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I feel frazzled when I go into work and put on my apron.

I can't get last night out of my head and it's really taking my focus.

I find my place behind the cash register and look beside me to see Gabe baristaing again. He's looking back at me concerned but I shake off the look and then to the woman in front of me who is waiting to order.

When the business of the cafe slows down and I find myself with no customers, I look around and find a crate to sit on. My thighs and ass are killing me. Standing is not helping. Maybe Vic's right, with my physical pain and my lack of focus, I shouldn't be at work.

"Hey, you okay?" Gabe asks frowning at me.

"Fine." I smile.

"You look like you got jumped." he says.

"No, I'm fine." I assure him.

He narrows his eyes at me and squats down so he's level.

"Your friend's boyfriend was a little aggressive that night he came in. He hurt you?" Gabe questions.

My heart leaps to my throat as I shake my head.

"No, no, he's cool. I'm okay. Just tripped down some stairs." I smile meekly.

He sighs, seeming skeptical.

"Well if you ever trip again and need help getting away from those stairs, I'm always here to help." he says slowly. "There's also law enforcement and helplines to assist with staircase accidents. And if this was a one time trip, maybe on your way home, the police can still help."

I know what he's hinting at. I'm grateful, but I need to protect Vic at all costs. I can't tell anyone, and no way can I go to the police.

"Seriously man, I'm okay." I stress.

He just stands back up and nods.

"But thank you." I whisper and he smiles sadly at me.

A customer soon comes in and I get back to my job.

Work feels longer than usual and I really wish I could be anywhere else.

Finally my shift is over and I'm just about to knock off when Nancy and Leon, my coworkers, walk through the door.

"You taking over?" I ask confused. It's Sunday. We close at 2pm on Sunday's.

"No, Jack called us in. Meeting or something." Leon frowns.

I'm confused but take off my apron and hang it up. Gabe turns over the "Open" sign to "Closed" and we wait. A few more people pile in, people that I don't usually work with but have seem around between shifts and whatnot. And eventually Jack shows up.

We all stand around until Jack clears his throat and begins talking.

"I've called this team meeting under unfortunate circumstances. A month ago, a thousand dollars went missing from the store. I passed it off as a miscalculation of funds but this week two thousand more dollars has disappeared." Jack explains.

His gaze lingers on me for a second then it darts across the room.

"The culprit will be caught. If it was you who took the money and you own up to it in the next week, you will be suspended without pay. If the culprit does not come forward before they are found out, then you will be fired on the spot. Is that understood?" he says sternly.

There's a chorus of 'yes's from the room then Jack clasps his hands together.

"This meeting is dismissed." he calls, then looks directly at me.

I'm a little uncomfortable but this might be one of those situations where you feel guilty for something you haven't done. It's probably all in my head.

"Who do you think took it?" Gabe whispers to me as we head out the door.

"I don't know, man." I frown.

"I bet it was Nancy. She's been talking about getting a boob job for months." he says.

I look over at Nancy and wonder if it is her. I mean, she has motive. Maybe I'll run Gabe's suspicions by Jack. After all, I do care about this store and I'm probably going to manage it one day.

I say goodbye to Gabe as he gets on his bike and begins riding home. I look around for Vic's car. He did say he was going to pick me up but I can't see it anywhere. Then I spot a black jeep. Vic's in the passenger seat and is waving me over through the dark tinted windows.

I gulp nervously and walk over, getting into the back seat. I know Carter is in the drivers seat but I don't dare look at him.

"How was work, Kell?" Vic chirps.

"Same old." I shrug quietly, feeling quite timid in front of Carter.

Carter drives off and I stare out the window, trying to distract myself.

"I heard you took a nasty fall. You okay, buddy? You look pretty bruised up." Carter chirps.

I glance up at him as tears rush to my eyes. He's staring back at me in the rearview mirror with a friendly smile on his face.

"I'm okay." I whisper then look back out the window.

We soon arrive home and I've never taken my seatbelt off more quickly.

I watch Vic lean over and kiss Carter's cheek.

"I'll just be a minute, Babe." he says.

"Don't take too long." he grumbles.

I get out of the car and Vic does the same.

"You don't have to come in." I tell him, not wanting to be a nuisance.

"I know, I want to." he grins as he sweeps me off my feet and begins carrying me.

I squeal in surprise and bury my face in his neck, giggling as he carries me up the front yard.

"Aw, I almost forgot what that beautiful laugh sounded like." he grins which makes me blush furiously.

He takes me inside and into the living room, placing me down on the sofa so I'm laying across Jenna who's watching a movie.

"Oh my God, Kellin!" Jenna squeals.

"It's not my fault." I giggle, scrambling to get off her.

Once I'm sitting next to her, Vic sits down in between us where he barely fits.

He wraps an arm around Jenna then the other around me, pulling us both closer to him.

"I miss this." he sighs.

"Me too." I mumble sadly.

He smiles sadly then turns to Jenna.

"As I am not here to do it, I need you to pamper Kells until he's better. I'm talking servitude and a lot of hugs." Vic chirps.

"No, Vic, it's–" he covers my mouth with his hand.

"No, listen, you need to get better. Let Jenna take care of you. For once in your life don't be stubborn. You're going to call up work and take some time off until you're feeling better, not just physically. Whatever this slump is, I want you to tend to it because I miss cute, bubbly Kells. Got it?" he says seriously.

I just nod, unable to argue due to his hand over my mouth.

He takes it off and hugs me tightly.

Suddenly, Carter honks the horn impatiently. Vic sighs and runs his fingers through his hair, something he only does when he's stressed.

"I have to go." he mumbles. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

I just give him a grateful nod. He kisses Jenna's cheek then gets up and leaves.

Jenna turns to me grinning.

"He kissed me. You jealous?" she grins, wiggling her eyebrows teasingly.

"Oh shut up, you big lesbian." I pout jokingly.

She smiles sadly at me and wraps her arms around my neck, resting her head on my shoulder.

"He loves you, Kells. Perhaps not in the way you want him to, but he cares so damn much about you." she says softly.

I smile gratefully as I take my best friend's hand.

"Kells," she says softly.

I hum to let her know that I'm listening.

"Remember when we were kids and we dated for that week?" she asks which sparks the humourous memory.

"Yeah, and we kissed which made us realize we were gay. But we were too scared to tell each other." I chuckle.

"Remember me telling you a few years ago that I knew you were gay but I didn't want to come out to you until you came out to me? And I was miserable that entire week because I wasn't sure how long you'd take to open up to me and, God I hated kissing you." she asks.

"Yeah, I remember. Is there a point to this?" I question curiously.

"I just hope this is one of those circumstances. I feel like you're never going to open up to me but I hope you just need a week. Do me a favor, Kells, surprise me." she sighs. "I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight, Jen." I whisper, kissing her hand gratefully.

"Goodnight, Kells." she smiles as she drops my hand.

"Wait, Jen, are you doing anything Tuesday?" I ask hopefully.

"No I don't think so." she frowns unsurely.

"Do you want to have a movie night?" I ask hopefully.

"Sounds great, Kells." she smiles gently.

She then leaves and the huge feeling of fear that's been squeezing my chest finally releases and fades away.

How is Carter going to hurt me if Jenna's here?

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