Before You

Chapter 39

"Hey Blondie. I didn't know you like coming to Moe's." Andrew says with a grin.

I look at him with a smug expression. "Yes, I do. Sometimes I like coming alone. Today is one of those days."

Andrew lets out a small laugh but makes no attempt at moving. I think about the text he sent Jett. Neither one of them know that I saw the text. I've been waiting on Jett to mention it to me. I still have hope that he will. Andrew, however, is different. I don't want to be anywhere near him.

"Can you leave? My day has been difficult enough without having to spend some of it with you." I say frankly.

"Oh, come on." He says. "I know we didn't have the best start, but I really think we could be friends. If nothing else, for Jett."

I take a deep breath. There is no way Andrew and I could ever be friends. He's such a creep. I wouldn't be surprised if Jett keeps him around just because their families have ties to each other. Either way, I should just keep things civil, for Jett's sake.

Andrew's eyes move from my face down to my body. "What are you wearing?"

"It's my work uniform. I'm a server." I reply. "You know, work? Some people have to do that to pay their bills."

I watch as Andrew's eyes scan over to my nametag. "You work at the Country Club?" he asks.

"I glance down at my name tag and back up at him. "Yes. Why?"

A huge smile crosses Andrew's face. "That's interesting. Does Jett know that?"

I think back to my conversations with Jett. Did I ever mention that to him?

"I don't know. He knows I'm a server. I can't remember if I told him where or not." I respond.

Andrew's cell phone rings out and he proceeds to look up at me with wide eyes. "Well, look who it is!" he says.

Andrew holds his phone up in front of him, almost like he's taking a selfie. He's obviously video chatting with someone.

"Hey dude! You're never going to guess who I'm here with." Andrew says and turns his phone to face me.

Filling up the small screen on Andrew's phone, is Jett. As soon as I see him, my smug expression automatically turns into a smile. However, he doesn't seem too happy to see me. Andrew adjusts his phone so that Jett can see both he and I at the same time.

"What are you doing Andrew? I told you to stay away from Evy." Jett says sternly.

"Hey man. I just ran into her. We're just hanging out having a pleasant conversation." He says. "Evy here, is trying to decompress after a long day of work at the Country Club."

Jett's mouth closes into a tight line and I see him rub his eyes.

"You've done enough talking Andrew. Just leave." Jett says.

"You can't keep us separated forever man." Andrew tells Jett smiling.

Jett focuses his attention on me. "Evy, please go home. Call me as soon as you get there."

I glance from Jett to Andrew and back again. I don't understand what the issue is. Obviously Andrew and I don't like each other, but Jett seems adamant that he doesn't want Andrew around me. I don't want to upset Jett. He already seems very tense. I decide to go ahead and leave. I pick up my purse and leave the table. Behind me, I hear Andrew following closely. I push through the door and walk towards my car. Andrew catches up, walking next to me. I don't see his phone. He must have ended the call. As I reach my car, Andrew stops a few feet away from me.

"Well, it was so nice to see you Evy. I'm sure I'll be seeing you again soon." He says with a grin.

I take small glances of Andrew as he walks a few cars down. I see him open the door to a silver sports car. I can't help but ask the first question that comes to mind.

"Where's your car?" I ask.

Andrew turns around to face me. "What?"

"Your car? The white Audi? Jett borrowed it a few times." I add.

Andrew's face lights up yet again. "Oh, my car that I let Jett borrow?" He begins to laugh again. "Ask Jett. I'm sure he can tell you all about that."

Andrew gets into the car and I watch him leave. Why is he being so weird? I really hope he doesn't come around here again. I enjoy coming to Moe's. It's a place that I've grown to love and I don't want to share it with Andrew of all people. I wonder if he really wants to try and be friends for Jett's sake? I don't think I could ever be that nice to him whether Jett is around or not. Every time I'm around him I get a bad feeling in my gut. I definitely can't trust him.

Ten minutes later I'm back at my apartment and calling Jett.

"Hey Evy." Jett says.

"Hey. What's going on?" I ask.

"I just don't think it's a good idea if Andrew is around you." He responds. "Especially given the way that the two of you met."

I nod my head. That makes sense. I was beginning to wonder if there is some sort of underlying issue, but maybe Jett is just looking out for me. I should have known it wasn't anything more than that.

"I understand." I say.

"Did he say anything to you?" he asks.

"Like what?" I reply.

"I don't know. Anything weird?" he adds.

"No not really. Well, he made a comment about me working at the Country Club and you being very interested about that." I say. "Is that a problem?"

Jett takes a few seconds to respond. "No. I don't care where you work. I'm glad you're so independent. It's one of the things I like most about you."

A smile stretches across my face at his choice of words. Any questions I did have have left my mind and all I can focus on is him.

"I miss you so much Evy. I can't wait to see you." He says.

"I miss you too. This week has been crazy. I've got so much to tell you." I say.

"I hope it's nothing bad." He says.

I hear a woman's voice in the background and for a second my breathing speeds up. Who is he talking to?

"Evy, I have to go. That was my mother. We're about to have dinner. I'll come over as soon as I get back into the city." Jett says excitedly. "Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams." I repeat and end the call.

It was so nice to hear Jett's voice even if for a little while. I've missed him since he's been gone. I've missed him even more than I thought I would. This week has been crazy. It's been more eventful than I would ever want it to be. What are the chances that I would run into Andrew at Moe's Coffee? Why was he so interested in my job and what happened to his White Audi? I'm left with even more questions in Jett's absence. I am relieved that the voice I heard in the background was Jett's mother. I don't know who else it would have been. This is Jett. I need to relax, but I do have some questions that need to be answered. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough.