Chapter 16 Tobias
Tobias
I wish I could say I slept well last night.
I wish I could say that without Elijah being close, my days go by normally and I don’t feel like I’m hanging on by a thread.
But I can’t say that. Because then, I’d be lying.
Not like I don’t already do that enough.
“Tobias! Thank God you’re here,” Yasmin comes running up to me as soon as I open the doors to Jude’s Place. “There’s someone on line four that wants to book a party of thirty at seven.”
I walk over to the hostess stand and take a quick glance at the reservations for tonight. “Okay, yeah, that sounds good. Take it.”
Yasmin squints at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, absolutely.” I nod, scanning the floor. Looks like all the servers are already packed with tables. Gabe is at the bar, serving that same foster brother of his.
Maybe I can get a better feel for this guy today.
Gabe’s been nothing but nice to me. If this guy is giving him a hard time, I want to know about it.
I wave to all the servers and staff as I make my way through the restaurant.
But right before I approach the bar, I’m stopped by Stacy.
She’s dressed in her normal work clothes, so she must be on her way out from the morning bartending shift.
“Tobias, we’ve gotta talk.” She huffs, leaning on the wood with her hands on her hips.
Oh joy, this shall be great.
‘What can I do for you, Stacy?” I ask, scratching my eyebrow.
Gabe and his brother look between me to her.
“You booked me again for Saturday night. You know I can’t work Saturday nights.”
Shit.
“Oh damn, you’re so right.” I genuinely apologize. “You did tell me that, it must’ve just slipped my mind.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, well…”
I rake my brain, trying to find a fast solution. “I’m not too sure what to do. I…”
“I can take it.” Gabe pipes up. Our eyes shoot to him. He looks back at us warily. “I mean…if that helps…I’m not doing anything that day.”
Stacy’s eyes narrow. “Aren’t you just a bartender?”
“Well, yeah. But, I can serve too. I don’t mind picking up a section. More money, less problems.” He shrugs.
His brother lets out a grunt, stands up scratching his chair across the floor and throws his napkin down on his plate before walking out.
Ooookay, weird.
I shake my head, tuning back in. “No, it’s fine. I’ll serve. Gabe, you can stay on bar.” I reorganize. “I appreciate you. Thanks for this.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Woah, working with you on the floor? That’ll be interesting.”
I let out a laugh. “I used to serve here all the time. It’s no big deal.”
Stacy rolls her eyes, propping her purse up on her shoulder. “Whatever, at least it’s handled. Thanks Boss.” She pats me on the shoulder, before walking away.
Gabe and I both watch as she exits the building.
“Well, she’s…pleasant.” Gabe chuckles lightly.
I nod my head. “Same with your…friend.” I tilt my chin at the empty plate.
He follows my eyes. “Ah, yeah. Wyatt. He’s…” His voice trails off as he stares out the door where Wyatt just left. I feel a weird energy from him.
I wonder what the story is there but at the same time…I have enough to worry about.
I settle on compartmentalizing that for now and focus on what I can handle at the moment. “You like everything here so far?”
A smile pulls at his lips as he flips an empty bottle in his hand. “Oh yeah. Everyone here is mad cool.”
This makes me smile. It’s true.
“I especially like working with you, though.” He admits.
My eyebrows raise. “Me? Why?” I laugh.
Gabe shrugs. “You’re my friend.”
Huh. I never really considered that. I guess he’s forming into my friend, alright. “Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.”
His eyes move past my shoulder, looking at the door. “Actually, you kind of remind me of Wyatt.”
My jaw drops as I think of that big, borderline scary individual. “That guy? How do I possibly remind you of him?”
He throws his head back laughing, almost dropping the bottle in his hand. “Oh, you’d be surprised.”
A thought quickly enters my brain.
“Shit,” I say out loud, looking away.
“What? Am I wrong?” Gabe laughs awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
“Huh?” I look at him. “Uh…no. I just remembered I just signed onto a Saturday shift but I was supposed to be with Elijah.” I grunt, taking out my phone from my back pocket.
I quickly make my way to the office as my phone rings through.
“Heyyy, Angel.” Elijah’s beautiful face fills the screen. His smooth voice comes through the phone, calming me down instantly. I didn’t even realize how much tension I was holding.
“Hey E.” I lean back in my chair, feeling at ease as I take in his beautiful smile.
“Just get into work?” He asks, looking behind me at his fathers office.
“Yeah, just stepped in. Chaos already.” I laugh, lightly threading my fingers through my hair.
“Oh yeah?” Elijah lies back on his dorm room bed, holding his hand behind his head. He looks so unbothered and relaxed. Sometimes I wish we could trade places.
But that would mean he’d have to deal with all of my shit, which I’d never want for him.
“Yeah…” I look down. “Stacy says she can’t work Saturdays anymore and no one will cover her shift. Which means…I have to work that night.”
“Oh…right,” he says sadly, looking away. I can tell he’s disappointed by the news but…there’s something else there.
“I’m sorry babe—”
“Honestly, it’s okay. I was going to tell you tomorrow morning but I got some news today.”
My brows knit. “Oh yeah?”
“It’s really good news, actually.” Elijah sits up. “Uh…Professor Flux wants me to be her teacher’s assistant for the semester.” He smiles.
A huge smile spreads across my face. “Holy shit, E, that is huge!” I beam. “Of course she would. Only a couple weeks and you’re already making such huge waves… I’m so damn proud of you.” I shake my head, full of nothing but pride filling my heart.
Everything Elijah’s always worked so hard for. Everything he’s wanted. It’s all coming true.
He nods his head, but I catch the way he looks away, swallowing deeply. My smile begins to fall as a dark feeling twists my gut.
“What is it?”
“She asked me to work over the weekends. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to come home.”
My world stops as the darkness begins to spread.
A lump quickly rises in my throat, making it hard to speak. “Oh.” I mutter.
Elijah looks down and I can see now that he feels bad for getting this position.
He shouldn’t feel bad for something that should feel so good.
I shake my head, willing away the sadness that I feel. “No, that’s amazing. Absolutely,” I say, plastering on my best smile.
His eyes shoot back to mine. “Really?”
I huff out a laugh. “Elijah, this is Professor Flux we’re talking about here.
She’s your dream teacher and she wants you.
” I feel my fingers gripping the phone so hard it hurts.
“Fuck weekends. We’ll have all the weekends together once the semester’s over.
” I shrug, trying to look as laid back as possible.
He bites his lower lip, looking down. “Yeah…yeah, I guess you’re right. And plus, I’ll be home for Thanksgiving.”
A month away.
The reality of that stings at my chest.
“You’ll be home before we know it.” I lie. I miss him even when he’s sleeping.
This sucks.
This sucks so badly.
“This is amazing,” I manage.
“You said that already…” he whispers, calling me out on my stumble.
My chest caves inward. “Oh, um…” I think I may be sick.
Suddenly, my office door swings open, revealing an excited Gabe.
“Hey, there’s someone here to see you.” Gabe smiles, tilting his head out to the dining room.
I nod my head. “Okay, coming.” I answer.
“You gotta go?” Elijah asks.
I give him a half smile. “When duty calls.” I shrug. “I really am proud of you, E. You’re doing everything right.”
He gives me a charming smile. “I love you,” he says softly.
“I love you.” I answer, before clicking the phone off.
I feel a deep pressure behind my eyes start to build as I drop my phone onto the desk.
“Tobias?” A soft voice enters the office doorway.
I look up, my heart dropping at the beautiful sight.
“Gwen!” I call out. Pushing away from my desk, I rush over to her like a kid running to his mom.
But truthfully, she’s the closest thing I have to it. Since Jude’s passing, she’s made it a point not to leave us and I’ll always appreciate her for that.
“How’s my boy doing?” She laughs, rubbing my back. She’s a small lady but her tight grip makes me feel secure. I let it ground me as I melt into her arms. “Hey,” she says calmer this time. “You okay?”
I pick my head up off her shoulder and wipe my face, feeling wetness on my cheeks.
“Oh, Tobias.” Her features softening as she scans my face. I can only imagine what I look like right now. Red, blotchy, puffy eyes, I’m guessing.
“No, I’m sorry. Everything’s great. I’m great.” I sniff, giving her a nice smile.
She gives me a straight-lined smile as she rubs her hand up and down my arm.
“You’ve been working hard, eh?” She smiles sympathetically.
I nod, running my hand through my hair. “It never stops.”
She breathes in deeply, eyes darting around the room. “Jude wouldn’t want you working so hard.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. Honestly.”
She sighs deeply, shaking her head. “Fine. Your favorite word.”
A smile tugs at my lips. It’s the only thing I know to say.
“Well, anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hi, I know you’re working…” She looks me over. “But, maybe we could go out soon? Can we do that? Have lunch together?” She moves her hand to my face and rubs her thumb back and forth on my cheek.
I close my eyes and lean into her touch. “Yeah, that sounds nice. Okay.” I agree.
“Okay. Next week, let’s do it.” She nods. “I’ll call you.” She smiles, coming in for another hug.
I give her a tight squeeze, taking a deep breath of her vanilla and coconut perfume. We hold each other for a little while until she makes her way to leave.
“Oh, Gwen?” I stop her. She turns around, her long brown and caramel hair tossing over her shoulder.
“Yes, love?”
“Can you give me advice on legal stuff? I think I need help.” I admit, stuff my hands in my pocket.
She gives me a warm smile. “Absolutely. You can always always ask for help. I’ll be there.” She says it like she means it more than this situation.
The reminder gives me a warm feeling in my chest. “Right. Thanks.” I nod.
She says her goodbye and makes her way out of the office, leaving me alone once again.