Page 10 of Anchored To You

"So crazy," I murmur, looking away.

Fuck, what is wrong with me? I'm not usually like this. And I'm acting ridiculous, even to myself. And for what? Because I got ghosted? Hell, people get ghosted all the damn time. We're in college. How many people actually end up with someone they hooked up with in college? Besides, do I really want to spend the entire year with a chip on my shoulder? I have too much going on to sit and be petty. Yeah, it hurts, but do I want to hate coming home every night when I see him? Not really.

"So, uh, after seeing you earlier, it reminded me of what happened between us last year."

He remembered only after he saw me? Unlike me, who uses that night as jerk off material at least once a week. Maybe that evening wasn't as special as I thought? I guess I need to be more like Beck and act as though it doesn't affect me as much as it does.

"Oh yeah, that was a fun night. One and done. Just like I like it."

What the fuck, Talon? You sound dumb even to your own ears. There's no way he believes I'm okay with it after how I acted earlier tonight.

He rubs the back of his neck, nodding his head. "Heh, yeah."

"I hate to cut this short, but I have to work tomorrow, so I should probably get to sleep. Damn, it's already three in the morning," I say, looking at the time on my phone. I didn't even realize how late it actually was. I must have been watching TV longer than I thought I was.

"Where do you work?"

"Uh, Waffles and Werewolves. It’s connected to Zomb-Bar," I reply hesitantly. Zomb-Bar is where we first met. But it's also one of the most fun places in town. It's always busy, filled not only with students but customers from all over Creelin. At night, Zomb-Bar is the place to be, but during the day, the space next to it is the top brunch spot in the downtown area. I already know the tips are going to be great, and the owner Seth is consistently willing to work with CU students and their schedules.

"Do you know if they're hiring?"

"I think so. Well, I think Zomb-Bar is. I don’t know about Waffles and Werewolves," I say, hoping he’s not going where I think he is. Fuck, I’m already having to wrap my head around living with the man. I don’t know if I can handle having to work with him every day too.

He twists his hands in his lap, taking a deep breath. "Do you mind if I go over with you tomorrow? I need to get a job, and I would love one where I can work fewer hours but still make decent money."

"Uh, yeah," I force a smile as I look at him. "You can come with me tomorrow. I'm sure Seth will be down to meet with you."

"Awesome. Thanks, man. I'll let you catch some sleep now.”

"Thanks," I whisper, laying my head down.

Beck turns off the light a few minutes later. His breathing evens out before a soft snore escapes him. This was not how I expected my senior year to start off. I was expecting to get a roommate I barely got along with, worked hard in my classes and earned some money on the side. Now I'm having to live with the man who fucked me so good I saw stars, then ghosted me and is now asking where I work because he wants to work with me. Sighing deeply, I roll onto my side, pulling the comforter over my head.

Yeah, I have a feeling I'm not going to get any sleep at all tonight.

"Talon?" a whispered voice pulls me from my slumber, and I turn over, squinting my eyes from the sunlight.

"Hmm?" I ask, squeezing my eyes shut once again. "What time is it?" I croak, trying to soothe my dry throat.

"Uh, ten? I wasn't sure what time you needed to be at Waffles and Werewolves. But I didn't want to risk you being late, or me not waking up early enough and not being able to go with you." The bed squeaks as he takes a spot next to me on my mattress.

"What are you doing?" I ask, opening one eye to glare at him. "Why are you sitting on my bed?"

"Oh," he quickly gets up, looking at me sheepishly. "My bad. Well, now that you're awake. When are you heading over?"

I'm about to respond when the alarm on my phone goes off. After turning off the alert, I look at Beck, who looks way too chipper in the morning. "I guess now. Let me get ready, and then we can go."

"Awesome."

An hour later Beck and I are making our way down the street toward Zomb-Bar. He's been talking a million miles a minute, giving small commentary on every store we pass. I barely talk, giving a grunt or groan now and then to the conversation. Waking up this morning, I'm not even upset anymore with Beck. Realizing that what we had was one night, plus knowing that I'm stuck with him for the next year has me looking at things differently. There's no reason to be petty and annoying with him.

But that doesn't mean I'm a morning person either. We didn't have time to stop at Mummy Mocha on the way, which is why I'm quieter than usual. When I was falling asleep, I told myself that I would wake up this day with a fresh start but he's way too excited in the morning and I'm the type of person who needs twelve hours of sleep and a gallon of caffeine to get me in a good mood. We're passing by the bakery Bakeenstein's when I can't take it anymore.

"Need coffee," I mumble, heading off toward the entrance.

"Coffee? I could use some. And a pastry. Damn, now my stomach is rumbling."

We head into the bakery, the aroma of coffee beans and sweets taking over the entire space. If I can't have Mummy Mocha, this will definitely do. Walking over to the display case, my mouth starts to water as I take in all the goodies in front of me. There's Boo Butter Cookies, Cemetery Crumble Bars, Crypt Cakes, Boo-nuts, and oh my god, they have Eyeball Truffles. I am in heaven right now. All the treats look and smell amazing, but I know there's no way I can eat them all.