Wake Up Call
Page 46

After quickly showering and dressing, I threw on my leather boots and wandered into the living room. I looked around for a few moments before sighing and walking toward the couch.
I got ready to take a seat, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed something sticking out from under the far left corner of the couch. I mindlessly bent down to reach for what appeared to be some kind of tin tray, but quickly realized that I really had no right to go through his things. I didn’t want him in my business so I certainly had no right to be in his.
Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone and called for a taxi. As usual, they had a free driver and said that they would send one right away.
I would have at least ten minutes before the taxi would arrive and my curiosity was starting to get the best of me. As hard as I fought it, a part of me believed that there was more to Caleb than he had led on. The strange way that he acted around Kat made me nervous.
I steadily made my way back over to the couch and bent down to reach for the tray. Once my hand reached the tray, I paused for a moment to look around, even though I knew that Caleb wasn’t even home.
I carefully started sliding it toward me when suddenly I was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. I quickly pushed it back under the couch.
Caleb stared over at me, eyes wide, as he slammed the door behind him. He hastily made his way over to stand in front of me. "Avery," he hissed.  "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't go through my personal things when I'm gone."
He leaned above me and pulled my hand away from the tray, his heavy breathing brushing against my ear. "I think I hear your taxi outside. You should hurry," he said stiffly.
I pushed myself back to my feet while looking Caleb in the eye. The look on his face was scared, but vicious. I didn't like it. "Sorry," I mumbled. "I didn't think it was such a big deal. I just thought it was garbage or something."
Caleb nodded his head, reached over to the couch, and grabbed the strap of my purse. His hand shook as he held it out to me with an apologetic smile. "I'll see you when you get back. Good luck on your search."
I grabbed my purse from out of his loose grip and threw it over my right shoulder. Then I turned and faced the door. “Thanks," I said. I gave him one last look before hurrying outside.
The taxi sat outside just as Caleb said. When I approached it, I noticed that it was a different driver. One that I had never seen before.
Sighing, I hopped into the cozy backseat of the taxi and closed the door. I just didn’t have the energy to deal with anything and didn't have much hope in finding a job.
A young man, maybe in his mid-twenties, turned around, placing his arm over the leather seat. He had light chocolate skin and big hazel eyes that seemed friendly and outgoing. He flashed me a carefree smile and lifted an eyebrow. “Where to?”
I leaned into the leather seat and threw my purse down next to me. That was when I realized that I had no idea where to even start. "I'm actually not quite sure where I'm headed yet." I frowned and looked out the window.
The driver laughed, causing me to look up at him. He didn’t seem annoyed one bit by the situation. In fact, he looked amused. “Maybe I can help.” He grinned.
I smiled back feeling a bit relieved. Other drivers had given me hard times in the past, and I didn’t expect this one to be so understanding. “I’m looking for a new job.” I looked up into his bright eyes and brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “Preferably a diner.”
He smiled wider, if that was even possible, and shifted the car into drive. “Cool. Cool. I have a few ideas.”
I exhaled and leaned back into the seat. “That’s great. Thank you.”
After a few minutes of driving, the driver suddenly pressed on the brakes and peered over his shoulder. I sat up, wondering what he was doing.
“Damn! I just remembered that I have a good friend that owns a diner. I could take you there if you’d like. We haven’t spoken in a few months, but we’re pretty close.”
Feeling a bit of hope, I leaned forward in my seat and gripped the back of the driver’s seat. If he had a friend with a diner, there would be a good chance that he could talk the person into giving me a job. "That sounds great... um… what's your name?"
"Dexter, but you can call me Dex." He smiled sweetly before pressing on the gas and taking off again.
"Alright, Dex. Tell me about this friend with a diner.”
Dex looked at me through the rearview mirror and popped a fry into his mouth. "To be honest I have no idea how the business is going, but he's got a little diner called The Indy Go. I promise that it's-"
"No," I blurted and the car went silent. I shifted in my seat a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I appreciate your help, but can we go somewhere else?"
My heart instantly started pounding in my chest and suddenly it was hard to breathe. Out of all of the people in the world, he just had to be friends with Jace.
Dex looked a little perplexed as he scratched the top his head and pulled into a small parking lot outside of a diner called Jan's Place. He shifted the car into park and leaned back to look at me. "Don't worry. I won't even ask what that was about…" He trailed off, looking out the window. “What’s your name?”
"Avery," I said softly. “And thanks for not asking.” I blew out a breath of relief.
"Avery. It's none of my business. I'm just here to help with whatever you may need," he said, matter-of-factly. "Good luck in there. I'll be out here waiting."
I nodded my head in understanding and stepped out of the taxi.
Finally, someone out there didn't ask too many questions. Everyone else in my life seemed to pry into my personal space. Stacy, Winston, Maple and even Jace.
Oh god! The thought of them brought a pain to my chest. My heart sank when I realized that I actually for once in my life had people that cared. I had Jace, Stacy, Winston and Maple. I had them all and I walked out on them.
I stumbled gripping onto the door of the diner for support. My whole body felt weak as my head spun. I hadn't even realized until then that I actually had a decent life for the first time ever and I blew it. Those people were there when I needed them and they never once judged me. People that I had known for just five short weeks cared more about me than my family ever did or could have.