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Chapter 3

Chapter Three

        Wren was pleasantly surprised at what a fast learner Jax turned out to be. Though he knew he shouldn’t be surprised, seeing as the man was a doctor, and the amount of intelligence that went into the career was far greater than what it took to work an espresso machine.

        Regardless, it only took a week for Jax to get the hang of the main tasks and start mixing the various drinks for the menu, which took a hefty load off Wren’s shoulders. Between work, classes and the upcoming finals he was completely overwhelmed.

        The following Friday evening after Jax’s first day, when Wren worked the full evening shift to give Jul the night off, he didn’t argue when Jax offered to work it with him.

        The café was quiet. It was nearly seven and the rush had died down. They were a few weeks out to the rush of late night studiers and Wren wasn’t about to complain as he settled in on one of the stools behind the counter and pulled out his own work to start on.

        “Homework?” Jax asked, setting down the towel he had been using to dry the dine-in mugs. He glanced at the notebook that Wren had slid out of his bag under the counter.

        “Always. Finals are getting close and I’m working on not failing. Next fall is my last semester.” Wren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and tapped the pen against his notes from class. He felt muggy and sleepy now that he was sitting down.

        “Masters then? What subject?” Jax caught the other stool and pulled it up, leaning his elbows on the counter. Wren felt his shoulders relax as they settled into the comfortable lull.

        “History. I want to teach it at the college level. Specifically, how culture impacts literature and how that literature is what makes up our recorded history. Everything we know about our world is because someone felt it was worth writing down, and we can get intimate little glances into what the world was like then, or a look at the skewed perspectives of those doing the telling.” Wren underlined a set of notes that worked over how most of American history was cultivated and vetted by people of privilege.

        “That’s incredible. And true. So much of what we know about the world comes from a very limited view.” Jax nodded, peered at the neat notes on the page. “What a fascinating subject to cover.”

        “Careful, you’ll become a beta reader for my thesis.” Wren snorted, sitting up to stretch. He was so tired, and his eyes felt heavy.

        “I’d be honored.” Jax chuckled, but the sincerity behind the words made Wren’s cheeks go pink.

        “You’ve signed your own demise.” He warned.

        They were cut off then by the front door opening. The little bell above chimed it chimed merrily as it was bumped, and Wren looked up.

        The man who entered was a regular. Jacob came in four times a week, exactly at seven fifteen. He would come and sit and text while he drank his coffee. He was also known to be a bit of a jerk.

        “I’ve got this one.” He said softly to Jax, meeting Jacob at the counter.

        “Hey. The usual?” Wren asked as Jacob continued to stare at his phone. Usually he at least set it down to order. He didn’t seem to notice that Wren had addressed him, so he leaned forward a bit. “Something different?”

        “Huh? Fuck. Hold on.” Jacob grunted, tapping something out on his phone before looking up. He had a sallow look to his face that Wren wasn’t sure he liked. “Yeah. You know what I get. You got to ask every time?”

        “Policy. I need to know your order to make it.” Wren replied cooly, tugging a large cup from the stack and marking it for an Americano with caramel drizzle.

        “Policy my ass.” Jacob snorted. “Jul around?”

        “She’s off for the night.” Wren frowned. Jacob didn’t usually ask for Jul, though she made a point to keep an eye on him when she was in. Jacob leaned against the counter, frowning.

        “You look different.”

        “New glasses.” Wren frowned, his skin prickling with wary caution. Jacob was looking at him intently. The sweet smell of pheromone began to fill the space. Jacob had never tried to assert Dominance on him before and he felt the instinct to roll back in Submission.

        “Excuse me.”

        Jax’s low voice startled Wren as it came from behind him. A strong hand caught his elbow gently, squeezing. “This is a place of business. Curb the scent glands.”

        “Who the fuck are you?” Jacob tried to straighten up, but he didn’t have a hope of being as tall as Jax. And while Jacob was built and muscled, toned over his whole body on display through tight clothes, Wren had no doubt that Jax was the more powerful of the two. Tone meant nothing about strength.

        “Co-owner, and unless you want to be asked to leave for harassment, I’d suggest paying and sitting down.” Jax replied cooly, assertive and collected.

        Jacob growled, and Wren wondered for a minute if he would listen, but finally he slammed a five down on the counter and skulked over to his regular table.

        Jax let Wren’s elbow go immediately, and he took a respectful step back. “Want me to do the drink?”

        “No—but if you want to bring it out, I wouldn’t argue.” Wren mumbled, rubbing at the back of his neck. Jacob’s invitation was a thick, hair raising scent that made his stomach sour.

        “Absolutely.”

        They remained relatively quiet as Jacob drank his drink, stared at his phone, and then just before close he stood up and walked out. He left his empty paper cup on the table. That was a new addition to his usual haunting.

        “Fuck. I’m locking that.” Wren slid off his stool and made for the door, flipping the bolt and drawing the shades over the front windows. “What a damn creep.”

        “I’m guessing he’s a regular?” Jax growled, frowning at the door. He’d been keeping a close eye on Jacob while Wren attempted to read over his notes.

        “Four days a week. Which days are random, but he always shows up at seven fifteen and stays until just before we lock up. Jul has had to get involved twice for order complaints, but she swears he is just trying to bum free drinks.” Wren reached up and tugged the tie from his hair, the silk mess tumbled over his shoulders and he ran his fingers through it. His scalp was aching from having it up so long.

        “What a creep.” Jax’s expression was tight and unhappy. “Never does enough to get kicked out, just enough to be annoying. Do we need to count out?”

        “Nah, Jul does it all in the morning.” Wren shook his head. He slid around the counter and began to power down the various machines. “And Gene does the cleaning tonight after ten. So, we are good to go.”

        “That’s not so bad. Heading home?” Jax caught Wren’s bag from under the counter, offering it to him.

        “Yup. I need to work on a paper.” Wren sighed and he took the bag and slid his notebook back inside it. He rubbed a hand over his stomach. He was exhausted, and it was making him feel queasy again. He seemed to rotate between pure exhaustion and nausea chronically. “How about you?”

        Jax’s expression seemed to tighten and his shoulders became a stiff, unhappy line at the question. Concern caught Wren in the belly, and he paused in slinging his bag over his shoulder.

        “Home is inevitable I think.” Jax said finally, and Wren could almost feel the tension in Jax’s person.

        “You don’t sound thrilled about that.”

        “I’m not really, if I’m being honest.” Jax sighed, and he worked a hand over the tight curls on his head. “But it’s not anything I need to go dumping on you.”

        “Tell you what, walk me home in case that freak Jacob is lingering, and you can dump on me all you like.” Wren settled his bag on his shoulders and fished out his keys.

        “I get the distinct impression you don’t need anyone to walk you home.” Jax chuckled as he followed Wren around the counter. Wren could see him visibly relaxing, however.

        “I don’t. But it’s a nice way of saying ‘I’m very nosy and want to know’.” Wren snorted, undoing the bolt to the front door for them to step out into the cool, spring evening. He relocked it with his key and flashed Jax a smile over his shoulder.

        “Ah. I figured that was more the case.” Another laugh rolled from his barrel of a chest and he fell into step beside Wren.

        “Awesome. I’m glad you won’t try to save me. I’d kick your ass.” Wren adjusted his bag strap so it wasn’t so uncomfortable against the stretching skin of his belly under his baggy sweater. He’d learned that banging his books against himself wasn’t pleasant. “So. The deets. You don’t like being home? Because I fucking love it and I never get it enough.”

        “It’s a place I guess.” Jax shrugged. “As an ER doctor you aren’t really there enough to appreciate it. I don’t have a roommate—”

        “You don’t need it on a doctor’s salary.”

        “Fair. But it’s just sort of…bland I guess. Up until a few weeks ago, I was only ever there long enough to sleep, or on the days off I rarely got. Even on those days I spent more time down by the ocean or in the bookstores.” Jax shook his head. “But now…”

        “What happened a few weeks ago?” Wren asked. “Jul said you were on a break, but I figured it was half hours for burnout or something.”

        “Sort of. There was an…upsetting incident. I didn’t feel up to mentally doing my job and decided I needed a break. But in a way that made things worse I think. I had all this time alone in a place I don’t spend a lot of time to just…stew. So, going home isn’t really my favorite thing. When Jul said she needed the help, I was pretty excited.”

        “That makes sense.” Wren stepped off the crumbly curb as they reached the end of the street, careful not to dunk his converse into a deep puddle. “How long do you think you’re going to be off at the hospital?”

        “I don’t know yet.” Jax replied, illusive and low. Wren knew that tone. Whatever it was that had happened, Jax wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. Which meant it wasn’t just burnout or a bad coworker. The look in his eyes was haunted.

        “This is a lot like a thriller novel. Mysterious hunk shows up at coffee shop with a dark and broody past-“ Wren chuckled.

        “I’m not broody!” Jax retorted, giving Wren a wide-eyed look only to see the satisfied smile on Wren’s lips and he rolled his eyes. “You know, it makes sense how you and Jul get along!”

        “Because we’re both jerks? Yeah. About sums it up. Can I be the cool detective that unravels the mysteries and shit? Cause like, that’s the best part of a thriller.” Wren cackled.

        “Let me guess. You are also into shitty horror movies.” Jax replied dryly.

        “And I would put money on you curled up with “The Notebook” on a rainy day.” Wren clapped back fearlessly. He could see the embarrassed heat darkening a stain of a blush over Jax’s cheeks.

        “Get out of my life, jerk.” Jax grumbled with no feeling behind it. Words he had slung at Jul more than once. This only got another delighted cackle from Wren, who pushed his slightly overgrown bangs back from his glasses.

        “Aw shit. That’s awesome. Listen man. You have the gentle and soft thing down pat.” Wren waved a hand in the air. “I bet horror and you are about as common as I am at a church Sunday.”

        “Fair. So uh, what’s the deal with the analyzing of people?” Jax asked, and it was Wren’s turn to blush as the question sank down into his chest. Busted.

        “You aren’t supposed to notice me doing it.” Wren chuckled, but he rubbed his arms gently over his arms. “Uh. Want the bullshit answer or the truth?”

        “Truth is good.”

        “I have fucking awful ADHD. And I don’t always pay great attention. When I was a kid I had a hard time making friends because I wouldn’t shut up. My mom was a professional tarot reader and she taught me to read body language and people to help with my social cues.” He glanced up at Jax. “Plus, I learned that me talking a shitload isn’t nearly so cool as hearing about other people, and it’s a really good way to start a conversation.”

        Wren wasn’t embarrassed by the reality of his situation. He was embarrassed about admitting it with someone he didn’t know well.

        “You weren’t supposed to learn that until at least week seven. So, uh. Pretend you don’t until then.”

        “That’s actually a great answer.” Jax surprised him with the warmth in his tone. Wren blushed more deeply and combed his fingers through his hair. “I mean it. I think that’s an awesome way to learn people.”

        “Thanks. I hate the meds. They make me a hot, paranoid mess.” Wren grumbled, and nudged Jax’s arm. “Keep it up with the compliments. I dare you.”

        “Okay. I love the stuff you wear. It’s like lazy spooky.” Jax grinned and Wren groaned.

        “It is! Alright fine. You can come in for a cup of tea, you stupid flatterer. But only because it means I get to procrastinate.”