“Good morning yourself, Chester. Have a great day,” I say as I continue walking towards the locker room. Chester and I started around the same time. He has joked at Christmas parties that he would love to be a playmate but he can’t have no one giving him instructions in the bedroom. Ever since he made that joke, I remember it whenever I see him and it makes me laugh. Funny, the things that stick in your brain about someone.
When I get to the locker room, I hang up my bag with my jacket on the same coat-hanger. No one bothers with the actual lockers because everything is safe. Nothing gets stolen because everyone can afford to buy whatever they want. Casey is already here. I can see his helmet is on the shelf, next to his leather jacket hanging on the rack. I hear someone open thedoor and look up to see Casey standing in the doorway. “Oh, good, you’re here,” he says, pleased to see me.
“Good morning to you too,” I laugh back at him wondering what is going on as he looks all kinds of riled up.
“Sorry Sophie, good morning. Can you make lunch today? I need to speak to you.”
“I can make lunch today. Is everything ok?” I ask in concern.
“It’s fine, I just know we can’t discuss our playmate jobs when we are amongst the members and I need to discuss the job I took last night.”
“Did anything bad happen?” I ask in alarm.
“Oh no, no nothing like that. The opposite actually. Fuck this woman is messing with my head and I can’t stop thinking about her and I don’t know what I am doing.”
“Ok, calm down. I know exactly what you are talking about and it’s going to be fine. Some members we just work really well with and enjoy them a little more than others which is simultaneously a perk and a curse. Take a deep breath, playboy, and I’ll make it all better after work I promise.”
“Shit, ok thanks Sophie. I’m a mess. I feel like I’m one bad decision away from looking her up and tracking her down.”
“Let me save you from yourself, we have work to do now and then I’m taking you to lunch. Please try and behave until then. I like you, I don’t want you to get fired because you illegally looked up a member and turned up on her doorstep half naked with a rose between your teeth.”
“I wouldn’t!” Casey gasps. “Well, those rose thorns are sharp, it is never going anywhere near my mouth.”
“But the rest is ok?” I say sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.
“Well she said she liked seeing me naked, sooo…”
“Honey, she is probably at home, married with two pointfour kids and a Dalmatian for all you know. Try and tame down the big feelings and gestures until at least after our shift, ok?”
“Ok,” sighs Casey as I spin him around and follow him out of the door. We are walking up to the Marion Cafe when he whispers under his breath, “Hey look, it’s that guy again. Does he literally come every day?” Casey nods at the man standing by the bar, smiling and waiting for us to open the cafe/bar.
“Shhh, don’t be rude, he’s one of my favourite customers,” I whisper under my breath.
“Hi Tye, would you like your usual?” I ask as we set about opening up and switch the coffee machine on.
“That’ll be great, thank you.”
“I don’t think you’ve been introduced to Casey, Casey this is Tye, my favourite member,” I smile brightly back at Tye who stands in his cream trousers and navy polo shirt, his light brown hair ruffled and unruly on top. “Tye this is Casey, he is now my 9-1pm working partner in the Marion. He’s been here for just over six months,” I wink at Tye, who understands that I mean he’s only just been let in on the playmate secret. “And he makes a delicious cappuccino if, on occasion, I am not here.”
“Good to meet you, Casey,” Tye holds out his hand for Casey to shake. “I can’t find anyone who can make me a better coffee than our Sophie here. I’m getting to the point where I can’t start the day without a brew poured by the hand of this beautiful woman,” Tye compliments playfully, I know he’s a flirt, he’s just being his true authentic self.
“Stop, you’re embarrassing me,” I complain as I playfully reach out and swat at Tye, who flashes me a smile that is all charm. “You’re early and I need to warm this old girl up before she can brew you your addiction.” I laugh as Tye’s eyebrow raises. “Go take a seat and I’ll bring it over,” I say, shooing him over to the seats as I begin moving around the register and switching everything on.
“Thank you, sorry, please don’t rush on my behalf,” says Tye, putting a hand against his chest. I guesstimate he is younger than me, maybe in his late twenties but oozes the charm of someone older. He’s not smarmy or obnoxious, he’s self-aware and charming. He always says the right thing and makes me feel at ease. I like that about him. Because there are also plenty of people who can treat us like we are supposed to be there to serve them, it makes me feel like they’re looking down on us. Most people aren’t like that, but I have come across a few of the younger guys who haven’t earnt their money and think we are there to be at their beck and call. It all just feels yucky and I have my dickhead antenna raised whenever those types of guys are around. I can tell Tye comes from money, everyone here has money. His money is not earned is my guess, given his age. But I’d expect he comes from a wealthy family, judging by his easiness around here. Someone taught him well and I’m glad for it.
When Tye is out of earshot, Casey asks me under his breath, “Does he play golf every day?”
“I don’t think so, he doesn’t look like he’s dressed for golf. My guess is he comes in for coffee and meetings or something.”
“Or to see you.”
“No,” I rebuff. “It’s nothing like that, he’s just a nice guy, one of the good guys, like you.” I laugh at his unconvinced frown.
“I’m not sure. He’s been in every day. Seems unusual.”
“Not unusual, you’ll get used to all the members and their different quirks. Then tell me how you feel about Tye.”
“Fair. Nice guy, ok got it.” Casey shrugs, dropping the subject.
