Teasing Phoenix

SAM

Mom looks at my direction and smiles when she notices me approaching. “Morning sweetie, I didn’t hear you came home last night. I must be in a deep sleep when you arrived,” Mom says, pouring coffee into my mug.

“I’m sorry, mom. It was Amy’s birthday party last night. I couldn’t come home early because I carpooled with Maya and Garrett.” I take my plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and two strips of bacon she offers.

She hands me a cup of coffee. “You didn’t mention to me about going to a birthday party, sweetie. You also forgot to send me a message.” She looks at me with her famous worried look.

I sit on the stool of our small kitchen counter and start sipping my coffee. “Yeah, you worry too much. Did forget I’m twenty-one and not a twelve anymore? Don’t you have duty tonight?” I munch my breakfast quickly. I only have twenty minutes to get to the coffee shop where I work as a part-time waitress.

“I have. I’ll be here in the morning. We can have a movie marathon.” Mom’s duty at the general hospital as an ER nurse makes it difficult for us to catch up every day.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. We can have a movie marathon while you’re snoring on the couch.”

Mom works hard to let me go to college. She took all the responsibility since Dad died in a car accident when I was fifteen. Mom didn’t even date anyone and just focused on her work and me.

Dad worked as a bank clerk in a local bank in town. He was the best father I could ever wish for, but unfortunately, he was taken away from me by a tragic car accident. His car hit the tree when he was trying to avoid hitting someone who crossed the road—he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“You, silly, you always chose a boring movie, all they did were killing each other. Who will enjoy watching that kind of movie? It’s too violent for me.”

I roll my eyes again, stand up, and take the empty plate and mug with me to the kitchen sink. I love action movies while Mom loves drama.

“Your choice of movie is more boring, mom. If not dying of cancer, a husband cheated on her. So dramatic. I won’t waste my tears for sappy movies like that.”

She laughs and shakes her head—Mom is funny. She’s not only my mother but also my best friend.

I go up to my bathroom to brush my teeth, re-coat my mascara, and wipe more lip gloss.

I grab my purse and my keys from the couch. “Got to go, Mom. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I love you.” I peck her cheek.

I pull my car 2014 Ford to the driveway—Mom’s birthday gift for me two years ago.

Ten minutes later, I’m already in the coffee shop. I notice many customers—most of them are college students, football players, and a few couples busy chatting with each other. Suddenly, I feel a twist in my stomach.

“Sam, get your ass in here and wear your apron. We have customers to serve.” Daniel “Big D” Chase, who manages the coffee shop for five years now. A six-foot-tall and bulky standing in front of my locker wearing a scowl on his face.

“Good morning to you, too, Big D. Why so grumpy early in the morning?”

but, of course, he’s still strict when it

it. Our coffee shop is the biggest coffee shop in the area, and it’s open seven days

“The new owner will come to check the shop. I can be demoted or replaced by someone else, or worse

at it. He’ll not be going to replace you, and I’ll kick

the buying of this shop, but I don’t know who’s the new owner. I don’t really care

and heartless. He bought some establishments here; restaurant, night club, coffee shop,

to him. He must be very rich if he

his brother got equal shares of the assets. He moved here from New York since his father died, but his brother stayed in

seem to hear a lot of gossips lately, Big D.” I fix my hair and walk

talked around, Sam. I couldn’t help but listened especially

grab his huge arms and squeeze them. “I’m sorry, Big D. I wish I can help, but if your job is in jeopardy, I am

nods, and I move to the counter and check all the

work starts when a college couple gets inside and sits at

few minutes since only a few customers left. All their orders are served and

in Amy and Maya’s smile as they walk

the new owner is hot?” Amy giggles. She’s my close friend, dated a bunch of guys, but as she said, nothing serious. They just want to have sex with her and grab her D cup size. Well, I can’t blame them because Amy is a gorgeous

I still don’t show interest.

me, Sam? I said Mr. Williams is hot.”

hot or cold. Our jobs here are over once he changes the management. Big D is

Amy flinches because I know she needs this job.

you know that he’s gonna change the management?” Maya asks. Her brown eyes widened

but people talked and gossiped around. The owner changed the

and leave immediately. I send Mom a message. Amy has a plan for tonight, so I’ll be alone since Maya of course, will be with her

***

me and eat, then I take a shower and change to PJs.

grab my book on my study table that still half unread, get in my bed, and tuck myself in. I flip the page where I Left with a bookmark. Before I can

roll my eyes to see the screen—it’s

icon. “Ty, ’sup?” I answer casually, then at the music blaring—he must be at the frat party like

will kick my ass if he’ll know

Jesus, he’s such an idiot!

I broke up with him because he’s an idiot, a cheater, and an egotistical jerk.

friend Ty or your girlfriend to drive you home. I’m in bed already and ready to sleep.” I emphasize the girlfriend, who he cheated on me a year

anymore. My

“Ugh! Send me the address. You won’t call me next time, Tyler.

you.” Owe you my ass.

I get up in bed and change my

house. I dial his number and