Take Me Home

JEFF

Jeff is standing at the gate, his face twisted into a scowl as he checks his watch. The sun is about to set, and Rainey is nowhere in sight.

He knows she’s aware that he usually waits for her at the gate. He’s certain she couldn’t have slipped past him unnoticed.

Sure, he might have been engrossed in a few hilarious videos for a bit, but he’s always been able to sense her presence, even when he’s not looking.

He pulls out his phone and dials her number, muttering a curse when it goes straight to voicemail.

“This damn kid. I ought to teach her a lesson,” he grumbles, deciding to send her a quick text instead.

Jeff

I am at the gate. Pick your damn phone up.

He glances up just in time to see two girls heading toward the parking lot. Olivia and Lisa are so engrossed in their conversation that they don’t notice Jeff’s irritated figure approaching them.

“Excuse me.”

His voice startles them, and they exchange wary looks before turning their attention back to the stranger in his nineties sunglasses.

Olivia points to herself, unsure if she’s the one he’s addressing. She’s certain she’s never seen this man in her eighteen years of life. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah,” he confirms, removing his sunglasses and taking a step toward them. They instinctively step back, causing Jeff to frown.

“You don’t need to back away. I don’t have the coronavirus. I just need to ask you something. Do you know a girl named Rainey? She has brown hair, is short, and usually wears black leather boots.”

Jeff watches as the girls exchange knowing looks, and he immediately knows they have the answer.

“Great. Where is she?”

“Your daughter broke my wrist,” Olivia states, crossing her arms and frowning.

Jeff couldn’t care less about her broken wrist. He’s more concerned about why these girls think he’s Rainey’s father.

He doesn’t think he looks that old, and he’s been working hard on his physique lately, hoping Rainey would notice.

“She’s not my daughter,” he clarifies. “Now, where is she?”

Olivia scoffs, “Listen, sir—”

“Don’t call me ~sir~. I’m thirty-one.”

“My dad’s forty-one, and he looks way younger than you.” She grins sweetly.

Jeff closes his eyes and tries to keep his cool. He despises these girls, and he doesn’t even know them.

“Just tell me where Rain is. That’s all I’m asking.”

“How would we know?” Olivia retorts. “She’s always chasing after my boyfriend, so she’s probably at his part-time job or something. That little bitch.”

Jeff grunts at the thought of Rainey being interested in a guy. He can feel his blood boiling as he clenches his teeth.

“Where does he work part-time?”

“Crossview Café,” Lisa chimes in. “It’s a café just down the street.”

That’s all he needs to hear. He turns away, muttering a string of curses under his breath as he gets into his car.

He speeds off, leaving Olivia coughing in the dust his tires kick up. She waves away the dust particles, grimacing at his retreating car. “You’re welcome. Jerk.”

RAINEY

I follow Ansel into the café. Tim grins at me from behind the counter, where he’s grinding coffee beans.

He’s probably curious about why I changed my mind. But judging by the knowing smirk on his face, he can guess it’s because of Ansel.

“Sam, this is Rainey. Rainey, this is Sam,” Ansel introduces as I awkwardly take a seat across from the unfamiliar girl.

I’m not great with new people, especially girls, and considering the strange feelings I have for her potential ~boyfriend~, this situation is pretty uncomfortable.

I was expecting her to be snobby and full of attitude, so her warm smile and outstretched hand take me by surprise. I stare at her slender fingers for a moment.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Rainey.”

“Nice to meet you too…” I take her hand, giving it a quick shake before withdrawing my own and placing it back in my lap.

My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket to see Jeff’s number on the caller ID. Even though his number isn’t saved in my phone, I’ve memorized it so I can avoid his calls.

I ignore it and put it back in my pocket.

“Okay, so I’ll get your coffee, Rain. Sam, do you want anything?”

She nods at him, resting her chin on her folded hands. “Yeah, coffee is fine. Thanks, An.”

~An?~

He walks away, and my gaze follows him, my mind preoccupied with the nickname she just used. Even though I don’t have much experience with relationships, I can recognize one when I see it.

She just used a nickname, and that’s something you only do when you’re close to someone, right?

“Rainey?” She lightly taps her bright red nails on the table to get my attention. I jump slightly, bringing my gaze back to her.

She laughs, revealing her perfect teeth. “Are you back with us?”

I manage a small smile, but I can’t ignore the uneasy feeling in my stomach. ~An~. She just called him ~An~. She must be his girlfriend.

“I was asking if you two have any classes together?”

“Oh.” I shift uncomfortably, doing my best not to let my emotions show. I’m not one to wear my heart on my sleeve. “We have homeroom, math, and gym together so far.”

“Oh.” She nods, a genuine smile lighting up her glossy lips. “Ansel’s a nice guy, isn’t he?”

She shifts her gaze to him, and I follow suit, thankful for the opportunity she’s given me to admire his flawless form.

He’s engaged in a lively conversation with Tim over the counter as he prepares the coffee.

“Yeah…he is.”

“Mm. Do you like him?”

Her question nearly makes me choke on nothing. My throat tightens as I turn to her, blinking in surprise, my mouth opening and closing as if I’ve suddenly lost my voice.

She chuckles at my reaction, her eyes narrowing. “Why the surprised look? Did I hit a nerve?”

I shake my head quickly. “No. No, I don’t like him like that. He’s just a classmate.”

Why is she probing me about this when it seems like they’re probably dating? Is she testing me? I don’t think I can handle any more jealous women today.

She grins. “The way you look at him says a lot. If you don’t want him to know how you feel, you might want to control those adorable blushes. Ansel is very observant. He notices everything.”

I lower my gaze. “I’m not blushing. And like I said, I don’t like him that way.”

“Mm. Okay, if you say so.” She giggles a bit.

Ansel comes back with two cups of coffee and two muffins on a small tray.

“What are you two ladies chatting about?” he asks as he places a cup of coffee and a muffin in front of each of us.

I glance at Sam, and she grins, crossing one leg over the other. “Girl stuff.”

Ansel just laughs as he takes a seat next to me. I focus on the cup in Sam’s hand and realize that he made her the same coffee he made for me last time and this time. His ~special~.

I can’t shake the odd feeling it gives me. I thought ~I~ was special.

My grip on my cup tightens as I blow on my coffee to cool it down.

“An, I’ll swing by later after I pick up Anthony from my sister’s,” she starts, taking a small sip of her coffee. “So make sure to let Alaric know.”

“Oh yeah, you should. I miss the little guy.”

She chuckles. “Yeah, he misses you too. Keeps saying he wants to be like you when he grows up. What does a five-year-old know?”

Five-year-old? And now the most absurd thought crosses my mind. Do they have a child together?

The idea is so terrifying that I take a big gulp of the piping hot liquid.

It sears my tongue and scorches my throat so badly that I wince audibly, causing Ansel to turn to me with a worried look.

“Rain, you okay?”

I stick out my tongue, fanning my hand over the burned spot. “The coffee…,” I manage to say.

Sam smiles a bit as Ansel turns to me.

“Let me see.”

His brow furrows in concern as he holds the side of my face. He examines my tongue, his face so close to mine that our breaths mix.

His hand feels so soft on my face, and his touch is incredibly gentle, as if I’m delicate and could easily shatter.

This is hard for me, and Sam probably notices, since she’s trying to hide her smile behind her coffee cup.

“It’s red,” Ansel says.

~Is he talking about my face?~

“Your tongue is red. I’m going to get you some water, okay?”

I nod, and he quickly stands up and rushes to the counter. He returns in no time with a jar of cool water and a glass. He pours me some and hands it to me.

“This should help.”

“Thanks.” I take a sip. The cool liquid soothes my throat, easing the pain caused by the coffee. “That’s better.”

Ansel smiles. “Let me take another look.”

I stick out my tongue, and after a quick look he nods. “Looks a bit better.”

I smile slightly, but he doesn’t move away immediately. He sits there, staring at me for longer than necessary, his smile unwavering.

His eyes are deeper than the ocean, and they hold so many layers and mysteries. I can’t decipher them, and it’s not fair, considering how easily he reads mine. Sam glances between us both curiously.

The ringing bell on the café doors breaks the awkward silence, and I look up to see the person I despise most storming into the café.

Jeff strides over to us, anger in every step as his eyes scan the table, resting on Ansel for a moment as they darken noticeably.

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Get up!” he orders, gripping my wrist painfully and yanking me to my feet.

I nearly twist my ankle as I pull my hand from his rough grasp, stepping back. “I said DON’T touch me!”

Heads turn in our direction, as customers wonder what the sudden commotion is all about.

Sam looks confused, and she turns to Ansel for answers, but his eyes are narrowed as he takes in the unfolding scene.

Jeff scoffs, stepping closer to me and pointing his finger at my face.

“You’re really overstepping your bounds with me, little girl. I should teach you a lesson, huh? Don’t make me have to. Be a good girl and get your defiant ass in the car right now.”

He points his finger at the car outside, parked by the curb.

“I said no. Leave me alone.” I move to sit back down, but he firmly grabs my arm. I wince, and Ansel jumps up, his chair falling back as he grabs Jeff’s bicep.

“Let her go,” he orders.

I look at Ansel. He’s still managing to keep his cool, but judging by his clenched jaw and stern expression, he probably won’t for much longer.

Jeff laughs manically as he lets go of me, turning to Ansel and pulling his bicep from his grip. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he steps up to him.

“I don’t remember asking for your opinion, kid.”

“Leave. She doesn’t want to go with you, so stop being a nuisance, and stop ruining the peaceful atmosphere of the café. Leave.”

Jeff shoots him a glare, and I’m reminded of the last guy who got in Ansel’s face. He ended up with a face full of bruises.

“You might not realize who you’re dealing with. I’d suggest you back off. Let me take her, or you’re not going to like what comes next.”

“I’m not going with you,” I say firmly. “I won’t get in that car. Can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Quiet,” Jeff snaps, reaching out to grab me. But Ansel steps in, blocking him and pulling me gently behind him.

Jeff rolls his eyes and lets out a chilling laugh. He pinches the bridge of his nose, then rests his hands on his hips.

“Move, kid.”

Ansel doesn’t budge.

Jeff mutters a curse under his breath. “I knew I was going to hate your meddling ass the moment I laid eyes on you. Should’ve punctured your damn heart instead of your tires.”

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. “You did that to his bike?!”

Ansel shoves his hands in his pockets, glaring at Jeff. He doesn’t seem surprised or bothered by Jeff’s words.

“You see, Jeff, a lion doesn’t like another lion in his territory. Why? Because they’re dominant creatures.

“I get your need to ‘rule.’ But the real question is: you’re not her ~dad~, so why are you trying so hard?”

Jeff stiffens, and guilt flashes across his face. His confident demeanor falters.

Ansel studies his reaction, then smiles. “There’s only one reason for that. Should I say it out loud?” He looks around, a mocking smirk on his face.

I rub my arm and step back, their conversation triggering painful memories of those nights.

I close my eyes, puffing out my cheeks. Jeff needs to leave, and this conversation needs to end. Sam is watching me, a curious look on her face.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jeff denies, his face twitching with anger.

Ansel shrugs. “But I know exactly what I’m talking about. And deep down, you do too.”

“You’re pushing me,” Jeff says, stepping closer to him.

I step forward, grabbing Ansel’s hand. “It’s okay, Ansel. Let it go.”

Jeff’s eyes drop to my hand on Ansel’s arm, and his muscles tense. He clenches his fist and grabs Ansel’s collar.

Ansel’s eyes flash with a dangerous glint I’ve never seen before. But then the café’s back door swings open, and Tim strides over with a stern look on his face.

“What’s happening here?” he demands.

“I’ll kill you,” Jeff threatens Ansel.

“No, you won’t. The only one dying will be you if you don’t get your uncivilized ass out of my café,” Tim warns, stepping up to Jeff. “Let him go.”

Ansel knocks Jeff’s hand off his collar, and Jeff raises his fist to swing. But Tim is already behind him, grabbing his arms and locking them behind his back.

“Let me go!” Jeff yells, struggling to break free. But Tim just twists his arms tighter and starts pushing him towards the exit. “Ansel, get the door.”

Ansel moves to the café door and holds it open. Jeff tries to resist, but Tim manages to push his bulky figure through the doors.

Jeff stumbles, nearly falling flat on his face, but he steadies himself and clenches his jaw.

“I don’t want to see you here again,” Tim warns him.

Jeff points at him, a malicious look on his face. “You’ll see me again. Count on it.” His eyes shift to me, promising trouble, before he turns and heads to his car.

Everyone goes back to their business, murmuring and chatting about the recent drama.

“Who was that jerk, Rainey?” Tim asks, coming back over to us.

“My mom’s boyfriend,” I mumble.

He looks confused, but just nods, deciding not to pry. “He’s banned from my café from now on. You okay?”

I give a small shrug, and he pats my shoulder, nods to Ansel, and heads back to his counter.

I sit back down, and Ansel does too. Sam looks curious, but Ansel doesn’t satisfy her curiosity. His eyes are focused on me.

“I don’t know how your mom ended up with someone like that,” he says softly.

Suddenly my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, and when I see who the message is from, I roll my eyes.

Mother

You never cease to disgust me, Rainey Slate! Jeff just called me and told me what you did!

Mother

You better not come home tonight! Not until you have reflected on your actions. I don’t want to see you on my porch steps!

“Everything okay?” Ansel asks.

I nod slightly, stuffing my phone back in my pocket with a sigh.

“Are you sure?” Sam asks, concern etched on her face.

I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

She sighs. “Oh. Uh, I need to go pick up Anthony from his aunt’s. I’ll see you later, Rainey.”

Sam smiles, and I manage a weak one in return.

“Bye, Ansel.”

He nods. “See you later, Sam.”

She gets up and leaves the café. Night has fallen, and the rain that was promised earlier has started to lightly tap on the café’s roof.

Ansel looks out the window, then back at me, worry on his face. “Do you want me to walk you home when it stops raining?”

“My mom says I can’t come home,” I mumble.

Ansel narrows his eyes. “What?”

“Jeff told her something, and I know it’s not the truth, but it doesn’t matter because she’ll believe him anyway.”

He sighs. “Your mom is really messed up.”

I glance down, my shoulders lifting in a shrug. “It’s her go-to punishment. Back at my old place, I’d just crash at Riley’s for the night.

“But now, she’s miles away and…I don’t know anyone here.”

A quiet moment passes, filled only with the hum of the vintage jukebox, the patter of rain, and the grinding noise of Tim making coffee. When I look up, Ansel’s face is etched with concern.

~Pity~. I can’t stand pity.

I shake my head. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Rain…” He scoots closer to me on his stool, and I force myself to meet his gaze.

“Would you like to come home with me?”