Surviving the McLane Boys ('On Hold Still...')

Chapter 25 - A Passionate Kiss in the Rain?

Dedicated to Lizzie :) Thanks for your help!

Chapter 25

I wave at Alex as he pulls out of the parking lot after school on a motorbike of all things. What’s the obsession with motorbikes? Who wants instant death on wheels? I start to feel a sense of dread as I realise he’s going to be picking me up on that stupid machine.

“Hailey! Hey! Hailey!” I turn around as Jake jogs over to me in his basketball uniform. “I am so sorry. I completely forgot to tell you I had practise today.”

I smile at him shaking my head, “Not a problem. I feel like a walk anyway.”

He rakes his hand through his hair in his typical way that means he’s nervous, agitated or feeling just plain awkward, “Uh, you can wait if you want… You don’t have to, of course.”

“What time does practise go till?” I ask, checking the time on my phone.

“4:35-ish?”

I shake my head, “Nah it’s ok. I was planning on stopping somewhere to get something to eat and get my head around Ro and J before I meet up with Alex.”

“Roe and Jay?” He asks me confusedly.

“Romeo and Juliet.” I clarify, “School’s not that far from your house anyway. I think I can survive the walk.”

His expression turns sour and he shoves his hands into the pockets of his shorts, “Whatever, then.” He mutters and with that, he leaves.

I watch after him mildly surprised by his change in mood, What’s gotten into him?

 

I decide to take a detour on the way home and stop off at a small coffee shop I’ve had my eye on for a while. It seems to be frequented by a lot of posh ladies who are meeting up for some tea and biscuits and it looks terribly expensive but the little cakes I’ve seen in the shop windows look absolutely gorgeous. Guess who has a craving for one?

I walk into the warm little shop, the smell of coffee and fresh baked goods filling my nose. I walk up to the counter, looking at the display of petite cakes so carefully decorated and set out. No one seems to be about and I hear someone groan from the kitchen behind it before coming out through some doors and standing at the counter, “Sorry to keep you waiting, our waiter seems to have ditched us.”

I look up in surprise to see Maddy standing behind the counter, “Maddy?”

“Hailey!” she cries out before leaning over the cookie jars stacked between us and wrapping me up in a hug, “Why are you here?”

I laugh, hugging her back, “I just saw the cupcakes out front and I decided I just had to try them. What are you doing here?”

She pulls back and sticks her tongue out, “Working unfortunately. Dad’s friend owns this place and I work in the kitchens sometimes to get a bit of cash so I can buy my beads and other supplies.”

I laugh looking back at the display again, “Then I better let you get back to your job.” I scan the rows of cupcakes, muffins and slices, my mouth already watering, “Um, I’ll have the ‘Chocvan Marble’ cake? Haven’t had marble cake in ages.”

Maddy grins at me, “Then it’s on me then.”

I shake my head, “No I’m not going to do that to you,” I root in my bag for my wallet but Maddy’s already taken out a cupcake decorated with dainty little flowers, a raspberry and white chocolate muffin and a massive chocolate chip cookie that’s just screaming ‘Eat me!’