“No!” I shouted. Heat flooded my face, but I backtracked. “You can’t close it with hockey and basketball playoffs. Plus, it’s baseball season!”
“I could be gone for weeks.”
“So? We’ll manage.”
Charlie eyed me, his dark hair falling over his face. “You that desperate for a job?”
“Honestly? Yes. Tonight was the best I’ve felt in months. Plus, if your daughter comes to live here, you can’t be working all these nights anymore. You’ll have to pass it off, and what bettertime than now? Alex and I can handle it. We might have to close during the day, but we could adjust our hours.”
“She’s not wrong, Charlie.” Alex nodded and met my eyes. Their dark brown ones had a hint of gratitude in them, but they blinked it away. “Lux and I could figure it out. My roommate needs a side job—”
“And mine could also help! She’s on the dance team with me, and hell, we could get the whole dance team in here volunteering.”
“Okay, Barbie, calm yourself. I’m not working withdancers.”
“Why? Because their glitter would clash with your skull earrings?”
Alex barked out a laugh before masking their face. “We got it. I need the money, and Sunshine over here clearly needs something to do.”
“I do! I could create a spreadsheet with hours and extra shifts.”
“I can help.”
We all froze, Charlie’s eyes widening as he stared at his nephew. “What was that, Cal?”
“You need more people. The two of you can’t run this place alone.” He stood up, putting his hand in his pockets, and he shrugged. “I’m a quick learner. Good on my feet and I have exceptional balancing skills.”
“Yeah, yeah, we know you’re fucking drafted.” Alex groaned. “Don’t love this idea, but it’s not totally garbage.”
“Yes it is,” I blurted out, drawing all the attention. My face flamed, and I quickly came up with a hopefully valid reason why I said that. “He needs to uh, focus on Charlie. And his cousin! That’s right! You should go with!”
“No.”
“No.”
They both disagreed, which okay, guys, come on. But I chewed my lip and switched to another tactic. “But hockey practice!”
“Summer schedule. Nice try.” He met my eyes, and one side of his mouth lifted up. “I’m actually bored out of my mind, so yeah, working here and helping my uncle sounds great.”
“It’s not a shit idea.” Charlie looked at Cal for a full minute. “You do need to do more than sulk around and hit a puck.”
“Fuck off, I don’t just sulk.” Cal stood, his arms wide like the evidence of his words was hanging in the air.
“Right.” Charlie’s face relaxed as the idea seemed to take root. “This could work with you three,ifyou modify hours. I don’t love the idea of shutting the place down for a few weeks.”
“Then don’t.” Cal pointed at Alex. “We’re all capable.”
“You up for this, Elle? You’ve been here one night, and shit can get busy.” Charlie stared at me, a spark of hope behind his eyes.
“Yes. Hell yes, I am.” I smiled, putting my hand in the air palm down. “Team on three?”
“Put your hand away, you fucking weirdo.” Alex’s lips quirked as they said it. “When do you leave for Indiana?”
“The email said tomorrow.” He shook his head, the dazed look returning. “What am I gonna do with a fucking daughter?”
“Be her dad.” Cal shrugged, his jaw flexing on both sides. “What time are you leaving? Maybe we can meet here first and go over the plan?”
“Great idea. I need to get air. Go smoke.” Charlie fanned his shirt and jutted his chin toward the door. “All of you, go home. Be back here tomorrow at eight am. And, if you have any reservations about this, bring them. Once I leave, I’m not changing the plan.”
