“I’llbeintheback if you need me,” Alma says, shooting me a look over her shoulder as I head to turn off the “open” sign.
After they all refused to leave, I had to tell Alma something, or she would have called the cops. She seemed reluctant at first after I told her who they all were, but I think she understood after they stayed all day, there was only one way to get them to go.
So, she caved, much to my inconvenience.
Agreeing because she trusted me, not them.
Clicking the dead bolt, my stomach turns. A reassuring clunk, the finality of being stuck inside. I want to throw up.
A small part of me had hoped they’d been lying and left after the lunch rush. That would have made everything easier. Disappointment something I knew. A substance I can handle.
This,them staying out of my comfort zone. It put me on edge.
“You know, in my experience, when someone leaves the Caspers, they’ve been known to live, learn, and let go. You just live.” The words firing from my mouth.
“I don’t know what that means.”
Eli’s eyes pinch closed. Pinching at the bridge of his nose on an exhale. “She was insulting you, you moron.”
Finn’s chest puffs, vexing.
I imagine he would have started banging his chest all guerilla warfare style if Abram hadn’t interjected. Telling rather than asking me to take a seat. Scooting over, so I have to take the only one available beside him in the booth.
Digging my fingernails into the softest part of my palms, I do as he asks, only to pacify them. The sooner they get whatever they want, the sooner they can leave.
I had made this choice unlike when I was twelve. This time, I chose to walk.
“Finally,” Finn grumbles. “My ass is numb.”
Eli smacks him on the back of the head and Finn shoots me an apologetic look. Rubbing at his scalp on a scowl.
Abram clears his throat. “As Finn concluded—although unorthodox—we made good on our promise. An explanation of how you ended up here would be nice in return.”
“You don’t want to know why I left?”
I suspect they already know. Or the iconic silver Ferrari sitting in the parking lot would have left by now too.
I’d spotted it earlier. A wave of familiar awareness crashing over me but refusing to acknowledge it since. Keeping my head down and avoiding the windows the rest of my shift.
“We would all appreciate that,” Abram begins. “But right now, I’d like to know how your day was? Looked steady to me.”
My mouth gapes. The question completely stuns me, catching me off guard.
“It was alright.” My voice flutters as he watches me with unhurried anticipation. “Nothing I’m not used to.”
“Good. That’s good.” Abram’s tone is even but I don’t miss how he swallows. Throat bobbing up and down simultaneously.
“Know what I think? I think you’re selfish,” Finn spits out suddenly. Tired of the roundaboutness.
My head snaps so fast across the table I’m surprised I don’t rupture a nerve.
“You could have talked to us, any of us, but you chose to be selfish when you left. Did you not think we’d worry? That we wouldn’t care?”
My neck straightens. “Why would I? History with this family something that has never been on my side?” I try to choke down my bitter laugh, but it still somehow bubbles free.
Finn’s cheeks flare a bright red like I slapped him.
“Things are different now. You know that,” Eli interjects softly.