The Guy Everybody Wants

Chapter 3

I got out of the car walked around the back of the small coffee shop. I needed to cash in my verbal I.O.U coupon from George, the owner. The coffee shop used to be quite unpopular and mostly empty, but ever since Colby Evans became a regular customer, it's become Green Haven's tourist attraction and is constantly full of people trying to get a glimpse of me.

You're welcome, George.

I reached the fire exit at the side of the building. It said 'Staff Only' but George had given me permission to use it when the shop was busy and I needed to get in without being seen.

I opened the door, stepped through and closed it behind me as quietly as I could. I took my usual route and tiptoed through the kitchen. Before I could be seen by anyone over the service counter, I ducked and crawled up towards it.

George was at the other end of the counter serving a nice young woman a coffee and hadn't seen me yet. I crawled over to him and tugged on his pant leg to get his attention. He must have jumped three feet in the air he was so scared.

"HOLY CRAP, MOTHER OF GOD!" The whole shop went silent and I guessed that every single one of their stares were directed at George. Thankfully, before he revealed the strange man crouched behind his counter pulling on his pants, he realised who it really was. I clamped my teeth down on my bottom lip, trying my hardest not to burst out laughing and alert George's customers of my hiding place.

"Sorry about that everybody, I just burnt my hand that's all," George assured them. A moment passed where everybody silently questioned George's alibi before everybody was minding their own business again, finally.

George crouched on one knee, getting down to my level. "Colby? You almost scared the crap outta me!"

"That'd be interesting," I let out a quiet chuckle and smirked at George. He wasn't find the situation as funny as I was, and it was evident in the death glare he sent me.

"What do you want, Colby? People will get suspicious if I stay down here too long," He peeked over the counter to check if anybody had noticed his absence, then ducked back down into his crouched position beside me.

"Remember that favor you owe me?" I asked and he nodded his head. "I could really use that now."

"Sure, anything. What do you need?"

"Can you clear everybody out of the coffee shop for a few hours? I just need some time to think: alone." I didn't expect him to help me. No matter how much of a good friend George was to me, I didn't think he would throw away a whole afternoon of business for me. He had done it before, when only three or four people were here, but today, the coffee shop was fully packed.

So I was more than surprised and relieved when he nodded. "Of course. You look pretty down in the dumps."

He stood back up and turned to the customers, "Excuse me, everybody? May I have your attention?"

All eyes turned to George for the second time in about 10 minutes. "As it turns out, my burn is pretty bad. So while I'm gone to the clinic, the shop will be closed. Sorry for the inconvenience."

Loud groans and moans reverberated through the shop, but the clanging of chairs and the ringing of the bell above the door, showed that people were leaving.

Once everybody had left, George looked down to me and I stood up, stretching my arms and legs. "Since I have the rest of the day off, I'm going to go home and take a nap. Can I trust you to lock up when you're done?"

I nodded, he gave me the keys to lock up afterwards and soon I was left alone. I rested my head in my arms. I took a deep breath in and let out a long sigh.