Dynamics (Twoset Violin Fanfic)

Chapter Thirteen

Brett heard loud swearing and looked across the store to see that Eddy had spilled his coffee.

He gave a forced smile to the boy in front of him, shook out of his grasp, and grabbed the paper towels stored underneath the register. He locked the small entryway to the counter and walked over to Eddy and his sister.

"Hey, everything alright here?" he asked.

"We'll be fine, thank you," the woman said. She glanced up at Brett and did a bit of a double-take. "Have I seen you somewhere before... Brett?" she asked, seeing his nametag.

Brett thought about it. With more makeup and a different hairstyle, she looked almost like...

"I think I saw you at the park a few days ago," he said. " I didn't quite catch your name, though."

"Belle," she said. "Reflective jacket?"

"Yeah, that was me," Brett said. "Well, I still have an hour left on my shift, but here are some paper towels if you need."

"Thanks," both siblings said, and Brett went back to the register.

As he left, he heard Eddy say, incredulous: "You know him?"

Between the overzealous teens and waiting to talk to Eddy, the next hour was excruciatingly slow. Anytime he looked over at them, Belle was smiling and Eddy was denying something furiously. Brett thought of James, and something tugged at his heart.

After selling 12 bags of chips, 8 granola bars, and 4 fruit cups, his shift was finally over. Passing the counter key to the next barista, he walked out of the back door, but not before giving Eddy a short wave. He saw him say something to Belle, and, after a brief exchange, follow him.

Blinking in the bright sunlight, the two of them leaned against the outside of the store.

"So," Brett said.

"So," Eddy echoed.

Brett heard literal crickets in the trees above them.

"I hope you didn't get burned by the coffee," he said.

"No, it had cooled down by then. I think Belle freaked out more than I did," Eddy said with a short laugh that had just a hint of bitterness.

"Speaking of your sister, can I ask you something?" Brett said.

"Yeah?" Eddy said, an edge creeping into his voice.

"Why did she order a chai latte with a green tea bag?"

Eddy laughed, for real this time, doubling over and clutching his stomach. When he finally caught his breath, he explained that they had been ordering unconventional coffee for years, but only on special occasions.

"Wait, but didn't you get a regular coffee?"

Eddy paused, then said carefully: "I just... blanked for a second, y'know?"

Brett nodded sagely. "And the five dollar tip was for... ?"

"So you can lead a revolution."

"What?"

"Nothing. What was up with those kids?" Eddy said quickly.

"What was up with the revolution?"

"I asked you first."

"Fine," Brett said. "I see those kids at the store all the time. They're just friendly."

Eddy raised an eyebrow.

"They're young... y'know, still learning about personal space and whatnot," Brett said.

"Mhm. The youngest of them was about fourteen. Definitely still learning about personal space." Eddy sighed. "Brett, you have a fan club. Of teenagers."

"I do not!" Brett exclaimed.

"You most definitely do," Eddy said. "Shall I demonstrate?"

"No."

"Okay."

"Wait, actually, I want to see this."

Eddy cleared his throat dramatically. "Oh Bretty, you're so cute," he said in a high-pitched squeak, clawing at Brett's shoulders with the pads of his fingers. "Let me just take this bag of chips— and your last name," he said, batting his eyelashes.

"Very funny," Brett said, ducking his head to hide his blush.

"Seriously, though," Eddy said, letting his hands drop back to his sides. "Why don't you just tell them to back off? They are annoying you, right?"

"Well... a little bit," Brett said.

Eddy rolled his eyes.

"But I can handle it," he said confidently. Just then, the group of teenagers walked out, a few brass notes chiming into the air as the door opened.

"Hide me," Brett said, jumping behind Eddy's tall frame. Out of the corner of his eye, Brett saw a boy give him an inquisitive glance. Eddy hissed and the boy retreated, walking faster now.

Once the group had crossed the street, Brett stepped away from Eddy with a shy "thank you."

Eddy waved his hand dismissively. "So you can 'handle it,' right?" he said.

"Well... it's really good business for the store?" Brett said, grasping at straws.

"And for you. You must make, what, ten extra dollars on everything you sell?"

"Oh, I don't take their money. I tried to give it back a couple times but they wouldn't—

"Brett! You could be making three times your salary and you're just throwing it away!" Eddy exclaimed.

"I'm not going to take money from kids! It's probably from their parents, and besides, it would encourage them. You'd do the same! It's— it's a matter of principle!"

Eddy mouthed the words 'matter of principle' and shook his head. "Maybe for you," he said. "But I'm actually poor."

"Oh," Brett said.

There was an awkward silence, and he really didn't know how long it would've continued if Belle hadn't appeared right then.

"Where have you been? You said you were using the bathroom— oh, hey Brett," Belle said. She turned to Eddy. "It's been twenty minutes and I was so worried. C'mon, let's go home," she said, turning to walk away.

"Just give me a sec," Eddy said through gritted teeth.

"I am really sorry you had to hear... that whole thing," he said quietly, brushing close against Brett. "I'll see you on Monday?"

"See you," Brett said with a halfhearted wave, still a bit paralyzed from Eddy's closeness.

A million questions whirled through Brett's head as he drove home. Why did Eddy tell Belle he was using the bathroom? Was he embarrassed to be talking to me? The questions continued when he reached the apartment. And why was he apologizing? Was he mad at her or something? She seems nice...

Tyler said something about a party, and Brett nodded listlessly. He grabbed his laptop and went into a random room, locking the door behind him. Then he shoved a chair under the doorknob for good measure.

And why was he so upset about those kids? Is that why he spilled his coffee? He tried to watch a new series on Netflix, but the questions kept swirling, even as drunken bodies thudded against the locked door.

Brett didn't fall asleep for a very long time.