To anyone who reads this and still puts up with my horrible updating schedule: I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I haven't been very motivated to write at all for the past few months. So if there's anyone left to read this, thank you for spending time on this, and I'm sorry you had to wait so long for what ended up as such a short chapter. I will do my best to be better about writing and updating, but in the meantime, please let me know what you think of this chapter.
Nick stared at Monroe for a minute, looking pissed and close to tears at the same time, before he broke and pulled the taller man into a tight hug. Monroe pulled Nick closer, burying his nose in the other's hair as Nick shook slightly.
"I'm sorry." Nick's face was buried in Monroe's shoulder, so his words sounded muffled. "I'm just so stressed and I haven't even slept for the past two days."
"It's gonna be okay," Monroe assured him.
After a few more minutes, Nick took a deep breath and let go of Monroe, taking a few steps back. He looked pretty awful to be completely honest, and on top of that his eyes had become red from the tears he was holding back.
"Tell me what's going on," Monroe insisted as he pulled himself up to sit on the front counter.
"Over the past month, customers have become scarce."
"The last month? This has been going on for that long without you telling me?"
"I didn't want to bother you, Monroe."
"Hey, that's what I'm here for. But go on, finish your explanation."
"I've been putting more money into this business than I've been making lately, and couldn't make the last two payments for the rent."
"Nick, then where are you staying?" Monroe asked, getting more concerned by the second.
"I'm sleeping here in the back. It was either leaving my apartment or selling the building," Nick explained.
"You clearly haven't been eating very well, either."
"I ate breakfast yesterday morning," Nick mumbled, as if that made up for all the meals he had to skip.
"Hey, is the shop open for business? Or am I not allowed to place an order?" Monroe asked, looking up at the menu on the wall.
"I can't afford not to be open; what can I get for you?" Nick asked, moving over to the register.
"I'll take a caramel mocha, two blueberry scones, and a cream cheese brownie," Monroe decided as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed Nick a twenty.
"But what about your diet?" Nick asked, taking the cash from Monroe but giving him a questioning look.
"Oh, I gave up on that about two minutes ago when I discovered that my boyfriend isn't making enough money to eat."
Nick couldn't even help but smile as he but the sweets on a plate for Monroe and turned on one of his many different coffee machines to make the drink for him.