Page 63 of Breathing Without You

Chastity

Of course!

I walk out the same time my food for my customers is set out, so I grab for my first table and bring it to them, then do the same for the next three tables. When I get back to the counter, I hear a familiar voice as I go to refill drinks.

“Stacy, why do you not understand that we aren’t here for you?” Creedence says and I can’t help but laugh at the way he’s talking to her.

“I don’t know why you boys don’t understand that you’d have a better time with me than your girlfriends.” Her attempt at a sexy smile just turns into a nasty look that doesn’t make her look good at all.

“Well, I don’t have a girlfriend anymore, dumped that bitch after she cheated on me and no offense, I still wouldn’t want to be with you.” Axton’s voice is monotone. You can tell he doesn’t really want to be here. I’m sure Creedence dragged him out of the house without taking no for an answer.

“Same even if I wasn’t with Emerald I definitely wouldn’t be going after you.” Creedence clears his throat. “No offense, or something like that.” He covers his mouth with his fist trying not to laugh.

I quickly take my drinks back to my first table and come over to where they stand.

“Hey guys.” I walk up to them. “Glad to see you made it here, Axton.” I smile at him. Trying not to frown at the sad look on his face.

“Well, dick face here didn’t give me much of a choice.” He scoffs, crossing his arms and kicking Creedence’s shoe with his. It makes me laugh watching a grown man almost behave like a child.

“Well, I was told Lisa wanted you in here and we all know if you don’t listen to Lisa, she’s probably going to kick your ass.” Creedence stops and laughs. “And I’m not gonna get my ass kicked by her for not bringing you in here, but I’d gladly watch her kick yours.” He gives a nerdy grin as he looks at Axton.

“Fuck off, I’m here, aren’t I?” He sticks his finger up at Creed and I let out a laugh as he does it. These two are quite entertaining. “Now no one’s getting their ass kicked.” His voice still monotone as he stares off into his own world.

“Here let me get you guys a booth, just follow me.” I start walking towards the booth with them when my third table calls for me.

“Go sit at that last booth right over there and I’ll be right back,” I tell Creedence and Axton as I walk back to my regulars to see what they need.

“Hey guys, is everything okay?” I place my hands on my hips, smiling back and forth at the two of them. “Do you need anything?” I use my sweet server voice again that I only use for people who aren’t my friends.

“Can you bring us some more ranch please, Emerald? I ended up using more than I thought I was going to.” The customer smiles up at me from her seat.

“Of course. I’ll be right back; I’ll bring you two containers just in case.” I smile, walking towards Creedence’s table so I can get their drinks in as well.

“Hey guys, sorry, what can I get you to drink while I go and get my other table some more ranch?” I ask them, leaning against the bench seat, my back already starting to hurt from standing and my shift has just started.

“I’ll have a Dr. Pepper.” Creedence winks at me, making me blush and feel giddy like a girl in school who’s crush just circled yes on the note that’s asking them if they like you.

“I’ll have the same, Em,” Axton says looking down at his menu. I stand there giving Creedence a sad look as I look over at Axton and then I mouth “talk to him” before walking away.

Men. How do they not understand when to talk to their friends to see how they’re doing or if they’re okay? Why does it always have to be a woman who pushes them to do it? I smile to myself as I grab the two containers of ranch and rush it over to my table before returning and filling up their drinks

“Alright here you guys go. Are you ready to order? Or do you guys want to hang out for a bit before ordering?” I’m not sure what their plan is so I double check.

“Do you know where Lisa is?” Axton asks. “I wanted to go over and thank her without her coming to the table because I don’t want customers to think I’m complaining.” He smiles at me, and I think that’s sweet that he even cared or thought of that.

“Yeah, if you want to go up to the counter and I’ll go get her for you.” I point behind me with my thumb before turning around and start walking away.

“Alright, thank you.” He still sounds so sad. I mean I wasn’t expecting him to be sitting there in a completely different mood just yet. But I’m hoping I can convince Creed to go to this party and then he can convince Axton to go. But I have a feeling it’s not going to work because they both hate parties especially at frat houses. But maybe when I mention all the hot girls that are going to be there Axton might be interested especially aftergetting his heart broken, he might be ready for a rebound by next Friday.

I walk to Lisa’s office and knock on her door.

“It’s open,” she says loudly. “Come on in.”

I open the door and pop my head in not stepping all the way in.

“Hey Lisa. Axton is here, he wanted to talk to you really quickly. He’s up at the counter. He said he didn’t want to talk to you at the table because he didn’t want it to look like he was complaining or like I was in trouble.” I laugh a little at the thought and she starts laughing too.

“I never would have thought of that, how funny. I’m glad he thought of that. I would hate for anyone to think someone was complaining about you.” She walks out next to me and shuts her office door behind her.

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