Matter of Time: A Workplace Romance

by M. E. Carter

  I finish wiping down the counter as my pseudo-brother Jaxon approaches and leans against the wood top.

  “What’s up?”

  “I just need a Shiner. And do you have any limes?” He leans over the counter like he can see behind it even though he can’t.

  “Sure. Coming up.”

  It’s rare to see Jaxon here anymore. Now that he’s started his clinics for medical school he’s either at the hospital, in the library, or sleeping. His wife Annika shows up more than he does and she hates the bar scene, for reasons I’m unsure of. Not that it’s my business anyway.

  After grabbing his drink from the small fridge and popping the top, I add a lime wedge to the rim and hand Jaxon his beer. He immediately shoves the wedge inside and takes a long drink before letting out a sigh of contentment.

  “How’s it going?” he asks. I’m not all that surprised he’s making small talk. His best friend, Heath Germaine, is at training camp with the San Antonio Steer so the usual crowd Jaxon runs with isn’t here, and since Annika is a sports trainer for the same team, she went with them. Jaxon must really be lonely if he’s here by himself.

  “At work or school?”

  His body sags onto a stool, no tension to be seen now that’s he’s got his bottle. “Both.”

  “School is fine. The semester just started and it’s more basic requirements so it’s not hard. And work is fine. Everyone is still nice. The customers still seem happy. And Paul is still a great boss.”

  Jaxon tilts his head in a partial nod. “That he is. I know he likes you working here.”

  The comment is unexpected. “He does? How do you know that?”

  “He really struggles trying to find a good fit. Doesn’t want to mess with the vibe of the place so he’d have to like you to keep you around.”

  I understand exactly what Jaxon means. The vast majority of Frui Vita’s customers are professional athletes and their friends. One of the things they seem to like about me is that I don’t really have any interest in sports. I’m trying to learn more now that I work here, but it isn’t something I have any desire to get deeply involved with. Makes it hard to find common ground when I work, but apparently it also gives the customers a stronger sense of anonymity or something.

  “Hey, as long as they’re happy with my work ethic and think I fit in well enough, it’s fine by me.”

  “That’s exactly why Paul likes you.” Jaxon begins absentmindedly peeling the label off his beer and I know he has something more on his mind. “So, when are you going to do something about that?”

  “About what?”

  He points his beer bottle at Nicole. “About your feelings for Nicole.”

  “I don’t… There’s not…What feelings?” I finally manage to sputter.

  I’m sure my face turns bright red. I can feel the heat rising from my neck. I hope it just looks like I’m flushed from work. Doubt it, though.

  Jaxon chuckles, not deceived at all. “You can’t hide the fact that you’re half in love with her from me. I’m your brother.”

  He’s actually not my brother. For a while, we thought we shared a biological father since his birth dad cheated on his wife with my mom. DNA proved we were wrong.

  While I still don’t know who my father is, Jaxon decided genetics don’t matter anyway and that was that. I’m not sure if he ever told his mom and adoptive dad the truth, but they brought me into their family fold anyway. Mostly just for holidays.

  It’s not like I have any other family that gives a shit about me. Mom has always been too busy living her life to actually care what I’m up to. It’s been nice having a pseudo-family step in for no reason other than they want me to be a part of things.

  That relationship led to me moving here for school and getting insider information on this job when it came open and now… Nicole. Who I really am in love with despite my attempts to keep those feelings from developing. Still, that’s my own personal business and I don’t need Jaxon pushing the issue. And I certainly don’t need to get fired when my boss finds out I have a hard-on for his soon-to-be sister-in-law.

  I grab a bowl of pretzels knowing it’s his preference and place it in front of him, avoiding eye contact. “I don’t even really know her. Besides, she’s related to the boss so she’s off-limits. How are your clinics anyway? Do you get to do a bunch of cool stuff?”

  “They’re exhausting and I love it, but don’t change the subject,” he demands. “She is not off-limits because of Paul and don’t try to feed me a bunch of horse shit on that. What’s really going on?”

  I shake my head dejectedly. I don’t want to put my thoughts into words. He’s only going to argue with me about the truth I already know and I’m not in the mood for that. Especially with her sitting just across the bar from us. Still, I know he isn’t going to let it go. It seems to be a trait amongst the Hart family.

  “I am a college student who hasn’t declared a major yet and relied on his not-quite-brother to get him a job at a bar. I play video games for fun almost nightly and I’m not exactly sexy. She deserves way better than me. So, like I said, she’s off-limits.”

  Jaxon’s eyes soften and I want to roll mine at the pity I can see. Yet another reason I don’t like talking about this kind of thing with him. What he thinks is self-deprecating talk is actually real to life. It doesn’t hurt my feelings to know I’m not good enough for her. It is what it is. And what it is, is fact.

  “Kade, you’re a great guy—”

  “Stop.” I hold my hand up, shocked that he actually complies. “Listen, I know who I am and I’m fine with it. I’m not trying to be anyone I’m not. Plus, Nicole doesn’t need a date right now. She just needs a friend, right?”

  Jaxon sighs in defeat. I’m sure this conversation isn’t truly over, but I guess I’ve won this round. “You’re right. A year sometimes feels like a long time but when you’re healing from emotional wounds, it can take longer than that.”

  I know what he’s referring to, even if I don’t respond. I haven’t asked for details, but from what I’ve been told Nicole ended up living in this area after her boyfriend beat the crap out of her. Just the thought of it makes me want to punch something even though I’d probably break my hand.

  “Exactly. So let it go, will you?”

  “For now,” he concedes. It’s as good as I’m going to get tonight.

  I nod once. “Tell me about your clinicals. Have you removed any crowbars from anyone’s thigh or done chest compressions while the gurney rolls down the hall?”

  Jaxon snorts a laugh and grins. “You’ve been watching too many medical dramas.”

  I raise one shoulder quickly. “I learn some good information on those shows.”

  “On what shows?” Tammy drops her tray on the counter and looks at us expectantly. She’s always interrupting, but no one minds. We’re always surprised by what she contributes to any conversation. She’s… entertaining.

  “Kade seems to think he’s practically a medical student because he likes to watch fictional doctor shows,” Jaxon jokes.

  Tammy doesn’t seem to notice his sarcasm. “I’ll tell you, I should have gotten my nursing license from how many episodes I’ve seen of House. Did you know I diagnosed my sister’s husband’s niece with an allergic reaction to the copper in her IUD because of Dr. Gregory House? And what do you know, when she finally took my advice and went to the doctor, I was right. They ripped that thing out of her so fast it’d make your head spin. Within days all that itching in her lady bits was gone. Of course, they ended up with another baby after that, but I suppose you can’t always be rash and child free at the same time, can you?”

  Jaxon and I stare at her blankly. I’m not sure if I’m not processing this conversation correctly or if Tammy truly is taking credit for someone else’s unplanned pregnancy.

  After a few seconds of awkward silence, she jumps back in.

  “Got some orders for you when you’re ready.”

  “Yeah now’s a good time,” I
say quickly, praying she doesn’t remember some other random story about the time she wasn’t really a medical student and got way too into other people’s business.

  She prattles off the few drinks she needs and grabs a couple bowls of snacks to replenish the tables. As soon as she’s out of earshot, Jaxon looks right at me. “Did she just tell us about some poor woman’s lady bits?”

  “I don’t know. I got stuck on the visual of an IUD being flung across the room, man. Even if I wanted to date, I think I’m officially turned off from it forever.”

  Jaxon takes the final drink from his beer. “That was my cue to leave. She doesn’t need to know anything about the toe fungus I had to irrigate today.”

  “Oh, come on!” I shout and throw my hands up in the air, making him laugh. “Did you need to give me that visual image, too?”

  He pushes off the stool and tosses some bills on the counter. “That’s the risk you take when you hang out with so many medical professionals.”

  He gives me some sort of a weird salute and takes off, leaving me shaking my head. I make a mental note to warn Nicole—no matter how much you may love Grey’s Anatomy, don’t ever bring it up in conversation with Tammy.

  Chapter Three

  Nicole

  “I’m coming, I’m coming!” I shout as I make my way toward the door, carrying the towel I’m using to dry my hands. I thought I had a few more minutes to finish up in the bathroom before they got here, but from the rattle of the doorknob, I guess not. Carson is one impatient kid these days.

  Swinging the door open, I grab my nephew off the floor and hug him tightly to me, giving him kisses all over his sweet face and neck. He giggles and pulls me closer.

  “I missed you, sweet boy,” I coo.

  “I missed you too, NicNic.”

  He’s four now and can say my name with no problem, but I love that he still uses his nickname for me.

  Releasing the tight grip I have on him, I push the dark hair out of his face. “I pulled out the box of Magic Tracks so we can make a giant road when your Mommy goes to work. How does that sound?”

  “Yeah! I’m gonna make it all over the room!” He wriggles down, excited about working on his favorite activity while he’s here. I’m not sure where the tracks came from, but we have a huge tote full of them and use every single one whenever he’s here. It’s not uncommon for his designs to stretch around the entire apartment. Even I have to admit it’s pretty cool what this kid can make with these things.

  Kiersten follows him in, giving me a quick hug as she lugs in his overnight bag.

  “Thanks for watching him tonight.”

  “Of course I’m watching him.” I shut the door and join her on the small couch where she’s already ended up. “I understand why he spends time at Heath and Lauren’s, but I am his aunt. I need my Carson fix, too, don’t I buddy?” I lean over and grab him, smothering him with more kisses, much to his giggling delight.

  “I know. Someday I’ll get over the feeling that I’m inconveniencing everyone and just be grateful.”

  “Think of it this way—someday you’ll have to return the favor to everyone else.”

  She nods thoughtfully. “Good point. But it better not be you any time soon.”

  “Ha!” I bark out loudly. “I’m sure you’re really worried about that happening considering my recent hermit status.”

  Kiersten holds her hands up in mock defense. “I don’t know who you bring home in the middle of the night. No judgment on my part.”

  “You’re down the hall so you actually do know who I bring home every night. Besides, it’s not you I’m worried about. There would be serious judgment from Paul and he can’t afford to drive all his customers away with his overbearing brother act. So, in the best interest of him and his bar, I’ll continue to stay here alone.”

  “You’re such a good sister,” Kiersten says with a giggle before her attention is diverted. “Hey what’s this?”

  I had forgotten I had a catalog from Southeast State sitting on my small coffee table.

  “Just something I’m thinking about.” And I have been. From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to go to college. When I finally made it, I was only there for a short time. I miss the atmosphere of classes and other students. These were supposed to be the most amazing four years of my life. I know I can’t get it all back. Things are different now. But maybe I can at least get back into the classroom.

  Kiersten picks it up and quickly flips through the pages with her thumb. “I’m kind of surprised they have these printed with the whole catalog being online.”

  “I requested it to be sent to me. I like having pages to hold. Things don’t seem to translate as easily in my brain unless I can touch it.”

  “Oh yeah. I’m the same way.” She tosses it back onto the table and turns to me. “Going back to school and a new job? That’s a lot of big changes.”

  “I haven’t done either yet. Baby steps, ya know?” I shrug like I’m indifferent, which I’m not. Not at all. Terrified is more like it, but the fear of staying stagnant for the rest of my life is somehow stronger than my fear of getting back out in the world so it’s time to start trying.

  “Well, you start working tomorrow so that’s some good movement. And you know they have some of those partial semester classes that are only like three weeks or something.”

  “I saw that. I was thinking about trying that out first. They’re pretty intense, a couple hours every single day for three straight weeks, but it might be a good way to see if I’m ready for something that requires a longer commitment.”

  “You’ve come so far.” She taps her hand on my thigh in support. “I’m sure you’re going to do just amazing.”

  “I hope.”

  We both look over when we hear a loud crash. Carson has apparently gotten tired of digging through the tote to find what he’s looking for and has dumped the whole thing over. Pieces of the track slide everywhere and he immediately gets back to work building. Kiersten just shakes her head in amusement.

  “I’m so glad he has a bunch of men in his life that can keep up with him. I’m not sure I have the energy half the time to be a boy mom.”

  “I don’t know for sure since I haven’t experienced it, but I bet it’s just as hard being a girl mom,” I retort. “Except instead of Magic Tracks you’d have paints everywhere and are stepping on those little tea party forks in the middle of the night. I bet those things hurt.”

  “You have a point. I’m already dreading the Lego phase that I’m sure is coming. Speaking of parenting though, guess who wants to come visit.”

  I furrow my brow. There’s no way she’s talking about our mother and yet I’m pretty positive she is.

  “The woman who barely goes anywhere except shopping and to her country club wants to come here?” My sister nods, likely just as confused as I am about this situation. “Why?”

  Kiersten shrugs. “She said something about wanting to have a relationship with her daughters. This, of course, was after she made a couple of digs about us never visiting her and how neglected she is by her own children.”

  “Of course.”

  Kiersten turns away as if gathering her thoughts on the matter. “I don’t know what’s going on with her. Maybe she’s finally seeing the error of her ways or something.”

  I think on that assumption for a few minutes but it doesn’t feel right. The last time I saw my mother was close to a year ago. She was the first person the police called when Jeremy put me in the hospital. They hadn’t given her much information, just that I had been assaulted. When she first got there, she was the doting mother—asking questions about my injuries and prognoses, getting information about how best to help me recover—all those things someone who cares about you does.

  And then I told her Jeremy had done it.

  I will never forget the look on her face when the wall of indifference came down. My heart broke into a million pieces. Hearing your mother say she will not enable lies and turn her
back on you while you lay literally bleeding and broken in a hospital bed was almost as hard as being beaten in the first place. Thank goodness for my sister who never once questioned my claims and gave me a safe place to live and a new start.

  “I really don’t think so, Kiersten. Maybe she just wants to butter us up so we’ll take new family portraits that she can show off at the club.”

  Kiersten snorts a laugh. Not because it’s funny, but because I’m probably right. “Don’t ever let me treat Carson like that, okay?” She runs her hand over his hair lovingly as he snaps more tracks together.

  “I don’t think you could if you wanted to. Besides, that kid is attached to you like glue, still. He’d never let you leave him.”

  “Good point. We still have to let him fall asleep in our bed before moving him to his. And I still can’t sleep naked because I never know if he’s going to wake up in the middle of the night and climb back in with us.”

  “Stop doing that, Mama,” Carson complains, clearly paying more attention to the conversation than we realized. “I sleep with you and Paul. That’s our bed.”

  She raises her eyebrows at me in a look that screams, “See what I mean?” But being the good mom she is, she responds to him with, “I know, baby.” It’s a non-committal answer if I’ve ever heard one.

  “Are you ready to start training tomorrow? I’m kind of excited about you working with us.”

  My heart leaps with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. “I am. It’s time. I’m ready to stop relying on you guys and get back on my feet. I’m starting to feel, I don’t know, like itchy just sitting around letting myself be taken care of.”

  “Well, this is a good first step.”

  “Do you know who’s going to be training me tomorrow?”

  “Paul is going to do tomorrow since he’s the boss. But we’ll rotate between him, me, and Kade as you go.”