Page 80 of The Sweetheart
“You know, it’s still hard to talk about Eli, but it always helps when I do,” she said pointedly. When Kai glanced at her, she was watching him shrewdly, a playful smile on her mouth like she knew her attempt to pry was not very slick. Kai blushed but didn’t respond. Abigail laughed quietly to herself. “Well, if you ever feel like it, we can talk about them together.”
“Um, Abigail?” Felicity called worriedly. Both Kai and Abigail turned to listen to her. “My mom just got called into work, and she needs someone to watch my little brother.”
“I can stay,” Kai said automatically.
“Are you sure, Kai? Felicity is supposed to close today. That’s a long day for you.”
“I don’t mind. I don’t have anywhere else I need to be.”
Abigail frowned but acquiesced, sending Felicity on her way. Felicity shot Kai a grateful smile and then hurried to the back to grab her stuff.
He’d been thinking about going to see the twins, but he could always go tomorrow. He’d gone out to their school the week before to see how they were doing and deliver some leftover stuff from the bakery. They’d hugged him so hard, Kai had felt extra guilty for staying away. He hadn’t expected Liam to explain his absence, and he didn’t really know how to do it either. He’d also caved and called Jason from the cafe phone when he’d had a private minute, just to let him know that he was okay. Jason had been relieved to hear from him and had ranted for a solid fifteen minutes about what Liam had done. Kai hadbeen surprised that Liam had admitted it, but Kai hadn’t wanted to talk about Liam. Jason made him promise to reach out but was reassured when Kai told him he had a job and wasn’t staying on the streets, which was mostly truthful.
The afternoon passed fast enough. Abigail left at four, and then things picked up a bit close to dinner and stayed that way until close. Kai had never worked a closing shift before, but Bryce walked him through it.
“Jeremiah comes most nights, and we have a few other regulars that stop by for leftovers after we’re done for the day. I try to make sure there’s something for everyone. It sucks ass sending people away with nothing,” he told Kai as they packed up the last of the croissants and anything that was close to end of life. Kai had forgotten that he’d get a chance to do this part when he’d agreed to the shift, but now he was excited. He’d never expected to be on this side of the door.
Kai was just getting ready to take out the garbage when the first knock came. He glanced at Bryce, who grinned at him like he was amused by Kai’s excitement and motioned to the door. Kai washed his hands, hoping whoever it was didn’t leave because he was taking too long. He dashed to the door, unlocking it quickly and throwing it open.
His jaw hit the floor as he took in the boy standing in front of him. His long, lank hair still hung in his face, and Kai was pretty sure he was wearing the exact same thing in the exact same condition as the last time he’d seen him, in the alleyway outside Chateau de Verre. It was as though no time had passed.
“Umm, hi. Are you new? Is Bryce here?” the boy asked.
“Hey, Jeremiah, here you go,” Bryce said from behind Kai. He gave Kai an odd look that snapped him out of his head.
“Wait, you don’t recognize me?” Kai asked, his voice pitching up in surprise.
“Naw. Should I?” the kid, Jeremiah, asked warily.
“You helped me, outside of Chateau de Verre, like, a month ago. You were scavenging when that asshole grabbed you,” Kai explained, still taking him in, amazed that it was possible that he was standing in front of him.
Recognition dawned and a wide grin spread across Jeremiah’s face.
“Damn, bro! You work here now? You look different!” His cackle let Kai know he didn’t look different in a good way, and Kai guessed that was fair, given that he’d traded his tux for an apron.
“Yeah, I work here. Man, I’m so sorry for what happened. I tried to find you. Are you okay? How long have you been coming here?” Kai asked in a rush. He kind of wanted to give the kid a hug, but even he knew that was probably weird. Bryce was watching them, confusion written into the lines of his forehead, but Kai was too distracted to care.
“Yeah, man, it’s all good. You told me to come here, so I did, and that worked out, so thanks, I guess.”
“You’ve been coming here since then?” Kai’s throat started closing up, his eyes stinging painfully. “That’s good. I’m glad,” he croaked.
“You good, bro?” Jeremiah asked, concern etched into his voice. “Bryce, you gotta watch out for this guy. Last time I saw him, he was having a panic attack or some shit, and he’s not looking too good right now.”
“I’m good. I’m good.” Kai laughed, trying to pull himself together. “I’ve just been… worried. Listen, we’re just finishing up. Why don’t you stick around, and we can go get some real food or something.”
Jeremiah looked torn then shook his head. “I gotta go home before they lock the doors.”
Kai supposed it was comforting to know that he had sometype of home to go to. “Alright, then come back tomorrow. At lunch. That cool?”
“Yeah, that’s cool, man. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait!” Kai reached into his apron pocket and pulled out the small wad of cash that was his tips for the day. Jeremiah’s face lit up and, when their hands met, Kai did pull him in for a hug, just because the overwhelming gratitude he felt right then needed some place to go.
“I’m glad you’re good, man. Come back tomorrow.” Kai watched him leave, and Bryce and Kai went back inside, locking the door behind them. Bryce looked at him, eyes wide.
“That’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at one time.”
Kai laughed, still riding the wave of happiness. Nolan would never believe what just happened and he wished,he wished, he could tell him. The high he was riding dimmed on the wave of longing that swept through him.
