Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LINCOLN
Group text with Atlas, Xander, Declan, and Lincoln
Lincoln:
Need someone to cover my shift today.
Atlas:
Again?
Declan:
Today as in right now?
Xander:
This is becoming a habit, man.
Lincoln:
So is pretending I can win an argument with my wife.
Xander:
Not even remotely the point. Who else is on shift?
Lincoln:
Just me and Brooks.
Declan:
Oh cool, the guy who set off the alarm three times in one day. I’m sure that’ll be fine.
Xander:
He’s a solid pour, but that kid’s scattered as fuck.
Lincoln:
It’s Monday. Mondays are graveyard slow.
I just need a warm body with enough brain cells to keep the lights on and not pour vodka into the fry oil.
Atlas:
Can’t. Training camp runs until 4.
Declan:
I’ve got back to backs all day.
Xander:
I’m at the firehouse till 8 AM tomorrow.
Tell me again why you need to bail mid-shift?
Lincoln:
Because I have a thing.
Atlas:
What kind of thing?
Lincoln:
Nothing bad. I just need the time.
Declan:
So vague. So very vague.
Xander:
Do we need to be concerned or just incredibly fucking annoyed?
Atlas:
Just call Tasha and see if she can come in.
Lincoln:
On her day off? Dick move.
Declan:
You texted all of us on OUR days off
Lincoln:
Yeah, because this is YOUR bar. We don't pay Tash enough to be on call for our bullshit.
Declan:
So you admit this is bullshit
Lincoln:
It's not bullshit. It's Willa.
Atlas:
What's going on?
Lincoln:
She's got deliveries today, and her back's acting up.
Xander:
She's doing them by herself? Why??
Lincoln:
Because she's stubborn as a fucking mule.
Atlas:
Text Laurel. See if she can help.
Lincoln:
Run the bar??
Declan:
Pretty sure he means help Willa with deliveries, dipshit
Lincoln:
Genius move
Willa:
You want to tell me why tf Laurel showed up as soon as I pulled up to the bakery and started hauling shit like she’s being paid for it?
Lincoln:
Because she’s being paid for it.
Willa:
Wtf, jackass? Are you serious right now?
Lincoln:
Dead serious. That girl negotiates like a mob boss.
Willa:
I don’t have the cash flow to pay another employee! That’s the entire reason I’m in this nightmare marriage in the first place.
Lincoln:
Don’t worry about it, wife.
Willa:
Don’t worry about it? DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT? This is MY business.
Lincoln:
And you’re MY wife. Just making sure you don’t break before I can return you.
Willa:
You are the fucking worst.
Lincoln:
And yet.
Here we are.
Legally wed.
Full tax benefits.
Willa:
I’m going to tie you to the bed and smother you in your sleep
Lincoln:
Kinky. Text it slower next time.