Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

I know this. I feel this in my heart. But I can’t seem to grasp it in my brain.

Chapter Nineteen

Amelia

Sadie barks angrily beside me as I run a towel down my face.

The espresso machine is broken again.

William moves around me, cleaning the floor as I groan loudly. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Sadie agrees with a growl, and I pet her head. “Good girl. That’s right. Tell that stupid machine.” I turn to William, annoyance plain on my face and in my voice. “William, we need a new machine. I’m tired of this. It happens at least twice a week.”

“I know. I’m working on it.”

I groan in frustration as Sadie agrees with a growl. Will’s been working on it for six months now! He and his dad are too cheap to hire a new person or get a new machine. I look at my customer and try to smile. “I’m so sorry. Is there something else I can get you, or would you like a refund?”

The man, who looks just as annoyed as I do, shrugs. “A regular coffee with cream is fine.”

“Fantastic.” I get him his order and wish him a good day. I’m pretty sure he wants to flip me off, but he refrains. Which is nice since my day is going oh so wonderfully. I untuck my wet shirt and try to dry it, but it’s soaked. I let my head fall back. I hate that I’m so frustrated I’m about to cry. This is so ridiculous. I hate it here. I hate coffee, and I hate machines that don’t work. And I miss Chandler. I miss him so much.

When Sadie comes over to lie on my foot, calm washes over me. I smile down at her. “Thanks, girl.”

He’s been gone for seven days, and I still have another three before he returns home. I got to see him for the holiday, but it was only for one night before they flew off to New Jersey. Shelli will be here at the end of the week, a day before Chandler gets back, which is good. I might be going crazy.

When my phone rings in my apron, I reach for it and smile when I see who’s calling. Even drenched as I am in milk and espresso, Chandler puts a smile on my face.

“Hey.”

“Hey, where you are?” There is urgency in his voice.

“Work? Why?”

“Babe, did you forget about the plumber?”

Oh. Fuck.

I close my eyes and squeeze the bridge of my nose. “Yes, oh my God, I’m so sorry. I’m leaving now.”

“What? You can’t leave,” William says, but I throw my apron on the counter.

“I wasn’t supposed to work anyway, William. I came in to help this morning, and now I’m drenched. I have to go. I was supposed to be at the house for my boyfriend.” I call for Sadie, and we head out. “I’m so sorry, Chandler.”

“How long will it take you to get there?”

“Like, six minutes. I’ll pay the fee if he tries to charge you one. I’m so sorry.” I jump into the truck after Sadie does and start it.

“Is that my truck?”

“Yeah, I didn’t want to get dog hair in my car.”

“You have Sadie?”

“Yeah, she came to work with me. I didn’t want her alone, so she’s been coming every day I work.”

“They didn’t care?”

“William did the first day, and I told him I could leave. But he said fine, Sadie could stay,” I tell Chandler as I drive out of town. “That’s okay, right?”

“Yeah, it’s great. You just make it really hard to be upset with you.”

My shoulders droop. “You were upset with me?”

“Amelia, you forgot about this appointment. You know they only had today to dig out the pipes and replace them.”

I bite my lip. “I know. I’m really sorry.”

I expect him to start yelling, to call me stupid or an idiot. “It’s okay. I should have reminded you, though I did write it on your calendar.”

“You did,” I groan. I think I glanced at it this morning. I obviously didn’t read it. “I didn’t want to go in to work, and then I was in a rush. So I suck. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t suck, and stop apologizing.”

“You can say I suck.”

“Why would I? How does that make this situation better? I refuse to belittle you for a mistake. It’s okay. Are you there?”

I don’t know why tears are filling my eyes as I pull into his driveway. The plumbing crew is in front of the house, all smoking cigarettes. “Yes.”

“Okay, and you have my credit card for payment, right?”

“It’s in the drawer, inside.”

“Great. Call me when it’s done. If I don’t answer, I’m still on the ice, and I’ll call you back.”

“Okay.”

“And, Amelia…”

“Yeah?”

“I miss you something insane.”

“I miss you.” My heart flutters in my chest, and the anxiety of forgetting the important appointment subsides. Chandler had asked me twice if he should have his mom fly back to take care of supervising the repair of his busted sewer lines, but I insisted I would. Way to drop the ball, Justice. I get out of the truck and call Sadie with me.