Because, Brett... [BxB]

Chapter 1: Secret Admirer?

Brett

"Why do I have to be the one to do this?" I groan, tapping lightly on Alice's door in hopes that she'll finally just come out.

"Because you're the one who broke the coffee machine!" She yells in reply

I run my hand through my waxed hair, pulling at it gently to keep it in place before I grumble out, "Fine," and thunder my way down the stairs.

Going out so early and on my day off was certainly not on my agenda, but when Alice screams for coffee and it's clearly that time of the month, there's not much I can do to protest. She's always been like this, even since we were small kids - the one to get her own way. If I were the eldest I think things might've been better, but I've spent my life shrouded in her shadow. She got the best grades in school, she got to see the more loving and supportive side of our parents as they doted on her. Every need was taken care of before she even realised it was a need, and all I got was, 'Why couldn't you be more like your sister, Brett?' And a pitiful half-frown.

I'm not the academic type, I stick to the things I know, like dancing and partying. She's the one who went to the top uni to study law. She has the job that brings in all the money and now instead of my parents' incessant nagging, I get her's. I'm the stray dog she let in only in hopes that every morning I'll bring the paper in from the doorstep and place it right in her lap. The notion appals me sometimes, but I know I'd be nothing without her help.

I hurry to tug my shoes and coat on before slipping out the door and into the crisp morning air. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I tuck my chin into the neck of my coat and set off down the street to the nearest Starbucks. The air puffs out of my lungs in little clouds, visible for only seconds in the slowly-growing amounts of sunlight before they dissipate. All the leaves have already fallen from the trees and scatter the icy roadsides in shades of oranges and browns.

It isn't too far of a treck to Starbucks, I've made the trip enough times to know that and it's not long until I arrive. Still, it's far enough for the wind to chill me to the core as it whips past me in horrendous gusts, and I silently wish I'd been sensible enough to put an extra layer on. My teeth chatter as I step through the threshold and into the, by comparison, sweltering café. It smells like coffee beans and pastries. Like comfort.

Rubbing my hands together to warm myself, I shuffle up to the counter, surveying what's on offer. Bagels are always a good choice and somewhere in the back of my head, I can hear that little voice screaming at me to just get a bagel and be done with it like I usually do. The only problem is that the massive slice of chocolate cake at the front is screaming a hell of a lot louder.

The five people standing in front of me, they're all wearing suits and as I eye them, I think them very serious looking. I suppose it's that time of the day though. They all want to grab their morning hit of caffeine before being jammed in an office for the remainder of the day. I sigh, my eyes continuously flitting back to the last slice of cake as the woman two ahead of me walks away, her lips already stained brown with icing.

The barista furthest from me then beckons me over with a wave and a smile, "What can I get for you today?" He asks, voice light and cheery. Not how it's supposed to be at this time of the morning.

"I need a Black Americano and a Latte. To go."

"Name?"

"Brett," I look down for a second, scavenging my pockets for my wallet and when I return my gaze the barista is already busying himself with my drinks. A minute passes and two cups are set in front of me, my name scribbled messily on the side.

"Anything else?"

My eyes slip down to the plastic case but a frown washes over my features when I realise the cake is no longer there. "Is there any more of that chocolate cake?" I query.

"No, sorry. Maybe you can just share the slice you already have?"

I tilt my head in confusion, unsure if I just heard him correctly, "I don't have a slice." I say, but note as he nudges the final slice of chocolate cake closer to my coffees.

He looks to his coworker, whispering, but not really, "Liam, I thought you said the cake was already paid for?"

"It is." Liam returns. His eyes flick up across the room before he nods towards the opposite wall. "By that guy." I look round in curiosity to see a man with his nose buried in a book and gently nursing a mug. He was stood in front of me in the line.

Just for a second, his eyes peek up over the cover and he smiles at me. My eyes widen as he acknowledges me and unknowing of what to do I allow the corners of my lips to twitch up slightly before turning back to the baristas.

"Looks like you've caught yourself an admirer," Liam chuckles.

My face grows warm at the thought and I hurry to just pay the man and leave.

The chill in the air feels almost worse as I step back onto the street and I can't help but let my mind wander back to the man who had bought me the cake. He seemed familiar, as if I'd seen him in a dream that I can't quite recall. He probably just has one of those faces. Not that it really matters. I imagine that I'll probably never even see him again anyway since it's not like I frequent Starbucks. Then again, maybe I should visit Starbucks more often? Besides him being obviously older than me, he isn't at all unfortunate looking. He has a good build too. It's flattering really more than anything else.

I have to remind myself before I get too hooked on the idea of potential relations with some hot-ish stranger that the last thing I could possibly need right now is another relationship. Not after the shit I went through with Chloe. Now there's a story and a half.

I shake my head to rid myself of the thoughts and just as I turn the corner into my street, my phone dings.

07:09
If ur not back with my coffee within a minute, u die! I won't be late for work again!

So overdramatic as always, Alice.

Slipping the device back into my pocket I continue my stroll down the street until I'm back inside and setting the hot drinks on the kitchen counter like the good dog I am.

"You're late!" Alice's scolding voice penetrates my eardrums.

Not feeling like another lecture about how irresponsible I am and how I need to find myself a 'proper job' so that I can be less 'co-dependent', I just pick up my breakfast and make my way back up to my room, ignoring her shouts until the door slams closed behind her.

Deep down, I know she's right. I can't piggyback forever because eventually she'll get tired and drop me. The trouble is that no companies want to hire a high school dropout with no useful experience or qualifications. At least my job is fun most of the time, even if it doesn't always pay well. But I suppose that's life when you're a stripper.

2000 words complete