I tip my head back, steeling my expression so I can focus on my job and not wanting to put a fist in this guy’s face. “I’ll come check on you in a few minutes. Enjoy your meal.”
“Are you married, Courtney? Dating someone special?” Billy’s voice is grating my nerves to a fine dust.
I shake my head and turn my attention to the rest of the table. “I’ll get you another drink,” I say to the guy on the other side of Billy.
“I take it you’re not. You’re missing out, Courtney,” he says with emphasis on my name. “I doubtany girl would love you when you have to work at a place like this to survive.”
“I’m not sure what you need from me. A feeling like you’re one up on me? Or to feel superior? I’m just trying to do my job and live, Billy.” I pause as I stare at him for several seconds, trying to regulate my nervous system.
Most of what he’s said isn’t bad, but that last barb won’t come out.
“We apologize for him,” the one with the toupee says.
Billy shakes his head. “No, no apologies needed. People shouldn’t be coddled in life.”
Toupee man stands up and throws his napkin on the table, shaking his head at Bill. “I’ve heard enough. I’m out.” He turns to look at me and says, “Can I pay my portion now?”
I nod and wave for him to follow.
After several deep breaths, I’ve got the ticket printed and ready for Mr. Toupee. He fills out the tip and signs it before handing it over to me.
“Sir, this is too much.” The tip is triple the cost of his food.
“No, it’s perfect for what you had to put up with. You stood up for yourself, and I admire that. I’m Blaine Sturgeon with Warrior Lacrosse. If you ever need anything, kid, give me a call.”
He pulls out a business card and hands it to me.
“That’s why you look familiar.” He’d been at one of the bigger tables at FanFest with gear on it for the kids.
Laughing, he says, “It was a great event your club put on this weekend.”
I smile. “Clark Denton started that idea. We just rolled with it.”
Blaine gives me a soft smile and nods. “Well, thank you again for your hospitality and how you handled yourself back there.” He pats me on the shoulder before walking out of the restaurant.
I blow out a breath and print out the other three tickets. By the time I’m back at the table, it’s borderline chaos with yelling and red faces. I’m not sure if I should approach cautiously or come back later.
One guy sees me and waves a card out to me.
“Here’s my card. You can pay for me and him,” the guy says, pointing to the one sitting next to Billy. “Billy can pay for himself.”
Billy’s eyes narrow at me, and he takes out his wallet, setting a card on top of the bill.
I run their cards and take them back for signatures, clearing a few dishes to make it easier for when they leave.
“I can’t believe you couldn’t keep your mouth shut for a few minutes so we could get the deal done, Billy,” the man across the table says.
“Well, Mark, you’re my agent. You’re supposedto close it.”
Mark shakes his head. “You’re a great lacrosse player, Billy, but a terrible human being. You’re not a child, and yet no one would know because you threw a fit in a business meeting and ran off a potential sponsor.”
I walk away as they continue to point fingers. And while I’m still a little bugged by Billy, at least there’s turmoil in his own life. I guess things aren’t always better on the other side.
The men leave, and I get a nice tip from the man who paid for two dinners, and a big fat zero on Billy’s tip line. At least he paid for the entree, though.
I’ve never been more ready to head home in my life.
CHAPTER 29
