Gingerbread Latte

Chapter 11 - Emotional Blackmail

"Sometimes, the bloodline feels like a burden."

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Max's POV

I placed the cartoon bag in my hand over the counter and leaned forward, my eyes going to Valerie on the other side of the coffee shop, signaling her to come closer. She reluctantly made her way to my side, standing across the counter from me, and her exaggerated sigh spoke volumes of her annoyance with my presence.

"What do you want?" she asked, her hostility palpable. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at her attitude. Had she forgotten that she slept in my bed last night?

"Hello to you too," I retorted. Another sigh escaped her lips, making it clear that she was in no mood for pleasantries, "Max, we're so busy today, as you can see. I don't have much time," she added, a hint of frustration and tiredness in her voice.

My eyes flickered around the coffee shop, and true to her words, the place was bustling with an influx of customers, a total opposite to last week's incline when a new Starbucks shop opened on campus. Despite the chaos, a smile lifted my lips and I couldn't help but comment, "Well, someone probably complained about Starbucks' employees not following proper hygiene practices when handling food and drinks, and well-" I added with a shrug, "Looks like people found their way back to here instead."

Her eyes narrowed at me suspiciously, "What the hell did you do?"

I feigned innocence, placing a hand over my chest as if shocked by her accusation, "Me?" I replied, "Nothing, I did absolutely nothing."

She didn't buy my act, but wisely decided not to question me further, "Anyways," I said, smoothly changing the subject, "I won't be able to join our tutoring session today, is that okay?"

I couldn't help but notice a fleeting hint of disappointment that flashed in her eyes. It was there for only a second, but I caught it, and I desperately wanted to believe it was because she'd miss having me around, and not just because she was concerned about her studies.

Valerie's expression softened, and she nodded, trying to hide the drop in her mood, "Sure, yeah, it's okay," She replied, putting on a nonchalant facade and pretending to wipe the counter so she wouldn't have to look me in the eyes as she added, "I am always taking your free time, anyway, we can reschedule for when you are available, it's no problem."

"It's just my...uh cousin is here, you saw him," I said and she lifted her eyes up to me, nodding her head in realization, "I just need to talk with him about a thing or two," I added. I was planning to contact him since we got back from Italy but always found excuses not to and since he is here now, the opportunity presented itself and we needed to talk, especially after how things unwrapped the last time we were in the same place.

Valerie nodded her head, a tiny smile lifting her lips, "You don't have to explain it to me," She said softly and I knew that she understood who Nathan was to me by now, "He is your uncle's son, right? That uncle?" She phrased the question in a way that steered from using the father word and for that I was grateful.

I nodded my head and she knew it was better to drop it there. She reached forward across the counter, her hand gently resting on top of mine, "When you're done and all, you can just call me...you know, if you want to," She said, offering me a shoulder to lean into. I hoped it was because she genuinely cared and not because she felt like she owed me after I had stood by her side yesterday.

I nodded my head, my tone turning playful, "Of course, I will, how else do you expect me to sleep now without hearing your voice first," I winked, "I got used to it after you spent two nights in my bed."