Her limp is almost imperceptible unless I watch for it.
“Well, missy missy. How’d it go?” I catch a whiff of the heavy hair spray holding her perfectly fluffed dark hair in place.
She gives me one of her dazzling smiles. “There was a good crowd! I think Misty is going to rock the socks off the other girls tomorrow.”
“I have no doubts.” I’ve heard Sophia has worked her way into the final rounds of almost every rodeo in the Pacific Northwest this fall. “What can I get you?”
“I need something greasy to celebrate. Like, a big tub of onion rings and cheese sticks.” Her bright red lips purse. “I better get a pepperoni and sausage pizza for Sawyer. He cleaned out my trailer for me and I promised him one.”
“Sounds good.” I tear off the order sheet and move into the kitchen just as the bell over the main door dings again.
Poking my head out, I see a college aged group of eight filing in and pushing two tables together. “Be with you in a minute!” I holler out.
“Jesus, Bethany,” I whisper under my breath as I quickly start kneading some of the prepped dough. “You could at least be here keeping them distracted.”
Measuring out the fried stuff, I drop it into the oil and toss the pizza onto the oven rollers.
Okay, four minutes.
Pushing my way into the main room, I grab the notepad and greet the newcomers.
“Y’all been here before? Menu’s on the table.” I point with the back of my pen to the plastic covered sheets next to the salt and pepper.
“A round of Jagers.” One of the guys circles his fingers to encompass everyone in his group.
The blonde giggles. “That stuff is so gross. I want, um, tequila.”
A second man leans closer to her. “Can I do a shot off your tits, Belinda?”
It’s a fight not to roll my eyes. This is such a signal they’re going to make this a very long night.
“Hell, I wanna see that,” asshat number one chimes in.
“So, seven Jager, and a tequila? With lime?” I jot down the drinks. “I’ll be back to get your food order in a minute.”
“Switch to all tequilas.” The first holds up his hand. “And a bucket of limes.” His eyes shift to his girlfriend’s chest with a grin.
“Got it.” I pivot before they can change their mind.
Yanking the fried stuff, I know the pizza will sit on the rollers once it’s done in the oven.
Back out front, my damn fruit container is empty.Andthis is the last bottle of low shelf tequila.
Shit.
I know there’s more downstairs.
“Soph, watch the register,” I bark and hustle through the side to the dark stairwell.
Only three limes left?
Slicing thin tonight.
I nearly sprint back up, just in time to see Russ holding up two fingers again.
Why am I already sweating and the evening has barely started?With a few practiced cuts and measured pours, I deftly carry the tray of drinks to the waiting group.
“I’ll be right back for your order.” I don’t even give them a chance to reply.
