River’s POV
I’m not really sure what just happened between us but I know that Alex has been triggered. That’s why he charged out of my apartment door with his head hung low and eyes on the floor. Barely able to stare me in the eye.
I glance back at the door like an idiot for a couple of moments. A hand runs its way through my hair and I scratch the corner of my head. I hate feeling like this. Out of my depth when I wish that I could help everyone.
But it’s not news to me that Alex has been struggling. He came to me that day for a reason.
Without realising what I’m doing, I whip my phone from my pocket and type in Liam King into the search bar. Articles upon articles of the car accident, tributes and kind words. I scroll through a site on The Telegraph, then I find myself focusing on a picture of Liam.
I have met him before a couple of times but now I look at the picture of him, now I understand. The resemblance comes to me in an instant. My eyes widen and I scroll to confirm my suspicions.
Alex and Liam were brothers.
My thumbs can’t move fast enough until I see a picture taken at the funeral. Alex has his arm around who I presume is their dad, holding him close with tears covering his cheeks. A part of me begins to howl with frustration, people taking pictures when they’re trying to mourn a family member.
Then I drop my phone onto the sofa and stare at the wall. It makes sense why Alex is hurt, why he asked me if I knew who Liam was. He wants to learn more about his brother because this is the town that absolutely adored him.
When he came to me that day, telling me he lost someone close to him. He lost Liam. He broke down because he lost his brother forever and suddenly things start to make sense as I piece together his life, his intentions here.
As it approaches the weekend, I still haven’t seen Alex since he walked out of my apartment. Not that he’s avoiding me or anything, I presume that we’ve both been busy and never crossed paths since.
On Sunday as a group we always head down to Chessman’s to see Luca working, he works almost every day of the week. And sometimes Demi if she’s been roped into a weekend shift. But on a Sunday it’s usually quiet, so we sit around, have a coffee and enjoy the company.
Luca’s mother certainly doesn’t mind either.
When everyone makes their way over, I stand in the hall and stare down at Alex’s apartment door. I find myself chewing on my lip. Deep fear that he has no friends in this town, he’s moved away from home and maybe he has no one until he finds himself a job or breaks out of his comfort zone.
That thought doesn’t sit well with me. Not after the last encounter we had.
I don’t want him to think of me as the person with the cardboard sign who helped him out of a dark time. I want him to think of me as his friendly neighbour that wants to involve him in our group, in this town.
If this community stands for one thing, it’s that we stick by each other no matter what.
My apartment door shuts behind me and I make my way over to Alex’s door. I knock before I can re-think. I don’t want him to be stuck by himself when he could be making friends. Even just another friendly face around the town can change everything completely.
At first I ponder if Alex is out but then after a few moments the door opens slowly, his light grey eyes staring back at me. Somehow his face looks even more freckly than before, it’s like I never noticed it before.
“Hi,” I smile widely.
He opens the door and leans on the door hinge gently. “Hi.”
I watch as he shoves his hands into his pockets, a clear sign of awkwardness. Wanting to hide but I ignore it and continue smiling. “Are you busy today? A few of my friends and I are going to pop over to the cafe down the road. My friend’s mother owns it, it’s usually quiet and we just have a drink and hang out together.”
“Oh,” Alex’s eyes widen.
“It’s probably very hard moving to a town where you don’t necessarily know anyone,” I keep my eyes focused on him. His expression drops a fraction.
I can tell he’s startled. Maybe even offended? Shit. Have I messed this up?
My throat clenches slightly but I continue to smile. “It’s across the road. Just opposite the rundown laundrette. It’s called Chessman’s. I told you about it the other day.”
Alex purses his lips. “Okay,” he murmurs. “Maybe.”
I stand, still not moving. Itching to drag him with me because I don’t know if he’s trying to cause distance between us because I said that I knew his brother. It might be too painful for him, he’s still hurting and I don’t want to trigger him further. I don’t want him to be alone when he doesn’t have to.
“Okay,” I shrug simply. “We’ll probably be there for the rest of the afternoon. So if you’re not doing anything, definitely pop by. My friends don’t bite either.”
The corner of Alex’s mouth curls. “Okay.”
His hand presses to the door and shuts it before I can say anything else. My hand brushes against the back of my head and I puff out a breath. That didn’t go as well as I thought it would.
I turn from the door and head downstairs and across the street. Straight into Chessman’s where Luca is behind the counter, Demi isn’t working today as she’s sat beside Troy in a pair of denim shorts and a crop top. Mason is in his usual chair, sipping on a coffee with an abnormal amount of cream on top.
“River,” Demi’s face lights up. “Finally. You’re here.”
“Hey,” I wave at them, the door swinging shut behind me. “Am I a bit late?”
Luca tuts at me playfully. “Mr Perfect, late? Never.”
Mason pats the chair beside him and I perch down, Luca already making my order without confirming what I want. “We’ve been discussing our plans for this summer.”
“Oh yeah?”
Demi hums in excitement. “We were thinking about going on a mini road trip. To the beach, to the next city, go see some monuments we haven’t seen before.”
“Sounds good to me,” I nod in agreement. “Are we all going to manage to get time off work at the same time?”
Luca exhales a strangled sigh and we all turn to him. “I’m sure my ma will let me have time off work if I give her plenty of notice. Obviously it’s a double hit because both me and Demi won’t be here.”
“Then we could do a weekend,” Troy shrugs. “Sunday’s are usually quiet. What’s that other girl’s name who works here? Can’t she just cover?”
“Linda,” Luca comments as he takes my drink by the handle from the counter. He loops around the small coffee table and places it down in front of me. I thank him. “She’s a moody bitch but I hope she’ll be nice and let us have the time off.”
Demi leans her head on Troy’s shoulder. “It’ll work out. It always does. Even for a couple days. Think we’re all overdue some time together. Some drinks, good food and even better company. We can’t go the whole summer without doing a single thing.”
The bell on the door rings and Luca stops directly beside me, mouth falling open. “Oh my God, who the hell is that?” He mutters under his breath.
We all turn our attention to the new customer and I almost fall out of my seat when Alex walks in with a sheepish expression. He came. He actually came.
Luca’s mouth is wide like he’s just seen the next top model. I push myself up from the chair and shake my head. My feet walk directly towards him and he stares back at me, focusing on my friends behind me for a moment.
“Hey,” I say brightly. “You made it.”
Alex clears his throat quietly. “Yeah…” he glances down. “I thought maybe I should check out the cafe in case my WiFi goes down again or something.”
A small laugh rumbles from my chest. “Come meet my friends,” I beckon my head to them behind me. “They’re nice, I promise.”
“Okay.”
I turn back to the group, they’re talking quietly amongst themselves but Luca is beaming back at us like he’s hit the jackpot. “Guys,” I get their attention and they all turn to me. “This is Alex, he’s my neighbour.”
“Hi, Alex. Nice to meet you. I’m Demi.” She waves softly.
Troy and Mason then introduce themselves. Of course Luca waits till last, he walks straight up to us, eyes focused on Alex. “Hi, Alex,” he grins and holds out his hand. Alex glances down at his gesture once before taking it slowly. “I’m Luca. My family owns this cafe. You are honestly welcome here anytime.”
I flick my eyes between the pair. Alex’s cheeks burn to a soft shade of pink. “Hi,” he responds, finally shaking his hand. “Thank you. It’s lovely here.”
Luca grins back like a Cheshire cat and quite honestly, I’m scared for Alex because he is about to be the new prey. “Thanks,” he drops his hand. “Would you like a drink? I can make it for you.”
“Oh,” Alex blinks. Only now have I noticed how long and dark they are. “Yeah sure. Thank you.”
“What would you like?”
“Iced latte with oak milk. Do you do that?”
Luca drops his eye into a wink and it was seconds before I was waiting for that gesture. “Sure do,” he pulls away slowly. “Coming right up. Take a seat and I’ll bring it over.”
Alex opens his mouth to speak but then he shuts it. I motion my head towards a spare chair beside me, he sits down and my friends all turn back to Alex. Fresh meat in this town is pretty rare so I know they’re probably thinking, what the hell is he doing here?
“So Alex,” Troy catches his attention. “What brings you here to this town?”
He inhales slowly and I realise that this is a lot for him but he’s doing so well. I want to grip his shoulder and tell him that it’s okay but I refrain, we’re not close enough for that.
“I want to get into the culinary industry.” He nods.
“Really?” Mason responds. “Here? It’s super boring, small and quiet.”
Alex shrugs him off. “I don’t think it’s boring. I actually think it’s full of culture and good morals. I’m very excited to start something new here.”
I shoot Mason a look. Sometimes he doesn’t think before he speaks and I don’t want him scaring Alex off before they’ve even got to getting to know one another. He’s the sort of person you need to take a pinch of salt with, soon you learn to ignore his comments.
“That’s nice,” Demi comments sweetly. “Did you go to university?”
Alex hums. “Yes. I graduated last year. Now I want to do something with my degree. I’ve loved cooking since I can remember. I’ve just been applying for jobs.”
“What sort of cooking do you specialise in?”
Alex blinks back at Troy. “I like the idea of experimental foods. That would be my ultimate dream.”
“Well I’m not sure about experimental but I know someone who is looking for a chef in town,” Troy leans forward, elbows on his knees. “He was one of my clients and they’ve been looking for a while.”
“Oh, really?” Alex’s face lights up and his shoulders relax.
I try and not let my smile form on my face but he’s already settling in so well. Soon Luca brings him his drink, offering him another dazzling grin and pant dropping wink. That boy will never give up but props to him for trying.
“Yeah,” he swipes his phone from his pocket. “Let me give you the details.”
Alex soon follows and listens as Troy tells him the name of the restaurant and the owner. “Thank you,” he says gratefully.
Troy shakes it off like it’s nothing. “No problem. Hope it works out for you.”
I turn to look at Alex and there is a soft smile on his lips. Then he twists his head and catches my eye, I offer him a supportive smile and I’m proud of him for coming down to meet my friends.
“So, Alex,” Luca perches on the arm of his leather chair. “How long have you been living in town for?”
Alex shuffles over slightly and suddenly can’t find his voice. Demi shoots me a look and wiggles her eyebrows. I know what she’s thinking, the same thing I am. Hopefully Alex can make it out of this alive before he’s suffocated to death with Luca’s sweet yet overbearing personality.
. . .
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Alex finally gets to meet River's gang.
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