“Thank you.” Eli rapped his knuckles on the top of the bar. “When you let go of the paranoia that everyone is judging you, you’re actually quite a personable young man. I’ve watched you plenty. I’ve also seen how my customers interact with you. Not to sound like a sleazeball or anything, but in order to keep a place like this thriving, I need good looking boys in customers’ eyes.”
“So you’re hiring me to be eye candy?” I might joke with Jordan about who was better looking, but that was yet another smokescreen. It was better than pointing out how my nose was too pointy and a bit crooked, my eyes were dull, and my hips too skinny—even before I’d cut back to eating once a day.
“I would like to offer you a position as a bar back.” Eli relaxed, with an elbow resting on the bar. It didn’t seem like he cared much, one way or the other, if I took the job. Then again, he probably didn’t. This sounded like a made-up job because he couldn’t admit he was hiring me to walk around looking pretty.
“I know next to nothing about the bar,” I reminded him.
“I understand that,” Eli said. “This would be a good way for you to learn, if you’d like. When the club is busy, you’ll be responsible for keeping everything, from the beer coolers to the ice wells, fully stocked. Essentially, you will be doing all of the grunt work that keeps my bartenders from serving customers as quickly as possible. We have a lot of big events coming up, and I’d like to have you start as soon as possible so you can be up to speed before Pride weekend.”
That was only a few weeks away. Even though Eli swore I didn’t need to know much, I doubted I’d be efficient by then.
“You’ll also be helping out on the floor,” he continued as I opened my mouth to protest. I clamped my lips shut, because I’d promised I wouldn’t interrupt him again and I was determined to follow through. “Wiping down tables, bringing empty glassware back to the dishwasher, helping Bear watch for any problems.”
That didn’t sound so bad. It would be boring as hell at times, and I wasn’t thrilled about being a glorified errand boy, but work was work.
“What you say, Slade?” Eli’s question startled me. I needed to quit spacing out.
“Sounds great,” I told him with as much fake enthusiasm as I could muster.
“If things work out, and you decide you’d like to learn about tending bar, I am sure we can get Jordan to teach you when there are lulls in business. That would mean you’d get tipped on your own, rather than whatever the bartenders throw your way.”
Well, shit, now he had my attention. I hadn’t realized tips would be part of this made-up barback gig. Sign me the hell up! If I paid attention and did a good job, I could pay Jack back and not have to borrow any more money from him.
“I can start whenever you’d like,” I told him.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Eli chuckled, and I got the feeling I’d just walked into a trap. “If you’re free tonight, we’ll go back to my office and do some paperwork. Then, you can help Jordan finish setting up for the night. It’s probably going to be too slow to need you up front, but there are some odd jobs that keep getting pushed aside lately. You game?”
“I’ll do whatever you need,” I said through gritted teeth. This had definitely been a trap, and I was a sucker. Still, it wasn’t like I had many other prospects on the horizon.
As I followed Eli to his office, I pulled out my phone and sent Jack a quick text.
You’ll be happy to know I’m officially employed.
His response came instantly.
I’m proud of you. I take it things went well with Eli? I shouldn’t have to stay here too late tonight. You want me to pick you up at your place so we can celebrate?
Hell yes, I wanted to spend more time with him. Unfortunately, I’d agreed to work. I could ask Eli how long he wanted me to stay, but that probably wouldn’t go over well on my first shift.
Can’t. Eli’s putting me right to work. Raincheck?
After I sent the message, I remembered Jack saying he’d be busy all weekend at his own club. This sucked.
