Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 24

"Tam! I, um...." Jake was already driving away, apparently, not having seen Tam. Anna was about to panic. Tam just turned around and stormed into the coffee shop, slamming the door behind her. Anna gave chase and tried to explain, catching up to her in the backroom.

"Tam--"

"No, Anna, I don't want to hear it."

"Tam, please, I--" She put a hand on Tam's arm and Tam whirled around.

"What?! What could you possibly say to make this okay?!"

"I... I thought you said you were done with him. The other night you all but told me to go after him."

"How long has he been in love with you, Anna?!" Anna flinched at the viciousness of the words. "Don't try to say he's not, I heard you exchange the words. HOW LONG?!"

"Tam, please don't do this." Tam calmed just a bit seeing the pain in Anna's eyes.

"I knew he loved you. He left me for you. I just didn't think you two would be together so soon. I know what I said the other night. I just didn't realize it would hurt so much, hearing him say those words to someone who's... not me." Tears began to well in her eyes and Anna felt like the breath had been knocked out of her.

"I'm so sorry, Tam. It was never my intention to hurt you. I love you." That was all she had to offer her friend.

"I know. I love you too. I just... I'm gonna need some space right now." Tam walked out to the counter and clocked in. Anna felt utterly dejected, all the butterflies and smiles from last night had vanished. She texted Jake, hoping to find some comfort.

Tam saw us. Heard us. She's so mad.

Crap.

Crap? That's all he could say right now?

She says she needs space from me now... Jake, what do I do?

I don't know. Give her space?

Great. Not helpful at all. And now Anna had to go work with Tam until two o'clock and pretend like everything is fine for the sake of their customers.

She overheard Tam switching next week's shifts with other baristas; so she wouldn't have to be around Anna, presumably. Tam even got someone to come in early for their night shift so that she could leave earlier. Keeping her head down to avoid further conflict, Anna fell into the rhythm of work and tried to keep the tears at bay.

As two o'clock rolled around, a familiar Buick pulled up on the street outside. Anna slumped into the passenger seat as her phone buzzed. It was from Stella.

Girl, we gotta talk. Congrats on finally getting some from Jake, but you could've been a bit more discreet.

I didn't mean for Tam to see... And I thought she'd be okay with it after our conversation the other night. Help me. Please.

First, I'm gonna need details. Call me later, okay?

Yeah. Let me know when you're free.

You got it. And I meant it, You go, girl! I'm happy for you. We'll figure this thing with Tam out.

Anna took a deep breath and looked out the window as they pulled into Jake's apartment complex.

"So, tell me what happened."

She followed him up to his apartment and once inside, Anna dumped out her heart to Jake about everything that happened during her shift. Tears ran down her cheeks as she ended her story by showing him the texts from Stella. Those got a smile out of him.