesn’t have any Crimson Dawn ties. You’re welcome.”

Kaine shook his head, stepping into his routine. As he dressed, Pred kept up his stream of chatter, providing updates on global network chatter. By the time Kaine stepped out of his truck in the Waffle World parking lot, his mind was sharp, his focus honed. He could do this. It is just breakfast.

Waffle World in Natchitoches was a mix of retro charm and modern convenience. Neon lights framed the windows, and the smell of syrup and frying batter wafted through the air. Jalisa was already inside, sitting in a booth by the window. She waved when she saw him, her smile lighting up the space.

“You’re late,” she teased as he slid into the seat across from her.

“I’m never late. The world just moves too fast,” Kaine replied with a smirk.

Jalisa rolled her eyes, but her laugh was warm. “So, how’s life in the slow lane?”

“Quiet,” he said. “Yours?”

“Complicated,” she admitted, stirring her coffee. “Jared and I have been… I don’t know. Off lately. He’s got a lot going on, and I feel like we’re just not… clicking.”

Kaine leaned back, folding his arms. “What’s he doing wrong?”

Jalisa shook her head. “It’s not just him. I mean, yeah, he’s distracted, but I think I am too. He listens, but it’s like he’s not hearing me, you know? And I don’t think I’m making it easy for him either.”

Kaine took a deep breath, letting the silence hang for a moment before speaking. “Look, Jared’s a good guy, but he’s always been the type to think with his emotions. If you feel like he’s not hearing you, maybe it’s because you’re not talking in a way he gets. You’ve gotta break it down for him, lay it all out. Just… be straight with him. No room for interpretation.”

Jalisa stared at him, her coffee forgotten. “That’s… good advice. How do you know so much about this?”

“Because I listen,” Kaine said simply. “And because I’ve screwed up enough to recognize when someone else is about to.”

She laughed, the tension easing. “Fair enough. Thanks, Kaine. You always know what to say.”

“Not always,” he said, smiling back. “But, I do my best.”

The rest of the meal was light, filled with stories and laughter. For a while, Kaine allowed himself to forget about the weight he carried. But as they finished their meal and parted ways, the fire in his chest reignited.