Chapter 16
1007 Words
RAY
By the time I get back to the club, I’m already dizzy and shaky and feel like I’m going to puke. I’ve been drinking a lot of water to try to make the cramping stop, but it’s not helping. Not really, Tania is feeling alot better and was at Mrs Williams place before I went back to my first job at the cafe.
Alex isn’t here when I open the door to the club,pand I thank my lucky stars because I was so not ready for his rambling. Saliva fills my mouth, and I rush for the bathroom as my stomach turns with a vengeance. There’s nothing but water in it, but apparently that’s enough to throw up,am currently trying to save up and pay Ricky back for the money he usedd for Tania's hospital bills which an very thankful for but I can't accept his kindness for free .
Clutching the sides of the toilet, I expel everything I’ve had today. Acid burning my throat and nose and making my eyes water at the force of the contractions on my body. Once the dry heaves stop, I’m breathing hard and wipe my nose on the back of my hand as I sit back against the wall.
I can’t live like this, even for just a few days.
Once my stomach calms, I stand, and my head swims, forcing me to lean against the wall or end up on the floor again. I rinse out my mouth and head to the counter to pickup another round of drinks to serve customers.
The club began in full swing sometime around ten p.m. Right around the time the urge to blow my own brains out to escape this hellscape gets almost overwhelming.
From there on it’s another few hours of occasional customers coming in. A lot of college students enjoying their free weekend, grabbing a drink before heading off to a party. A few people coming off their evening shifts. Random late-night dwellers who only want a glass of whiskey.
The club finally closes at dawn
I’m cleaning up the mess on the counters and organizing the glasses, when Alex peeks his head into the counter. “There’s some guy looking for you.”
Looking up feels like a chore. It takes my sluggish brain a while to decipher the message. “Me?”
“Yeah. He’s been waiting for you to finish your shift. Want me to send him to the back?”
I look around blearily. My brain is way too tired for good decisions after the night I’ve had, so I say, “Sure. Whatever,” before it really registers that it’s a stupid idea, and by then it’s too late.
I’m too exhausted to even really be surprised when Brian walks in.
He looks offensively good in his not-sweaty jeans and not-sweaty T-shirt,he looks as if he doesn't belong here especially with an equally offensive air of enjoying his life all around him.
He looks around, brows furrowing. “Is it supposed to be this hot in here?”
“You spend half your life in the rink. I figure everything feels like a sauna to you. But yes. A hundred and twenty degrees is the mild, toasty perfection we strive to achieve,” I say tiredly before I grab a bottle of water and lean my ass against the counter. “The air’s f****d. It’s been f****d for close to a week now. It’ll probably be f****d the next week. And the next. And the—Well, let’s just say I’m not optimistic about the air conditioner’s chances of getting fixed anytime soon and leave it at that.” I send him a contemplative look and take a long drink. “Think I might eventually get used to the temperature? Adapt? That happens, right?”
He looks at me thoughtfully.
“Sounds like a d**k. These are not normal conditions. Why do you work here and why?”
I laugh out loud. “Shits and giggles, mostly. The minimum wage is just an added bonus,I don't need you to ask me silly question and just go straight to the point and tell me why you are here”
He drags his thumb along the edge of the stainless-steel counter.
“I’m sure you could find something better and less stressful.”
“Are you offering?”
There’s a faint smile on his lips as he quirks his brow in challenge.
“Because you’d work for me?”
“Never say never. You probably need a—” I pause to think. “—a caddie?”
“That’s golf.”
I widen my eyes at him. “Isn’t that what you do?”
“Funny,” he says.
“I do try. So what brings you by this lovely evening?
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“What about it?” I roll my eyes. “Are you concussed or deaf or something? We don't need to have any conversation.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Are you not going to try and listen to what I have to say at all?”
I turn around, take the sponge, and direct my frustration to scrubbing the counter. “Well, yeah? I doubt you’ll agree to keep me around for the excellent company I provide.”
“Am so sorry about what I did the last time we met?”he said while looking so tired.
I drop the sponge and towel down, turn back around, and raise my brows. “Are you trying to rub it in or something? Because if so, impressive work.”
He sends me a long, level look. “I want to get to know you more and make it up to you , actually.”
“Yeah…I don't need any making up so if I were you, I would leave right now,am not a prostitute if that is what you think this is, so piss off,i say angrily while walking away.
- Writer
