Summers & Starbucks - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Kaiden
Nathan walks to me, much to my surprise. I pretend to be absorbed in the notice board.
"Finished detention?"
I nod and he walks with me outside. What is he doing? I raise a brow when he follows me all the way to my car.
"We have to finish the Bio paper thing. We can work at the Starbucks, treat's on me. I'll work with you between my orders," He says evenly.
Oh. Right, studies.
That's all he wants to say?!
Fucking HELL, I want to scream. How can he be so unaffected, so neutral? He's not aware of the hold he has on me? At this point, I feel like I'm carrying a neon marquee on my head that spells out "Simp for Nathan."
Come on Kaiden, you're better than this.
I can be professional. I can keep my feelings in check. Inhaling deeply, I nod.
"Venti Java chip with caramel drizzle," I say instead, unlocking my car.
It's not like I can say no, our grades are depending on this assignment. I play Linkin Park and ignore him the rest of the ride. The cafe is empty today, that means he can work with me for longer periods.
He puts on the signature green apron and takes my order. I open my ipad and set to work, after sending my Mum a text. She's not home but she likes to know where I am anyway.
Nathan joins me with a black coffee and my frappe. We work in silence, only talking about the paper. He was very clear that he wants me to stay away and I will do just that.
A few customers walk in, getting my attention. Much to my surprise, one of them is Sam.
"Hey, Sam!" I wave.
Nathan looks over, gets up and leaves immediately, going to the counter to tend to the other customers.
Sam saunters lazily to me.
"Hello Kai, how are - oh my fuck, what happened to your face?!" he gasps.
He looks posh, in a black turtle neck and a long grey coat. His dressing sense is impressive and it's lucky he has a face to match.
"Got beaten up."
"By whom? You look terrible, like something my dog threw up!" He chuckles.
"Hahaha, humour based on my pain." I roll my eyes. "The other guy is worse off though."
"Attaboy!" He ruffles my hair playfully and I swat his hands away.
"Not the hair! So, were you at a photoshoot or something?"
He slides into the chair, looking straight out of a men's fashion catalogue.
"Well, not really. Why? Do I look that good?"
He places his hand on mine. It's worth the sting from my broken knuckles.
"Good? You look like a prince!" I smile. He really does. He blushes and looks away.
"What's this you're doing?" He sifts through the papers.
"Homework. Biology."
"Ah great! I took it in freshman and sophomore year. I'm leaning towards engineering recently."
"Ew, why? All those calculations would end my sanity!"
"Then it's fortunate that you aren't studying it, huh?" he winks. "You come here often?"
"Yeah well, remember Nathan?"
"The dude who did weed and played truant?" Sam smirks.
"Yeah, him. He works here. You should know him, he was in Westbrook too!"
"I know him," he says. "We just never talked."
"Oh?"
"You know, different divisions, subjects."
Nathan and Seth are friends. Seth and Sam are friends. It is impossible they never talked. Something is fishy. I would sound stalkerish if I said that so I just nod.
"I'm going to go order a drink, do you want anything to eat? I'll pay."
"No thanks, I'm good."
I watch his slender form walk to the counter. Nathan isn't there. He probably went to the washroom or their storage. Sam pays and walks back, sitting beside me.
"You said you were thinking of me. I didn't think you would miss me?" I tease.
"I miss you all the time. I just don't know how to tell you," he smiles. "I could text you these things but then it wouldn't feel as nice you know?"
My next sentence dies in my throat at that. I look down, ears going hot.
"You're doing that again," I whisper.
"Doing what?" he asks innocently.
"Flirting," I bite my lip and smile. He laughs.
"So what if I am? It's not like we're strangers," he says huskily.
"I know, it's just, we're in a very public place Sam! What happened to keeping us a secret?"
He leans back in his chair.
"We're just two guys talking, there's nothing to hide about this." He smiles.
"Anyway, I was thinking, would you like to go on a trip with my friends? You've met Seth, Ana and Pax. His girlfriend would be there and us two. It's a two day stay at my beach cabin. I was going to ask you out tomorrow and tell you in person but you met me here so I'll just ask now."
"It sounds...tempting. Also, since the others are couples, you only want me there so you don't become the fifth wheel, right?" I laugh.
"Something like that. Please come?" He pouts, his mischievous blue eyes sparkling.
"Would you be able to keep your hands to yourself?"
"I won't promise anything." He winks.
"Did you not think of anyone else? Don't tell me you don't have one other person, to make sure you're not alone."
"There's several people I can think of. Nobody is you though," he smiles, making my heart skip a beat.
What a smooth fucker.
"Fine, I'll think about it."
"We're planning the weekend after our exams. I'll tell you the details soon, you'll probably have to skip a Saturday school," he adds. "I'll pick you up okay?"
"Wait, what? I haven't even confirmed yet!"
"I know you will!" He smiles. "I have to run now though, got a dinner to attend with my dad. Hence why I'm dressed so well."
"Oh, okay. Sounds fancy?"
"Yeah, it is. I would rather be someplace else but connections are important," He says, adjusting his hair. "But since you think I look good, I don't have to worry about my appearance!"
I smile, blushing a bit.
"I really have to run now. I'll call you with the trip details okay, Kai?" He says, getting up.
"Sure, it's a date then!"
He turns to leave but stops suddenly.
"God, I wish I could kiss you right now," he whispers, leaning close to me. "You look so hot with the bruises."
"What?!" I whisper, flustered. He pulls back, winking at me.
"Goodnight Kaiden, see you soon!"
He leaves like a super villain striding out, his coat flying dramatically. I blink at his sudden exit and exhale, running a hand through my hair.
I'm going on a trip with... Westbrook kids. Especially Sam. I go back to the almost finished paper, smiling to myself.
Nathan sits down in front of me a while later and I realise why I didn't hesitate to accept the invite. It would give me the much needed distraction from my unrequited crush towards this boy.
"Shall we do a group study this weekend? We have exams from Tuesday," Nathan asks. He sounds weird.
I look at him. His nose is red and he sounds choked up. He was fine earlier. I wonder what happened.
"Are you getting sick again? Your voice sounds odd! Drink hot water please!"
"I'm fine, just a little bug probably. Anyway, I was saying, weekend your place?"
"Um, no I can't. I have plans."
"Oh, okay."
"We're still on for the mural tomorrow evening though. I'm thinking of getting it done soon."
He nods.
"I'll see you in school then. Goodnight Nathan!"
"Sure. Goodnight Kaiden."
It feels so odd to hear him call me by my full name instead of Kai-Pie.
He gets up and goes back to the counter, posture rigid. Something is up with him but I don't ask. He's already told me to fuck off once.
I collect my stuff and leave, waving at him. I drive home in a slight daze, thinking about Sam. A smile settles on my face.
Who knew a kiss would lead to this - a very handsome boy who likes me?
If someone told me even six months ago I would be crushing on a boy and have a boy crushing on me, I would have told them to quit the weed.