Whenever Derek gets his feelings hurt, he threatens to kick me out. Which he could do because my name isn’t on the lease. Which also means I have no credit, and there’s no record of me living there despite paying half the rent. Another reason why I can’t just walk away.
“Of course, I missed you,” I argue. “I still don’t know what I did to make you so angry, and when you didn’t come home, I sent you thirteen text messages apologizing and asking you to come back.”
“I went to Jason’s to watch the fights.”
“Oh. Did you guys…have a good time?” I ask hesitantly, hoping to placate him with the question and not stoke his ire.
Derek prattles on about his night, not caring at all that I’m at work. I don’t dare interrupt, though.
After five minutes or so of trying to make me jealous over his night, Derek and I’s conversation gets interrupted when Talon calls from the doorway.
“Hey, Zeke? I need you for a second.”
“Who the fuck is that?” Derek snaps on the other end of the line, having heard Talon’s statement.
“Just a new employee. I’ve gotta run. Let’s talk when I get home, okay?”
“I’m not interested in talking, but you can work on paying those bills,” he says, making me cough to cover up a dry heave at the thought of sucking his dick after last night.
Hanging up, I follow Talon outside, where he meant tocheck someone in and accidentally deleted their reservation instead.
At least it’s an easy fix because my mind is still reeling from the fact that he said he needed me. Even if it was just to fix this silly problem, no one haseverneeded me, and it’s left me feeling oddly peaceful despite knowing what’s waiting for me at home.
Chapter 5
Talon
Aweek later, I’m tasked with shadowing one of the servers. Hayden is very nice, but he makes serving overly complicated. I mentally check out forty-five minutes into the shift, my mind immediately wandering outside to the host stand.
I can’t help but wonder if Zeke’s warm enough. Is he hungry? Do his eyes still look tired? I’ve been here for three hours, and he hasn’t come inside once. The problem with having high empathy for others is that it’s often hard to enjoy myself or be fully present if I suspect a need isn’t being met. And something tells me Zeke has several needs that fit theunfulfilledcategory.
By the time it’s my turn for a break, I head straight for the coffeepot in the kitchen, pour two to-go cups of the piping hot liquid, taking care to doctor one up with two creams and one sugar, and head outside.
The wind is whipping wickedly today, which seems to be the norm this season.
“Delivery!” I yell over the wind, holding the cup out.
His eyes flash with gratitude before he feigns annoyance.
“Talon, I appreciate it, but you don’t have to bring me coffee every day,” he says, raising the cup to his lips.
I keep my smile to myself. His words say ‘don’t,’ but the way he’s gripping the cup tells me he’s dying for someone to care.
“How’s the play coming along?”
His eyes widen in surprise as though he didn’t expect me to remember.
“Um, good. Really good. It’s my first leading role, so that’s really cool.” His answer feels honest, but he’s still holding back.
“So, what about it is bothering you?” I ask, hoping he’ll talk through it with me. Perhaps this is what’s had him so tense and stressed recently.
His eyes snap to mine, and he huffs a laugh. “That obvious, huh?”
“To someone paying attention,” I clarify.
A group of four steps to his host stand, and I’m annoyed when Zeke has to check them in. We werejustgetting somewhere.
When he finishes, he takes another sip of coffee, and I try to get him back on track before my break is over.
