The Love We Deny ✔️ [COMPLETED]

Chapter 5 - Coffee Addict

"This place looks great!" I exclaimed when I stepped foot into Coffee Addict after the finals. A part of the wall was covered with vinyl covers while the rest was a light cream color. The dark green plants stood out across the room, while the modern white style of the tables and chairs made the ensemble look chic. Further, into the room, I could also spot some round booths which were large enough to fit small groups. This was an Instagram place if I'd ever seen one.

"Told you the design was perfect!" Al said to Marketa giving her a cheeky grin. I couldn't believe how these girls could be owners of this place while still being so young. I mean they weren't much older than me, and I was only twenty-two. Marketa led us to one of the booths before sitting down around the round table.

"Not to sound rude or anything, but how come you have this place?" I asked curiously.

"You wouldn't believe how many times we've already been asked this. It's like people can't wrap their minds around two twenty-five years old owning a shop," Marketa said teasingly.

"We used to work here when we were teenagers. The owner was like a surrogate grandmother to us, she watched us grow up. I remember running to her about boy problems and she would give a hard time to any guy I brought into the shop," Al said chuckling from the memories she had.

"Sounds tough," I said as we all laughed.

"We hadn't expected it but when she passed a few years back, she left us her shop. She wrote that she couldn't think of anyone better suited than us two. It was really touching," Marketa continued. "We were only nineteen at the time and still in college, it wasn't simple, but we decided to keep it and make it work. It's the least we could do after everything she had done for us over the years. If this was her dying wish, then we weren't going to disappoint." Al and Marketa gave each other a sad smile. That woman must have meant the world to them.

"She must have been quite the woman," I said.

"You have no idea," they both said simultaneously before looking at each other and laughing. It must be nice to have someone you grew up with as a best friend.

"Here let me make us some coffee," Al said as she walked away. Not even a few minutes later she balanced three cups on a tray and set them down in front of me. This was heaven.

"How are you guys going to manage with the shop once you get on the team?" I asked, making Al roll her eyes at the fact that I hadn't said 'if'.

"Well, the shop is closed before we have training in the evenings, we would only need to find someone to cover if we have a day outing or if a football game is in the afternoon. I have my cousin on speed-dial who said to call her anytime. She's a college student and is always looking to make some quick money," Al explained.

"You sure have it all figure out," I said dreamily, I wish I had everything settled, that I already had my job, that my family spoke to me and that I didn't feel like I would need to starve myself just to pay rent.

"How about you? What happens when you make the team?" Marketa asked.

"Well, I'm hoping to work here through the training camp months and then hopefully find a job in one of these buildings," I said pointing at the tall buildings surrounding the café. To be fair, I was surprised no one had tried to tear the place down just to build another skyscraper. "If I don't make it, then I'll still need to find a job. All deadlines for Master applications have already passed, so I'll have to apply for next year." I really hoped it wouldn't come to that.

We chatted for a little while longer, I found out that Marketa was happily married since spring. She had tied the knot with her college sweetheart and was on cloud nine. He had been the one to encourage the girls to try out for the Beacons. That guy seemed like goal! I mean I would love a man that supports my passion and pushes me to achieve what I love even when I'm not trying myself.

Alisson also shared about the relationship she was in. They had been dating for nearly a year and I could tell she was madly in love. I didn't mind being single, I loved listening to their stories and fawn over how hot Al's boyfriend was when she showed me a picture. Marketa didn't have a picture since she had just bought a new phone, but she told me I would meet him soon enough.

It started getting dark when we realized I still hadn't been trained properly. We quickly did a tour of the shop and Al showed me where to find everything and how to properly work the coffee machine. It was a nice evening. I was glad I made friends in the city already.

*****

It had been two weeks since the final and I hadn't heard anything yet. I tried telling myself that it was only two weeks and that maybe they just needed more time but my mind kept wandering to the darker side of my brain. What if I hadn't been good enough and that's the reason they hadn't called yet? I found it reassuring to know that neither Marketa nor Al had heard back yet.

The three of us were in the locker room after having finally closed the shop. We were laughing at the video of a bear grinding against a light pole when Marketa's phone rang. We all paused watching as she picked up her phone excitedly. Al and I both looked at each other. This was it. We both knew it.

Not even thirty seconds later, Al's phone rang. I could hear both of my newfound friends excitedly thanking whoever was on the other side of the line while I sat down. I stared at the screen of my phone trying not to accidentally crush it with my hands from the sudden nerves. Any minutes now, I told myself encouragingly. Who knows maybe it would light up with a call if I looked at it with enough intensity.

As the minutes past the screen stayed painfully dark.

It wasn't hard to figure out what was happening. I could feel the incoming tears and the color draining from my face at the realization that I hadn't made it. The girls sat on each side of me, wrapping an arm around me. Marketa was telling me that they might still call, that they couldn't call everyone at the same time. Alisson, the more rational one was telling me how she would help me train and that I could try out again next year. I couldn't concentrate on anything. I was crushed. There wouldn't be a 'next year'. My mother was right. I wasn't cut out for this.

I stood up about to leave when the singing voice of Alicia Key made me freeze. That was my ring tone. Marketa quickly reached for it a pressed answer before sticking it against my frozen ear.

"Hello?" I managed to say.

"Good evening Ms. Belova, this is Coach Jenkins, I'm calling to inform you that you have successfully made it to this year's training camp. You..." I stopped listening after that. I made it! I couldn't believe I made it. I wasn't able to process it. If Marketa hadn't been holding the phone, I would have dropped it.

"She's in shock, but she absolutely accepts coach," I heard Alisson say while the other line chuckled. Once the girls had hung up we all turned toward each other with wide eyes. The realization hit us all at that moment and we squealed while jumping around like crazy. I never thought I would see the day I did this, but this was natural unfiltered pure joy.

We grabbed onto each other as we screamed.

"WE MADE IT!" 

****

We'll get to know the girls more through each chapter. What do you think of them so far?

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