Chapter Text
“We hired someone new,” Kevin said, leaning against the counter. It was still early, the sun had barely risen, and yet Kevin seemed as chipper as a morning bird. He was checking off the bread on the clipboard in his hands, it was old, the cardboard falling apart at the edges, haphazardly taped together at the corners.
Andrew hummed, lifting a tray of unbaked bread as he slid them into the oven. The cafe smelled slightly sweet, he had spent the morning delicately piping ‘Happy Birthday, my sweet!’ onto a rose-covered cake, and the sticky frosting was still stuck under his fingernails.
“He’ll be our new delivery man, we need one especially after…” Kevin trailed off as he noticed Andrew’s shoulders tense. “Well anyway, he’ll be here at eight-am for that cake delivery.” He motioned with the clipboard to the fridge where the birthday cake rested.
Andrew said nothing, and Kevin tapped his pen to the clipboard a few times. Placing it down, he headed to the back to wash his hands. The sun was peeking past the trees, its warm glow bathing the cafe with pretty yellows and oranges. Andrew stuck his ear-buds into his ears, and continued to work. Today would be quiet, he thought to himself. Good.
Of course, as God hated Andrew, and peace was never an option, trouble arrived in the form of a boy in ratty orange converse and a lousy motorbike.
The morning rush was reaching its peak, and Kevin was frantically making coffees and packaging pastries and sandwiches as their part-timer took orders, when the door opened, cheerfully dinging against their bell that Kevin had insisted on installing.
The boy walked in, his sunglasses pushed into his auburn hair, and more scar-tissue on his face than actual skin. Andrew looked up, and locked eyes with him, time stood still. The boy raised his hand after a moment's hesitation and waved, heading over to the counter. The business men glared to the side as the boy shifted his attention to Kevin and signalled, trying to get his attention.
“Yo, Kevin!” He said, snapping his fingers.
Upon hearing Neil’s voice, Kevin grinned and leaned over the counter, grasping his hand firmly, in an odd bro-shake blocked by the counter, “Hey man, good to see you! The orders in the back, Andrew’ll get it for you,” Kevin turned to Andrew, pleased to see him already looking his way, and gestured at the fridge for the cake.
“Kay,” Neil said. He looked over to Andrew who pulled an ear-bud out of his ear, and signalled for him to wait a moment as he gently grabbed the cake. He carefully boxed it, tying a green ribbon around it, a staple of their café. He turned to hand it to Neil, when he noticed that he didn’t have a delivery backpack. Placing the cake back on the table, he poked around the back looking for their delivery backpack, when suddenly felt a finger tap his arm.
Neil.
“Hi,” Neil said, “Sorry, I was trying to get your attention, but you didn’t hear me, so I just squeezed to the back, I have a box on the back of my bike for the delivery,”
“Ah,” Andrew said, “Well, the cake’s on the island,”
“Cool, I’ll be back, a.s.a.p,” Neil said, flicking up a peace-sign, before he grabbed the cake, and once-again squeezed past the part timer and Kevin, as he left.
Andrew peered out of the window of the shop, watching as Neil placed the cake in the delivery box on the back of his motorbike. He watched him struggle for a solid two minutes to get the bike going before he was off, helmet unstrapped, and sunglasses slid low on his nose. Andrew felt his ears heat and resolutely turned back to his work.
Later, Kevin sighed after their rush was over, the cafe was empty, spare a few students and their part timer was taking her break, they sat together at the island, eating sandwiches.
“So?”
“So, what?”
“Neil!” Kevin said, giving him a ‘duh’ expression. Andrew threw a leaf of rocket at his face.
“He’s weird,” Andrew said. Seeing Kevin’s slightly dismayed face he corrected himself, “A good weird, Kevin, he’s ok,”
Kevin lit up, “Good, he’s an old friend. He just moved back to town, and he needed a place to work. I thought maybe he could also help out with the baking when he’s not delivering stuff,”
“He can bake?” Andrew asked. He imagined Neil with flour on his face, his hands pried around a piping back as he haphazardly wrote notes on cookies.
“He’s really good!” Kevin explained, “He makes these beautiful intricate sugar-cookies. Perfect for Christmas cookies!” Andrew imagined Neil leaning over a tray, now carefully painting sugar cookies with snowflakes and snowmen.
“Boasting about me, are you?” Andrew looked up as Neil suddenly appeared behind him.
“Neil!” Kevin said, jumping up. “How are you? How did the delivery go?”
“Both good,” Neil said, pulling up a stool at the island and sitting down. Kevin sat back down as well, his fingers drumming on the counter as he looked between Neil and Andrew.
“I’m Neil, by the way,” Neil said, extending his hand.
“Andrew,” Andrew said, shaking Neil’s proffered hand. It was rough, covered in calluses, much like Andrew’s own. How comforting, to feel something so familiar, on another person’s hand. Close up, Neil’s scarring seemed far worse. Angry red lines cut deep into the cheekbone and corner of his upper lip, and a burn scar right under his left eye.
“Ah,” Neil said, noticing Andrew’s attention, “The scars look terrible I know,”
Kevin scrambled to correct Neil, “No, no, they’re not terrible. They look so much better, they look healed,”
“I was tortured,” Neil said matter-of-factly, Andrew looked back at him blankly, his fingers tensing into a fist on his thigh, “I am okay,” He continued, sliding his sun-glasses further up into his hair.
Kevin gave a strangled laugh before swiftly changing the topic, “Do you want lunch Neil?” He was already standing to fix him a plate.
“Thanks Kevin,”
“So how do you two know each other?” Neil wondered.
“Met in college, we played Exy together,” Andrew said softly, his eyes drifting away from Neil’s and back to his plate. His lunch was almost done.
“Oh…” Neil said, “Exy.” He sounded morose. Reminiscent.
“Yes,” Andrew said, “Exy.” He risked a glance back up to Neil, who now was looking away from him, he was picking at the hard skin around his fingernails. Andrew resisted the urge to tap his hand to stop him.
“Exy?” Kevin asked enthusiastically, hearing the tail-end of their conversation, “Oh, Andrew! Neil is a wonderful player, I was thinking maybe this weekend-,”
“No, Kevin.” Andrew said, promptly gulping down the last of his coffee and standing.
“Andrew…” Kevin placed the sandwich before Neil.
Andrew walked away, popping his earbuds in his ears. The music drowned out Kevin’s voice. He glanced back to see Neil’s bright blue eyes boring into his. He suppressed a shiver and set about replenishing their display case as a few more customers trickled in.
That evening, once Kevin had already left and Andrew and Neil locked the café doors together, he once again brought up Exy.
“So, no Exy?” Neil asked. He was fiddling with his fingers again. His shoelace was untied.
Andrew sighed, “No,” And pointed at his shoe. “Your lace,”
“Oh, thanks,” Neil bent down, “Can I ask why?” he asked, staring resolutely at his laces as he tied a quick knot.
“Not yet,” Andrew said, getting the sense he could trust the man. Neil stood and grinned, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind his ear.
“Cool,” He said.
“So, the torturing?” Andrew asked, teasing slightly.
Neil smiled, albeit dimly, “Yes… I’ll tell you when you tell me.” He said.
“Seems unfair, trading Exy and torture.” Andrew said, as he slid his beanie over his head. The wool was warm, soft to the touch after years of use.
“Not to me,” Neil said, as he pulled his gloves over his fingers. The street lights shining through the window reflected Neil’s leather jacket, making it look like metal.
“Do I look cool?” Neil asked, jokingly flexing his arms.
Andrew scoffed. He quickly abolished whatever shameful thought had entered his traitorous mind. He jangled the keys and pointed to the door, “Let’s get out of here, stud, ” Neil laughed, and the palpable joy echoed into the night. Andrew locked the door behind them, shaking the door a few times to ensure it was locked.
“Do you need a ride home?” Neil said, his fingers intertwined behind his back as he leaned against his bike. It looked like it had been dragged through hell and back. Noticing Andrew’s sceptical look he quickly spoke, “This is my baby, disrespect her and we can’t be friends,”
“The fact that you refer to your bike as your baby is sign enough that we can’t be friends,” Andrew said, nervously tightening the scarf around his neck. The chill of the night felt like it was seeping into his bones.
“Anyways, I drove here. In a car. With heated seats.” He said, Neil chuckled and shrugged.
“Fair enough,” He said, turning and swinging his leg over the bike. The muscles of his thighs tensed as he straddled his bike, Andrew clutched the strap of his bag tighter, as he willed his eyes not to stray. For a moment, he regretted driving.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Drew!” Neil shouted, and the stars seemed to echo his shout back to Andrew. He sped off into the night, and Andrew watched his back until the red lights of his bike blended into the black of the street.
‘Drew?’ He mouthed to himself, shaking his head as he walked towards his car.
~
The next day Andrew woke up earlier than he normally would. He experienced a moment of weakness when he almost took the bus, but luckily managed to recover and climb into his car, warming his hands by the heater. His hands always acted up in the cold, as though the joints were hinges of an old door, barely able to creak open without making helluva fuss and noise.
On his drive he intermittently took sips of the thermos of tea he had made for himself. He watched the trees streak by in lines of green and yellow, and he felt like he was floating. The music was calm, and today was peaceful.
“Andrew!” Kevin shouted, the moment Andrew walked in. The café had the cosy aroma of freshly baked bread and home-brewed coffee. Andrew sighed.
“Kevin, you don’t have to shout,” Andrew said. Pulling an earbud out of his ear.
“Ah… sorry!” Kevin said. He was wearing his brace today.
“Is your wrist okay?” Andrew asked, taking a few steps closer, Kevin laughed it off, waving him away.
“No, no, it’s okay. It’s just the cold,” He said, a slightly pained smile on his face. “Anyways! There are no deliveries today, so I thought you could teach Neil some of the basic ropes. Robin is coming in late so I’m gonna be at the counter all morning.”
Andrew nodded. He unwound his scarf from his neck, hanging up his outerwear on the pegs in the wall. After washing his hands, he stuck his earbuds in and got to work. Kevin was always busy with little crafting projects at home to decorate the cafe, and it seemed he had finished his most recent one. A sea-glass mobile, bound together with copper by the window that reflected small beams of green and blues through the store. He had made various knick-knacks before, a ceramic tip-jar in the form of a turtle with a coin slot in its shell, watercolour paintings and paper garlands hung across the walls. Kevin was always looking for something to do. He had picked up a million and one different hobbies, meaning that Andrew got a hand-made sweater every christmas.
Quietly Andrew set about pulling the fresh muffins from the oven. They smelled heavenly, coated with green split blueberries and crackled cinnamon.
A hand reached out and tapped the surface of the table he was placing the muffins on, “Morning!” Neil said when he turned to acknowledge him. Andrew nodded in response, pulling an earbud out of his ear.
“Good morning,” He said. Neil grinned, and made a show of cracking his knuckles.
“Kevin says we’re working together today?” Neil asked, his sunglasses slipped down from his hair and he quickly pushed them back up, chuckling a little.
Andrew nodded, and gestured towards the sink. Neil seemed to understand and went to wash his hands.
The day passed quietly. Neil didn’t talk much, Andrew found himself stealing surreptitious glances towards the boy. Every time Neil would catch his gaze, he would swiftly look away, his ears turning scarlet. He didn’t put his earbuds in once that day.
That night, Neil waited for Andrew outside. Kevin had left earlier in the day, as he was heading home for the weekend.
“Hey,” Neil said, mist spilling from his lips, his warm breath turning white in the cold air, “Did you used to pretend you were smoking too?” he asked, his eyes a lot with mirth, as he noticed Andrew’s glance towards his lips.
“There was no need to pretend,” Andrew said, as he locked the door and shook it a few times. He shoved his mittened hands into his pockets.
“When did you start smoking?” Neil asked curiously.
“14,” Andrew said, “Thought it would make me look tougher,” He sighed and glanced up at the starry night.
“Did it?” Andrew glanced over at Neil, who looked like a quiet pale thing, almost nervous to ask the question, his eyes jack-rabbiting away from Andrew’s. He stayed silent for a moment before answering,
“Not really,” Andrew said, breaking the tense air,, “I was a scrawny little thing, never really hit my growth spurt,”
Neil laughed, “Neither did I, probably cause I never slept through the night,”
“Never?” Andrew asked, ‘relatable’ he thought. He squeezed his hands into fist, and his left hand curled around his car keys. He squeezed.
“Not since I was a child probably. I don’t remember ever sleeping well,” Neil said, he glanced up at the moon almost wistfully, a finger tapping his chin jokingly.
“Does this have something to do with your torture?” Andrew asked. Neil’s head snapped towards him.
“Ah-ah-ah,” He tutted, wagging his finger comically. “Patience is a virtue, and I’m as holy as a saint, I’m waiting for you to tell me first,”
Andrew laughed softly, “Somehow, I doubt that,” He said.
Neil mumbled something in return, and Andrew straightened,
“Sorry,” He said, feeling a twinge of shame, “I didn’t catch that,”
“Ah, nothing, I said nothing,” Neil reassured. Andrew felt like his feet were stuck to the pavement.
“Ok,” He said. Reaching a hand up to pull his scarf higher, the action seemed to flick a switch in Neils mind.
“Right, well, it’s cold, so… ” He took a few steps back. “I’m gonna go,”
“Yeah,” Andrew said.
“But, see you tomorrow,” Neil said. He glanced away, searching for his motorbike.
“Seeya,” Andrew turned quickly, stopping himself from ogling Neil’s legs again. He faintly heard Neil call something out but forced himself to continue walking.
Safely in his car, he could pretend that nothing had happened. As he strapped himself in, his phone buzzed in his back pocket. Cursing lightly and fumbling to pull it out, he froze as he saw the text.
Aaron [19:45] Hey Andrew! This is Katelyn :) I borrowed Aaron’s phone for a bit. He’s been bringing you up a lot lately… Do you think you could make it down? He’d love to see you even if he won’t admit it. So would the twins.
Aaron [19:46] Anyways, you don’t have to respond immediately. As you know, anytime is fine for us. ;) Just lmk when you find a good moment, you can stay for a few days. I know you’re busy, but I hope you can find the time.
“Fuck me,” Andrew said, the phone clutched tightly in his hand. He quickly switched over to his chat with Kevin.
You [19:47] yo i gotta c aaron, wont be here on mon - wed. cool?
As he waited for a response he sighed, pressing his fore-head against the wheel of his car. Sometimes he spent nights wondering how his life had turned out this way. Andrew could feel pricks of anxiety grow in his stomach, and he muffled a light gasp with the sleeve of his sweater.
His phone buzzed. “Snap out of it,” He muttered to himself, lifting his head from the wheel.
Kev [19:55] Yeah, it’s cool. Robin and Jer will be working anyway.
Kev [19:55] And Neil actually. How was closing? Wymack and Abby say ‘hi’ btw.
Kev [19:56] Abby wants to know when you’re coming round again. She said she’ll make whatever you want.
You [19:56] cool closing was fine.
You [19:57] tell her idk, ill lyk when im free. im rlly busy rn w aaron
Kev [19:57] Yeah I know, I’ll tell her.
Quietly, Andrew clicked on Aaron’s chatbox. His profile picture was an old one, of when everything had still been normal. It was the three of them, with Katelyn, they were all smiling, a rare picture. In the corner you could see the hand of one of the twins holding Andrews.
You [19:59] i’ll be there, mon - wed?
Aaron [20:00] Yes! Awesome. I’ll prepare the guest room. Thank you Andrew.
Despite it having been years, Katelyn still sounded as exciting and peppy as she had been as a cheerleader in college. Andrew was glad for it, while he had hated it then, her brand of genuine optimism was something that he saved both Aaron and his asses multiple times over the years.
Groaning, he unblocked her from his contacts. Something he had selfishly done a year before. When it had become too much to receive the constant updates. When all he wanted to do was close his eyes and pretend nothing had ever happened.
You [20:04] sry
Katelyn [20:05] It’s okay. Can you delete ur msgs? I want this to be a surprise for him.
Instead of responding, he deleted his singular message and watched the ones from Katelyn disappear off his screen. Even though he knew it was Katelyn and not Aaron, he felt like throwing up, watching the messages disappear in their already sparse chatbox.
~
The next day, Neil was waiting outside the café before he arrived, smoking a real cigarette this time, the stick hanging limply from his fingers, its red cherry the brightest pinpoint in the distance as he breathed in the smoke.
“You smoke?” Andrew said as a greeting, pulling the keys out of his pocket.
Neil startled, before he hurriedly put it out, crushing it under his converse, marking the cobblestones with black ash and orange paper. “Sorry,” He said, coughing the last vestiges of smoke from his lungs.
“I don’t mind,”
“Oh I figured you had quit,” Neil said, waving his hand limply in the air, referencing their conversation yesterday.
“I never said I quit,” Andrew said, pulling the door open and stepping inside, stomping his boots on the welcome mat as Neil followed him inside.
“Ah, I know, but I just… assumed. Because you started so young,” Neil said, his disjointed thoughts making even less sense out loud.
“Well, you are right, my lungs were probably going to collapse if I smoked for any longer than I did. I quit a few years ago.”
“Cool, I’m planning on quitting too,” Neil said.
“Oh really?” Andrew teased as he turned on the heater. Neil huffed behind him, pulling off his beanie and jacket.
“Yes, really!” He said, “It seems almost ridiculous, to have survived such a gruesome ordeal – he gestured towards his face – only to continue speeding up my death by smoking,” He said hotly.
“I agree,” Andrew said, “That’s also why I stopped,” He confessed.
“So you understand,” Neil said, grinning. “You know what!” He false-coughed a few times before cupping his hands around his mouth, “Because – he shouted – I have found someone who understands my plight whole-heartedly, I, Neil Abram Josten, have officially decided that on this fateful day of … today, I shall quit smoking. For good!” He quieted, dropping his hands from his mouth, meeting Andrew's gaze of amused disbelief, then said, “Thank you Andrew for saving me from an early death,” winking as he finished with a light bow.
Andrew was stunned silent. “You are absolutely ridiculous, Neil Abram Josten.”
“Why thank you, Andrew… hey, what’s your last name,”
“Joseph Minyard,” He said, feeling agreeable.
“Well, well, well, and the mysterious man confesses his full name. Won’t this compromise you Agent Minyard?”
“It’s only fair, no? You tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.” Andrew said, as he washed his hands, Neil trailing behind him. He twinged at the slightly suggestive tone, luckily Neil seemed to be utterly oblivious. He laughed, and Andrew relished the feeling of happiness that bloomed from his chest.
That day, Neil had to complete a few deliveries. It was just him and Robin. Robin was quiet. She worked a lot and never said much. Andrew had liked her from the start.
“Andrew,” she said, after tapping the island to get Andrew’s attention. “A customer has some questions about the ingredients of the banana-bread,”
“Are you kidding me?” Andrew muttered, Robin shrugged and turned back to the counter. He pulled the earbuds out of his ears and stood. Freezing when he saw who it was when he turned.
“Renee,” He said, and Renee smiled.
“Hello Andrew,”
It seemed to be ridiculous to exclaim at her being there, but Andrew couldn’t help himself, “You’re back,” He said.
“That I am, do you mind if I join you back there? With my delicious slice of banana bread? Now can you tell me if this banana bread contains walnuts or almonds, I’m deathly allergic to nuts you see.” She teased, already making her way around the counter to the back.
“When did you get back?” He asked, making space for her at the island. He had been making sour-bread sandwiches for the lunch-rush.
“Yesterday evening,” Renee said, as she grabbed a fork from the drawer.
“Aw, and you first came to see li’l ole me,” He cooed, “I’m touched,”
“Don’t flatter yourself, I obviously first went to see Allison,”
“Ah yes, the fiance ,”
“Indeed,” Renee said, before shoving a substantial bite of the bread into her mouth.
Andrew continued to work on his sandwiches as Renee opened her mouth to talk.
“Anyways, I’ll only be back for a week, then I’ll be gone until Christmas. After that I’ll finally get start my job locally,”
“Ooh, lucky us,” Andrew said.
“I was hoping we could hang out a few times over the week, I’ll be busy most of the end of the week, so it has to be in the next few days,” Renee said, as she pulled out her phone to look at her calendar.
“Busy with what?” Andrew asked.
“Allison mostly, the house, wedding prep, and all that, she has our schedule jam-packed.” Renee said, smiling softly.
“Ah, I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of each other then. I’m going to see Aaron from Monday to Wednesday.” Renee seemed surprised at his answer, though masked it by looking down at her plate, Andrew did the same, almost hesitant to look at her. Aaron was always a sore subject for him, which Renee understood.
“What a shame,” She said, “But I’m glad you're visiting Aaron. Have you two talked recently?”
Andrew shook his head, “No, Katelyn texted me. She says that he keeps on bringing me up,”
“Ah, how's it going with his…” Renee trailed off, biting her lip and swallowing her tongue as she watched Andrew’s expression. He was stone-faced, tightly gripping his glass, as if daring her to continue
“It’s fine.” He said, putting an end to the topic. Renee moved on.
“Good, well, I hope you don’t mind me shadowing you, while I haven’t worked here in a while, I’m sure I can remember the basics,” She said, standing up to brush her hands off on her shirt.
“Your apron is in the back,” Andrew said, standing as well.
“How sweet,” She said, as she opened the door to the locker room-slash-office.
Andrew buried his head in his hands, pressing his eye-sockets into the hard bone of his palms till it almost hurt. Till dots danced like his thoughts behind his eyelids. Slowly he lifted his head and blinked the fogginess away till the grinning face of Neil fucking Josten appeared in his vision.
“Christ!” He cried out, almost biting his tongue, “How long have you been there?”
“Just a few moments, finished my last delivery,” Neil leaned forward and snatched a sandwich from the tray in front of him. “These smell so good, you don’t mind if I have one right?” He said right before he took a large bite.
“That’s coming from your pay cheque.” Andrew snapped, still raw. He stood, carrying the tray of sandwiches to the front. The café was starting to fill up, people hoping to grab a bite with their family or friends. A few students desperate for a caffeine power-up. A couple or two on a date.
“Just on time,” Robin commented, as Andrew began placing them in the display case, each wrapped in a paper napkin, embellished with the café’s logo in green. Kevin had been going through a green craze when they had started their café. Everything had to be in various shades of green, he had said it would be a metaphor for their life, turning over a new leaf. Andrew thought it was rather ridiculous.
“Yeah, yeah,” Andrew begrudgingly said, “D’you need me out here?”
“Nah, I can handle this crowd. When it’s busier I’ll let you know,” Robin said, her face steel as though she were preparing for battle.
“Aite,” Andrew said, glad to be of no use, and spun quickly on the balls of his feet.
Neil was still gorging himself on his purged sandwich, scrolling on his phone as he ignored Renee’s attempts at a conversation. Renee looked up at Andrew helplessly, confused at the stranger ignoring her.
“Neil,” Andrew said sharply, “This is Renee, Renee, Neil.” He said, introducing them for her. Neil looked up lazily at her.
“Sup,” He said, already glancing back at his phone.
“Sorry, our delivery man’s undomesticated,” Andrew said, and Renee laughed at the light jab, but not without another tentative glance towards Neil. Her character, so kind it was very nearly a vice. Together the two of them worked on the rest of the sandwiches for the lunch rush. Soon enough Renee had to head to the counter to help out Robin and it was just Andrew and Neil in the back.
“You wanna tell me why you’re so stand-offish with Renee?” Andrew asked, placing a mug of tea in front of Neil.
Neil looked up, a wry grin on his face, “Who says I’m stand-offish?” but gratefully accepted the tea, warming his fingers with the mug.
“I do, dumbass,” Andrew said, flicking his forehead.
“Well, Agent Minyard, if you must know, I don’t like her vibe,” He said, huffing as he looked away from Andrew’s accusatory eyes.
“That’s surprisingly superficial, coming from you,” Andrew said, resting his head on his palm, “First-impressions aren’t everything,” He said.
“That’s hypocritical,” Neil said hotly, “With your character, I’m sure first-impressions are most important,” Andrew raised his eye-brow, of course, Neil wasn’t wrong. And yet.
“Are you trying to pick a fight Neil? If you need to scratch and itch, I will beat you up in the alleyway no questions asked,” Neil choked on his tea at Andrew’s suggestion.
“As if your short-ass could beat me up,” Neil said, clearly sarcastic. The tense air dissipated.
Andrew settled down, “Whatever helps you sleep at night, baby,” He watched as Neil inhaled sharply. He coughed lightly, and took another sip of his tea.
“Right, well. I can’t help it, I trust my gut, and my gut tells me there’s something off with her,” Neil said.
“All right,” Andrew said.
“Just like that?” Neil seemed surprised.
“Just like that,” Andrew affirmed. He settled his hands behind his neck and leaned backwards in his chair. He caught Neil glancing at his biceps, and couldn’t help himself but flex them before dropping his arms when done with his stretch. Neil was flushed a pretty pink, and Andrew’s ears were crimson.
That night after closing, Andrew drove Renee to Allison's house. He denied her offers for dinner and flipped Allison off when she made a rude gesture at him from her doorway. All too used to his antics, they waved him off and descended into the cosy quietness of their home. Well, as cosy and quiet as a house can get with three cats and a gecko, named Gucci, Coco, BabyLou and Maggie respectively.
On his drive home he felt as though the notes from the radio were slipping out through the cracks in the windows, the music so soft he could barely hear it.
In the morning, I’ll call you
Can’t you find a clue
When your eyes are all painted
Sinatra blue