"Come see me at the clinic after work if you're still feeling down." I pop on a lid and slide one of those cardboard sleeves around the cup. It has the Shade Grown Coffee logo on it and a caution that the contents are hot.
"I don't get off until after you're closed," Tyler says with a sigh. "I'm working from eight to four now."
I slide the guy's drink across the counter to him. I know that Tyler was working only six or seven hours a day, but now he's up to nine. Eight and a half if you include the thirty minute unpaid break. "We can always ask if you want to switch shifts," I offer, letting them know I was definitely listening in. "I mean, I could use the extra hours and I don't come in until nine."
"I appreciate it," Tyler says. "I've already tried to talk to the owner and his nephew with no luck. Says that's the way he wants it and if I can't handle it, I can find something else."
"Dick," I hear Brandt say under his breath. I stifle a laugh but he just shrugs.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and hands it over toward Tyler. "Put your number in. We close at three, but I don't usually leave until closer to four anyway, so if you need anything just shoot me a text or call."
I smile at the interaction. This guy is smooth. It's obvious to anyone that the two like each other. I don't know how old Brandt is, but I know that Tyler is only nineteen. He'll be twenty in May, if I remember correctly. I'll be twenty-four in June.
Tyler puts his number in with a small thanks and says he needs to take his break. Brandt doesn't move as he sips his coffee and we both watch Tyler walk off. There's no one else in line, so I don't mind him hanging around for a second.
"Do you two know each other? Outside of here?"
"I can't say," Brandt says. I nod, not prying. I can assume he's seen him around the clinic. Patient confidentiality and all those laws.
"Austin is a great manager here," I say, trying to offer something that will lessen the worry line between his eyes. He can't be older than thirty. "Between myself and him, we'll keep an eye on him and make sure he isn't working too hard."
"Thanks." Brandt lifts his drink and nods to me before turning and walking out the door.
The rest of the day goes by much the same. We get a wave of people in for the lunch period and then I'm taking my break. I respond to Garrett's text about picking me up today. I didn't get a chance to get my papers together, not having a computer will do that, so I spend the rest of my break logging into my credit card accounts and printing statements as well as my last couple of paystubs. I’ll have to deduct about a hundred and fifty dollars from those checks with the new hours. I confirm with Austin that Tyler and I can't switch schedules, which sucks.
By the time we're finishing the last of the chores, it's just Austin and myself. Tyler dipped out twenty minutes early, after reassuring both of us that he would be fine to drive the ten minutes home. Austin told me that he and Amir, who was here for a couple weeks after I started, were supposed to go off to college together but with Tyler going through whatever it is, he had to take another semester off. I feel terrible for him and wish I could help in some way.
"So." Austin is helping me dump and clean the carafes out before I sweep and mop while he counts the money. "How did you like Saturday?"
"It was fun," I say with a genuine smile. "I wasn't too sure at first, but you were right when you said it was a good group of friends. Eli is funny."
"Oh, you haven't seen anything with him. He does all these voice impressions that are perfect."
I appreciate the easy conversation as we work side-by-side. Austin continues to ask me questions and I don't mind answering them. It keeps my mind busy enough to not think about how my day started. I'm about done with mopping when there's a knock on the front door. Austin and I both look at each other, since neither of us can see the door where we're standing. I was mopping the floor behind the food counter and he's sitting in his office. We both head out and laugh when Remington and Garrett are standing on the other side of the glass. Austin unlocks the door and lets them both in.
"We have phones, you know?" Austin says to Remington.
"We happened to pull up at the same time, so figured we'd come in instead of waiting in the cars." I let Garrett pull me into a hug as Remington does the same to Austin. "Besides, any excuse to see your cute face, baby."
"I second that sentiment." Garrett kisses the top of my head. "Missed you, honey."
"Missed you too." I bury my face into his chest for a brief moment before pulling back. "I just have to dump this mop water and then I'll be good to go."
"And I have to log the money and I'll be good," Austin adds. "Are we still going to Jared's for dinner?"
"Sure are," Remington says. He turns to Garrett and me. "You two are welcome to join us, if you'd like."
Jared's Local is a place Garrett's told me about before. It's a laid back bar-type place. I look at Garrett and shrug. It isn't like I have any plans and honestly, pushing off looking at my finances as long as we can is a win for me. I know that avoiding the issue isn't going to make it go away, but I could use some more distraction.
"We'd love to," Garrett says. I smile at him and turn to finish cleaning up. I make sure everything is put back where it goes in the closet and then grab the folder of information from Austin's desk. I hand it over to Garrett without a word and he smiles. I see Remington watching us, but he doesn't pry.
"Austin told me that you guys are getting a new owner," he says instead. "Says that it's not off to a good start."
"Not really," I agree. "They changed our schedules and are making us wear these shirts now. I came in this morning and there was a line of at least ten people and more coming in each minute. I don't know what they're going to do on Thursday when that big group comes in. I don't come in until nine and I've memorized all of their orders by now."
Austin comes out of the office and joins us. The lights are flipped off, except for the one under the awning, and Austin makes sure to lock the door before we head around the side and to the parking lot. Garrett opens the door for me and buckles me in before moving to his side. I watch him turn and grab his work bag to slide the folder in before starting the car. It's the first time since clocking in that I've let my mind wander to this morning. I don't know if I should risk checking on them again or not. I know at least Jayden will be looking for me.
Garrett's hand slides over my knee and squeezes, pulling me out of my thoughts. "What's wrong?"
