Chapter 12
TWELVE
EVERLY
I wish this night were uneventful, but between the encounter with Hux and the fact that I have very limited waitressing experience, not to mention the two martinis I just spilled on a customer’s lap because Hux merely walked by me, there are no positives.
“You okay, girl? You seem a bit jiggy?” Elle side-eyes me as she pours me a new martini.
“Oh, you mean I am not supposed to dump people’s drinks on their laps? I had no idea.” Sarcasm rolls off my tongue too quickly. It’s not Elle’s fault, it’s not even Alex’s fault, though I would love to blame her for this mess. It’s my own.
Why on earth did I allow myself to become so spun up by the very minimal attention that “Hux All Mighty” has given me?
I’m sure it was out of boredom anyway, or worse, pity.
I know his kind, I have dated his kind, and clearly, there is something psychologically wrong with me because of my inability to keep my distance from this specific type of species.
“Well, if you think it’s going to increase your tips, I think you might be mistaken,” she says with a warm smile. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say this mood of yours has something to do with our favorite backward hat-wearing broody boss?”
“First of all, he is not my boss.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I should have locked the office door, that’s all.” I look down at my fingers and pick my nails, a habit I still haven’t fully kicked.
“Wait, did something happen? Because I may love him, but I’ll kick his ass if he was inappropriate with you.” Elle quickly turns dead-serious and protectiveness has entered the chat. I didn’t think I could love her more until this moment. It makes me smile.
“No, he didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t want to talk about it. I want to finish my shift, go home, curl up with one of my comfort movies, and forget tonight ever happened.” I grab my newly poured martini and deliver it safely, apologizing again for my clumsiness.
The only thing I’m thankful for is that Hux seems to have occupied himself elsewhere; it has been a while since our paths crossed.
The restaurant has mostly emptied out, and the bar has quieted considerably.
Hopefully, he’s decided Elle and I can handle closing up on our own and has called it a night, or maybe he’s headed to bed with Ashlee.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, it makes me feel nauseous. I quickly brush the thought away, determined to get through the rest of the night without any more disasters. I am emotionally and physically drained, and I have no energy for games.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly.
It will be only another hour or so before I’ll be back at Mr. Croft’s house waiting to give Alex an earful in the morning.
Gathering up some empty beer bottles from a high top, I walk back to the bar to see what else needs to be done.
I pass by the darkened hallway that leads to the bathrooms.
That’s when I hear it.
Quiet but very obnoxious giggles coming from the far end of the hall.
I take three slow steps backward, peering into the hallway and waiting for my eyes to adjust. It’s not the first time since working here that I’ve witnessed some messy, drunken make-out sessions in this location.
It seems to be a popular spot, always leaving me wondering why they don’t at least go outside.
There are plenty of trees to get it on behind out there.
But this time, it’s me gasping for air like a fish out of water.
Hux’s back is to me, a woman I recognize from a table in the other waiter’s section pushed up against the wall, a similar situation to the one I found myself in with him just the other night.
The woman lightly nibbles at his jawline, her tongue running over his stubble as she whispers in his ear.
She emits a hushed laugh that I’m sure is meant to be seductive but, instead, makes me cringe.
I just stand there; I can’t move. This time there are no tears, I am not hurt, I am pissed.
Fiery hot, blinding rage, mad. I shouldn’t be shocked, and I am, which makes me that much madder.
No matter how much I tried to keep my guard up, it slipped, and I let a tiny bit of myself believe he was feeling something for me.
My mistake.
I slam my bussing bin down on the bar, giving Big Earl a bit of a jump, but not enough to wake him from his normal Friday night drunken stupor.
“Easy now, we wouldn’t want Earl here to actually become conscious, would we?” Elle jokes, but when she sees my face, her smile vanishes. “Now what? ”
At that moment, Hux and the woman walk out of the hallway, Hux cautiously scanning the room as he adjusts his shirt.
Our eyes lock, and I swear, the hate radiating from my body is nuclear.
Quickly, he looks away and places his hand on the small of her back to usher her toward the front lobby and out of sight.
“Oh, Everly, I’m sor—” I throw my hand up to stop Elle from finishing that sentence. I don’t need pity. At this moment, all I want is to erase the last month.
Not missing a beat, she grabs a bottle of Anderson’s finest tequila off the shelf behind her and pours a shot. Must be nice , I think to myself.
“Listen,” she says in a hushed tone, “If you tell anyone I let you do this, I won’t be responsible for what I do to you.
I need this job, but I realize you might need this more.
” She slides the shot behind my bussing bucket and straight into my hand.
Looking over my shoulder to make sure no one is paying attention, I quickly down the shot like water and relish in the burn as it slides down my throat.
I give Elle an appreciative smile as I slide the glass back, and she refills it. This process continues until the chairs are stacked, the lights have been dimmed, and the room around me seems a little fuzzy. The warm liquor dilutes my anger for the time being.
“Better?” Elle asks as she closes out the cash till.
“Much!” I say with a goofy smile on my face.
“Well, don’t get used to it, this was a one-time deal.
I am no stranger to heartbreak, and guys like Hux were made to do some serious damage, but never again, understand?
” She puts her hand on mine, giving it a light squeeze.
It might have only been a month since I met Elle, but I already know she is someone who I hope stays in my life forever.
“Understoodth,” I say, giggling at my slurred speech .
Elle rolls her eyes. “All right, I need to straighten up out back and do some restocking for tomorrow. Stay here, and I will drive you home once I’m done. I mean it, don’t leave your seat. Got it?”
“Yes, boss,” I say, saluting her before a fit of giggles attacks again. Elle rolls her eyes for the second time, grabbing a rack of dirty glasses and disappearing out back.
I pull out my phone while I wait, scrolling through social media, something I’ve barely done since being here.
I see that Hannah is enjoying her time eating her way through Italy.
Her carefree spirit comes through her photos as she laughs with jelly on her lips and a pastry in her hand.
There’s another photo of her on the beach with a handsome Italian man kissing her cheek.
Her skin is sun-kissed and a little sandy.
I also take a moment to check in on Josh, my adorable, kindhearted lacrosse player. His feed is full of shirtless rugby games and tailgating with his buddies. In my buzzed state of mind, I send him a quick text.
It looks like you’re enjoying your summer and haven’t been skipping the gym.
I follow up with the kissy emoji and hit send before even thinking about how flirty that probably comes off.
At this point, I don’t care. My body feels warm, I feel happy, and who cares if Hux doesn’t want me, I can think of two guys who would be ecstatic to have me knocking on their door, one of them right down the road…
My phone dings, alerting me of a new notification. Josh. I can’t help but smile when I see his name.
My summer would be much better if you were here with me. Glad you noticed my hard work. Miss you, cutie.
Well, there it is. This is exactly why people advise against texting when drunk.
Unfortunately, I’m a repeat offender. Alex has had to forcefully remove my phone from my fingers a time or two, especially when it comes to Austin.
This could be considered one of those times, but then again, Alex has always been completely mystified by my uninterest in Josh.
She would probably be cheering me on if she was here.
That’s the thing though, she’s not, so this can be blamed on her. It’s all her fault.
Well, you know where to find me, Aurora Lake, Maine. Middle of nowhere but come for a visit, I am sure I can show you a good time.
I add another playful emoji and then click my phone off, setting it facing down on the bar since my head is starting to spin a bit. I have a feeling I’ll put the nail in my coffin if I puke on the bar, so it’s best to stay off screens.
I drum my fingers on the bar, getting antsy.
I need to pee, so I make an exception to Elle’s rule and jump down from my barstool, swaying a bit and using the bar to steady myself.
Another eruption of giggles comes out of my mouth as I swing my bag over my shoulder.
I turn to head to the bathroom when I walk straight into a large body.
For a split second, my heart skips at the thought of Hux.
My heart is such a fucking traitor. Quickly, I realize this doesn’t feel right.
The smell of this man’s shirt isn’t of pine and lake water but of too strong cologne.
His shoes are Reebok, and his button-up shirt is tucked into his belted jeans.
“Oh, uh, excuse me,” I say without looking up, hoping to conceal the fact that I am anything but sober.