Chapter 20
LIV
Ipull into the diner the morning after the game and carefully park my car.
But I don’t get out right away. Instead, I sit with the engine running, gazing at the glowing windows of the Bluevale Diner.
I’m feeling bruised but proud of myself for getting dressed and coming in today.
Despite her offer of support, I didn’t bring Hailey with me. I need to do this on my own.
I used to wonder whether I still had the strength to survive what I lived through in high school. But now, I know I do. Because I have no idea what to expect when I walk inside, but I’m here anyway.
I hop out of the car, take a steadying breath of brisk fall air, and head in.
Robert Cassock is right at the door, ready to greet me. I wonder if he knows.
“Liv,” he says warmly, his eyes concerned. “How are you doing?”
Oh yeah, he knows.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Ready to work.”
“He came here looking for you,” he says in a low voice, glancing around like he wants to make sure no one overhears.
“He did?” I ask, not really wanting to say Caleb’s name.
“Last night,” Robert says, nodding.
I’ve never been so grateful not to be on a particular shift. Though maybe he’ll be back today, if Robert gave him my schedule.
“What did you tell him?” I ask, bracing myself.
“I told him never to come back,” Robert tells me firmly, fire in his eyes.
I’m stunned. My boss is the most mild-mannered man I know. And clearly a big hockey fan to boot. Telling Caleb Stone that he’s banned from the diner is a big deal for him.
“Thank you, Robert,” I say, my voice shaking a little.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” Robert replies, his jaw tight. “And I didn’t know any of that stuff about you in high school. I was sorry to hear it.”
“Well, everything worked out fine,” I tell him, definitely not wanting to get into a big scene about it at work. “I’ve got friends and a good job now, and the best boss ever.”
“Hey, how was the cupcake stand?” Robert asks with a smile. “Is it true that you sold out?”
“In one period,” I tell him, grateful to have good news to share.
“Well, I hope you’ll remember us when you’ve got your own shop in town,” he says. “Maybe we can contract with you for desserts for the diner.”
My eyes automatically go to the dessert fridge where slabs of pound cake, slices of pie, and dishes of colorful gelatin are displayed behind glass. How wild would it be to see my cupcakes in there?
“That’s such a cool idea,” I tell him. “But it was just one game. And who knows if I’ll still have a stand after yesterday. Caleb organized that for me.”
“Well, if you don’t, let’s talk about desserts for the diner instead,” Robert says firmly.
“Liv,” Mr. Russo calls to me from one of the stools at the counter.
Robert pats my shoulder and leaves me to go see to my favorite customer.
“Your feet must be tired,” Mr. Russo says with a smile as I approach. “Because you were running through my dreams all night.”
“How are you?” I ask him, chuckling.
“Better now that you’re here,” he says, his eyes getting a little sad. “I’m sorry if those game tickets caused mischief in your life.”
“Not at all,” I tell him. “I enjoyed learning about hockey. It’s been fun.”
“Good,” he says, nodding. “Now, I don’t like to bring up something unhappy, but I’ll just say that anyone who ever called you a name in front of me had better be hungry.”
“Why’s that?” I ask him.
“Because I’d give ‘em a couple of knuckle sandwiches,” he replies fiercely, putting up his dukes like an old-timey boxer to demonstrate.
“Thank you, Mr. Russo,” I say, wishing I could hug him. “But kids tease. And I was bigger back then, it made me an easy target.”
“More of you to love,” he says, waggling his eyebrows.
I laugh and hurry off to get his coffee and ask Dante to start his food. By the time I set down a grilled cheese in front of Mr. Russo, the place is hopping and not one person has been anything but kind to me.
I guess Tessa was right. This town does care about me.
“Liv,” yells Rhonda Shoreman from one of the two-top tables, waving me over. “Hey, Liv.”
“Hey, Rhonda,” I say. “Is everything okay with your food?”
“Oh yeah, it’s great,” she says. “I just wanted to tell you that we were all knuckleheads for not sticking up for you in high school. I remember how nice you were with my little brothers when you volunteered with the Woodland Scouts, and how you always held the door for Mrs. Higgins. Looking back at all that now, it really makes you think.”
“Um, thanks,” I tell her. “How are your brothers?”
“Oh, you tell me,” she says, rolling her eyes and launching into a rundown of all their terrible decisions and relationships. The Shoreman boys really were a handful back then, and it sounds like not much has changed.
But it’s funny how her simple apology really does mean a lot to me. Who would think after all these years that I was still hurting enough that a few words could make a difference?
By the time I’m fully in the rhythm of my shift, I’m feeling really good. And cheesy as it sounds, I have a newfound faith in humanity and in Bluevale in particular. So many people have shared a kind word or an apology, or even a warm smile.
And the tips today—wow. I know it won’t last, but sympathy seems to open people’s wallets as well as their hearts.
About halfway through my shift, Hailey slips in and takes a small booth by the window. I get over to her as soon as I can, bringing along a coffee and a plate of fries because I know they’re her favorite.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her, smiling so she’ll know I’m glad to see her. “You know I didn’t need you, right?”
“And I appreciate getting to sleep in a little,” she says. “I don’t know how you can start a shift so early.”
“The late ones are harder,” I tell her.
“Well, I wanted to be here,” she says. “It’s not just for you, you know. I’m feeling a little protective. He’s started calling me now. I guess Van gave him my number, which he’s going to get an earful about. I was worried that Caleb might come here looking for you next.”
“Wow,” I say. “Well, he actually came here already, before my shift, thank goodness. Robert told him he’s banned.”
“Wow,” Hailey says, her eyebrows lifting. “That’s epic.”
“Yeah, Robert’s got an inner tough guy,” I say with a smile.
“Anyway, I’ll say this for Caleb,” Hailey says, shaking her head. “He’s persistent.”
Dread crawls up the back of my throat, but there’s something I have to offer my friend.
“Do you want me to talk to him?” I ask her.
“Why would I want that?” she asks, looking suitably horrified.
“The cupcake stand,” I remind her. “He negotiated that for us. But if he and I aren’t together anymore, the deal might be off. I could talk to him, maybe ask him to let us keep it?”
I don’t want to do that, not even a little bit. But I know how much this venture means to both of us.
“Oh, the cupcake stand is very definitely still on,” Hailey says, grinning at me. “I was going to wait until after your shift to tell you, but the owner of the Stallions called. He wanted to know if he should try and negotiate a spot for us at some of the away games.”
“No,” I murmur, amazed.
“Yes,” she says, smiling. “He said the fans loved the cupcakes and I guess his sister managed to get some and the whole family was going wild for them.”
“Amazing,” I say. “So we’re really still on.”
“We really are,” she agrees. “He wondered if we could do some with the Stallion logo on them. And he said to send you his good wishes and tell you that he hopes you’re feeling better and that you’re ready to make some money this season. He literally said, I like her grit.”
I laugh, trying to imagine that. It’s been nice to see how much people appreciate me standing up to my bully, even if it was ten years too late.
Someone waves to me and I head off to finish up my shift, feeling a lot like myself again, in spite of the dull ache in my chest.