Nice to meet you

Chapter Two

"Nice to meet you Jo."

"So how long are you in town?" Wilbur asks from his seat on the couch across from me. I sip my Red bull to give myself a moment to respond.

"I don't, uh, I don't really have intentions of leaving." Wilbur nods and I glance into the kitchen. Clay's making coffee, while George sits on a bar stool, watching him.

"So how do you know them?" The brunet asks, following my gaze to the kitchen.

"They're my brothers best friends. We're both from Florida, and Clay lived with us for years before he moved here to be with George," Another pause, another drink, "How do you know them?"

"Met George couple years ago through some online friends, we've been close ever since." I nod, and the awkward silence between us becomes apparent.

"You hungry Jo?" Clay's voice comes from the kitchen, and I let out a breath, thankful for the distraction.

"Whatcha makin?" I stand, giving Wilbur an apologetic smile before leaving for the kitchen. I sink into a bar stool next to George and pull out my phone, a text from Nick lighting up the top of my screen, and right below that, a text from Aidan. I stare at the text for a second before opening the one from Nick.

Mornin hope you slept good <3

I grin at the stupid happy text and immediately reply, saying good morning and that I did. I stare again at the message from Aidan before deciding to open it.

Josephine, I'm so sorry my love. I want you back. Where'd you go? Come back, we can work things out.

I don't respond. There's a part of me that just wants to block this man out of my life, after everything he's done to me, but there's another part of me that loved him. Because I did, I loved Aidan with my whole heart, he just wasn't who I thought he was. 

Footsteps behind me make me shut off my phone and slip it back into my pocket, which is probably a good thing. Wilbur slips into the bar stool to my right.

"Who wants coffee?" Clay asks, turning from the fancy coffee maker. 

"I'll take some." George just grunts.

"Isn't it like, almost ten?" The short man asks, and I glance towards the window, it is indeed dark outside.

"Eh, live a little Gogy." I grin before hurrying back to the living room to grab my Red bull. Back in the kitchen I pull an apple out of the fridge and reclaim my spot. George, much to his disdain, has a cup of coffee in front of him. I grin and bite into my apple.

"So, Clay, I need to find work somewhere." Clay sips his coffee and eyes me for a minute, before Wilbur speaks up.

"I might be able to find you work, depending on what you're willing to do." I raise an eyebrow and he continues, "My friend owns a little cafe that surprisingly isn't far from here, and she is looking for someone to just help her out. I could put in a good word for you, if you'd like." I stare at this man for a minute. His brown hair curls are tucked into a beanie, and his chocolate eyes bore into mine. I don't understand why he would want to help me, so I voice the thought.

"Why would you help me? You barely even know me." A light blush crosses his face, and I have to fight to keep a smile off of mine.

"I, I'm not quite sure. There's just something about you that makes me want to help you, to know you better."

"Okay. If you want to, then be my guest. But I'm exhausted, jet lag is a bitch." I stand and nod to George and Wilbur. Clay walks over and wraps me in a quick hug. When he releases me I retreat to my room, flinging myself onto my bed I open my phone again and stare at the message from Aidan.

I'm not coming back, Aidan. We're done, I told you that. I'm done being your little plaything. Find. Someone. Else.

I send the message, and then I block him, ready to be done with the dirt bag. Then I quickly message Nick before going to change into my pajamas.

When are you moving down here? I miss you.

His reply comes quickly.

Soon, hopefully within the next few weeks. I love you

And with the knowledge that my brother will be here soon enough, I sleep.