“For sure.” Alex joined him and whistled. “This is great. What does it mean?”
Elle slowly turned around, her curled hair hanging down her back as she finally looked at me. There was a quick flash of hurt in her eyes before she grinned. “Did you get a tattoo, Calzone?”
Wait, what?
Her smiled looked genuine, her eyes filled with warmth. I didn’t understand. I shook my head and cleared my throat. She wasn’t… mad? What did that mean? “Uh, yes. It’s for my mom and dad. It’s based off artwork from the bands they listened to. Figured it was time I carried them with me.”
Charlie smiled and patted my back before returning to his table. Alex followed him, and Elle stared, her brown eyes taking in the design. She was so pretty it hurt. She made me want to try to open myself to feeling again. I wasn’t sure the hows or whats, but I knew I wantedher.But…she stared at me the way she used to, before we kissed, and everything changed. My breath hitched in my throat.
“This is beautiful.” She reached out her fingers, like she wanted to touch it, before letting her hand fall down. “How bad did the shading hurt?”
“It wasn’t fun.”
She scrunched her nose. “I couldn’t stomach the shading. I only got lettering, and that was bad enough. You’ll have to give me the artist’s name so I can have a person down here. It’s been about six months, and I’m itching for another.”
She went back to her seat, across from Charlie, and that left the open one next to her. I was confused as fuck. I was prepared for her to ice me out, to block me, tohateme. But this indifference? It was worse? Like maybe I’d made up the tears in her voice. Maybe she didn’t care about me at all?
The thought was sobering and sent a wave of panic.This is why I don’t feel.This feeling coursed through my veins, making my fists clench.
“Okay, team.” Charlie pushed out a sheet of paper with our names on it. “I plan to open back up for lunch on the weekendsandhire security. After Friday night, I don’t want any of you to deal with that again. I’ve already reached out to a buddy who owns a company. Starting Thursday, we’ll have someone at the door at all times.”
Then what can I do? Not be here with Elle?If I didn’t work at the bar, how would we see each other? Would she even want to? My pulse throbbed at the base of my neck, and I ground my teeth together to prevent myself from freaking out.
Charlie looked at me, his gaze narrowing. “You can stay on during the week if you want, Cal. But unless you wanna bartend, we don’t need you anymore.”
“I’ll do the weekdays.” Desperation made me sound needy. I didn’t care. This bar would mean Elle and I were connected. Weekdays were enough. Plus, once hockey started, my weekends were shot. “I can bartend too, if needed.”
He nodded, then turned to Elle. “Alex’s schedule hasn’t changed, but you don’t need to be here six days a week, Elle. Pick four.”
“Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.”
The weekend.I gulped, trying to catch her gaze, but she focused on my uncle.
Had she intentionally picked days I wouldn’t be here? Fuck. Or was it because she made more money then? I didn’t know. She wrote her name on the paper and passed it back to Charlie. The only day we’d both be here was Sunday—if I chose to work it.
My gut churned like I’d drunk sour milk. It happened once, made me throw up. Elle was being so chill that it drove me mad. We needed to talk… to figure out this dynamic.
“I’m also hoping Tina comes back from maternity leave soon. Once she’s back, she works every weekday, and we can finally get a balance. Now, I can’t do nights past six. Lizzie understands I need to work, but I want her feeling comfortable.”
“If there’s ever a night you need to be here, I’m happy to watch her for you.” Elle smiled at him. “I live two minutes away, and my roommate is on the dance team. We have more pom-poms and glitter than anyone should allow.”
“Thank you, Elle. I might take you up on that.”
“The offer is the same for me,” I blurted out, annoyed that she volunteered herself and not the two of us. “Anytime.”
Charlie frowned at me but nodded. My insides were going wild since Elle had gone off-script. I planned everything to say if she was furious at me, but this? She hadn’t looked at me since we sat down. Why? I really fucking needed to know.
“Tonight, I need you three here since the crowd might be bigger than normal. But after this week, the new schedule will take place.”
“I wasn’t sure if you closed for the Fourth, but I was hoping to be off.” Elle tapped her nails on the table. They were purple now, different than yesterday. She must’ve done it last night or this morning…when she thought I was with someone else.
“I’ll shut down. Lizzie wants to go to a pool party in our neighborhood.” He hit the table and laughed. “Look at me? Never thought I’d want to close for a day for a kid.”
“Your life is different now,” Alex said, a rare smile on their face. “Priorities change. Your wants change. Doesn’t take more than a moment.”
Charlie and Elle kept talking about the fourth plans, but Alex’s words hit me in the center of my chest.Doesn’t take more than a moment.My life had changed multiple times in a single moment. Losing my parents, meeting Elle, seeing Lizzie the first time. I wanted to be someone who Elle deserved. But now? I wasn’t sure if she’d ever want me. I ran a hand over my forehead, groaning.
“Late night?” Alex said, wiggling their brows and looking at Elle.
