One by one, I work my way down the counter. I don’t make small talk; just ask them what they’re drinking, fulfill the order and take the payment. Only when I reach Abraham do I smile.
“What can I get you?” I ask him, letting out a soft sigh.
“Just another beer, darling.” He tilts his head to the side as I reach into the cooler and pull out not one but two bottles and place them in front of me. “You okay? And I just wanted one.” He winks.
“I know, but I need to head upstairs and talk to the boss, and I didn’t want you to wait for me to get back if you wanted another.” I smile wider, but I don’t feel the happiness that should accompany it. “The second one is on the house.”
Abraham reaches out, placing his hand on top of mine. “You’re too good for this place and for whoever has put that frown on your face.”
“I guess.” With that, I turn and make my way down the bar, giving Jennalyn my best fuck you face.
She shifts her head just slightly, her attention shifting from the men to me. “Where are you going?”
I choose to use Hank’s words he had for me on her. “None of your business,” I snap as I keep moving, leaving her all alone to work this bar. “You’ve already left once and now you’re doing it again,” she bites back at me, as she turns to face me, her hands on her hips.
“I don’t see how that matters when all you’ve been doing is whoring yourself out to the highest bidder. Get a fucking reality check.” With those words I go back to my mission. There’s no way in hell I’m working with her a second longer. She continues to shout at me, but I tune her out, raising my hand above my head, flipping her off before I disappear into the crowd.
My eyes roam the floor as I head for the stairs, checking to see if either Bash or Javier are on the floor, but I don’t see them. I know at least one of them is here, both would be the optimal choice.
When I get to the top of the stairs, I let my eyes make one final sweep of the club. From here I can see everything, even the bitch behind the bar, who still isn’t filling anyone’s orders. Shaking my head I turn back around, breathe deeply and lift my hand, knocking loudly on the door.
“Come in,” is shouted deeply from the other side. With the music blaring and the voice being muffled slightly by the door, I’m not sure who said it.
Taking hold of the handle, I turn the knob and open it. I keep my eyes down as I step into the office. Only then do I glance up, and see Bash behind his desk and Javier sitting on the corner of it.
“Vee, how can we help you?” Bash asks, as he continues with what he’s doing on his laptop.
I bite on my lower lip, suddenly hating that I’m basically being a tattletale. But then I remember the fact she hasn’t done shit and all that guilt slips away.
“Not sure if you can,” I whisper.
“How do you know that?” Javier questions as he gestures his hand toward the chair in front of the desk. “Sit down and tell us what’s on your mind.”
I sit down slowly, take a deep breath and then spill my guts, the words falling from my mouth quicker than I can say them.“I can’t keep working with the new girl. If she stays, then I’m quitting.”
Bash slams his hand down on his desk as he finally lifts his head and looks at me. “What the hell?”
“Slow down, Vee. Let’s not do anything rash. You’ve been workin’ for us for a long time. What’s going on with you and Jennalyn?”
“What’s not happening? She’s lazy and doesn’t do any work. Disappears for periods of time doing God only knows what. Ignores the customers and spends more time flirting than anything else. I can’t work like this. I’ve tried to ignore it, but I can’t any longer.” I blurt out everything I’ve been feeling in a cliff note version.
Bash leans back in his chair, his hands lying flat on his desk as he stares right at me, like he’s trying to decide if I’m overreacting to what’s been going on. Javier shifts on the desk, angling his body toward me so that he can see Bash without having to look over his shoulder.
“How long has this been going on?” Javier asks.
“I’ve only worked with her recently, but it’s been every shift that we’re on together. I really tried to just push through, hoping she’d get better, but I can’t. If she continues working here then I’m officially giving my two weeks’ notice tonight.”
“Do you think it’s something that could be worked out with us addressing shit with her?” Bash asks, and I wish I could give him the answer he wants to hear. With Ash out, he really needs to have two bartenders who can work regular shifts with some of the waitresses and club members filling in to take up the slack.
“I wish I could, Bash. But I can’t work with her.”
“Can you humor me and give it a shot?” Bash asks.
If he wasn’t a great boss and my best friend's man, it would be a definite no. But I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. But I’m not guaranteeing anything.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.” Javier laughs as he stands. Bash and I stand with him, and we make our way to the door.
We step out the door, and Bash stops at the top of the stairs. His eyes focus on the bar, the one Jennalyn should be at working. Which is now unmanned.
