I walked down fifth avenue in hunt of a new coffee shop. The one I frequented had gone bankrupt and had to close. I needed to find a new one soon that wouldn't be swarming with overly caffeinated work freaks. I needed a little laid back place where I could wind down after work and wouldn't make me late for work in the morning.
As I was about to duck into 'Joe Beans' I noticed my best friend Lorry sitting in a shaded booth with a man I'd never seen. I would've continued on with my audit of the new coffee place if I didn't know Lorry was supposed to be at work. The fact that she was dating my brother and her little meeting seemed a little intimate didn't help curb my interest either.
I pulled out my phone, texting Lorry asking where she was. I watched her look at her phone and text me back quickly. I heard my phone chime and looked down to see what she said.
"Work," with a frowny face was her reply.
Now I knew she was hiding something. I made my way across the street and pretended like I was going into the boutique so conveniently placed behind the table where Lorry and mystery man sat.
As I was entering the little shop I 'noticed' Lorry.
"Oh hi Lorry! I thought you were working today," I said with a wry smile before walking into the store.
She quickly followed me and grabbed my arm.
"It's not what it looks like," she said with pleading eyes.
"Funny cause it looks like you're cheating on my brother- it's ok though I'll ask him and see if I'm wrong," I said curling my lip at her.
"Look Angela I can't explain, but I love your brother,"
"This is exactly why I didn't want you guys to date- I KNEW you'd hurt him!" I yelled pointing an accusatory finger at Lorry.
At this point she was crying, but I didn't care. I would've taken her side over literally EVERYONE except my brother, and of course that's who she had to be screwing over at the moment. She was so damn selfish it made me sick.
"Please don't tell him Angela, I love him and I'm not cheating on him, but I'm not ready to tell him yet!" she bawled grabbing at my hands. I jerked my hands out from her reach and sneered at her.
"Why should I believe a word you say? The only reason I know you aren't at work is because I CAUGHT you in a lie," I said crossing my arms across my chest.
"Just give me a day ok, not even a whole day, I'll come over tonight and explain everything," she promised.
"Give you a day to come up with a convincing lie? No way, meet me in our usual cafe in an hour and a half," I said before stalking off.
Although Lorry had completely ruined my mood, I still needed to find my new coffee shop by the morning. I crossed the street and made my way back into 'Joe Beans' hoping this was the one because I'd liked the atmosphere. After trying their chai tea latte I knew this would be the place to frequent. I put a ten dollar tip in the jar and walked back outside only to notice Lorry was gone, but the mystery man was still there. I probably shouldn't have, but I walked over to him glaring at him the whole way.
"I don't know who you are, but leave Lorry alone- she's happy with my brother," I said matter-of-factly.
"Leave who alone? ohh yeah, right, Lorry, ok chick whatever you say," he said before getting up leaving an excessive tip on the able, and walking away from me.
Well that surely was strange, If they were really having an affair I think he would've put up more of a fight, and probably know her name too. I guess I should go hear this girl out and see what kind of trouble she'd gotten herself into.
I shivered in disgust as I walked into Starbucks to meet Lorry. I had no clue why she liked this place- it was so overrated. I immediately saw her at our usual table at the back. I decided not to tell her I'd talked to the man after she had left.
"Start talking," I said sitting down across from her.
"Ok.. don't be mad I haven't told you this before, but I'm not supposed to be telling you now either. I just love your brother too much to lose him over a misunderstanding,"
"I hear a lot of words that aren't telling me who that man was," I said. I knew I was being childish and petty, but I didn't care.
"I'm in the witness protection program; I have been since we met in sixth grade," she admitted in a whispered rush.
"So that man was..?"
"My case worker- when I was younger my biological father was the leader of a gang. They ended up killing my mother and I testified against them because I watched the whole thing happen- if they knew I was alive now I'd be in so much more danger. They think I died in a car crash 18 years ago," she said wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
I quickly moved to the other side of the table to comfort her, I'm so sorry I doubted you,"
"This is the first time I've really been happy- having you and your brother in my life,"
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