Page 26 of Fostering Chemistry
Despite his words, there was a note of sadness there, and I waited.
Finally, he sighed. “It was amazing that the songs I created were no longer stuck in my head, but it was my foster brother—their biological son—who had the Mac. Whenever his parents caught me on it, I’d get in trouble.”
“Because you used his computer?”
“Because they thought I was looking at porn.” His blue eyes met mine, as if worried I might have an adverse reaction to that word. “And because I used his computer.”
My heart broke for the little boy he’d been, and the wounded man he was now. “They should’ve given you your own computer so that you could make great works of art.”
He nodded, humoring me. We both knew that kind of thing didn’t happen often for foster kids.
“So maybe sometime—” I began, but I didn’t get to finish.
Someone cleared their throat from right behind us. Cody flinched, and I whirled around.
A young woman, maybe a year or two older than me, stood there in a white blouse, black pants, and ankle boots with at least a three-inch heel. She was a lot better dressed than the usual bleary-eyed students who managed to find this place.
I stood, smoothing my vest down. “Welcome. Have you been here before? Our menu’s listed on the board above the counter, and if you give me a moment to get over there, I’ll?—”
“Don’t bother,” she said, staring me down like a stern librarian. “I’m not a customer.”
Okay, then why was she here? “I’m sorry?”
“You should be,” she said. “I’m your new boss.”
9
MIA
"I like this place,"Tori said, looking around the café.
I agreed. Unlike my workplace, this place had windows, more than one barista, and actual customers.
"I’m expecting a delivery, so I had to stick close to home,” Hailey said. I’d never seen her place, but I knew her condo was just down the street.
“What’s the delivery?” Tori asked.
“A new washer and dryer. Oh, and a fridge, too.” She grinned. “My guys went a bit overboard.”
“Nice,” I said. “I think we’ll probably notice a truck large enough to transport them.”
“Not to mention men large enough to lift them,” Tori said with a little laugh.
“You two are obsessed with sex.” I shook my head but couldn’t help smiling.
“You would be too if you lived with a bunch of hot men,” Tori said pointedly. “Oh wait, you do.”
“It’s not like that,” I protested.
Hailey laughed. “It wasn’t for us, either, and look where we ended up.”
“With brand new appliances.” Tori was in good spirits today. I wondered how many of her guys had shared her bed with her last night.
And tried not to be jealous. Then again, I didn’t need a whole herd of good men. One would definitely be enough, and between homework, my job, and classes, I wasn’t even sure I could handle one.
“Anyway, it’s nice to get out of the basement,” I said, switching topics. “Out of my workplace, I should say.” I didn’t want them to think that they made me sleep in the basement of Baylor House.
"Is your new boss still giving you trouble?" Tori asked.
