Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Forty Nine

"Nate thinks he's using meth again. He was doing it about a year ago, but stopped because he didn't want to get caught and get kicked off the football team. He's a full ride football scholarship."

I stop telling Leo about Jax because Ronnie is walking this way. "Ronnie's coming over." I say, taking a drink of my coffee. Leo and I are on break at the same time. This almost never happens, but I didn't get to go on mine when I was supposed to because Ronnie stuck me with a cart of books to shelve. Tyler is sick tonight so I still have to be at the desk in case anyone needs help, but so far no one's come up, other then to drop books in the bin.

"Hello, Star. Are you and Leo enjoying your coffee break?" Leo says. He's everything stereotypical of a perv. His glasses are always sliding off his nose and his hair is shaggy, but not in a cool way. It's slicked back with way too much hair goop. He wears these short sleeved button up shirts, always stripes, except they're conveniently unbuttoned one button too many to be casual. They're also always wrinkled. Like he gets them out of the dryer, and throws them in the laundry basket....until he pulls one out to wear days later.

"Yes, thanks for letting me take my break with Leo, Ronnie." I say, flashing my sweet fake smile I use...only on Ronnie.

It gets me out of trouble if I'm running late, and also comes in handy whenever I'm trying to get Ronnie to do something for me. A smile and a little cleavage is gold with pervy Ronnie.

"Oh, not a problem, Star. Sorry I had to stick you with that cart of books before. Stephanie went home sick and Dave doesn't get here for two more hours." He's standing way to close to me.

Ronnie also wears too much cologne...and it's old man cologne. Makes me think of my grandpa, who is infinitely cooler then Ronnie, even at 73.

"It's ok. Actually, I like going on break late. It makes the rest of the night go by fast. Anytime you want me to do extra stuff, I will, especially if it gets me a break with Leo." I say, grinning at Leo.

"Really...well that's nice to know, Star." He says, grinning.

What...what is that face?

"Oh, hey Ronnie, there's a girl over there trying to flag you down." Leo says.

Ronnie turns around quickly to see. He smiles...like the Grinch. "Yes, that's Caroline. She's trying to get a job here, in the office. I told her she could meet me tonight for coffee, and we'd talk about her office skills." He looks back at Leo and I, then smiles and scurries off.

"Oh, Leo. Tell me that didn't just sound like poor Caroline is about to get the whole Ronnie-the-Perv experience?!" I say, watching Ronnie slither across the lobby.

"Nope, that was pervy Ronnie, moving in for the kill. So back to Jax. What can you do, I mean if he's using again, how is that your problem, Star? I know you care about him, which shows what a good person you are, but you aren't even with him anymore."

"I know. I still care though. I just want him to be ok. It's losing his mom. That's what caused him to start again. I'm not even sure he is. That's just what Nate thinks. So I'm keeping an eye on him. I mean, it's only been a week since his mom died. I'm not gonna keep this going forever, but...I feel..."

"Guilty. You feel guilty because of Mikey and this is your way of trying to make it right. I get it. Just be careful. If he's using again, and drinking...if he finds out about you and Mikey, that could go bad really fast, Star." Leo finishes his coffee and throws it in the trash can under my counter.

"Back to my desk! Hey, Stella wants you and Mikey to go out with us some night, after you guys are officially able to go out in public. Hey, I bet the sneaking around is hot though! Sex with the danger of getting caught, amps up the thrill." He says, smiling.