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I'm late to work for the first time since working at the job that I obtained mid last year.

Jenna thought it was a great idea to hide my keys so she could interrogate me. But when she got too personal and started asking about my mental state, I just left and walked to work.

Unfortunately, my excuse didn't sit well with my boss, Jack.

"This is your first strike, Kellin. You're a hard worker, one of my best, and I don't want to throw that away but I will if it's necessary. Don't let me down." he says sternly.

"I will not, Sir. I promise. I would love to take some extra shifts to make up for it." I say.

Honestly, I'm just hoping that extra shifts will be enough of an excuse to avoid Vic and Carter even more.

It's been a week and I have yet to see them since New Year's.

"Well we're short staffed tonight. Do you mind working?" Jack asks seeming surprised.

"No at all. Thank you, sir." I beam.

"I like your enthusiasm, Kellin. A managing position will open soon and if you play your cards right, you might be in for a promotion." Jack explains.

"I'll keep that in mind, sir." I smile.

He walks off and I begin serving customers.

I love working here, I really do. The people are nice and the environment is very relaxing.

I initially starting working here because it's a coffee shop and Vic likes coffee so therefore I would perhaps get to see him more and give him a discount then maybe he'd like me more. Yeah, it was a stupid idea. I don't know what I was thinking.

But I'm thankful. I couldn't imagine working anywhere else.

My shift goes on and I'm actually happy I'm here. It's a huge distraction from everything going on at the moment.

As I begin sorting the money into the register while I wait for customers, someone approaches the counter.

"Hey stranger."

I grin when I hear Vic's voice but my face falls when I see Carter standing next to him.

"Hey," I say softly. "Your usual?"

"Not today." Vic chirps. "We are going to get two chai teas to go, please."

"But you don't like tea." I say confused.

"Carter thinks I should try new things. So that's what I'm doing." Vic smiles.

"Oh, okay." I murmur.

I put their order into the register.

"That'll be $4.50." I chirp and Vic hands over the cash.

"Damn, it's cheap here." Carter says in near wonder.

"Oh, Kellin gets an employee discount and never fails to hook me up." Vic smiles and I blush.

I slide the receipt over to the barrister, Gabe, and turn back to Vic.

"So Carter and I are throwing a dinner party tonight. You coming?" he asks hopefully.

"Actually I'm working." I tell him, feeling relieved that I now have that excuse.

"I've memorized your whole roster. You don't work tonight." Vic frowns.

"I'm not sure if that's creepy or flattering." I laugh.

"Well I memorized it so I knew when I could hang out with you. Interpret that as you will." he beams.

"I took up extra shifts." I explain. "I'm covering for someone tonight. I might be in for a promotion soon so I thought I'd work harder."

"Oh, well that's too bad. I was really hoping you'd be there." Vic smiles sadly.

His words are so sweet but they cut like knives.

I get their drinks and slide them over the counter. Vic leans in and kisses my cheek.

"Thank you so much, Kells. We should hang out soon." he smiles. There's a little hint of sadness in his tone though.

"I'll see you around." I mumble.

I watch Vic and Carter leave hand in hand, a sense of longing filling my chest along with a fiery hatred towards Carter.

My shift takes forever to be over but when it does I get some take out from across the street. I sit at a table eating alone and note just how often I am alone these days.

I used to be with Vic constantly. We would do everything together. I don't think I'll ever get that back.

I notice a cute guy walk past and watch him as he goes down the street.

I have considered dating before. I even tried it a few times. But I'm too hung up on Vic. It's not healthy and it's not fair on anyone involved.

After my break between shifts is over, I get back to work until ten when the café closes. We pride ourselves on being open so late although we did used to be open 24/7 but Jack had a kid and it go too much for him to handle. I'm guessing that also has something to do with a managing position opening up.

About five minute before closing, I hear the bell on the door ring, indicating that a customer has walked in.

I look up and am annoyed to see Carter.

"What can I get you?" I ask politely.

"Just a large iced tea to go." he chirps.

I put it in the register and slide the receipt over to the Gabe who seems to be also working a double shift.

"That will be $4.15." I tell him.

"No discount?" he frowns opening his wallet.

"I don't really know you." I say awkwardly.

"We've met, like twice." he chuckles but hands me the money over anyway.

"Hardly." I mutter.

"Okay, okay. Well maybe we should spend some time together. Get to know each other a little better." he grins. His smile is sweet but there's something sinister in his blue eyes.

"I'll think about it." I mumble.

His face falls and he looks a little pissed off.

He picks up the sharpie that sits on the cash register and purposely drops it. It falls, landing on the floor behind me.

"Whoops. My bad." he says innocently.

I roll my eyes and bend over to pick it up.

"Nice ass." he says then whistles.

I quickly stand back up and look at him shocked.

"Excuse me?" I snap.

"Relax. It was a compliment." he says innocently.

I turn to the Gabe who is giving me a worried look. I take the drink and slide it over the counter.

"Please leave." I tell Carter.

"You knock off pretty soon. Do you want a ride home?" he asks.

"God no. Please leave." I say sternly.

He looks frustrated once again.

"Look buddy, he said leave. Take a hint." Gabe spits.

Carter puts his hands up in defense.

"Okay. I'm going." he smiles. "I was just being polite."

He takes his iced tea then leaves the store.

"You know him?" Gabe frowns.

"He's my best friend's boyfriend." I chuckle nervously.

"Fucking creep." he mutters. "You can go home. I'll close."

I take my apron off and thank him. I leave the cafe and suddenly wish I had my jacket. It's a cold night.

I walk home shivering but soon a car starts slowly driving beside me. It's a black jeep with tinted windows and I try to get a glimpse of the license plate but it's too dark to see.

I turn down a dark street in order to get away but they just follow. I walk a little faster and with a shaky hand, I pull out my phone. I find Vic's number and hit call. I notice the car drop back so it's behind me but it continues to follow as I pace quickly, just trying to get home.

"Hey Kells, what's up?" Vic chirps, his usual happy self.

"Vic, someone is following me." I squeak out, on the verge of crying from fear.

"What do you mean? Where are you?" he asks worried.

"I'm walking home from work. There's a car following me. I'm scared." I sniff.

"How far are you away from home?" he asks.

"Two more blocks." I whisper.

"Stay on the line. When you get home, go inside and lock all the doors. I'll be right over." he says.

I thank him and walk as fast as my legs will carry me until I finally get home. As I walk up the steps to my house, the car speeds off.

"They're gone." I breathe, going inside and immediately locking the door.

"Thank God. I'm literally down the street. I'll see you in a minute." he says then he hangs up.

I lean against the door, trying to catch my breath and process everything until a loud knock makes me jump.

"Kellin, open up." it's Vic.

I unlock the door and swing it open. Vic sighs, seeming relieved and throws his arms around me.

"Fuck, I was so worried. Thank God you're safe. Why were you walking home after dark anyway? You know this is a bad neighborhood." he huffs, pulling back and holding my face in his hands.

"Jenna hid my keys." I tell him.

"I know. She told me. Apparently not even that will get you to open up." he sighs.

"Is she still at your house?" I ask, assuming she went to the dinner party.

"No, everyone went home. I guess she went to Tay's." he explains. "Anyway, did you get a good look at this car? A licence plate? Anything?"

"It was a jeep. I think it was black but I don't know. I didn't see the license plate. It was too dark." I explain.

He sighs and hugs me again.

"Do you know how common jeeps are around here? Especially black ones." he mumbles. "Heck, even Carter drives one. I don't even think that's enough information to report this."

My blood chills as Vic mentions Carter. I saw him just a few minutes before this all happened and he was quite hostile towards me. What if he was trying to scare me because I pissed him off.

"You should come home with me." Vic suggests. "I don't know if you're safe here."

"I don't want to intrude." I mumble unsurely.

"You wouldn't be. Carter wouldn't mind and I would be delighted to have you over." he says.

I still feel unsure but it's hard not to give in to him.

"Okay," I sigh.

He drops his arms from around me and takes my hand instead. We leave after I lock up then Vic drives me down to his and Carter's house.

"How are you doing lately, Kells?" Vic asks.

"Fine." I answer simply.

"That's good." he chirps.

I hate this. I've known Vic for ten years yet we talk like we're fucking business associates. It's as if there's a wall between us, and that wall's name is Carter.

The rest of the drive is painfully silent. When we arrive at Vic's house, he shuts off the engine.

"Home sweet home." he mumbles.

I follow him inside feeling a little uncomfortable and out of place. After Vic locks the door, he leads me into the living room where Carter is watching TV.

"Babe, Kellin's going to sleep on the sofa." Vic informs him.

It's at that moment when I realize I'm not going to be sleeping next to Vic. I can't do that anymore.

"Oh sweet, I was about to go to bed anyway." he says, switching off the television.

He stands up and walks over to us. I'm still immensely uncomfortable around him, especially with what happened earlier.

"I'll meet you up there." Vic tells him as Carter kisses his cheek.

My jealousy sickens me.

"Don't take too long." he chirps before he leaves us and goes upstairs.

"You go get comfortable on the sofa. I'll get your some bedding." Vic chirps then he too leaves.

I go into the living room and sit down. I look around and my eyes fall on a framed photo of Vic and Carter. They seem to be happy which hurts me. I wish Vic knew how happy I could make him. I would do literally anything for him.

He soon returns and sets a pillow down on the sofa. He sits next to me and spreads the blanket across my lap.

"Can we talk?" he asks.

"Yeah, sure." I smile a little. We haven't had a proper conversation in a long time.

"How are you really doing?" he questions.

"I'm doing good." I lie, forcing a smile.

The last thing I want to do is worry him.

"Kell, I've known you for ten years. I can see through every lie and every fake smile. You're not fooling me. I didn't want to push it and I was hoping you'd come to me when you were ready but you're fucking scaring me." he exclaims.

I sigh and rest my head on his shoulder.

"I'm okay, Vic, really." I urge.

He seems slightly frustrated but mostly just saddened.

"Okay, I get it, you don't want to talk to me." he mumbles and I feel extremely guilty. "Can you at least answer one thing truthfully?"

"What is it?" I frown.

"Have you thought about hurting yourself."

My gaze drops to my lap. There's a silence that lingers in the air until I lift my head back up meeting Vic's clearly worried gaze.

"No." I lie but I can tell that he saw right through that one too.

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