Chapter 7
Allegra
Dex is sitting in his office, looking at the schedule, when I post up in the doorframe.
He looks up and smiles. “You’re early.”
“I got two people situated in their new homes today,” I tell him proudly about my NGO work.
He holds out a fist and I step closer, bump my knuckles against his.
“What’s the schedule look like?” I ask.
“I moved your shift. Wednesday instead of Tuesday.”
I roll my eyes.
“You gotta study for that statistics exam,” he reminds me.
At his concern, the stress I’ve been carrying around all week, the nerves that tightened and held, building pressure in my chest, release. Derek showed up on campus again, for the fourth time in two weeks, to hand me a coffee. To make small talk. To see me.
Today, he even had a little brown bag with a doughnut in it. I don’t know what his angle is. I barely give him the time of day and still, he appears. What’s worse is I find myself looking for him, hoping he’ll surprise me.
I clearly have issues I need to work through.
I let out a long exhale and plop down in the chair in front of Dex’s desk.
“What’s going on?” he asks, leaning back in his chair.
It’s strange how in only two weeks, Dex can read me better than Levi could for the past few years. Better than my parents. In that way, he reminds me of Buck.
I scrunch my nose, trying to quell the emotion that ripples behind my face at the thought of my old friend. Buck was a true friend.
“My ex is back in town,” I admit, being candid with Dex. Again, he reminds me of Buck and the night Buck took me out for a burger and milkshake while I nursed some of my Derek-inflicted wounds.
That should have been a sign. A big, giant, red fucking flag.
Dex’s eyebrows draw together. “He harassing you? Giving you a hard time?”
“No, no.” I shake my head. “Nothing like that. He just… Hell, he’s not even an ex. More like a summer fling gone wrong.”
Dex snorts.
“He unnerves me,” I admit. “He’s popped by campus a few times to talk to me. Seeing him again…”
“Rattles you?”
“Yeah.”
“Because you still have feelings for him?”
I shrug. Will I ever not have feelings for Derek? Highly unlikely. “I’m pissed at him.”
Dex barks out a laugh. “I’d hate to be on the end of your ire, Allegra. But, this guy, he gonna be a problem?”
“No,” I say. “Not the way you’re thinking.
I’m just…a little out of sorts today. I wasn’t expecting him to show up on campus, and my friends are icing me out because of how many times I dropped plans with them,” I sigh.
Sometimes, talking to Dex is like going to confession.
I tell him all the messed-up things I’ve done, and he gives me honest advice, devoid of judgement.
After our chats, I feel better, even if I don’t do the penance and make things right straightaway.
“Why’d you skip out on them?” He straightens in his chair and clicks the back of his pen. His gaze is more curious than anything else.
I shrug. “Last week, I overslept and missed a run. This week…” I shrug. “I forgot we made lunch plans.”
Dex huffs, knowing I’m not giving him the whole story. I don’t want to admit that I cut class and grabbed a liquid lunch of the alcoholic variety with some randoms I met at Beirut. “Want my advice?”
I wave a hand at him to continue.
“This thing with your ex, it will blow over one way or the other. Is he back in town because of you?”
“I think so,” I admit. I know he has his new whiskey label, but Derek has his fingers in a lot of pies. More important than any business venture is his music, and he always heads home to Boston to work on it.
Why else would he stick around in LA, keep showing up on campus, and learn my class schedule, if not to annoy me?
I tilt my head, a new thought emerging. Maybe he stayed in town to apologize? Now that he’s gotten it out of the way, gave me his peace offering of a coffee and doughnut, will he bounce?
“Well,” Dex continues, pulling me from my Derek-centered thoughts.
What else is new? “If he’s here for you, he’ll either win you back or piss off when he learns there’s no shot.
” Dex chuckles and points at me. “That depends on how you handle stuff with him. But it will blow over. On the other hand, your friends… You don’t want to lose that, Allegra.
Friends should always come first, especially if they’re good friends who have your back. ”
“They are,” I confirm.
“Then stop worrying about the guy and make things right with your girls.” He glances down at the schedule. “You need your Friday night shift?”
I shake my head. “Not if tonight is solid.”
Dex makes a change on the schedule. “Then you’re off. Go out with your girls.”
“Okay,” I laugh. “I will.” I stand from the chair. “Thanks, Dex.”
“Anytime. And hey”—he catches my attention before I turn—“I’m proud of you. Two people settled today; that’s great work, A.”
I grin. “Thanks. I’m happy for them.”
“You should be.” He reaches into a drawer in his desk and tosses me a black, half-apron. “Tonight’s gonna be slammed. Make your money because I don’t want to see your face again until next week, after you ace that exam.”
I nod, gripping the apron in my right hand. “All right. Thanks, Dex.”
“See ya later, kid.”
I leave his office and move toward the room that houses staff lockers. I stow my belongings and quickly change into my uniform. Tying the apron around my waist, I stop in front of the mirror to fix my hair and swipe on some lip gloss.
I like working at Beirut. It’s a fun environment, it’s good money, and Dex has proven to be a solid mentor. In a way, he’s stepping into the shoes my father never filled. He’s giving my bullshit boundaries while not cutting my rope too much.
It should piss me off; instead, I look forward to it. I like that I can talk to him about anything. I like that he reminds me of Buck. Sometimes, I imagine Buck sent him to me, a kind, generous, father figure to keep me in check.
Pleased with my appearance, I move out to the floor. Within thirty minutes, my tables are packed, and the bar is three-deep with customers. I grin. Tonight will be a solid shift, taking the pressure off so I can enjoy Friday night out with my friends.
I hustle my entire shift. When Beirut shuts down at 3 a.m., I breathe a sigh of relief and collapse against one of my tables.
“How’d you do, girl?” Devy calls out.
I mentally calculate the last round of checks I closed out. “I cleaned up.”
Devy cheers. “Tonight was solid.”
“Went by fast,” Luis remarks.
I move toward the bar and slide onto a barstool. Devy fills me a glass of water. The crew assembles and we close out our registers, move to the lockers, gather our belongings, and say good night.
I don’t see Dex again; he must have left already.
Luis walks me to my car, and I thank him for looking out.
“Drive safe, mama,” he tells me, giving a mock salute.
I slip behind the steering wheel and turn the ignition. Leaning my head against the headrest, I close my eyes and suck in an inhale. Then, I find my phone in my bag and pull up the group chat.
Me: Sorry again about lunch. I know I flaked, and it was shitty of me. I’m not working Friday night. Drinks? First round is on me…
I don’t expect anyone to respond right away since it’s 3:30 a.m. so when my phone beeps, I’m surprised.
I glance at the screen.
Derek: You get home okay?
I sigh, shaking my head. Now, he’s relentless? What about all summer when I was desperate for any morsel of attention he would drop my way?
I consider not responding but I know he knows I read his message. Not wanting him to think he affects me, I tap out a reply.
Me: On my way home now.
Derek: It’s late.
No shit. I roll my eyes.
Derek: Why didn’t you tell me you’re cocktail serving?
Me: Didn’t figure that out when you were pulling up my class schedule? Your game is weak sauce, Reign.
Derek: Message me when you get home.
Me: No. Stop bothering me.
Derek: Can’t.
I snort and toss my phone into the cupholder. Then, I turn up the volume on a song I like and drive to my studio apartment.
As soon as I flip on the lights, a text comes through, making my phone buzz in my hand.
Derek: …
Argh! He is so infuriating!
Me: I’m home! Happy now?
Derek: Sweet dreams, Stellina.
I glare at the screen, fuming. It’s what he whispered in my ear before slipping from my life. What the hell is Derek playing at?
I plug in my phone, set my alarm, and get ready for bed. When I wake in the morning, I’m relieved to see messages from my friends.
Nova: You’re forgiven, you little gremlin. We all know I can’t resist a dirty martini.
Ivy: Let’s do Chance? They have a great happy hour… We can start early!
Kenny: As long as we eat too. I won’t be able to hang if we don’t eat.
Nova: We’ll eat! We’ll drink! Let’s just be merry!
Kenny: Meet there at 5 p.m.?
Ivy: Can we make it 6? I’ve got a hair appointment…
Nova: DO NOT get your hair blown out for drinks. Then, you’ll look better than me…
Ivy: I always look better than you, biotch. But it’s highlights!
Nova: Ooh! Blonde or caramel?
Ivy: Caramel.
Nova: I love! So jelly right now.
Kenny: Can’t wait to see it, Ivy!
Ivy: Allegra, you in?
I reply instantly.
Me: I’m so in! Can’t wait to see your new hair, Ives! And yes, happy hour at Chance at 6. XO
Nova: YAY! I’m so excited! We needed a girls’ night like yesterday.
Me: Truth. Friday!!
Placing down my phone, I move to shower and dress for the day. But there’s a bounce in my step and a lightness in my soul.
Dex was right. Making things right with my friends is most important. Already, I feel better than I have in days. In fact, I can’t wait until Friday night with my girls.
Hopefully, they can take my mind off Derek.