Chapter 1

I walked out to my car, my backpack hung lazily over my shoulder, gazing into the clear blue sky. My 9 a.m. class had just ended and I was in need of a coffee. I walked the distance of the parking lot feeling the cold air of winter slap me across the face.

It felt colder and colder every day and I was in need of warm weather. The thought of another couple of months of these harsh conditions made me shudder.

I got in my truck and headed off to Coffee Connection. Prices were cheap and they actually served up quality coffee. I could use a warm drink and I had a while before I had to be back for my next class.

I went inside, leaving my bag in my truck, and walked towards the counter. The line was short, so I only had to wait behind one person. I could see the cashier, and it wasn’t the usual, Nina. I groaned slightly to myself. Nina knew me and how I liked my coffee. I really wasn’t in the mood for a new guy.

“Hi, how may I help you?” His nametag said his name was Howard. He didn’t look like a Howard. He was blond and had brown eyes. He was tall, because he was only about an inch or two shorter than I was, and I was 6’3. He was pudgy though, but he pulled it off nicely.

“Yes, hi. I’ll have a grande extra hot soy latte with extra foam, split shot with a half squirt of sugar-free vanilla and a half squirt of sugar-free cinnamon, extra whipped cream with caramel and chocolate sauce drizzled on top.” His face fell before he turned to make my drink. I wish Nina was here.

He fidgeted around for a moment before I caved. I would usually just wait for the cashier to make my drink, but he was cute so I thought I’d cut him a break.

“Hey…” I said. He turned around slowly, like he was afraid I was going to yell at him. I guess he had had a rough morning.

“I…it’s my first day and I don’t think I can…”

“It’s okay. Large coffee, two creams and two sugars.”

“Thanks.” He said. I paid the dollar fifty and left. I didn’t expect to see him again. Well, not outside of Coffee Connection, but he was in my Art History class. I hadn’t even noticed.

He was definitely a little on the husky side. He struck me as the kind of guy who had put on weight once he got to college. He had a lovely, round sphere in front of him, resting below a nice fleshy chest, and a meaty, bubble butt behind him. His belly jutted out in front of him, just sitting there. It was cute. He had thicker thighs and his jeans hugged his lower half beautifully.

“Howard, right?” I asked once we were dismissed. He stopped so we could talk a bit more easily. He was cute. I usually dated guys like him. The sweet, awkward type.

“No.” He laughed. “That was the only nametag they had.” He held out his hand. “Cyrus Barnett.” I took his hand and shook it.

“Remy Addington.” I said.

“Well, nice seeing you again. Thanks again for changing your order.”

“Yeah. No problem. See you later.” He walked off. He must’ve recently gained weight. I don’t think he was fully used to his size yet. I liked him.

Maybe he’d like to grab dinner or something.