Part 2
### Chapter 1: Chapter One
I sat the coffees down on the wooden table in front of us and stared longingly into the eyes of my one true love.
•Dark brown, wavy hair.
•Killer smile.
•Hilarious personality.
Jason Hart really was the living embodiment of perfection. Guys wanted to be him and girls wanted to date him. Me? I wanted to marry him.
"Babe, kiss me," he demanded, puckering up.
I licked my lips and focused my green gaze into his, lost in the depths of his ocean blues. Inviting and kind, he drew me in with that one look. I wanted to drown in the intensity of his eyes. Relish in their beauty. Instead, I did nothing but stare as he landed the kiss to end all kisses on his girlfriend–Anna's–lips.
Talk about awkward!
"Hmm, you taste like peppermint," he beamed.
They both pulled away, thankfully ending their intimate moment.
Anna Jones was a marketing major, sorority sister and one lucky duck. She'd been dating my roommate for six delightful months, making her a regular occurrence in my life. I never acted upon my feelings and certainly wouldn't while he had a girlfriend. Anna was a lovely girl and I'd never do anything to jeopardise their relationship. After all, they were perfect together and I had no right interfering.
"Thanks for the coffee, Ebony," she stated, gesturing towards the three take-out cups. "I need it after my lecture."
"Is professor Jenkins still being an ass?" asked Jason, throwing her some seriously sympathetic eyes.
I longed for him to offer me the same amount of compassion.
"Yep. Nothing we do pleases him. The guy takes 'tough love' to a whole new level."
I sipped on my bitter concoction, enjoying its brutality.
"That sucks. I'm glad the coffee can help. Although, I really can't take any of the credit. Greg the barista is the true hero here," I offered.
All three of us looked towards the counter, flashing our favourite member of staff our biggest cheese. Greg often slipped us freebies when his manager wasn't looking and I especially appreciated those treats in the form of cake. Coffee-To-Go was an infestation of amazing beverages, free wi-fi and live music. I sometimes gigged here with my band and enjoyed the chilled out atmosphere. Majority of students from Florida State College frequented here, making it Tallahassee's number one hot spot on a Monday morning. Zombies would emerge from their previous night out, desperate for some caffeine.
"Should I be concerned your leg is vibrating?" asked Anna, aiming her enquiry towards Jason.
I inwardly cringed.
"My phone is ringing," he insisted, pulling it from his jeans pocket. "It's Alex."
Alex was his older, career-driven, brother. We'd yet to meet but I knew a lot about him through stories told by Jason. He lived not ten kilometres from where our apartment sat, though refused to visit due to his insane timetable. He was a lawyer and lived for work, apparently.
"Hey, bro. What up?"
There was silence as Jason no doubt allowed Alex to speak, prompting Anna and I to drink from our cups. I busied myself with people watching but soon switched my attention back to Jason upon being summoned.
"I'll check with Ebony but it shouldn't be an issue," he ensured, covering his phone to kindly explain. "Alex's house flooded. It's cool if he stays with us while it's renovated, right?"
I nodded. Partly because I couldn't physically say no to Jason and partly because I felt sorry for Alex. A flooded house sounded nothing short of a nightmare and I didn't mind throwing the guy a bone.
"Yep, she says that's fine. Come tonight if you like?"
Again, there was silence.
"Oh, you're here now? Awesome. See you soon, dude."
He hung up and flashed me a smile, appreciative as ever. "Thanks, Ebony! You're really saving his ass right now. A burst pipe has well and truly fucked him over."
"Poor guy," I reasoned, checking the time on my watch. "I need to head to class now but tell your brother to help himself to our food. I have a few spare blankets he can use for tonight too."
"You're amazing, Ebony!"
Not amazing enough to date!
"I know I am! Catch you guys later!" I hollered, rushing towards the exit.
Outside, the heat hit me like a sack of potatoes to the face. It didn't matter that I lived here or that I had for almost two and a half years. I would never get used to the humidity.
God bless the inventor of AC!
I hurried towards campus, mindful of my take-out coffee. The last thing I wanted was to wear my latte. I had made that mistake only last week when rushing to class. Never again.
"Ebony!"
My best friend and lead guitarist of The Struggling Somebodies (AKA, my band) shouted to gain my attention, waving his hands around like a mad man.
"Hey, Jez," I greeted, hugging him with great fondness. "You on your way to class?"
He nodded. "Walk with me?"
We linked arms and took off down the sidewalk, heading towards the south building. My communications class was taking place in the new wing, whereas Jez was needed in the old part. He was studying music management and I, elementary education. My dream to be a teacher stretched as far back as I could remember and I couldn't wait to become fully qualified.
"Cordelia might've landed us a gig at a new bar opening happening this weekend. She knows a guy who knows a guy," he explained, piquing my interests.
Cordelia was his girlfriend and The Struggling Somebodies biggest fan. It was only the two of us but that didn't sway Cordelia's dedication. I would sing and Jez would play. We didn't take it too seriously and for the most part, kept it casual. It was a fun and easy way to earn some quick cash.
"Awesome. Shall we get together through the week and run through a few songs just in case?"
"Absolutely. I've wrote another original if you wanna practice that? We won't do it this weekend, obviously."
As well as covers, we sometimes did originals when Jez had a streak of genius.
"I'll give it a go," I ensured, breaking away as to head right.
"Text you later?"
I nodded. "Yeah, see ya!"
I threw him a goofy wave and off I went, slamming straight into a solid body. My coffee went flying, as did my dignity.
Shit!
Brown liquid dripped from my victim's chin and stained his shirt, no doubt rendering it useless.
Double shit!
****
BOOM!
Chapter one; did you like it? Let me know in the comments !
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### Chapter 2: Chapter Two
I stared up at my Monday morning victim, expecting to find glowering eyes burning into the very depths of my soul. Instead, amusement shone back at me; warm and welcoming.
"Thanks for the coffee," he said, flashing me a dimple-showing smirk.
I couldn't have been more mortified if I tried.
"I'm so sorry! You're soaked," I replied, toying between the idea of helping him out of his shirt and doing nothing.
In the end, I did nothing.
"That's quite alright. No point crying over spilled coffee. It'll dry," he insisted, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket.
I watched as he ran the cotton material over his chin, wiping away any leftover remnants of coffee. His light stubble appeared to rebel against the smooth action, drawing attention to his striking jaw.
"I owe you a drink," he stated, throwing his handkerchief in the nearby trash can. "Seeing as I'm wearing yours."
I almost laughed in his face.
"I'm late for class," I informed, regretfully declining his very blunt offer to accompany him for a drink.
Not that this seemed to stop him. He pulled out a fountain pen from his suit jacket and took the, now, empty cup of coffee from my hands. He then proceeded to scribble down his number, blowing me away with his confidence.
"I don't even know your name," I argued, kindly accepting the cup from him.
"Call me later and find out," he replied, throwing in a mischievous wink.
Before I could respond, he walked away, leaving me with an empty coffee cup and a mind full of thoughts.
What the hell just happened?
****
By the time four PM rolled around, I was ready for some much needed food and my bed. Monday's were my busiest days and, as tedious as they were, I preferred it that way. At least then I got it over and done with.
"Hey Ebony. I saw you're on the setlist for the new bar opening down town," stated Zac, our neighbour. "Can't wait!"
"Oh, really? Jez mentioned it. I guess it got approved," I replied, fishing around in my purse for my keys.
I shot him a wave as he retreated back into his apartment, aware of the manly noises coming from the other side of the door to mine. I'd forgotten all about Alex staying with us. Between my busy schedule and my odd encounter with a mysterious man, it had completely slipped my mind.
"Here she is!" delighted Jason, no doubt hearing my arrival. "The one and only, Ebony Lowes."
I entered the kitchen with every intention of introducing myself to his older brother, though stopped short due to who was currently residing on the stool. The guy I spilled coffee on earlier this morning grinned at me, seemingly enjoying a joke I wasn't a part of.
"Hey, you must be Jason's roommate?" he asked, standing from his position. "Nice to meet you."
His pretence that this was our first time meeting came as quite the relief. I didn't know how I felt about Jason's brother giving me his number. Did he know who I was when he did that? Was that why he did it?
"Lovely to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you."
"Only bad I hope," he responded, with a flirtatious edge.
Oh, God!
"We're ordering take-out," informed Jason, thankfully interrupting. "Want in?"
"Sure."
He thrusted a pizza menu my way, encouraging me to state my order as a way of hurrying the process up.
"I'll have the-"
"Let me guess! The Hawaiian!" he stated, proud of himself for guessing correctly.
I couldn't contain my happiness. The fact he remembered showed he cared. He cared about me which meant maybe one day...
"Make that two," inputted Alex, sliding his younger brother a fifty. "Dinner is on me."
Wow.
"Thanks," I replied, "In that case. I'll have chicken wings too."
"What was that, Ebony? Five orders of chicken wings?" mocked Jason, seemingly taking advantage of the fact Alex was paying. "And caviar on the side!"
"Caviar with pizza would be disgusting," informed Alex, taking our light teasing like a champ. "And would certainly cost more than fifty dollars."
Well, that's us told.
Jason smirked and proceeded to call the pizza place, likely having it saved to speed dial. He quickly excused himself when someone on the other end picked up, leaving me alone in our kitchen with Alex.
"So, coffee guy..."
"So, clumsy girl..."
We both smiled.
"Did you know who I was when you gave me your number?" I asked, more than a little curious.
"Not a clue," he admitted.
His suit jacket from earlier was long gone, leaving him in a white, button down shirt, perfect for clinging to his forearms. The stain was no longer there, leading me to the assumption he had changed.
The colouring in his eyes were much darker than his younger brother's; resembling that of a midnight-blue. Jason's reminded me of an ocean during the day. Alex's, at night. His hair was slightly lighter and much more accurately styled. In comparison to Jason's 'messy look', it was much more precise.
"So, Ebony," he began, slowly approaching.
He stopped in front of me and took it upon himself to grasp my waist, enforcing just enough pressure to have me sweating.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Umm...
"Sure," I squeaked, in need of my own personal space.
I feared Jason would walk in and stumble upon what ever the hell this was. Would he think I was interested in his brother? Would he think any less of me? Before I could pull away, Alex positioned his mouth next to my ear, grazing his hot breath along my cheek. I shivered from the interaction and struggled to maintain what little calmness I had left. His closeness was overwhelming. It was inappropriate. It was...nice?
Until he spoke, that was.
"How long have you been in love with my brother?"
OH, SHI-
****
Wow. Our Alex is an observant one, that's for sure.
What would you guys do in Ebony's position?
Lie or admit to it?
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