by Amy Brent
“That doesn’t mean you haven’t had your struggles.” I say. “And I can’t even imagine the pressure of having everyone watching your every move. The constant struggle of being perfect, saying the right things at the right times.” I play with the bottom of my skirt. “I was always told that as a black woman people were going to pick my words apart. ‘Is she educated?’ ‘Did her daddy abandon her?’ ‘Is she from the hood?’. I’ve had to convince my professors and employers that I was serious about school and work. But you have to do the same thing to thousands of people on a daily basis.”
“Remy,” Emmet says. “Don’t ever think you have to convince us of anything.” He’s politer than Jake was, keeping a safe distance between us, but I’m surprised when I realize I want to close that space. “You’re beautiful, smart, and incredible. And anyone who doubts that because you’re a different shade than them is seriously lacking in the brain.”
“Thank you.” I say. My body leans towards him, gravitating to his warm and friendly smile. Emmet’s eyes soften as mine lower, but his entire body stiffens abruptly.
“I just remembered I have a meeting to attend. Jake is probably already there.” He rushes to his feet, shifting awkwardly as I stand and clutch my purse. “I’ll ring Albert, he’s the doorman, and he’ll call you a cab to take you anywhere you want to go. Free of charge.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.” I argue but Emmet’s already on the phone with Albert. “Thank you.” I say when he hangs up.
“It’s no problem.” Like Jake, it seems Emmet is having a hard time meeting my eyes. “We’ll see you at the restaurant sometime. Good bye, Remy, keep up the good work.”
Emmet leaves me alone in the million dollar parlor. I grab a banana nut muffin and a small glass of water, feeling dizzy and anxious. It’s not until the cab drops me off at the front of my apartment complex and I’m checking my mail that I realize something.
I wanted nothing more than to touch both brothers, and it’s a thought that both terrifies and excites me.
Chapter Six
My thoughts are jumbled the following day at work. I’m slow and ask customers to repeat their orders and even mess up a few specials while listing them. Camila notices it and asks what’s wrong, but I shrug and say I must be getting sick. Scott comes in at his usual time and I scowl, already dreading our interaction. The hostess tries to seat him in Camila’s territory but he refuses and asks to be seated in mine. The only thing that keeps me from losing my cool is knowing I’ll at least get a decent tip out of him.
“You’re looking awfully sweet today.” He says as I bring him his regular beer.
“I had yesterday off. A night off does wonders for the skin.” I leave before he’s able to continue the conversation. Not even Scott Picton can take my mind off of the twins.
I desperately want to be near them again. Jake’s cold fingertips and Emmet’s warm hand were all I could think about for the last twenty four hours. Twenty four hours that I had to keep from touching myself or else risk imagining them in risqué positions. Every time the door opens I suck in a breath, waiting to hear their voices. I come to work the next day again, longing to hear their voices.
But it’s not until the third day that they do come back.
“I don’t have a table available.” I interrupt the hostess as they stand at the front. “But it should only be another fifteen before one’s ready.” Jake and Emmet glance at one another.
“They requested Camila’s table.” Sophie says and gets their menus. “Sorry, Remy.” She whispers as she leads them to the other side of the restaurant. The twins don’t look back at me.
I know I wasn’t imagining things yesterday. Not the way Jake looked at me or the way Emmet touched my knee. Camila takes their order with a red face, no doubt stumbling over her words as Emmet charms her with his smile and Jakes offers nothing but a disinterested glare. I’m always on the other end of a flirt, brushing off men’s admirations and catcalls, but I’ve never been one to chase after a boy.
I step into the restroom and unbutton the top button of my blouse, pushing my bra up and fixing the makeup beneath my eyes. If they think they can take over my thoughts and toss me on the side of the road then they have no idea who I am.
As usual, eyes are on me as I make my way around the floor. I’m louder than normal as I giggle at the men who compliment me. I glance over at the twins, but they sit with their backs facing me. Jake’s head is lowered to the side though, and I notice his hands are tightly coiled fists.
“You’re in a good mood, sweetheart.” Scott says and finishes the rest of his beer. “Does this mean you’ll finally consider our date?”
“You’re gonna have to catch me in a much nicer mood for that, sweetheart.” I say sweetly.
“Finally got someone in your sights?” Charlie asks as I fill up a pitcher. “Or did you accept your fate as the future crazy cat lady.”
“I’ve told you a million times, I’m allergic.” I fit three pitches on a tray. “And maybe, I don’t know. I’m not the best at this.” I admit.
“Remy, any guy would be crazy not to fall in love with you at first sight.” Charlie points at a gold ring on his finger. “Luckily for me this casts plus ten defense.”
“Such a nerd.” I grab the tray and deliver the pitchers to a large table of men enjoying a football game on the television. They holler and hoot, and one even goes as far as to wrap an arm around my waist as their team scores a touchdown.
I put my arm on his, planning on tossing it back onto the table and giving him a stern lecture, but in the corner of my eyes I catch Jake watching us closely. The feeling of rejection hits me once again, and I lean into the man’s arms and playfully smack his shoulder.
“Something tells me you’re used to touchdowns.” I say close to his ear and wink. Jake watches as I pick the tray back up and disappear into the kitchen.
The next hour goes the same, flirting heavily with the big table and teasing Scott. I earn Emmet’s attention after a while, and I decide to walk past their table without so much as a glance towards them.
Jake’s hand shoots out and brushes my wrist, and a shot of electricity climbs my arm and leaves it tingling. I want more of his touch, but I’m a stubborn woman and so I walk away.
The table of jocks leave a decent tip, but not what I was expecting. Scott orders another beer and I hop behind the busy bar to get his refill.
“Scott hasn’t stopped staring you down once tonight.” Charlie lets me know. “It’s actually entertaining.”
“He’s a glutton for punishment.” I say. “But Lord does he fill up a tab.”
On my next ten minute break I realize the twins are gone. I follow Camila out the back, standing with my arms crossed as she pulls out a cigarette from her purse.
“They left me a three hundred dollar tip!” She gushes. I’m happy for her of course; she has her own bills and rent to pay. But I can’t help but feel wronged somehow. Despite the raise that I still haven’t mentioned to anyone.
“They’re decent guys, I guess.” The night air is cold and cools me down after running around for hours. I can feel short curls plastered to the sweat of my forehead and I try wiping them with my arm.
“Time to start closing.” Camila says as we head back to our tables. The next hour goes by quickly, and I’m grateful for the distraction.
Camila leaves before I do, and I decline Charlie’s invitation for a ride home.
“I have to go grocery shopping on the way home anyways.” We say goodbye and I mingle in the restaurant, vacuuming the front for the third time.
It’s pitch black by the time I lock the doors. A car honks at me and I nearly jump, looking for the pepper spray buried somewhere at the bottom of my purse.
A black car pulls up near the front of the restaurant and the drivers window rolls down.
“Do you usually close by yourself?” The man from my football table earlier pops his head out. “That’s not safe you know.”
M
y fingers close around the pepper spray. “I know. Did you forget anything?”
“Nah, just here to continue what we started earlier.” He says, and unlocks the passenger door. “Unless you want to continue in a stockroom?”
I scowl and put a hand on my hips.
“What the hell are you implying? Get out of here before I call the damn cops.”
“What did you say bitch?” The man pushes open his door and throws his seatbelt off. I pull my pepper spray out and hold it towards his face.
“She said get the fuck out of here.” Jake emerges from around the building. He’s far taller than the bald man threatening me, with muscles that are easily double the size.
“Oh, I see, she tricked you out too, huh?” The man smiles and backs up. “What a fucking waste of time.”
“Jake, don’t.” I hear Emmet’s voice just as Jake throws his fist back and punches the man in the face. Blood splatters on the concrete and he covers his mouth with his hand.
“Fucking crazy.” The man spits even more blood and rushes back into his car. Jake curses after him, and it’s not until the car is gone from sight that they both turn to me.
“Late nights aren’t the best for you, huh?” Emmet asks. He wears a light sweater that moves in the soft breeze with dark slacks while Jake sports jeans and a loose shirt with rolled up sleeves.
“It wasn’t entirely unwarranted.” I admit, though I don’t mention heavily flirting with that guy on purpose to make them jealous.
“Well, asshole’s gone and won’t be coming back.” Jake covers his bloody knuckles. “You need a ride home?”
“Oh, no.” I don’t think I could handle being in a dark car so close to them, especially when Jake’s arms are still flexed and hand bloody and I’m finding it hard to breathe just being near both of them. “I can still catch the train, and I need groceries anyways since I’m off tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” Emmet tries to argue with me but Jake beats him to it.
“Let’s make this shorter than it has to be. We’re going to ask to give you a ride home, you’re going to be all polite and say no, so now we’re going to offer you a ride to the store and help you carry in your groceries because apparently you’re not safe when the sun is down, and we’re going to go back and forth until you eventually say yes.” Jake smirks, and I can’t stop myself from smiling back.
“Fine, yeah. If you really want to go grocery shopping with me?” I can’t picture either of them inside a store.
“It’s been several years but I wouldn’t mind take a trip down the candy aisle, I’ll call Travis.” Emmet says and dials their driver.
“Thank you.” I lightly cup Jake’s hand and examine the cuts. “But I had my pepper spray, would’ve been a lot less messy.”
“I haven’t punched anyone yet this week, you did me a favor.” Jake says. He chuckles to himself, and I squeeze his hand.
“He’s down the street.” Emmet returns and Jake rips his hand from mine. His body stiffens and he puts space between us, and I can’t help but notice Emmet glancing between our hands.
Their sleek, black Escalade pulls into the parking lot and Emmet opens the door for me. Jake follows him and they both sit close enough to fill my senses. Jake’s arms brush against mine as he leans towards me.
“Let’s go grocery shopping.” He says.
Chapter Seven
The twins helped me with groceries the following days as well, claiming they were just protecting me late at night. But watching them picking out candies and cereal while comparing nutritional value and prices makes me wonder if they secretly enjoy it. I also become less conscious as they enter my tiny studio apartment, especially as Emmet admires the convenience of everything being so tightly close to one another. The only time we spend together are in public at the restaurant or at the grocery store, and they don’t stay very long once my groceries are put away. In fact, as soon as it’s the three of us alone in a tiny kitchen they get stiff and uncomfortable.
They spend every other night eating dinner in my section, always making sure to leave a tip at least double the amount of what their actual bill would look like had we been charging them. Already my tuition for the spring semester next year is paid for entirely, as long as I get through the next month without fail. I spend my hour long breaks at the restaurant on my crappy laptop finishing homework, ignoring Jake’s rude remarks about the laptop being older than the dinosaurs themselves.
Despite it only being a month since I’ve met them, their presence becomes normal. Especially when I’m closing up the restaurant.
“You’ve been checking your phone a lot tonight.” Emmet mentions. I blush and stuff my phone back into the pocket of my apron and finish clearing off their table.
“I just thought my dad was going to be in town this week.” I say. I roll my eyes as a few girls giggle as they walk past the table. Lovestruck admirers also become normal around the twins.
“For Thanksgiving?” Emmet asks. Jake glances at me, and I remember our private conversation nearly a month ago.
“Yeah, but it’s not a big deal. David needed volunteers for the day anyways and I have nothing better to do.” Boxed wine and a TV marathon wasn’t the type of Thanksgiving I was hoping for anyways.
“You’re working here on Thanksgiving?” Jake asks. He winks at the girls, earning gasps and even a phone number hastily written on a napkin. I purse my lips and roll my eyes, trying to remind myself that I get an equal amount attention from my customers.
“Yeah.” I respond. “Noon to close. David said he had enough demands from last year for a Thanksgiving buffet, so all I’ll have to do is refill drinks and clean up the tables.”
“A Thanksgiving buffet.” Emmet frowns as I get their plates and carry them back to the kitchen. They leave shortly afterwards, and I close up the front of house with Camila and Charlie.
“Just three days until my spawned from hell parents are here for Thanksgiving.” Camila whines.
“Try having spawned from hell in-laws.” Charlie jokes. I keep quiet, not wanting to mope about my lack of family.
We say our goodbyes at the restaurant. Camila heads to the subway and I go to the shops downtown. Christmas decorations have been up for a while now, but it’s the first time I’ve been anywhere except my apartment, the grocery store, and the restaurant in weeks.
Red and green wreaths hang on all the lights that illuminate a very light snowfall. My shoes crunch the snow beneath them and I tighten my jacket as I window shop.
My tips from this week are enough to purchase a new laptop. I window shop until I find a twenty four hour electronics store with Christmas music blasting every time the doors open and close. I try to convince myself to go inside, but I consider what else I could use the money on. Just to ease my worries I ask a worker how much a laptop would run, telling him what exactly I would be using it for.
His answer is enough to make me walk away. Maybe after Thanksgiving I’ll be more willing to spoil myself.
Thanksgiving Day arrives shortly after, and I get ready for what probably is going to be a twelve-hour shift. I tame my corkscrews into a bun and throw on some makeup before rushing to work. The ground is covered in an inch of snow already, and it steadily falls as I walk to the station.
The restaurant is covered with soft blue lights that look like falling icicles. A decent number of cars are already parked out in front for it being Thanksgiving, but it only means more tips for me. I greet David, Sophie and Mike and head to the kitchens to see the back of house that volunteered along with us.
We all help with setting the buffet up at the back of the restaurant. Classic comfort food like turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes and much more line up against the wall, and opposite it is the dessert table. I stare dreamily at it, already planning my plate for my hour break.
The restaurant opens and a decent number of people flood in. It’s mostly older couples I realize, and I’m extra sweet as I take them to their tables and grab their drinks.
I head back to the hostess’ podium to get the next group and pause mid step when it’s Jake and Emmet waiting for me.
“What are you doing here?” I practically yell.
“Well, that’s not the holiday spirit.” Jake mutters. “Are we seating ourselves?”
“Follow me?” I show them to their regular table, going over the buffet list. “You guys really have nothing better to do?”
“We don’t have any family in town.” Emmet says. Jake grunts something about not caring anyways and leaves to get food. “And as it’s a holiday, we have no meetings. It was Jake’s idea actually.” Emmet adds when his twin is gone. There’s something weird in his voice when he talks about his brother, like he’s restraining himself somehow.
They’re both festive in separate red and green holiday sweaters and jeans, though I have a feeling Jake had to be convinced to wear it. The green swirls in Emmet’s blue eyes are more pronounced in his green sweater, and he has a light dusting of facial hair over his chiseled jaw. Had I known they were going to show up I probably would have spent a bit more time on my own looks.
“We’re here all day.” Jake returns with a plate piled high with food. “Make sure the cooks don’t slack off.”
“All day?” I stumble over my words. “Why?” David glares at me as he walks by, but I ignore him.
“This restaurant is your family.” Emmet says. He stands and heads towards the buffet table.
“You don’t spend Thanksgiving alone.” Jake mutters between chewing his food. He’s incredibly handsome in his red sweater and I have trouble looking away. “Don’t even get me started on your asshole dad.” He adds.
I blink back tears and go back to making rounds and welcoming people into the restaurant. I didn’t expect to have anything to be thankful for this evening, but of course these twins have surprised me once again.