Welcome to My World

Chapter Five:

I am not awake enough to be working this early. God, I’m tired. I need coffee. I groaned as I pedaled down the street. Caffeine sounds so good right now. I should have plenty of time to stop before my shift starts.

It didn’t take me long to get there. I parked and locked my bike outside the coffeehouse, before walking inside. The barista smiled when she saw me.

“Hey Karen, your usual?” She asked me. I smiled and nodded.

“I’m gonna grab a few things for breakfast.” I told her. She nodded.

“I thought today was your day off.” She mused as she made my macchiato. I perused the food area and grabbed a packaged turkey club, a small fruit salad, a bottle of green machine Naked Juice and a bottle of water.

“They called me in.” I sighed. I set my things on the counter.

“Story of my life, man.” She sympathized. I chuckled.

“I’m wiped.” I groaned, as I leaned on the counter.

“Fancy seeing you here,” someone said from behind me. I glanced behind me and made a face.

“You had to come to this coffee shop, Brian?”

“They have the best coffee in town and the last time I checked, it was a free country.” He reasoned as he moved next to me. I sighed.

“Yeah, it’s ‘free,’ alright.” I quipped.

“I’m not stalking you, but we should talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Well, I have some things to say and it wouldn’t kill you to listen.”

“You’re really not going to let this go; are you?”

“No,” he smirked. I rolled my eyes.

“Is that all for you, Kare?” Stacey, the barista, asked me. I nodded. She started to ring me up. I started to dig out my wallet, but Brian held up his hand to stop me.

“My treat,” he insisted.

“I can pay for myself.” I assured him.

“Karen, put your money away. If I’m ambushing you at breakfast, the least I can do is pay.”

“Fine, suit yourself.” I told him. I grabbed my food and found a table.

“Your coffee will be ready in a minute, babe.” Stacey told me. I nodded. He just had to come here. Can’t a girl eat breakfast in peace? I guess not.

Yes, I know that Brian’s not a bad guy. I just turned eighteen and I’m not ready to start popping out babies. I don’t think that makes me crazy, by any means. I know that Matt’s not awful, either. I just… I want it to my choice when, where and with whom I settle down. Is that too much to ask? I definitely don’t want to be dicking around on me. There are some things that I don’t tolerate and that is one of them.

“You’re not going to plot my death because I’m sitting with you – are you?” Brian asked, as he sat down with his coffee. I shrugged.

“Maybe if I get really bored,” I replied. He laughed.

“Are you always like this in the mornings?”

“Yes, especially without caffeine.”

“You want a sip of mine?” He offered me his cup. I considered it.

“What is it?”

“Coffee,” he told me, smirking.

“Just plain, black coffee?” I asked. He nodded. I shook my head. “No imagination,” I mused. He laughed again.

“Karen!” Stacey called out. I jumped to my feet and bounced over to the counter, momentarily forgetting the discomfort that nestled in between my legs. I could feel Brian’s eyes on me.

“Stop staring at my ass.” I told him, not bothering to turn around. “Thank you.” I told her, putting a couple dollars in her tip jar. She saluted me, as I grabbed a coffee sleeve and extra napkins. I sauntered back over to the table and sat down, happily sipping my coffee.

“Rough night?” Brian asked me, as I set down my coffee. I looked up at him, keeping my face blank.

“What?”

“You were walking like you had a rough night.” He explained. I glared at him.

“You could say that.”

“It was that guy that we saw you with yesterday – wasn’t it?”

“Even if it was, it’s really none of your business.” I told him, as I packed the bottles of water and juice in my bag, for later.

“So, he’s the reason you refused our partnership, right?” Brian guessed. I sighed.

“No, he’s not. Dean and I are friends. I wasn’t ordered to spend the rest of my life with him and birth his babies.” I retorted, as I took an angry bite out of my sandwich.

“You’re rebelling, because you don’t like being told what to do?”

“That’s one of the reasons – yeah. Why should I let you fuck me, just because someone decided I should?” I demanded.

“Oh, come on. We’re not that bad.”

“I plan on doing more with my life than being your ‘cum dumpster.’” I snapped.

“Well, when you put it that way…”

“How am I supposed to put it?”

“I… I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve done this before, either.” He sighed.

“Baby factory, sex toy – are those better for you?” I asked him. He stayed quiet while I finished eating.

“You won’t even give us a chance, but you have no problem fucking some guy that you’re even dating?” He jeered. My hand was already connecting with his face, before I could stop myself. The smack rang through the coffeehouse, loud and clear.

“Get over yourself. You’re not entitled to me… no matter what you think. Who I spend my time with is none of your goddamn business. Got it?! I’m not going to apologize for not wanting to be chained to two men who dry-hump every walking vagina they come in contact with.” I seethed.

“You don’t know that!” He argued.

“Was I wrong? Are you honestly trying to tell me that you wouldn’t sleep with anyone else? Because I’m not about to invite a cheater into my bed.”

“No,” he admitted, sounding defeated.

“Then, we’re done here.”

“We could try. I could try.”

“You are honestly ready to commit to a long-term relationship?”

“I… don’t know.”

“I’m not, Brian. I’m eighteen. I want to live my life, before I’m tied down. I don’t understand why you’re pushing this so much.”

“Maybe I want to be a better man, and I think this could be my opportunity.”

“And maybe that’s not my problem… I didn’t sign up to fix you.” I finished my coffee and got up to throw my trash away. He followed me and backed me into the wall. I looked up at him.

“I’m not going to let this go or stop trying.” He swore. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying not to show my frustration with him.

“What are you trying to get out of this conversation?” I asked him, tiredly.

“Give me something.”

“What are you proposing?”

“Friends, we have to start somewhere.” He suggested. I sighed.

“Acquaintances,” I countered.

“Fine.” He agreed.

“Just you,” I gave in.

“Deal, give me your number.”

“Do I have to?”

“Do you want me to keep showing up at your apartment?”

“Fine, here.” I handed him my phone. I crossed my arms as he got my number and gave me him. “I’m gonna regret this.” I sighed as I took back my phone and walked away.

“I’ll call you.” He announced from behind me.

“I know.”

Notes

Alright, some Brian for everyone!:) Definite Matt time soon!

Comments?

Xo Xo,
Katie