by Rhys Everly
Nathan leaned on his knees and took a deep breath, turning on his serious, not-to-be-argued-with face that looked like a direct replica of his yaya’s stern face. Now that I’d seen it, it was impossible not to compare.
“One thing you have to understand about my dad, Kyle, is that he’s a real ass. I’ve told you already he’s turned into an eternal grump since my mom passed away. But, he is a real softy. He might have been buried deep inside all those years ago, but that guy is still there. And that guy still needs to be told what to do occasionally.
“Look at Yaya. She always tells him what to do and, yeah, maybe he doesn’t like it, but he does it anyway because he knows it’s best for him.
“So, in conclusion, you did nothing wrong. And you should expect a call back from him tomorrow after I’ve talked to him,” Nathan said.
The doorbell rang and put an end to our conversation even though I wasn’t done begging.
Nathan paid for the takeout, and I called mom to the living room so we could all eat together. Mom wolfed down her food in record time as she wanted to go back to her tablet and looming deadlines. Nathan took his time, and once he was done, his eyes went heavy, and, as usual, he passed out on my couch.
Was he right? Was my confronting Andy in the way that I did okay? I felt terrible after Saturday night, but I was only trying to help, and I hoped he would eventually see that. Even if he never called me back.
I’d expected to work in a small business and get loads of ideas on improving profit and margins, but I hadn’t expected Andy’s Bar to be suffering so much.
And it was quite obvious that it was. I’d done a shift on a Saturday night and other than a small rush, it was as quiet as the Dead Sea. As much as Andy thought it was busy, I could tell. I’d worked in hospitality for a long time to know that it wasn’t. And after the night we all had and seeing how overworked and stressed Andy was, it made my desire to help him even stronger.
I caught his face when he thought no one was looking, counting up the registers or scanning the room for the empty tables. It was abundantly clear that his business was struggling, as was he, and he was in desperate need of help.
Which was the only reason why I cornered him in his office and gave him a headache with all my ideas. I wish I’d taken it slower. I wish I’d taken my time with him to show him that I can really help.
But seeing those big, brown, angry eyes that gave away so much sadness made me feel even worse about what I’d done.
My phone pinged and I looked at my messages.
“U around?” it read.
Why was Trent messaging me? I thought he was done with me.
“I’m at home,” I texted back. It wasn’t really an answer to his question.
“Sorry bout the other day. Wanna meet n make up? ;P” he messaged back.
“I thought you didn’t wanna see me again,” I said.
I didn’t mind that he was texting me again, but I wanted to be clear on what was going on. I didn’t want to be played with. I’d had enough of being mens’ plaything. I didn’t need to be Trent’s, too.
“Was horny and got annoyed. U know how it is…I miss u,” he said.
“You mean you missed my ass,” I messaged back.
“That too. Wanna…Netflix and chill later,” he asked.
Did I want to hang out with him and fuck? Hell to the fucking no. But, considering I had no plans for the rest of the week and I really needed a pick-me-up, why the hell not? He wasn’t the only one who could use me to feel better. I could use him, too. That’s why our agreement was supposed to be beneficial to both of us. At least, some of the time.
“Sure. Why not? What time?”
“Lets do 8. Gives us the whole night to hav…fun,” he said.
Fun? I wouldn’t exactly describe my time with Trent fun, but what the hell? It’s not like I had any other plans for tonight.
Seven
Andy
I hadn’t been able to take that conversation with Kyle on Saturday night out of my mind the whole of Sunday and the next morning. I really didn’t mean to insult or upset him, and I didn’t want him to think that I disliked him. For some reason, his sad face was imprinted in my head, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake it off. The disappointment in his eyes. The way his composure changed, hunching his shoulders.
It hadn’t been pretty to watch. What was I going to do?
“Daddy, are you okay?” Summer asked me from the back seat of the car on our way to school on Monday morning.
“Huh?” I looked at her through the rearview mirror. Her pigtails were painted pink today, and I could almost picture Yaya using the colored chalk on Summer before we left the house. Summer looked more like her mom with every passing day. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You just seem…distracted.”
“I’m fine sweetie. I’m just tired and thinking about work,” I said.
“Yeah, I know.” Summer’s eyes rolled to the side then quickly turned back to me. “So?”
“So…what?” I asked.
“Will you?”
“Will I what?”
Summer sighed and her gaze dropped.
“You weren’t listening to me again.”
Had she been talking to me this whole time and I hadn’t noticed? For fuck’s sake. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I stop disappointing all the people in my life? First Kyle, now Summer, who next?
“I’m so sorry sweetie. What were you saying?”
“I asked if you can take me to the store tomorrow so we can buy materials for my art project. Me and Alice are making a puppet show and we need to get some stuff for it,” she said.
“Of course, I will. We can do it after school tomorrow. Is that okay?”
Summer’s cheeks reddened and she looked up at me with a big smile on her face, nodding and warming my cold, dead heart.
I had to get my act straight. I couldn’t keep disappointing my daughter. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the daddy issues she’d grow up with if all she ever got from me was this distant, grumpy Andy.
But it was so hard to focus on anything other than my failures lately. I pulled up at the school and Summer unbuckled herself, leaning in for a kiss.
“Thank you, Daddy. Is it okay if Alice comes with us?”
“Of course she can sweetie.”
“And can we get ice cream after?”
I chuckled. Sweet, gentle Summer. Nothing could break her spirit. I had to be careful with that. There would come a point when my misgivings as a father would affect her, just like Kyle had been affected by my words the other day.
“Sure we can. I’ll call Alice’s mom and we’ll arrange it,” I said. “Now, go on. You’re gonna be late.”
Summer gave me another kiss and ran into her school.
Instead of going back home, I drove all the way to work and started early. My mind was so occupied with work already, I might as well get a head start. I set up the bar and made sure the tables were all wiped clean.
When I opened at twelve, on my own—as I didn’t need any more staff on a quiet Monday other than Eric and myself—Johnny came in even though I wasn’t expecting him.
“Johnny, what are you doing here? You’re not working until later, right?”
Had I been so distracted that I didn’t even notice the schedule? I never put anyone else on in the mornings on Mondays and Tuesdays because I knew it was pointless and I would have to pay them out of my own pocket.
Johnny approached the bar, but he wasn’t his usual easygoing self. He leaned on the bartop and looked up at me.
“That’s what I came to talk to you about,” he said.
“Is everything okay?”
“No, not really, Andy. I love you, I hope you know that, but I can’t work here anymore. We don’t have any customers anymore and I’m not making enough from what you pay me to afford my rent. I need the tips and without any customers there is none. I hate having to do this, but I’m afraid I have to quit,” he said.<
br />
It shouldn’t have surprised me. I should have expected it, but it still hit me like a hurricane. It was one of the things that constantly worried me about my staff, and I had spent many sleepless nights wondering when they’d all realize they couldn’t work for me anymore, but I was hoping that it was never gonna happen.
“Johnny, I-I understand. Can you still work tonight? Rachel’s got the kids and Danny is out of town until tomorrow,” I said.
Johnny avoided my gaze.
“I’m actually working at the Oyster Club tonight. I can’t.” He looked back at me. “I can’t afford to. I’ve been waiting for an opening in that place for a long time, but I never told you because I didn’t want to let you down.”
So, I was on my own today. Might as well fire everyone else and close the doors now. Johnny leaving me was just the start, wasn’t it? Who would go next? Probably Danny, and when he left, Rachel and Eric wouldn’t be far behind.
“It’s okay, Johnny. I understand. I’ll figure something out,” I told him, and with another apology, he left the bar.
What was I going to do? Eric needed to be in the kitchen, but perhaps I could use him out front? It’s not like we’d be crazy busy tonight. Or maybe I could call Nathan to see if he was up for it? He’d helped me before.
There was a third option, but…
Surely Kyle wouldn’t want anything to do with me after Saturday night. I couldn’t call to ask him, could I? I couldn’t ask him for a favor after being such an asshole to him. That’s not how the world worked. Or, at least, not how my world worked.
I didn’t know what else I was going to do. I picked up the phone to message him but chickened out.
I could do tonight myself. Monday nights were quiet. I didn’t need anyone else. As if to further indicate how right I was in my decision, I had no customers until two, and even then it was only a few tables looking for a quick lunch. And I managed all of them just fine on my own.
I’d made up my mind by the time the clock struck three until one of my regulars came in for his usual afternoon beer.
“So, you ready for tonight?” he asked as I served him his second serving of the golden IPA he loved.
“What’s going on tonight, Nick?”
He winced and took a long gulp of his drink.
“The game. Redskins against Dallas Cowboys? Did you forget about it? All the boys are gearing up for a win this year. It’s gonna get rowdy in here.”
Fuck!
There was a game on tonight? Quiet Mondays I could handle myself. But Game Mondays? No chance in hell.
Nick took his beer outside for a cigarette, and I looked at my empty bar that was bound to fill up with sports fans.
My hand reached for my phone before I knew what I was doing and my finger hovered over Kyle’s number.
Surely I couldn’t just message him last minute and ask him to come in. I wasn’t even paying him, so why would he drive all the way here?
It’d be good to see him again. Give me a chance to apologize.
I clicked his number to call him, but as soon as I did it, I canceled the call before it could even connect.
I’d be fine on my own. I’d been doing this long enough. I could manage. So what if everyone had to wait a little longer for their drinks and their food took an extra ten or fifteen minutes while Eric took everything out?
Nick left and I tried to put Kyle at the back of my mind, as hard as it was with no one to serve.
I had terrified the man with my stupidity. He didn’t need me to be an ass to him again.
Business picked up again at four, and by five, it was undeniable that I was going to need the help. All the boys had started coming in for pre-game drinks and snacks, which meant that I’d be full by six.
I reached for my phone and called Nathan. After the third attempt, I gave up. He was probably at work, tutoring some poor kid into oblivion. I had to bite the bullet, didn’t I?
I composed a message to Kyle and read it and reread it seemingly a hundred times. When a large group of burly men walked into the bar, I hit send and tried not to look at the phone as I got busy serving them.
When I checked it a few minutes later, a reply was waiting.
“I’ll be there ASAP,” the message read, followed by a smile emoji.
My heart did funny things in my chest, and I couldn’t wait for him to get here so I could see the smile on his real face again.
And to watch him brighten up this place with his radiance.
There was something seriously wrong with me.
Eight
Kyle
Andy’s text message took me by surprise. So much so, in fact, I didn’t even realize when Nathan roused from his nap and looked up at me.
“Hey. What’s got you so happy?” he asked.
And with that, I put my hand on my mouth to make sure my smile was contained. I wasn’t sure if that’d be possible, and I didn’t even understand why I was so happy all of a sudden.
Well, that was a lie. I knew why.
Andy.
“Nothing. Nothing. Your dad called and he needs my help tonight so I am heading into town. Do you need a ride or are you staying here tonight?” I asked.
“No, I’ll be heading back to the dorm later. I told you he’d come around,” Nathan winked.
I rushed into mom’s office to let her know I’d be out all night and changed into something less…Kyle.
I’d noticed how Andy had looked at me on Saturday with that signature glare he seemed to have plastered on at all times. I didn’t want him to have any more reason to dislike me, so I picked a black t-shirt and a pair of dark denims paired with my black All-stars and jumped into Nathan’s car to drive to Cedarwood Beach.
My foot was so fidgety that I kept going over the speed limit until I had to put it on cruise control. I didn’t need a ticket, and I definitely couldn’t afford to be stopped by the police and let Andy down.
When I got into the parking lot at Andy’s, I checked myself in the mirror. I hadn’t had the time for a shower, but I hoped at least the clothes I’d chosen today wouldn’t make Andy uncomfortable around me.
I walked into a full bar, the speakers booming with football commentary and the sports fans shouting at all the TVs. It was a little after six, and a sweaty, flustered Andy was rushing around behind the bar pouring two drinks at the same time and trying to commandeer the patrons waiting to be served.
I didn’t hesitate a second before I ran to the bar, dumped my cellphone on the back counter, and got to work.
“Kyle. You came,” he exclaimed when he saw me, his lips, those full, juicy lips parting in awe.
“I told you I’d be here ASAP.”
“I-I didn’t think you’d…thank you,” he said and turned to a patron who was trying to get his attention by waving his hand.
“You’ll get your drink, Bob. Be patient for fuck’s sake,” he said.
I turned my attention to another customer, even though it was hard to take my eyes off Andy, and tried to get his order when I felt a hand at the small of my back, which sent goosebumps all the way up my neck and straight down to my crotch.
“Do you…know what you’re doing?” Andy whispered in my ear, and if it hadn’t been so loud, everyone would have heard me whimper.
Instead of answering, I nodded as quickly as I could, which gave me a bit of a head rush, and to distract myself, I leaned closer to the customer and finished taking his order.
It was just the two of us tonight. We worked around each other, pouring beer and wine and spirits for the customers, taking food out to tables like an improvised dance routine of push and pull. Working with him, next to him, intoxicated me. It led my thoughts astray. I’d overpoured a beer or two while thinking how hot it would be if he came up behind me and showed me how to hold the glass or how to open a bottle of wine.
My mind hopped from one fantasy to another, all of them leading to our bodies pinned against each other, hot and sweaty, and unable to resist each other�
�s pull.
The game finished around nine, and Andy got on the floor and started wiping sticky, crumby tables and calling cabs for those incapable of walking home. Eric, the chef who had been working tirelessly in the kitchen all by himself, came out in panic.
“Are you okay, Eric?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “Where is Andy? There’s a leak in the kitchen,” he said, and I pointed at where Andy was wiping a table and chatting to the patrons next to it.
Eric went over to speak to him, and Andy’s face dropped. The color washed off his face.
“Do you want me to call the plumber?” I asked as he passed by me, but he snapped his head in my direction and grumbled a no.
I stood by the end of the bar trying to peek into the kitchen and figure out what was going on. Since the match was over, I, along with the rest of the crowd, heard Andy’s curses coming out at the top of his lungs.
I walked into the kitchen and saw a pipe spraying the floor with water. Before I had the time to think, I pressed the valve to shut the gas and the breaker to turn the electrics off in the kitchen and announced to both of them I was calling the plumber.
“No. You. Are. Not. It’s fine. I can fix it,” Andy shouted.
I didn’t know what exactly he thought he could fix if he hadn’t managed it already, but if we didn’t do something now, all the equipment in the kitchen would get wet, so I ignored him, returned to the bar, grabbed my phone, and called the local emergency plumber from a number pinned to the back bar.
As I put the phone down, I noticed the text message from Trent.
Shit. Trent!
I forgot all about him and our “plans.” From the message preview, I could already see he was pissed, and since I didn’t want him to know I’d read his message, I chose to postpone his drama for another day.
There were far more pressing issues at the moment.
Eric and Andy tried their best to seal the pipe by covering it with cloths, aprons, and as a last resort, Andy took off his t-shirt and tied it around the break to not much effect. Other than the effect his beautiful, hairy chest and defined abs had on me.