Always Yours

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I stared at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t keen on the uniform. Not to mention the shorts were a little tight, basically showing off my ass cheeks.

The crop top I could deal with. But my mom. A sigh fell from my lips. She wasn’t going to like the uniform. Pulling on my jacket I slipped my feet into my sneakers and headed downstairs.

It was almost 7 and my stomach was doing summersaults in case it was Franko giving me a lift. After today I made it clear I didn’t want to associate with him anymore and yet I couldn’t get him out of my head.

As much as I wanted to hate him I couldn’t. He had wormed his way into my heart, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I knew deep down he was bad news and no good for me, but I couldn’t shake him.

I liked how I felt when I was around him. I had never felt the way I do with him with anyone else. I was doomed from the start, and I had no one to blame but myself.

Hearing the toot of a horn I quickly wrote a note for my parents and headed outside. I don’t know if I was relieved or disappointed when I clocked Tommy.

“Expecting someone else?”. He smirked as I opened the passenger door.

“No”. I made a face and put my seatbelt on. Although I was curious as to why Tommy was the one giving me a lift.

“Then don’t look so disappointed”.

Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms over my chest and stared out the window. It wasn’t until we stopped at a red light that he decided to strike up a conversation.

“What are you doing Aubrey?”.

“Going to work”. I frowned.

“Nah with Franko. I told you once before not to poke the bear and shit sweetheart your fucking stomping on it”.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about”.

A laugh fell from his lips as the lights turned green. “He’ll never give up y’know. Surely to fuck you know how much he likes you?”.

I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my head. “Yeah, he likes me so much he’s still sleeping with other girls”.

“It’s just sex princess. Doesn’t mean anything”.

How can sex not mean anything? If it doesn’t mean anything then why do it? Wasn’t sex meant to be special?

“Yeah, well he can sleep with whoever he wants because I’m not interested”.

“Sure, about that?”.

“Positive”.

“Okay princess whatever you say”.

Nothing else was said between us. Tommy dropped me off at the diner and went on his way. Heading inside I put my things through the back and went to get started.

Jen was behind the counter going through some tickets.

“You’re a life saver”. She grinned. “I really appreciate you coming in. Did Tommy drop you off?”.

“Yeah, what’s that all about?”. I asked.

“Wondering why it wasn’t Franko?”. She smirked.

“No”.

A laugh fell from her lips. “Haven’t seen him all day just in case you’re wondering”.

I rolled my eyes before going over to check my section.

..

I couldn’t keep up. This was the busiest I had ever seen it. I had already mixed up two orders, been shouted at for being too slow and dropped a strawberry milkshake all over the floor.

I was ready to give up and go home.

“Aubrey you, okay?”. Jen asked.

I took the drinks tray and placed it on the counter. I just needed a minute or two to compose myself.

“I’m fine. I need two cokes and a black tea”.

“Coming right up sweetheart”.

“I can’t believe how busy it’s been. My feet are on fire”.

“It’s about to get a whole lot busier”. She nodded towards the windows as motorcycles pulled into the parking lot. A flutter of excitement balled in the pit of my stomach until I noticed Cass on the back of his bike.

“Great”. I sighed.

“Go take 5 minutes and I’ll deal with this lot”.

“Are you sure?”.

“I’m sure”. She smiled.

“Thanks Jen”.

I grabbed myself some coffee and headed through the back and straight outside. Sitting on the step I slipped off my sneakers and welcomed the cool air. I was beat, I couldn’t wait to go home and take a shower. I was sweating in places I shouldn’t sweat.

Running a hand down my face a yawn escaped my mouth as the door opened behind me. “I’m coming I’m just-…”. Another yawn. “Sorry I-…”. The words caught in my throat as I turned to look.

Franko.

“You slacking?”. He smirked.

“No”. I frowned.

“Thought you weren’t working tonight?”.

“I wasn’t but Jen”. I stopped myself. “I need to get back in”.

“Hold up”. He grabbed a hold of my hand. “Can we talk?”.

“No”.

“Aubrey”.

“What do you want Franko?”.

“You”.

“Franko”.

“Is it so fucking bad that I want us to be together?”.

“You want us to be together but you’re still sleeping with Cass?”. I made a face as I got to my feet.

“You don’t give me a fucking chance”. He yelled.

“So, you fuck other girls?”. I shoved his chest.

“Aubrey”.

“No, okay, I’m not doing this anymore. I can’t-…”. He crashed his lips to mine and everything disappeared. My eyes closed as I grabbed hold of his cut and pulled him towards me.

My body hummed, the butterflies erupting in my stomach just by his touch. A groan fell from my lips as he pulled me closer, his arms circling my waist.

I couldn’t stop, couldn’t push him away. I didn’t want to. And then the door opened, and I came back down from cloud nine. Pushing on his chest my eyes landed on Jen.

She was smirking.

“So, this is what’s keeping you?”.

“Sorry Jen”. He grinned.

What was I doing? I let him kiss me, I should have slapped him, pushed him off. I should have done something instead of kissing him back.

I rushed my way back inside and went straight to the restroom. Locking myself in a stall, I touched my lips as I fell against the door. How did everything feel so right with him?

His touch, his kiss.

“Aubrey?”.

“Just a sec”.

“Sweetie, are you okay?”.

No, I wasn’t. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself. I had to stick to my guns and stay away from him. No matter how much I wanted him or how good I felt when I was around him, I had to steer clear.

“No”. I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat. I had no idea why I was getting upset. Franko was no good for me. He would never be the man I needed him to be.

“Aubrey open the door please”.

I did.

“Oh, sweetheart”.

“I don’t think I can work here anymore”.

“You’re quitting?”. She frowned.

I shrugged.

“Do you like Franko?”.

“What?”. I made a face.

“You’re making this way bigger than it needs to be. He likes you and you like him so do something about it”.

Why does everyone think it’s as easy as that?

“If I do something about it then I lose everything”.

“But you want to do something about it don’t you?”.

“Yes”. I sighed.

“Lifes too short sweetheart. Fix your face and let’s get back to it”.

I worked the rest of my shift from behind the counter. Franko and his friends were still here so Jen thought it was better if she waited on them. It wasn’t as busy as before and for that I was grateful. My feet were on fire.

As Franko made his way to the counter, I made myself look busy.

“Black coffee princess”.

I grabbed a mug and poured his coffee in front of him.

“We gonna talk about what just happened?”. He asked.

I shook my head. “We don’t need to talk about it”. The door chimed and my eyes landed on Ben. He smiled at me before taking a seat in my section.

A laugh fell from his lips as he got to his feet. “Fine princess you win. I give up”. I watched as he stopped by Ben’s table said whatever he said and then left.

I turned my back, my heart racing.

What could he have possibly said to Ben?

“Aubrey, you got a sec?”.

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I turned to face him. I was met by his smile. “I’m sorry I cancelled and didn’t tell you. Jen asked if I could help out. She didn’t have anyone else”.

“Can I ask you something?”.

“Sure”. I smiled.

“Why did Franko just tell me he’d break my legs if I hurt you?”.

Of course, he did.

“I don’t know”. I sighed.

“I like you Aubrey but not enough to have Franko breathing down my neck. I’m sorry but I don’t think we can be friends”.

“Fine whatever”. I turned away from him and fixed myself a cup of coffee.

I just wanted this shift to be done with already.