I move to Carol’s spot and pick up the plastic-covered ball of iceberg.
“Wash your damn hands first, you nitwit!” Betz says. “You want to give the whole club salmonella?”
Right. I leap off the stool to head for the sink. Celia said Betz was mad because Low Joe made a move for my virginity. Which, to be honest, would have upset me, too. I can handle her vitriol. Hopefully, it will die down if I’m helpful.
It doesn’t explain why she had me dress like this, though. Seems like it would make things worse. Maybe Low Joe doesn’t like a girl who looks this way.
But I ask no questions. Nothing has happened here that’s any different from the minimum wage jobs I’ve had. Nice people like Carol. Grumps like Betz. Leering old men.
“I hope we can work together,” I say to her. “I know Carol will be tied up with the baby soon.”
“Shut up and fix the veggies,” Betz says.
Ooookay.
I pull off piece after piece of the lettuce and then take it over to the sink to wash. When I turn around, a small girl is standing by the table, reaching up for a chip.
When she sees I’ve spotted her, she freezes, her eyes wide.
I glance at Betz. I’m guessing this is one of Carol’s kids. I haven’t met any of them yet. Since Stoney is the VP and has a family, he has the big bedroom from the original house, with its own bathroom and another room for his kids.
Iron Jack has the third original bedroom, which is attached to an office. Everyone else is in the hallway that was added on.
The girl grabs a handful of Cool Ranch Doritos and takes off for the hall. The bowl tips, making a scraping sound.
I scoot the stool to cover the noise and keep Betz from turning. “Will one head do, or should I peel two?”
“One is fine. Only Fancy will use them. Maybe the prospect. Carol might put them on the older kids’ lunches.”
I move on to the tomatoes. I’ve barely filled the tray when the men stomp down the hall. My heart races a little. Merrick wasn’t with them when they had a meal last night since he had to work the bar. But he’ll be here today.
I straighten my neckline and sit taller on the stool.
Betz smirks. “If you want to fuck one of them, just have a pulse.” Then she frowns, and I wonder if she’s thinking about Low Joe looking at me.
Iron Jack enters first. “Thanks, Betz,” he says with a nod to her. “And our mouse.”
Betz comes for my tray and puts it at the end of the line of assembled hoagies. Then she ducks out of the way, grabbing my arm to move me aside into the doorway to the side hall that leads to the original bedrooms.
Stoney glances around. “Where’s Carol?”
“Lying down,” Betz says. “You want the mouse to take sandwiches to the kids?”
“Nah, I’ll check on her in a minute.” He lines up behind Iron Jack, grabbing a sandwich, then turning to dump chips on his plate.
As I expected, the men bang through the exterior door to the porch. When the Doritos get low, Betz nudges me. I race to the pantry to pull another bag.
I’m filling it when Merrick makes it to the room.
“You all right?” he asks.
“I’m good,” I say.
“Glad to hear it.” He steps away for a sandwich.
I reluctantly return to my post next to Betz. When the men are all through, it looks like a windstorm blew chips everywhere.
“Grab the broom,” Betz says. “When it’s presentable again, we’ll eat. Then see if Carol wants us to feed her kids. Stoney will be too drunk in no time.”
