Monday (Timeless Teaser)(34)

So I didn’t ask anything.

Hawke would talk to me when he was ready, not before. When it came to expressing his emotions, he had to do it his own way. He was like a steel door that couldn’t be broken down. The only way to get inside was if it was unlocked.

I knew Hawke would open up to me. I just didn’t know when.

***

“How was Hawke Motel?” Marie asked at work. She turned on the blender to make a frappuccino so we both fell silent until it was done screeching. After she pulled the container out and finished the drink, we continued the conversation.

“Good. Surprisingly clean.”

“Really?” A mischievous smirk stretched across her face. “I figured it would be dirty—real dirty.”

I threw a coffee bean at her. “Knock it off.”

“Come on. Did you at least see anything?”

“Like what?” His underwear drawer?

“Getting a peek of him in the shower.”

He dropped his towel on me, but I was stupid and didn’t look. “No.”

“Did he get a peek of you?”

“Hawke wouldn’t spy on me.”

“So, it was the most boring visit on the planet?” She poured the drink into the plastic cup then handed it over to the customer. “Have a nice day.” She turned back to me when we were alone. “Because that sounds like a snooze fest.”

“What were you expecting? We’re just friends.”

“Shut up. You are so not just friends.”

“We are.” For the most part.

“I can’t believe you didn’t hook up. With a gorgeous man like that, at least have a friends-with-benefits relationship.”

“Not my style.”

She rolled her eyes. “Life is too short not to have an orgasm every day.”

“Who said I didn’t have one every day?”

Another grin stretched on her lips. “You dirty bird.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ve seen my vibrator.”

“I bet you think about Hawke.”

I tried not to blush and give it away. “Maybe…maybe not.”

“Whatever.” She swatted my arm playfully. “I’d think about him.”

I’m sure a lot of girls did. “How’d it go with Anthony?”

“Fine,” she said in a bored voice. “I paid for my rent by sleeping with him. When I left, I ended it.”

I tried not to laugh. “That’s pretty messed up, Marie.”

“You think he cared?” she asked with a laugh. “He got laid all week. Believe me, he’s fine.” Marie looked toward the door when the bell rang. “Your vibrator just walked inside.” She shot me a wink before she walked into the back.

I turned to see Hawke at the counter, dressed in his work clothes. It was the first time we’d seen each other since I returned to my house. We still hadn’t talked about that painful night with his mother. I could still see the broken table and chair behind my eyes. “Hi.”

“Hey.” He stared at me with that hard gaze, not blinking.

I sauntered to the counter then tucked my hair behind my ear. “Regular?”

“Espresso.”

“Coming right up.” I made it then placed it in front of him. “$2.15.”

He passed me the cash without taking his eyes off me.

I returned the change.

The interaction was more tense than usual. I knew he was waiting for me to ask about that evening. But I refused to do it. Why question someone about something they didn’t want to talk about? If I were patient enough, he would come to me. “How’s your day?”

“Pretty boring.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one else was in line. “Axel made a necklace out of paperclips and tried to get me to wear it. That was the highlight of my day.”

I rolled my eyes. “Axel is a child in a man’s body.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” He tried to hide the sadness in his eyes but I could still see it. I wanted to hug him but the counter separated us. “How was your day?”

“Good. I turned in my history paper—finally.”

“That thing was longer than the bible.”

I released an irritated sigh. “You’re telling me. Thank you, Wikipedia.”

He chuckled. “Imagine what it was like to go to college without the Internet.”

I kept a straight face. “I wouldn’t have gone.”

The gloom started to fade away. “I’d definitely reconsider it.”

The bell overhead rang again and someone walked inside. “Well, I should get back to work.”

He continued to stare at me like he had something to say.

I patiently waited for him to spit it out.

Hawke seemed to change his mind because he walked away without saying another word.

***

A week later, at 11:30 in the evening, my phone vibrated with a text message.

You awake?

I knew this moment would come. I’d been waiting for it to happen. Every time I was alone with Hawke, he had a look in his eyes that told me he wanted to talk about that night but didn’t know where to start. Then he quickly abandoned the attempt and talked about a different subject that was completely irrelevant.