The Many Faces of Edmund Fig (ManxMan)

Chapter 25: Someone Drowned Your Cat

The past week had drug and blurred all at once. I felt on the verge of tears or numb. Whatever this rollercoaster had been with Edmund was utterly exhausting. Work continued on as per usual as if nothing ever happened. I flicked my thumb against my index finger. Edmund and I haven't had a proper conversation since that night. What a hot mess that was.

"Joseph."

I looked up and a large cup of coffee was placed in front of me.

"You've looked like someone drowned your cat for the past week." Jameson frowned crossing his arms.

I smiled gratefully and took a large sip. Jameson was the most reliable barista on the planet. I had taken to coming here off and on since I had moved into the apartment. Jameson had been fairly quiet initially and then we started chatting the past week. He was like a breath of fresh air lately. I sighed and set it down my mood shifting. God it feels like every little thing forces my attention back to Edmund and this fuckery of whatever we have.

I felt a foot nudge me under the table. Jameson sat down and rested his chin on his head.

"You're doing it again." He frowned. "Are you ever going to tell what's been eating you?"

I shifted on the stool contemplating my next sentence. What harm could it do honestly?

"I've been having issues with a guy...it's complicated as cliché as that sounds."

"Oh honey I know all about complicated assholes. What's he doing?"

"Well...he...just doesn't want to commit to anything. He wants me to be around but doesn't want to call whatever we are anything. It's not like we do anything beyond talking but we are clearly past friendship at this point."

"It sounds like he is leading you on. I hate to sound blunt but if ol' dude isn't willing to put a label on it he is garbage. You are far too sweet to get led on by some guy. I had an ex just like that a while back. He was my dream guy at the time and he strung me on for 6 years before I finally ended it."

I looked up meeting warm hazel eyes.

"I'll figure it out." I forced a smile. "Thanks for the insight."

I lingered in the shop for another ten minutes before I paid and drifted back home.

"Morning Sir."

I nodded to the doorman and slipped into the elevator. After what felt like an eternity the elevator door opened and I ran face first into something solid.

"Not what I was expecting but hey cutie!"

Mr. Brown held me out at arm's length grinning wildly.

"Hello Mr. Brown."

He grin faltered slightly, his eyes taking in my appearance.

"Please call me Vincent."

He let one of his hands drop and continued scrutinizing my face. I shifted uncomfortably my eyes flickering down the hall towards the apartment.

"Well it was fun running into you but I need to go."

I slipped past him and fiddled in my pocket for my keys. A firm grip halted me in my tracks and I turned meeting frustrated green eyes.

"Before you go Joseph. We still need to schedule that dinner." He forced a toothy grin. "So we can chat about things."

I swallowed my jaw clenching. This guy gives me a bad feeling.

"Sure...we'll schedule something eventually...I just have a busy schedule with Edmund."

His smile tightened his hand dropping at the sound of Edmund's name.