Love Hurts

Chapter 5.

Walking into my house the smell of garlic hits my nostrils like a brick wall. Kicking my sandals off I walked past the kitchen trying to avoid any contact with my family.

"Good game today." Dad spoke up, I sighed looking at him. He looked tired. His blond hair was neatly combed and his blue dress shirt was rolled to his sleeves. The bags under his eyes was unmissable as he chopped up tomatoes.

"Thanks." I set my bag down, and walked over slowly glancing around the kitchen.

"Your sister isn't here, if that's what you're looking for." He sighed, adding the tomatoes into the pot on the stove.
I sat down at stools at the island, staring at my father intently.
He set down the knife and stared at me looking frustrated.
"Listen, I can't pick sides between you and your sister. I am still a father to you both."

I rolled my eyes and placed my elbows on the marbled counter.
"Even if she fucked up so bad." I snapped back.

"Autumn Marie Smith." He said angrily.

I sat back still staring at him.
"Dad, she was sleeping with my boyfriend while me and him were together. You don't even care enough to refuse she sees him." I retorted.

"Listen to me right now. I thought you and I could have a nice dinner before she comes home, I get what she did was wrong but you can't be mad at her forever." He was trying to reason with me, a little bit of pleading and demand in his voice.

I got up and grabbed my bag from off the floor.
"Watch me." And with that I left the kitchen and walked up the stairs to my room.
***
I laid on my bed, phone in my hand as I scrolled through Instagram. Pictures from the party flooded the screen i was about to turn it off when my phone buzzed. A text message from an unknown number.

Got your number from Charity, wanted to see if you wanted to hangout.
-Jesse

I read the text over and over again until I realized I had to answer.

Meet me at the coffee shop at 3rd.

I got up from my bed, glancing in the mirror I decided to change from the old sweater into something a little more presentable.

I rifled through my closet, settling on a loose fitting grey long sleeve. Leaving my black lulu lemon tights on. I grabbed my bag and my wallet and left my room.
I glanced at my phone as I made my way quietly down the stairs, skipping the 2nd last one because it made an annoying creaking sound.
11:34pm
I  unlocked the door and slipped out into the night making my way down the street to the Daily Brewery.
***
Hearing the small ding of the bell as I opened up the door to the Brewery, I glanced around skimming the eyes of the night owls that scattered this place. Meeting eyes with Jesse I smiled, except he looked distressed. Tired and dysfunctional as he sat sipping on a cup of coffee.
I walked over, taking a seat in the polyester, plastic booth.

"You alright?" I  asked, up close you could see the muscle in his jaw tightening and then relaxing. The bags under his eyes and the way his eyes were glassed over as he stared at the coffee in front of him.

"Long day." He said gruffly.

The waitress came over. Staring at Jesse with beady eyes, batting her prosthetic lashes and pushing her chest forward.

"Anything I can get you?" She asked the question fully trained in Jesse.

"My boyfriend would like another cup, and mine extra shot of expresso." I rolled my tongue on expresso just to make sure she got the point.