The Barista

Cabo

"Please, come home." Abby pleads in her text. "We all miss you. It's been a week. Your uncle showed up to see you and you disappeared. He misses you. We know you're safe because of the message you sent, but that isn't enough proof. Please, girly! I love you! This isn't fair!"

Not fair! The nerve of her!

"I'm fine." I write. "Don't worry about me."

"We are! Liam is very worried."

"He didn't tell you?" I quickly write. "I broke up with him that same day. I told my uncle how disappointed I was in him. And you, Abby! Of all people, I was supposed to trust you the most. And you didn't think it would be a good idea to let me know my brain blocked a bunch of shit out?"

"No. I didn't. I'm just as young as you and I don't know any better. I don't know how to explain any of that stuff. I don't deserve to be treated like this. If you're not going to come home for now, then whatever. But don't hate me because I was young and didn't know how to explain any of it."

I exhale, realizing I am being too hard on my best friend. She's always there for me and she's right, she doesn't mean any harm ever.

"I'm sorry." I write back. "I don't mean it. I'm just frustrated and shook. You're the one person I shouldn't be angry with. Forgive me. And I will be home soon enough."

"I forgive you." She's quick to write. "Now tell me, where are you?"

I breathe in the fresh air and look up at the ocean. "I took my first week's pay and decided to take a trip and get away from it all. Ron understood and gave me some time off. I'm in Cabo. The same place my uncle just returned from. So, I can imagine he will be pissed when he finds out."

"He will be grateful to know you're safe. That's all that matters."

"I leave tomorrow. So, I'm going to enjoy my last day here. I will see you soon enough."

"Liam misses you. He's heartbroken. I couldn't figure out anything he was going through. Holten didn't tell me you two broke up. Now I know and it makes sense. Just hear him out when you get home."

"I'll consider it," I say and set my phone down.

Shit! They better not show up now that they know I'm in Cabo.

There is no way...except that I've had my location on this entire time, so that means Abby had to have known where I was. Then why did she ask me?

I lay back on the beach chair and stare out into the ocean. I feel relieved and realize my body needs this. It's been forever since I have been able to clear my mind. And clearing my mind is number one on my list of goals.

"Excuse me, ma'am." A male voice calls out. "Is anyone sitting here?"

I open my eyes again, looking up at a man looking no older than twenty-five. His sculpted body doesn't surprise me considering almost every guy here looks like they take care of their body.

"Nope." I'm quick to say and close my eyes again.

"By yourself?" He asks.

"Yep." I'm quick to answer. "Taking a mini vacation."

"What's mini?" He asks.

"A week," I say, wanting him to shut up so I can return to my tan. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm half asleep and would love a nap."