How I Saved Harley Matthews

Chapter Nineteen: What Did You Expect?

"Okay, just call me when you need me to pick you up. I think Harley will busy for a while."

Frazer had gotten me to work in a total of two minutes flat, not that it means he obeyed any traffic law. In fact if Harley hadn't commanded that I arrive safely, I'm sure I'd be smeared across Valley Avenue right now.

"Alright I'm not planning on staying here past ten, but I'll call you. Thanks for the ride!" I said as I leaped from the cab.

"No problem babe." He called as I closed the door.

I made my way into the lobby and toward the front counter with ease. I hardly had my apron on before somebody was already calling my name.

As I looked up I continued pulling my apron on. To my surprise I stood across from none other than Gabe Lamanteer.

"Um hi, what can I help you with?" I ask, putting on my customer smile.

"I was actually hoping we could talk, just for a second?" He asked as he shifted on his feet.

I looked around the store and everything seemed rather quiet and slow for now. Seeing what he needed couldn't hurt.

"Okay, but I'm working so..." I stepped around the corner and began following him to a table.

"No problem," He said as he sat down. "Won't take long."

I nodded an slid into the chair across from him. There was a long pause, and he just stared at me for a while.

"So... what did you want to talk about?" I said as I folded my hands together on the table.

Gabe took a deep breath and let it out in a heavy sigh. "I want to talk about you and Harley."

I immediately sat back and pulled my hands from the table top. "That's not your place." I said.

"I know Audin, but you're friends are worried, I'm worried." His tongue passed over his bottom lip. "Harley is a dangerous person, and I don't think you need to be hanging around him."

"Okay, look Gabe, I appreciate the concern, but I can handle myself, I'm fine." I slid my chair back slightly.

"Audin, you skip school, Emma told me you got kicked out of dance, don't get me started at what happened at the party Saturday, and you're under investigation for a crime. I hardly call that fine." He dead panned, and I'm pretty sure I scoffed at him.

"Alright look here Gabe, everything you just listed I had control of, not Harley. I skipped school because I wanted to. I quit dance because I wanted to." My voice was slowly growing louder as I stood up. "I don't know what you heard about the party, but I went, and I left with Harley and Frazer because I wanted to. And I'm not under investigation." I finished.

My voice had not quite grown to a yell, but everyone in the shop was staring at us. Gabe narrowed his eyes. And simply said,

"So nothing happened with Logan at the party."

"Oh my gosh I don't need this!" I exclaimed as I turned to walk away.

"Audin! What are you doing! Get back to work now!" My boss' loud voice thundered through the tiny coffee shop.

I closed my eyes and drug in a deep breath. "And I don't need this." I said as I tossed my apron at him. "Consider this my two week notice." Before he could even react, I was out the front door and searching for my phone.

"Audin wait!"

"What Gabe!" I yelled, clearly annoyed with him right now.

"This is what I'm talking about. You just quit your job." He said.