Annie's Story

Chapter Ten Jake Comes Home

Chapter Ten Jake Comes Home

Annie awoke to voices in the kitchen. She stretched and curled back up, hugging the pillow to her. She didn't want to be awake. She would rather stay in bed all day than deal with Markus and what was sure to be lies. Annie reluctantly got out of bed. She went into the bathroom next to the small bedroom. Washing her face, she felt better than she did the night before. Annie walked out into the living room.

"Good morning," Claire said.

"Morning," Annie said, leaning against the doorjamb.

"Good morning, Annie," Markus said, standing from the barstool. Claire's kitchen had a breakfast bar with enough room for two stools.

"Well, that is my cue to leave. Annie, just lock the door when you leave. I will see you at the café," Claire said, grabbing her purse and leaving the two of them to talk.

"Annie, listen, I'm sorry about last night," Markus said, walking toward her. Annie took a step backward, causing Markus to stop in his tracks.

"I don't want to hear your lies, Markus," Annie said. "I want the truth. If you are going to sit here and tell me some made-up tale about who she is and why you were with her last night, then you can leave."

"Annie," Markus was at a loss for words. He didn't expect Annie to call him out. "Please, let's sit down."

Annie sat in the red armchair across from the matching red couch. She glared at him. He sat on the edge of the couch with his elbows on his knees. His hands were clasped in front of him. Annie waited to hear what he was going to tell her.

"Annie," Markus said, clearing his throat. "Cari is the daughter of a business associate. She is who I was having dinner with last night. If I don't spend time with her, the deal I made with her father will go south quickly. God only knows what will happen to me if that takes place."

"What kind of deal did you make with her father that you have to take her out?" Annie asked.

"I borrowed money from him," Markus said shamefully.

"Why?" Annie asked.

"Because, if I didn't, my business would tank completely. I would have to start from the bottom and work my way back up again," Markus said.

"Is he forcing you to date his daughter?" Annie asked, folding her arms across her chest.

"No, I am not dating her. Cari is under a lot of pressure from her parents. I get it. We understand each other and were talking it out. She needed a friend to consult, and being that we're both stressed out, we thought confiding in each other would help."

"Can I meet her?" Annie asked.

"Yes, I would love for you to meet her," Markus said. "She wants to meet you, too."

"Really?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Markus said. "She asked me what you were like. I told her you were special. I told her you were the one bright spot in all the darkness that has been surrounding me as of late."

"Markus, you know you can talk to me, right?" Annie said. "I am always here to listen to you."

"I know, Annie," Markus said. "I just don't want to burden you with the business side of my life. I would rather that stay in the office space."

"Okay," Annie said, getting up and walking over to sit next to him on the couch. He reached over and grabbed her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he kissed her knuckles. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Annie didn't know whether or not to believe him. She wanted to believe him, but she also wanted to keep her distance to keep from getting hurt if all this was to end.

"I have to get to work," Annie finally said.

"Can I walk you?" Markus asked.

"Well, I don't think Claire would appreciate it if I just let you stay in her apartment all day," Annie said, smiling, trying to make light of the situation.

"I would guess not," Markus chuckled. They left the apartment, locking the door on the way out. Markus held out his arm and Annie looped her arm around his. They walked to the café. The café was crowded. Annie looked at Markus with raised eyebrows. They both shrugged.

"Annie!" was shouted across the crowd. Annie stretched on her toes to look for the male voices she immediately recognized.

"Guys!" she shouted back, passing through the crowd. Thomas was the first one to pull her in for a tight hug. Stepping aside, Thomas moved to reveal Kincaid behind him. Kincaid wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground. He passed her to Trevor. Annie laughed. Annie wrapped her arms around Trevor's neck. He let her down. Miguel hugged her tightly.

Jake was the last in line. He smiled down at her and she smiled back. He wrapped his arms around her, nestling his face into her neck. Breathing in her scent, he lightly kissed her ear. She closed her eyes. She didn't realize how much she missed him until now. She pulled away.

"How have you been, Annie?" Thomas asked.

"I have been good," Annie said. "How was the tour?"

"Tiring but fun," Kincaid said. Annie noticed Markus was still standing at the back of the crowd.

"Guys, I have someone I want you all to meet," Annie said, waving Markus to come through the crowd. Markus made his way to her and she grabbed his hand. "This is Markus. Markus, meet the guys of Soulshine. Thomas, Kincaid. Trevor, Miguel, and Jake."

"It's nice to meet you," Thomas said, extending his hand. Markus shook it. "Any friend of our Annie's is a friend of ours. Isn't that right, Claire and Donovan?"

"Yup," they said in unison.

"Thanks," Markus said.

"Sit with us," Thomas said, pulling out a chair.

"I have to get to work," Annie said, shrugging. Annie looked over at Markus. He was shifting his weight between his legs. He was becoming uncomfortable around the guys.

"Aw," Kincaid said. "What about you, Markus? Do you have anything to do? We want to get to know you."

"I have to run," Markus said, clearing his throat. "I am sure we will see each other again."

"Before you go," Jake said. "I want to invite you to our concert next weekend. It's our big homecoming show, and we would like for you and Annie to attend and hang out backstage with us."

Markus looked at Annie, who had an enormous smile. "We will be there," Markus said, extending his hand to Jake. Jake shook his hand. Markus made his way back through the crowd, leaving Annie to start her workday.

"We've missed you, Annie," Miguel said.

"I've missed you, too," Annie said. "So, give me all the details. I must know what it was like. How were the crowds?"

"At first, it was rough going. Barely anyone showed up. Then our song hit the radio stations, and it blew up. Packed houses every single night," Trevor said. "The energy wasn't the same, though."

"Yeah," Jake said, looking at her. "Nothing like hometown crowd energy."

"Agreed," Kincaid said. "Have you been doing? Okay?"

"I have," Annie said. "It's been busy here."

"Looks like you have been busy with more than just work," Thomas said, grinning.

"That I have been," Annie said, sauntering off to get behind the counter. Everyone but Jake laughed. He just looked at her with sadness in his eyes.

***

The next two days went by quickly. Soulshine came into the café every day to see Annie and get their coffee fix. Wednesday came, and Markus asked Annie to meet him at his office after work. She went to his office. The only lights on were on the third floor. Security let her into the building and onto the elevator. As the doors opened, she saw Markus standing there. A woman with dark hair was standing beside him.

"You must be Annie," she said, smiling. "I'm Cari. It is so nice to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Annie said, returning the warm smile.

"Annie, Cari wants to take us to dinner," Markus said. "If you are okay with it."

"Yeah, sure," Annie said.

"Great, I am in the mood for Mexican. What about you, Annie?" Cari asked.

"That sounds good to me," Annie said with a shrug.

"Great. Have you been to the little place on Wilshire Boulevard?" Cari asked.

"No, not yet," Annie said.

"You are in for a treat," Cari said, walking over to Annie and looping her arm through Annie's. They walked out of the office together while Markus shut the lights. Cari drove them the five blocks to the restaurant. "Annie, I think it is two for one Margarita night. Are you in?"

"Sure," Annie said.

"Please, don't drink too many," Markus said from the backseat.

"Look who thinks he can tell us what to do," Cari said to Annie. "We are grown women and will drink as much as we please."

"I can't carry you both out of the restaurant," Markus said. Cari laughed at the thought of it as they pulled up to the restaurant. They got out, and she gave her keys to the valet. They went in. There was a Mariachi band playing. Terracotta-colored tiles covered the entire restaurant. The tables were elaborately painted with different scenes. The high-back chairs were a bright blue with different colored birds on them.

They were seated in the back corner of the restaurant, close to the bar. They immediately placed chips and salsa in front of them. Annie was the first one to reach for a chip. She dipped it in the salsa before placing her other hand underneath it as she brought it to her mouth. The salsa had some kick to it. She liked it.

"It's spicy," Cari said.

"Annie likes spicy things," Markus said with a laugh. Annie laughed with him. Cari just looked at them. "The second time we spoke she convinced me to try Chai tea, telling me it had a little spice to it."

"Yeah, and he blurts out, so you like things spicy," Annie said.

"Oh my God, Markus," Cari said, laughing. "Did he turn read after saying it?"

"Very," Annie said. Cari laughed even harder, holding her side. "How long have the two of you known each other?"

"We have known each other what, seven years?" Cari said to Markus.

"Yeah, I think so," Markus said. "When I first met Cari she was just fifteen, had braces, and hated the world. She was such an angry child."

"It is called being a teenage girl," Annie said. "I hated the world at that age, too."

"Remind me to never have daughters," Markus said as the waiter approached.

"What can I get for you tonight?" he asked.

"I know that lovely lady and myself would like to start with your two-for-one margaritas," Cari said. "As for dinner, I would like the carnitas platter."

"For you, miss?" he asked Annie.

"I will have the chicken fajitas," Annie said.

"And for you, sir?" he asked Markus.

"I will have the chicken enchilada with a cerveza," Markus said.

"Thank you, everything will be out shortly," he said taking their menus and leaving.

"Markus told me you wanted to be a dancer but got injured," Cari said. "What happened?"

"I was performing a difficult move and misstepped. I fell off the stage, shattering my leg," Annie said.

"Jesus," Cari said. "I am so sorry."

"It's okay," Annie said, shrugging. Their drinks arrived. Cari raised her eyebrows up and down at Annie. Annie giggled. They took their first sip. There was a heavy pour on the tequila; it burned going down. Their food arrived. The steaming cast-iron skillet was placed in front of Annie. Her chicken, peppers, and onions were sizzling.

"Now, I have food envy," Markus said. Annie and Cari laughed.

"Don't you know that the key to a good relationship is waiting until your significant other orders, then telling the waiter you'll have whatever she is having?" Cari asked.

"I'm going to have to remember that," Markus said. They all ate their food and drank their drinks. At the end of the meal, they parted ways. Markus and Annie wanted to walk the meal off. Cari left, going in the opposite direction toward her brownstone.