Dane held the two books he had picked up before the temp's nose, and the guy snatched them out of his hands as if Dane had tried to steal them.
This was exactly why Dane was trying to avoid asking for help. He already knew that it would only cause him more problems. Yet here he was, out of other options.
“Are you in charge of this section?”
“What does it look like?”
“I need help locating a book.”
“Ever heard of the library catalog? Use that,” he replied, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling as if Dane was dumb.
“It said it should be in this aisle.”
“It’s probably lent out,” the temp shook his head and turned around.
“Not according to the library catalog,” Dane replied, hoping that if he made it clear to him that he knew how to use the equipment, he might get the temp to be helpful. “I also checked the neighboring shelves to see if it got misplaced, but nothing.”
The temp groaned, turned back to Dane, and rolled his eyes.
“Maybe someone else has taken it seconds before you. Every book appears within twenty-four hours. Just come back tomorrow.”
He passed Dane, and for a second, it seemed as if he was about to ram his shoulder into Dane when he turned around the corner.
“Stupid asshole,” Dane whispered to himself as soon as the guy was out of sight.What now?Maybe he could ask one of the regular staff members for help. Dane had a good rapport with some of the older ladies working here.
“What did you just say?”
Dane turned around. The temp waited right behind him, a scowl on his face.
Shit.
“Nothing.”
“I’m pretty sure I heard some words that would better fityourdescription.”
Dane has had it with him. What did he do to that guy that made him so damn hostile?
“I was justwondering,” Dane articulated, careful to keep his voice low, “if it’snota big deal that a book ismissing. I bet you know that others have been stolen, as these specialist books sell for a good dollar online. Don’t you think that’s something you should investigate and report?”
The temp quenched his eyes. “Are you implying I’m not doing my job? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, just thatsomehelp would be appreciated,” Dane replied, his voice slightly louder because it seemed the guy didn’t get what Dane asked him for.
“Keepyour voice down, or I’ll call security,” he scolded him with a stern voice that made Dane’s blood freeze inside his veins. Even though he whispered, his words cut the air and could’ve probably been understood from twenty feet away.
“Alright, alright. Calm down,” Dane grumbled and turned around, not wanting to make this situation any worse than it already was. “I’ll keep looking for it myself. Thank you.” Hecould feel the scowling eyes following him as he shuffled down the hall.
Why is a jock like him working here anyway? With that attitude, that guy shouldn’t be anywhere near people who enjoy reading and the peace of a library. He’s probably underfucked and letting out his frustration on others.
There were many swears Dane would’ve enjoyed yelling at him through the halls, but he kept them to himself. Somehow, this guy was going to get what he deserved. Karma was a thing, and if Dane just let it go for now, it would strike that temp even harder. That, he was sure of.
Dane nestledinto the glass corner of the cafeteria, claiming a table meant for four people. Gigantic windows behind it framed a view of the park next to the campus while also providing a good vantage point of all the entrances and the checkout line. This made it the perfect table to have everything necessary within view.
Yet, despite its advantages, the spot couldn’t shield him from what he hated most about the cafeteria: the noise. Hundreds of people talking over each other, the relentless clanking of cutlery on porcelain, and the indistinctive hum of background music combined to create a nerve-wracking symphony that was even more stressful than the bass-heavy music at his roommate's parties.
Dane rummaged through his backpack for the earplugs he always carried with him. He had been using them for years and had grown so accustomed to them that he could easily engage in conversations with people who sat close to him while effectively blocking out a significant portion of the noise.
A few seconds later, the sounds became muffled, and even though it wasn’t as heavenly quiet as in the library, Dane felt a thousand times better.
