Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Cassie
My back and feet still ache when I wake up the morning after the soft opening.
I allow myself to languish in bed for longer than usual—something I can do now the only schedule I have to adhere to is the Bowman’s work rota.
Speaking of the bar, my first shift went surprisingly well, even if it took me a minute to get into the swing of things.
Once I made it through the first wave of customers without any major incidents or anyone seeing through my Clark Kent-style disguise, my confidence grew.
I even felt a spark of enjoyment. It shouldn’t have taken me so long to place the emotion, but it took me by surprise.
How strange that back in Nashville, as the girl who had everything I felt so empty, but working in a bar in a town most people have never heard of, the heavy blanket muffling all my emotions is gradually lifting.
The only dark clouds over the night—aside from the literal rain clouds that rolled in at some point later in the evening—were Molly’s continued snotty attitude towards me and when I dropped that plate of food.
Luckily you don’t get anywhere in the entertainment industry without learning how to handle bitchy behaviour, and Mei assured me that my dropping a plate of food wasn’t the end of the world.
At first, I thought she was only saying that to make me feel better.
If I’d fumbled a prop that badly during one of my shows, Miranda would have read me the riot act, but even Austin didn’t give me a hard time about it.
I still can’t believe he offered me a ride.
Though I hate to admit it, the more I get to know Austin, the more tolerable, maybe even…
likeable he gets. My thoughts drift back to how good he looked holding the passenger side door of his SUV open for me.
Droplets of rain clung to the ends of his softly curling copper hair, and his Bowman’s t-shirt stretched tightly over his broad chest…
What the fuck? No. Hell no. I refuse to do something as idiotic and embarrassing as developing a crush on my new boss. Hard pass.
My phone buzzes with an incoming text, and my heart lightens when I see Bailey’s name on the screen.
Bailey:
How did your first shift go? Can you feel your feet yet?
Touched that she thought to check in on me, I’m quick to reply.
Me:
I survived!
I did drop a plate though. Don’t tell Liam. Also, you were totally right about the pen thing btw.
Molly ‘borrowed’ mine early in the shift and never returned it.
Luckily I’d done as Bailey advised and had a spare, otherwise I’d have been left with nothing to take down orders with.
What’s even more irritating is that later I saw her using a pen with my fucking Melody Night branding on it, so I can only imagine her taking mine was a pathetic attempt at sabotage.
Bailey:
your secret’s safe with me. Ffs there’s always a pen thief.
Me:
I’ll take your word for it. In this case I think it was less about the pen and more about annoying me.
Ooh spill the tea. Who do we hate?
Her name’s Molly and I don’t hate her. Intense dislike is more accurate. Literally everyone but Austin can see she has a thing for him. She didn’t like that he spoke to me in private on the training day, so now she’s being petty.
My mood darkens as I remember Molly saw me get into Austin’s car last night. Ugh, she’s going to be even worse now.
Bailey:
Did he now?
Me:
Don’t even. He wanted to know what size shirt I needed for my uniform.
OK. So… is he hot then?
A snort of laughter makes my shoulders twitch.
Me:
Asking the important questions I see.
Bailey:
Obviously.
He’s my boss.
That’s not a no.
Objectively speaking, he’s handsome. Not that it matters.
Because he’s your boss or because you don’t find him attractive?
Because we barely tolerate each other.
Never underestimate the power of a good hate fuck.
I’m so scandalised I nearly drop my phone. She’s such a ray of sunshine that I didn’t expect her to come out with something like that. Considering she’s with Liam and I know exactly what he can be like, I really should have known better.
Me:
Bailey! HE IS MY BOSS!
Bailey:
So bang it out and don’t tell anyone. Except me, obvi. Secrets can be sexy.
Your relationship with Liam was only secret for like five minutes.
Rude. Fair though, but it was a really hot five minutes.
Whatever. It doesn’t matter because there’s no way in hell I’m hooking up with Austin.
It’s honestly a miracle we got through a mostly civil car ride last night. The idea of us hooking up is laughable. My stomach growls and I glance at the time, only just realising how late in the morning it is. I can’t believe I slept in for so long.
Me:
OK, I need to get downstairs if I don’t want to miss breakfast. Thanks for checking in. Talk to you soon.
Bailey:
No worries. Congrats on making it through your first shift.
I set my phone on the nightstand, then throw back the covers.
While staying in bed, hiding from the world, and maybe catching up on some more sleep sounds appealing, I really am hungry, and I know from experience that I’ll feel better if I get some fresh air.
Plus, I clearly need a distraction given the thoughts I had about Austin before talking to Bailey—best to nip that nonsense in the bud immediately.
At least here I’m not expected to put on a front for everyone to maintain my ‘nice girl’ image.
The idea Melody Night has to look happy all the time is bullshit—even nice girls feel like shit sometimes.
I pull out my clothes for the day—high waisted jeans and a soft grey sweatshirt, dressing for comfort because I can.
One of the great things about being just Cassie, the new girl in town, is that I don’t have to dress up for anyone if I don’t feel like it.
I take my medication, then go through the rest of my morning routine.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror over the bathroom sink, I wonder if anyone would miss me if I stopped being Melody.
Sure, there’d be some initial upset, but people would forget about me soon enough.
Maybe then it would be easier to be just Cassie.
I can count on one hand the number of people who would miss the real me—something I try not to think about too often because it always leaves me feeling hollow.
Pine Grove is different, though. I’m well on my way to making my first friend in Mei, and Esther’s lovely to talk to.
While I’ve still got a long way to go, for the first time in years I feel like I’m starting to really live instead of watching my life pass me by like a movie I’m not that interested in.
* * *
It’s nine on Friday night and Bowman’s is packed to the brim.
If it’s this busy tonight, I can only imagine what it will be like tomorrow for the grand reopening party Austin has planned.
The atmosphere has been great, if a little overwhelming.
You’d think I’d be used to crowds, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been thrust into the middle of one like this without Ant or other security around to protect me.
I started the evening with my hair down, still finding comfort in being able to hide behind it when I need to.
Unfortunately, between the sheer volume of people in the bar and the weather we’ve been having, I got so hot I had to throw it up into a high ponytail.
After my rainy welcome, I worried the entirety of my time here would be smothered by a blanket of dark clouds, but the weather has been steadily improving this week.
I said as much to Esther this morning when she joined me for a cup of tea while I ate breakfast—it’s become our little routine and I’m glad she seems to enjoy my company as much as I enjoy hers.
She warned me that there’s supposed to be a storm tonight.
With how thick and muggy the air felt on my walk from the B&B to Bowman’s, it won’t surprise me if the forecast is correct.
I don’t mind. Now that I’ve had a taste of sunny Pine Grove, I’m happy.
Any more beautiful days we might get before it’s time for me to leave will be a bonus.
Summer here feels completely different from summer in Nashville.
I feel different too. Happier. Lighter. Thanks to only being part-time at Bowman’s, I’ve had plenty of free time to explore the town.
Three weeks after the last night of my tour and two since leaving my old life behind, my hair dye and glasses are no longer the only changes to my appearance.
There’s colour in my cheeks, I can no longer easily count my ribs, and I’ve even caught myself smiling on more than one occasion—not the customer service smile I use at Bowman’s either, real ones.
I’m yet to explore the surrounding area much, but Mei and Esther have suggested a few popular local walks that I plan to try next week.
Not that I have any proper gear with me, but they both assured me the routes they’ve suggested are even enough terrain that I’ll be fine in my trainers.
“Can you hurry up? Some of us are busy.”
Ah, the only downside of working at Bowman’s—Molly. Glancing over my shoulder at her sneering face, I’m careful to keep my tone polite and even when I reply, “I’ll be done in a minute.” I go back to inputting the drink order for the large group of guys who sat down in my section a few minutes ago.
“God, you’re so slow.”
Unwilling to give her bitchy behaviour my full attention, I keep my back to her, my gaze flitting between the screen and my order pad. “I’m not slow. I’ve got a table of fifteen.” Glancing to my left, I see the second till is free. “Use the other till.”
“Mei was using it.”