Bonus The Christmas Party
The Christmas Party
Through Gabe's Eyes
This bonus scene takes place on the night of the Christmas party, just before Elijah walks in on Tobias and Gabe in the restaurant office.
***
Patting my hand on my lap, I bob my head to the beat of the music blasting in my headphones as I chew on my breakfast sandwich.
I didn’t have time to make breakfast this morning so I had to pick something up quickly from Bloom & Brew. Really like that place.
I glance at the clock on my phone. He’s late for his shift. Again.
If he doesn’t come in, it makes it his third no-show this week.
Which is a really shitty thing to do to someone who put their neck out on the line to get him this job.
I had promised the staff at Jude’s Place that I’d go in early to help decorate for the Christmas party this weekend, but I didn’t take in consideration how close it’d be to Wyatt’s start time.
If he even comes in at all.
Ever since I completely lost my shit at the Halloween party and stuck my tongue down his throat, he hasn’t shown his face. Not at the restaurant and not at work.
I can’t exactly blame him. I shouldn’t have done that.
I completely screwed up.
Like that’s anything new for me, anyway.
I fuck up. That’s what I do. I’m not sure why he’s acting like it’s a total surprise.
My knee bounces up and down as I watch the clock tick another minute.
Standing up, I dust off my pants, and march over to the garage.
“Heyyyy, Uncle Greg.” I open my arms, walking in. My Uncle slips out from under a nearby car all dirty and covered in grease. I see the anger and frustration all over his old face.
“Don’t you Uncle Greg, me.”
Shit. I’m in trouble.
“Listen, I’m sure he’s sick or something—”
He waves his finger at me before he wipes it on his blue, oil slicked overalls. “You vouched for him. YOU. You said he was a good guy and I could count on your word that he’d get the job done.”
“And he’s really good, isn’t he?” I follow after him as he storms through the noisy workshop.
“You sort of have to be here to be good, kid.”
I huff. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll talk to him.”
“Enough talkin’.” Greg spits, turning towards me, cutting me off. “If he wants to keep this job, tell him to be here, tomorrow five am or he’s done.”
“You…you can’t do that.” I mutter softly. “You know no one else will take him…”
Greg’s lips tighten as he looks me over. “Six a.m. That’s it and that’s final.” His eyes soften as he looks at my face. “I’m sorry, kid. I know you care about him but…some people you can’t fix.”
I nod my head, understanding. This is his last straw.
It’s mine too.
It’s not like he has a cellphone to call him on. Hell, it’s not like he’d talk to me even if he did.
Such a big guy. Such tiny balls.
Okay, maybe not. I’m not sure about the size of his balls, honestly.
I shake the thought out of my head. I can’t let those thoughts muddle my brain now. If I learnt anything from the party, it was that they only bring trouble.
All I can do now is hope he comes into Jude’s Place.
***
“Christmas party in November, I like it.” I nod my head, stringing up the garland over the doorframe.
I notice Claire and Stacy exchange a look as they decorate the Christmas tree in the corner of the room.
“What? Did I say something weird?”
Claire shakes her head softly. “No, it’s just…a little bit of a tribute to the old owner of this place.”
I cringe. “Shit. My bad.” I frown, feeling guilty for even bringing it up. “Elijah and Tobias’s dad, right?”
They both nod their heads, resuming their decorating as the other staff buzz around the room, stringing up lights and decorating the walls with fake snowflakes and felt snowmen.
“Was he a big Christmas lover or something?”
Both of their faces lit up as they recalled some memories.
“Oh yeah, it was his favorite holiday. He’d light up the whole restaurant with his dance moves and blast music for everyone to dance to.” Claire giggles, showing off some moves.
My eyebrows shoot up as I take in how happy this memory makes her.
“Oh, that’s amazing. I’ve gotta see this.” I laugh, running over to the switchboard for the music. “What song was it?”
She looks nervous as she bites her nail, exchanging a look with Stacy who just shrugs. “Uh…well, he’d play All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, a lot.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh my God, genius. Might be overplayed but damn, it’s a classic.” I turn the volume up loud, knowing no one is in the restaurant right now except for us.
The girls clap and cheer as the music begins, and I get to work swinging my hips and swaying my head back and forth aggressively.
I run over to the hostess, Yasmin, taking her hand and twirling her around the dining room. I notice the kitchen staff coming out from the back too, clapping their hands and dancing along. I go as far as to grab Yari by the hand and waist, and make him salsa along.
Soon everyone’s laughing, singing along and genuinely having a great time.
With just a little music and some friends, the restaurant feels alive and full of joy.
From what I’ve heard, that’s the type of memory Jude would want. If only Elijah and Tobias were here to see this.
Claire runs over to me, swinging her arm around my neck and picking up her feet. I make a big show of swinging her around. Her laughter and giggles echoes throughout the dining room as everyone cheers us on.
Suddenly, the music cuts out. Everything goes still as all of our eyes go over to the sound system.
There, Tobias stands. Blood-shot eyes, hollow cheeks. He looks like hasn’t slept in ages.
I’m seriously worried about him.
“Uh…” he clears his throat. It sounds raw, like he’s been crying again. The poor guy. It hurts my heart seeing him like this. “There’s guests.” He points to the door.
We all turn to look at the podium and see a few groups of some happy guests.
“Shit.” I mutter, dropping Claire to the ground.
Yasmin runs over, attending to them as I return to my station behind the bar.
“Sorry…I–”
“It’s fine.” Tobias answers shortly before walking back to his office. Locking himself away like he’s done all week.
It pains me to watch him like that. Tobias has been nothing but welcoming to me since I got here. He doesn’t deserve whatever the hell is going on with him and it pisses me off that his person is nowhere around.
Outside looking in? He deserves better.
Suddenly, I feel a whoosh of intoxicating presence sit down in the bar seat across from me.
Pulling my attention, like he always does, I whip my head towards him.
Wyatt.
My stomach flips into itself as I remember the last time we saw each other. What I did.
What he let me do.
I suck in a breath. No, I can’t think about it. Things are complicated enough.
I begin wiping off the bar wood.
Wood.
No, shit!
“You know, you’re a real ass for skipping out on Uncle Greg like that. He doesn’t deserve you running out on him.” I snip, wiping a little more aggressively than I should.
“And I’m sure you’re expecting me to take care of your lunch again, aren’t you?” I rest my hand on my hip.
He stares back at me with those deep blue eyes, and I roll mine. “Fine. Whatever. I hate you.” I march over to the POS system and punch in his usual soup and sandwich combo, with a side of fries. A simple guy likes simple things.
Only, he’s not simple at all. Is he?
No. The complete opposite.
I walk over to him, resting my hand on the wood and tilting my head. “You still mad at me for what I did the other night?”
He looks at me and I can see from the slightest clench of his fist that it’s a yes.
I sigh, blowing out a heavy breath. “Okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
A slam comes down on the wood, startling me enough to make me jump. “What?” I ask.
He shook his head and signed no, the gesture sharp and deliberate.
I arch an eyebrow. “What? You have a problem with what I did or me saying sorry?”
He looks away from me, as though he’s scared of the answer.
I clench my fists together. “Keep it up and I’ll be changing your name from Wyatt to Scaredy Cat.” I huff, laying some napkins and a roll of cutlery in front of him.
Ignoring me, he leans on the bar, eyes fixed on the football game playing on the TV above my head.
It’s either zero to one hundred with him and it spins my head around.
I lean in, so he can’t escape my eyesight. “I’ll just have to be brave for the both of us.” I smirk.
Giving me a quick, annoyed glance, he stands up and stalks over to the bathroom.
“Fine. Don’t talk to me. But you better be at Greg’s tomorrow at six or else I’ll have your ass.” I call out as he walks out.
Shit, I don’t know if that came out right.
I look at the nearby dining booths to see a mother covering her young daughter’s ears.
I cringe, realizing how loud I just was.
“Shit. Sorry.” I gasp. “Shit! Sorry.”
After mixing up a few drinks for some guests, Wyatt has finally come back.
Setting his food down in front of him gently, I take a big breath in. I want him to come back.
Him avoiding me has been…shitty.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” I breathe out. He glances up at me, but continues to pick up his sandwich. I try again. “Just…could you please go in tomorrow? You know how much my relationship with Greg means to me.”
He takes a big bite, crumbs catching on his beard. I try to stifle a laugh as I watch him chew. If only young Wyatt could see him now. Oh, how much he’s changed. It makes me both sad and happy for him.
He takes in a deep breath, finally nodding his head before dipping his sandwich into his soup.
I smirk, looking away. “Thank you…Scaredy Cat.” I quickly snag a fry off of his plate.
He reaches out to snag it back, but I’m too quick.
He grunts out of his nose, and I can’t help but chuckle as I run away to the other end of the bar to nibble on my stolen snack.
Risked losing a finger, but it was worth it.
***
Claire swings her legs on the bar wood, happily bobbing her head along to the music as everyone files in.