BEAU

Plates and glasses clatter and crash against the already dinged up sink as I fail at balancing one last dish atop my growing pile. Sighing at the mess in my shabby kitchen, takeout cartons and dirty napkins littered about, I vow to clean up once I'm back.

Maybe.

God, I really took my staff for granted, before.

Grabbing my phone and leather jacket from the counter, I quickly march down the rickety steps into my lobby and out the rattling door.

Glancing at my screen, I notice that I'm already late. Fuck me. I have way too much on my mind today - a meeting with Rocco to finalize some contract things, along with something else that he won't just tell me about over the phone. Annoying fucker that he is.

From there, I have a session with Dr. Dex and then I have an important call to make.

I need to tell Zoey that whatever shit she's getting herself into, she can count me out. Barely keeping it together as it is, I really don't need to add decade old drama into the mix.

Already outside of the old coffee shop, my jittery strides getting me here faster than I had expected, I burst through the door, the jingle of bells overhead and the aroma of coffee beans greeting me simultaneously.

I peer around the cafe, noticing a lack of Rocco's gray beard, and make my way to the counter. Pulling out my phone, I dial his number.

"Can I get a large coffee, black?" I murmur, holding back an eye roll as I add as an after thought, "Please?"

I only look up to hand over the cash, and my breath catches in my throat.

Emma, warm and smiley, freckly faced Emma, grins back at me, her old apron hanging around her waist. With a slight blush, she takes the money from my fingers.

"Please? I'm impressed. Coming right up."

I hang up the phone call before it even connects and gape at the sight in front of me. After yesterday - our argument and then me turning down her offer to go inside (and then convincing myself not to turn the car around the whole way home) - I don't know where we stand. But damn, seeing her behind this counter brings back memories.

"Talk about deja vu," I crane my neck over the counter to watch her pour my steaming beverage. "What're you doing back here?"

Surely, she isn't picking up shifts for the cash? She has to know that anything she needs, I can provide.

"I took a personal day at work," She rubs the back of her neck sheepishly. I wonder if her "personal" day had to do with our fight, but I don't ask. "I came here to see Nadine but her new hire didn't show, so..."

"So here you are." I grin, her floppy bun and old white converse reminding me of our early days. The little name tag she always wore is clipped to her shirt, like a badge of honor.

"Here I am." She repeats, shrugging casually. "And here you are." She hands me my coffee and I think I notice a flirty batting of her lashes, but I can't be sure.

Taking the paper cup carefully, I can't help but smile at her like an idiot.

"What're you looking at?" She blushes.

"Nothing." I say simply, taking a slow drink of the always just-strong-enough coffee. But I don't look away.

"Whatever, weirdo." Giggling, Emma turns away from me, pressing keys into the old register. The cafe is busy today, pretty loud from all the chatter, but right now, I don't mind.

I watch in mock horror as she drops my change directly into the glass jar on the counter, adorned with a bright yellow "TIPS!" sign.

"Hey now," I kid, eyeing her sternly.

"You can spare it." She smirks, her mood much lighter now than it was yesterday. Looking over my shoulder, Emma's dark eyes widen. She points a long finger behind me. "I'm assuming they're here for you?"

They?

I turn over my shoulder and feel an immediate scowl come over my features. Rocco, burly and gray, as he has always been, is not alone. Beside him is another man of the past - tall, lanky, dark haired drummer to MisFits - Zach Sims.

"Thanks for the coffee, Em." I face her again, raising my cup to her. Meeting her now curious eyes, I continue with a wink, "Enjoy the rest of your shift."

Walking past Rocco and Zach towards an open corner table away from the preteen girls now drooling over us, I exhale roughly.

"Why's he here?" I sit down, not bothering to wait for them. I meet the young girls stares and they look away shyly.

Zach's career has been going quite well, even after the fall of MisFits, it seems. At least that's what the tabloids say. The girls snapping photos of us confirm my theories.

"Good to see you, too, Beau." He smirks, pulling out the stool across from mine. "Kinda surprised you still stick around this town, if I'm honest."

"It's quiet." I grunt, well aware of the flash that just went off across the shop.

Rocco sits, as well, letting out a long sigh. "Can we have one civil conversation, huh? One talk without all the pissing and moaning?"

My eyes flash to Rocco's face, narrowing suspiciously. The Rocco I'd spoken with over the phone had been far more pleasant.

"We're ending our agreement," I hedge. "Why does he need to be here?"

"If you'd have let me start before having a tantrum," Rocco mumbles. "I'd have explained exactly that. Zach has an idea - I'm not saying I agree with it, but I told him I'd give him a hand."

Rocco's tone makes it clear he doesn't care about doing me any favors. I look between the two of them, still not understanding. Finally, I rest on Zach, waiting for him to elaborate.

Before he can, Emma is standing at our table, a plastic tray in hand.

"Rocco. Zach." She smiles politely, as if this isn't the weirdest fucking scene and not completely out of the blue. "It's been a long time. How are you? Can I get you anything while you... talk?"

I get the feeling that the way she's avoiding my eyes is on purpose. I don't like it.

Rocco grumbles a response but Zach breaks into a goofy grin, raising to his feet to give Emma a hug. My frown deepens but I pick at my nail polish instead of lashing out.

"Emma! Wow. You look great. I'm good for now, thanks." Zach sits again, head swiveling between Emma and me. "I thought I saw something about you guys being back together."

"Oh, we're not together." Emma laughs.

At the same time, I snap, "It's complicated."

Rocco's head tips back in exasperation and Zach's eyes widen, before he finally shrugs, a low, uncomfortable chuckle escaping him.

"Alright, well, you just let me know if you need anything." Emma tucks the tray against her hip, steadying it as she begins collecting discarded mugs from other tables.

I watch as she makes her way around the cafe, not even aware that the men are watching me as I do.

"So things haven't changed much there," Zach tries. My dirty look sends him in another direction. "Listen, Beau. The band I'm with, we need a new guitar player. We can talk more about the project, but basically, I'm asking you to come play with me. What do you think?"

What the fuck?

"Me?" Too caught off guard to be sarcastic, I raise my brows at them dubiously.

"I told you I don't think it's a good idea." Rocco huffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

Rolling his eyes, Zach shrugs, leaning back in his chair. "Who better than the best?"

"You know I just got out of rehab, right?" I drum my fingers against my thigh rapidly. "For like, the fourth or fifth time?"

Zach lowers his eyes but still shrugs easily. "You're out now though, so you're good, you think? Ready to move on?"

My eyes find Emma, leaning over a two-seater with a damp wash cloth in hand. She blows a strand of hair from her eyes as she scrubs, and the corner of my mouth pulls upwards.

"Yeah," I sigh. "I'm good."

"So you'll think about it, then?" Zach leans forward, excitedly grabbing Rocco's shoulder. The older man rolls his eyes and brushes him off, seemingly over this situation before it's even truly begun.

"I don't know, man." My fingers ache to play again. My ears yearn to hear the words I've been putting to paper, the chords I've gone over a thousand times in my head. To feel the way I used to feel when I was on stage: invincible, unafraid.

Glancing back at Emma, I let out a deep sigh. "Every time I try going back, I get sucked back into the same, old bullshit."

"Maybe not as our guitar player then," Zach's words rush out of his mouth - he was always easily excited. "But as our songwriter? Look, man, the plan is solid - we're bringing together the best of the best. I know some shit went down before, but, tell me you'll think about it. I'm ready to get past it if you are." Zach holds his hand out in front of me.

Squinting at it, my memories of MisFits final days hazy and blurred in my brain - both from alcohol and undoubtedly, some form of subconscious suppression - I finally take his hand reluctantly in mine.

"Fine," I mutter, trying hard to ignore the little spark of intrigue planted in my brain. "I'll think about it."

"Awesome!" Zach's smile grows over his face as he rocks back in his chair again. "It's gonna be sick, dude. You'll love it." His phone rings and he stands, looking back at me. "I've got to take this but, I'll call you, okay?"

His excitement is tangible, visible even in the way he bounds from the shop, energy bursting out of his every pore. Once he's through the door, I turn back to the weathered manager across from me.

"You just can't get away from me, huh?" I smirk, satisfied with the annoyed look on his face.

"Hm," He grumbles, standing to leave, too. "Just don't fuck it up."

The smirk fades as he passes through the door, replaced with confusion and dread.

I can't really go back, can I?

Grabbing my coffee, I meet Emma behind the counter before I leave.

I wait as she finishes with a customer, patiently observing as she laughs at whatever not funny story they're sharing with her. She was always so good at that - making people feel important, like they mattered. I miss that.

Finally the woman takes her order and finds a table, leaving Emma unoccupied.

"I'm headed out." I say lamely as she stares at me blankly. "Just wanted to say bye."

"Did the meeting go okay?" She nods towards our now vacant table, face overly neutral. "I didn't know you still talked to Zach. Or Rocco, I guess."

Failing to interpret the crease between her brows, I shrug. "I don't. It came out of nowhere. Actually," I check my phone and realize I've got to call Dex soon. "Do you think we could... talk about it?"

I want an opinion and if I'm honest? Hers is the only one I care about.

"Oh," Her pretty lips pop open in surprise. She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand and nods, "Yeah. I mean, why not? Just give me a call when you're free."

"Thanks, Em." I can't look away for a second, wanting so badly to kiss her goodbye.

Reluctantly, I wave over my shoulder and head back to my shitty apartment for my therapy appointment.

I chuckle to myself, recounting my conversations from the past few days.

I guess I should've booked Dex for a double session.

Thanks for reading loves! More so soon! Remember to vote if you enjoyed the chapter❤️
Guys remember how much we loved Zach! What do we think about his offer?