Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Thirty - Nothing Left

The next morning, I left the house without telling Zoe or Laura where I was going. I needed to keep whatever this was absolutely private. 

Kyra had agreed to meet me for coffee after lunch, just 18 hours before she had to catch a plane to Adelaide for a Matilda's game. 

Higher Ground was particularly busy with people on their lunch breaks quickly grabbing something to take away, and as I walked into the café, my stomach twisted with nerves. 

I was early, and the thought of being stood up in front of all these people made me feel like I could throw up.

I found a seat on the only table that seemed secluded enough and settled in, my leg bouncing up and down with anxiety. Every time the door opened, my heart skipped a beat, but it was never Kyra. Time dragged on, and I felt the weight of every passing minute.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Kyra walked in. She was just a casual 10 minutes late, but it meant I had been sitting there for almost 45 minutes nerves almost getting the better of me. 

Her head scanned the room, searching for me. I stood up, but she almost walked right past me.

"Ky," I called out softly.

She spun around, and her smile was warm and welcoming, but it seemed almost too friendly. There was no hunger, no desire like there used to be. It was a smile that could have been for anyone.

"Hey," she said, approaching me extending out a weak hug.

"Hey," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "Thanks for coming."

Kyra nodded, pulling out the chair opposite mine. "It's fine, I'm glad you asked"

She sat down, her face looking a little tired and I knew she'd had a morning doing some sort of meet and greet. 

"How'd you end up last night?" she asked breaking the silence. 

"Yeah alright, Laura was so drunk though so I'm a bit rough on the sleep thanks to Lillie" I gushed over my words, running my hand nervously through my hair. "How did Ultra go?" 

She nodded, picking up the menu "Yeah good heaps of people there though" 

I nodded following her lead, "That's good, sorry about last night I-" I was trying to explain so quickly she had to cut me off. 

"It's fine I spoke to Bec, I know you didn't know I was with Zoost Management" she just glanced up quickly and then back down at the menu. "I think i'm going to just get the eggs on sourdough what are you thinking?" her words were so casual it shocked me. 

"Um- I'm not sure" I quickly scanned the menu trying to give her an answer.

"I'm gonna say you want the Chai Waffles or the Pork Belly" she smiled up at me looking eagerly awaiting my response. 

My cheeks burnt slightly at the embarrassment of my predictable dietary habits "Yeah I was thinking the waffles" I admitted. 

Finally Tiff came over and took our orders, as Kyra finished ordering Tiff turned to me. 

"Let me guess Skinny Latte and is it Waffles or Pancakes today" I sheepishly smiled "Actually can I get a skinny flat white and I'll have the waffles today please" her face looked shocked at my change of coffee but nodded and walked away. 

"You've been getting Lattes?" Kyra's face instantly dropped as Tiff walked just out of ear shot. 

I pursed my lips together "Yeah it's been a weird few months" 

She looked at me slightly, a flash of guilty and empathy scanning over her face. 

"How's things been?" her question seemed so far off anything I knew she really wanted to say.