Page 12 of Strong Coffee (Coffee Beans & Love #1)

ELEVEN

Brady

I wasn’t sure why I was so damn worried about what the guys would think of Cam.

It wasn’t like I had ever been worried what they thought of any of the previous guys I had slept with.

Noah had told me time and time again that he wished I stopped sleeping with Shane because he didn’t want me to get hurt.

That had been the only opinion he ever had on the matter.

Presley kept his thoughts to himself, but he scowled every time Shane said something about us or even when he saw us snuggling up close on the couch at home.

Camden tried distracting me by talking about his business but I couldn’t focus, so I wasn’t exactly sure what all he had been saying.

When we reached the front doors to Coffee Beans & Love, I took a deep breath and let go of Cam’s hand so he could enter before me.

I had considered this place home more than the apartment I actually lived in.

But having Cam there, about to meet my friends and some of the staff who worked for us, set my nerves on edge.

I followed him into my café. It sat between a laundromat and a variety store.

Before we renovated it and took up more space after our business grew, the café was actually attached to a massage parlor.

Word had it that they didn’t do just massages.

Cops got wind and shut the place down. So, it was a win for us.

As I stepped over the threshold, the sound of deep bass pumped into my ears.

The band wasn’t playing. So something happened or they were late.

We were still trying to figure out the logistics of having a café and then turning it into a type of after-hours bar with music and alcohol, all the while still having that familiar warmth our customers enjoyed and looked forward to whenever they stepped through the door.

“Hey.” Cam came up to my side. “You good?”

“Yeah. Just wondering where the band is.” As soon as the words left my lips, a loud crash sounded from the kitchen.

“Shit. I’ll be back.” I rushed to the back of the café, wondering what the hell was going on.

Before I could round the corner to see what all the commotion was about, I heard Presley and Noah talking.

“I told you not to mess with it.” Presley’s voice was filled with annoyance.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Shane is going to be pissed. We can’t afford a new one.”

“Damn right I’m pissed.”

I took that chance to head farther into the kitchen. All three of my friends were standing around the espresso machine sitting on the floor in broken pieces .

“We really can’t afford a new machine.” Shane sighed, shoving a hand through his hair. “Let me work the numbers,” he grumbled, heading to the office and shutting the door behind him.

“We only can’t afford a new one because the one we want is high-end and has so many bells and whistles it might as well grow coffee beans as well.” Presley ran a hand through his hair, staring down at the machine.

“Maybe we can find a cheap one instead that’s just as good.” Noah pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll check Amazon or Marketplace.”

I was tempted to go check on Shane. Money always stressed him out. Even if we had a really good month, he still stressed about it.

“Brady.”

I turned at the sound of Cam’s voice. He was standing at the entrance to the kitchen.

He glanced at the pile of broken Espresso parts on the floor. “Everything okay?”

“We’ve been trying to get our espresso machine fixed for months now but it hasn’t worked and now…” I was very aware that Noah and Presley were watching us and probably wondering at the same time who the hell Cam was and why he was in the kitchen.

“I know someone who could help.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You do?”

Cam shrugged. “I know people and this person owes me a favor anyway. I could ask what the best machine is, and I could have it replaced...” He pulled his phone out of his pants pocket. “Tonight probably.”

“Who the hell is this guy?” Noah muttered.

“Who gives a shit?” Presley retorted. “We need a new machine.”

“I appreciate that,” I said, ignoring my friends. “But we’re good and can get a machine on our own.” I didn’t want him to think that I was some sort of charity case. While it was kind what he was offering, it was too damn soon to accept gifts from the guy.

“I don’t mind helping, Brady.” Cam put his phone away and took a step closer.

When he stood beside me, looking down at the mess of the espresso machine lying on the floor, his shoulder brushed mine.

That tiny act sent a shiver down my spine.

What was it about this guy that affected me so?

I hardly knew him. We fucked once after only finding out each other’s names.

There was something about him that called out to me.

It sounded so damn cliché when I thought about it, but I couldn’t control myself.

“It’s okay.” Noah crossed his arms under his chest. “Thank you for the offer but we’ll figure this out.” His eyes flicked to mine.

I gave him a small nod, appreciating that he took over the conversation because I knew that if he didn’t, I would have caved and taken Cam up on his offer to buy us a new machine.

“Hey.” Cam grabbed my hand, pulling me to a corner of the kitchen where it was more private, and the guys wouldn’t overhear. “It’s not a big deal. I’m happy to help in any way that I can.”

“I’m not a charity case,” I blurted.

Cam winced like I had just slapped him. “Do you think that little of me?”

“I hardly know you to think anything of you.” But it wasn’t true, was it? My head was a mess. Why was I fighting this?

“Fine.” He pulled away from me. “I know when I’m not wanted.” He gave me a final look and left the kitchen, taking all the air in my lungs with him.

Shit. I sighed, running my hands through my hair. This was not how I wanted our night to go.

I could feel the eyes of my friends watching me and the exchange between Cam and I but before they could question anything like I knew they wanted to, I went out to the dining area to find Cam.

Much to my surprise, he was sitting at a table near the wall to the right.

A part of me thought maybe he would have left and been done with me completely but seeing him sitting there, looking down at the menu he was holding, it took me a second to approach him.

He was beautiful and I couldn’t help but watch him.

When one of our servers went up to him to take his order, he looked my way while talking to her.

He lifted his chin, almost like he was challenging me in a way.

Maybe he was trying to get me to open up and see that this was right between us.

It didn’t matter that this was so new. I needed to get my head out of my ass and just let things move in a direction we both enjoyed.

After the server left Cam’s table, I joined him. Clearing my throat, I sat across from him and played with the napkin sitting beside the cutlery.

“I’m new to this. I don’t have commitment issues, but I do have a hard time trusting people outside of my best friends.

” I took a chance and looked at Cam then.

When he only stared at me and didn’t say anything, I took a breath and continued.

“Everything with Shane messed me up. Our friendship hasn’t been the same and it’ll probably never be the same.

Even though I know he’s slept with others since we did our thing but it’s… ”

“You still long for him,” Cam finished for me.

“I don’t know. Maybe? I care about him, and I always will but nothing will ever happen between us again, so I don’t want you worrying about that.”

“I’m not worried, Brady.” Cam leaned forward and reached across the table. He grabbed my hand, stopping me from ripping apart the napkin. “I know whose cock is going to have you coming hard later.”

I coughed, my cheeks heating at his dirty suggestion.

He only winked .

“I am sorry.” I linked my fingers in his, enjoying the warmth of his touch.

“Don’t be.” Cam moved from his spot across the table from me and sat in the chair right beside me.

“Since we’re confessing...” He sighed. “I will always care about Beverly. She’s been a big part of my life and I need you to know that she’ll always be in it.

I’m not saying that we are going to be together forever or get serious or anything.

I know it’s too soon to know that but I do want to see where this goes with you.

However, I need you to know that she will always be in my life. ”

“I won’t be jealous, if that’s what you’re trying to say.” I pulled his hand to my lap, holding it between both of mine.

“And I won’t be jealous of Shane. I understand that he’s a big part of your life too.”

“He is. I’d like you to meet him, Noah, and Presley. They can be a lot to handle but I think they’d like you.”

“I’d be honored to meet them.” Cam pulled his hand from mine and cupped my inner thigh.

His eyes darkened, hinting for more and for what he was going to give me later.

While we had only been together that one night, I knew that if I let him, he could completely overpower me.

As nervous as that made me, I couldn’t fucking wait.