Where You Least Expect It (3 page)

Matt almost asked how old he was — he didn’t look much more than twenty-one, which didn’t seem too old for a college senior; of course, Matt was judging based on second-hand experiences.

Christian hardly took a break between sentences. “Where did you go to school?”

Matt was glad Christian kept them from lapsing into one of those incredibly uncomfortable silences that usually caused Matt to want to get away.

“I didn’t,” he answered. “I joined the Army right after high school and basically got all my training there.”

That caused Christian to pause. “So, um. You did computers in the Army?”

Matt nodded. “Telecommunications, networking, that kind of thing.”

“Like in those commercials?” Christian asked.

Matt knew exactly which commercials Christian was referring to. “It wasn’t nearly that glamorous, actually. Mostly a lot like what I do now. Sit at a desk, make sure things are running properly, fix them when they break, get bitched at by people who think things should run better than they actually do. That kind of thing.”

“So, just like a regular job? I always thought it would be different than that. More… I don’t know.” Christian gestured with his hand as he tried to find the words. “Dangerous, I guess.”

“Don’t get me wrong, it was dangerous. But most of what we do — did — was pretty routine, actually, unless we got deployed.” He shrugged. “Even that could get monotonous.”

“Did you? Get deployed, I mean?” Christian’s interest seemed genuine.

“Yep.” Matt generally avoided this part. It was enough that he knew what went in to coordinating teams in combat or what responding to IEDs was like; there was no reason to tell other people about it. He’d encountered too many people who either wanted to glorify his experience or vilify the military. Matt chose to remain silent and let people think what they wanted.

Christian was polite enough that he didn’t push. “But you don’t like to talk about it with strangers.”

Matt snorted. “I don’t like to talk about it with friends.”

“Gotcha.” He changed the subject. “What do you do when you’re not working?”

Matt shrugged. “I don’t know, the usual stuff people do? Read, watch TV, play basketball with Sam.”

“Go to parties you hate,” Christian suggested.

Matt laughed. “Go to parties I hate.”

They pulled up outside Christian’s apartment and Matt killed the engine so he could help Christian with his bike. Given how quickly the rain had picked up, he figured he’d made the right choice giving the kid a ride home.

Christian shouldered his bike as Matt locked up the tailgate. “Thanks again, Matt. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah. Take care. Maybe I’ll stop in for coffee Monday afternoon,” he added on impulse. It would be a good way to break up his day, and he wouldn’t mind another opportunity to get to know Christian better. It wasn’t often he met people he could connect with, after all.

“I’m really sorry about the short notice, Matt,” Alison apologized for what Matt counted as the fourth time. In addition to being Elston and Downs’ Customer Service Manager, she had also been a friend of Matt’s and Sam’s since high school and had put in a good word for Matt when he was looking for work after the military.

Matt shrugged; he was used to last minute, need it done yesterday requests. “It’s okay, really. I know you didn’t come up with this on your own. Like I said, it’ll be time consuming but not too difficult.”

Alison’s high-heeled shoes clicked loudly on the tiled hallway floor. “I don’t know why these last minute projects surprise me anymore. Phil seems to come up with a new one every month or so. His expectations are completely unrealistic.” She gestured with her coffee cup for emphasis, hot liquid splashing over the rim.

Matt moved easily out of the way of her hand. “I think your manager spends too much time trying to justify his latest great idea and forgets the work takes time.”

Alison turned into an empty conference room. “And you get the blame for his lack of planning.”

Matt tried to assuage her concern. “Hey, I’m used to it. Phil can bitch at me all he wants. He’s not my boss.”

“Try not to sound too happy about that.” Alison smiled wryly.

Matt laughed. “Sorry. What’s our next step?”

They spent a few minutes planning before Alison asked, “Still glad you traded your Army career for the private sector?”

“You would be amazed at the similarities. Bureaucracy and disconnect between the people making the decisions and the ones handling the actual work is everywhere.”

“You’re always so encouraging.” Alison stood up and gathered her papers. “I’ll make sure you’re kept in the loop, at least.”

“Thanks.” Matt followed Alison out of the conference room. “I’ll get you the preliminary requirements tomorrow.”

“You’re a miracle worker.” Alison waved as they headed off in opposite directions.

It was going to be another long night. Realistically, Matt could do much of what needed to be done remotely, but he tried to keep his evening telecommuting to a minimum. He had learned the hard way that working from home in the evenings ate into his gym time. On the other hand, it limited the amount of time Matt got his ass kicked at pool by Sam, which wasn’t such a bad thing.

Late hours meant more coffee. Even though he suspected Christian’s suggestion to stop by in the afternoon was an attempt to drum up business for The Coffee Hut, a two-dollar drink sounded a lot better than the sludge his company provided.

Sure enough, Christian was behind The Coffee Hut’s bar making over-priced flavored coffee drinks.

Christian looked up from wiping down the espresso machine and smiled when he recognized Matt. “Ah, so you fell for my devious attempt to increase our afternoon business?”

Matt returned the smile. “I knew that’s what you were up to,” he accused.

Christian gave him a contrite look. “I’ll have to try to be more subtle next time.”

“I wouldn’t think coffee would require a hard sell. Anyway, I’m planning on working late and need the extra caffeine.”

“That’s too bad. About working late, I mean.” Christian kept chatting as he made Matt’s drink. “Thanks again for the ride Saturday. It really did save me a lot of time.”

“No problem. I was going the same way, anyway. And it’s not like we’re complete strangers.” Matt’s awkwardness faded the more they talked and he found he was enjoying getting to know Christian, even if it was in bits and pieces.

“Well, it was definitely cool of you. Not many people are willing offer rides to their barista.”

“I figured I owed you since you saved my ass Friday night by making that drink.” Matt pulled out his wallet to pay and dropped a buck in the tip jar.

“Oh, I get it, so now we’re even and I shouldn’t expect any more rides?” Christian put a sleeve on the cup he had just finished filling and handed it over to Matt with a flourish.

Matt laughed, both at Christian’s words and his display. “I don’t know, maybe you’ll catch me in a generous mood.”

Christian smiled sweetly. “I’ll just have to hope you’re around the next time it’s pouring rain.”

Christian’s smile drew an answering one from Matt and left Matt with an oddly pleased feeling. “You’ll just have to hope your luck holds out. Thanks for the coffee.” Matt raised his cup in a salutary gesture.

“It’s what we’re here for!”

***

The project Matt and Alison were working on continued to take up more of Matt’s time as it grew in complexity. Sometime around the third week of back-and-forth meetings with the vendor and Alison’s boss, Matt realized he should have expected it.

Long days punctuated by more unforeseen changes and new demands from Phil found Matt visiting the coffee shop more frequently during the afternoons.

“Back again?” Christian asked. “That’s every day this week. Did Phil change the requirements again?” He grabbed a cup and poured Matt’s drink.

Matt handed over a five and dropped some of the cash in the tip jar. “No, just the deadline. And the vendor’s being slow setting up the reports.”

Christian made a face in sympathy before turning to Alison and ringing up the double tall, extra hot, two-percent, one-pump vanilla latte she ordered. Matt wasn’t even sure what half of that meant.

“Sometimes I’m glad I sell coffee for a living.” Christian handed Alison her change. “Good luck with your vendor.”

“Thanks. Good luck with the afternoon rush,” Matt teased as a group of six or seven people entered through the far door.

Christian rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”

Alison was silent throughout their exchange and Matt caught her watching him as they walked outside. “What?”

“What do you mean, what? I’ve known you for ages and I’ve never seen you all gabby like that.” She pulled her suit jacket around herself against the chill in the air. “Are you actually starting to come out of your shell?”

Was he that unsocial that a few conversations warranted notice? “I’m in there practically every day, Alison.” He didn’t want to get into the whole story about almost hitting Christian with his truck before discovering that they shared common friends.

“You’re carrying on full-blown conversations with that cute barista. You told him about Phil! You never do that.” Alison liked to talk in exclamation points when she was excited. “What gives, Matthew?”

Matt held back his groan. “You sound like my grandmother when you call me Matthew. And nothing gives. Christian and I met at one of those parties Sam likes to drag me to. And I do know how to be polite, believe it or not.”

“Polite, yes. But gabby?” Alison raised her eyebrows.

Matt was almost offended. “I am not gabby. And contrary to my reputation, I’m not a complete asocial hermit.”

Alison made a noncommittal sound. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I need a date.”

Great. “I bet you will. Let’s just spend less time psychoanalyzing me and try to get out of here on time tonight.”

“Matt, it’s Friday. Some of us have dates.” Alison pulled open Elston & Down’s lobby door.

“Oh, right. Dates,” Matt replied sarcastically.

Alison looked like she might pat him on the head for his cluelessness.

Four hours later, Matt left work before six for the first time in weeks, the same time Christian ended his shift.

“Hey!” Christian sounded cheerful, as always. “First The Coffee Hut, now the parking lot.”

Matt succeeded in summoning a smile. “Just get off work?” he asked. Man, he needed to work on his conversation skills.

Christian pushed his bike as he walked next to Matt. “Yeah. I actually have a whole two days off, too. Pretty sweet.”

“A regular weekend when everyone else has weekends? How did you swing that?” As difficult as his job could be sometimes, Matt was glad for the fairly predictable routine.

Christian tilted his head, looking thoughtful. “My innate charm?”

Matt laughed, feeling lighter than he had all day. “You want a lift home?” The words were out before he even realized he’d thought them.

“That would be awesome! I mean, are you sure it’s not a big deal? I hate to inconvenience you.”

“Well, we’re going the same way and I don’t mind the company, so nope, not a big deal.”

“Excellent! You can just drop me off downtown, though. I need to grab some food before heading home.”

Matt nodded; downtown was even easier. “Sounds good; just let me know where.”

Matt helped Christian put the bike in the back of the truck and they headed out through the leaf-strewn streets. Fall had finally arrived — with a vengeance. The temperature had dropped, the winds had picked up steadily, and the trees had shed most of their leaves in a few days.

“God, I love this weather, don’t you? It’s so crisp and the leaves are so pretty. Much better than winter. Fall always feels so charged, and those days when it’s still warm are the best. I mean, look at the way the sunset reflects off the yellow in those leaves; isn’t it gorgeous? Although I’d love to do the whole touristy thing in Vermont where the leaves actually turn colors instead of just going from green to yellow to dead.”

Matt glanced over and watched Christian stare out the window. He was reluctant to admit his own utilitarian approach. “I don’t pay that much attention to the weather beyond how I should dress. Although I guess I prefer spring and summer, once it’s warmed up and I don’t have to carry a coat or worry about the rain as much.”

Christian fidgeted in his seat, something of a feat given the restraint of the seatbelt. “Oh, I like all the seasons; they all have their own special things, you know? Fresh snow in the winter, watching the flowers and trees bloom in spring, really long summer nights, even if they are chilly.”

Matt thought about that for a minute. “I guess I never really considered it that way. I was trained to be aware of my surroundings and to consider how conditions can affect things like transportation. When I was a kid, I liked summer the best and thought snow was cool if school got canceled.” He shrugged. “Weird, huh? Maybe that’s why people think I’m sullen.” He didn’t realize he’d said the last part out loud until Christian spoke again.

“Well, I certainly don’t think it makes you defective if you don’t have a favorite season. I mean, it is just weather, after all. I’m probably a little bit of a freak, anyway.”

“Nah, it just makes you interesting.” And Matt meant it; one of the things that drew him to Christian in spite of the lack of obvious commonalities was Christian’s enthusiasm and curiosity. Like Sam and Alison, Christian had a way of getting past Matt’s shell and wasn’t put off by his gruff exterior.

“So, how was the rest of your day?” Christian asked. “Oh, I love this song. Can I turn the radio up?”

Christian liked Judas Priest? “Sure.” Matt tried to hide his amusement.

“Just because I have Lady Gaga as my ring tone doesn’t mean I can’t like Priest, too,” Christian informed him.

Matt laughed at the haughty expression on Christian’s face. “Okay, okay. It was just unexpected.”

Christian settled back in his seat. “After six months with a roommate who listened to nothing but metal, some of it grew on me. I played a lot of techno to drive him crazy.”