Page 2 of Sidelined Love

Seeing that Marc is nowhere to be found, I turn my attention to Ben and Thomas, who also work several of these morning shifts with me during the week. “Hey guys, I’m going to take my break now.”

Ben looks up and gives me a quick nod. “Excellent. I’ll take mine when you’re back.”

I untie the back of my apron as I walk over to the espresso machine and start on my drink. My fingers work on autopilot, handling the espresso machine as I brew my usual pick-me-up. The steam wand hisses as the rich aroma of the coffee groundswraps around me like a source of comfort, one I’d grown used to after only a few days of working here. I decide that a latte will satisfy me right now.

Once I finish making the drink, I step from behind the counter, holding the cup close to me. I head toward the corner of the coffee shop that has become my usual hangout on my breaks and when I stop in during a non-work shift. The small nook, with an old table and chair, provides an excellent opportunity for people-watching, which is what I usually do when not engrossed in my phone.

I whip off my apron, which gets caught on my messy bun just before I set my drink down on the table in front of me. Sitting in the chair, I close my eyes and breathe. Away from the counter, this is my time to recharge, even if only for a few minutes. I open my eyes and as I take a sip of my latte, my gaze drifts around my workplace.

Brewed Beginning’s exterior has a charming red brick façade and large, welcoming windows. The interior showcases its warm, rustic charm because of its exposed wooden beams and soft lighting that casts a lovely glow over the room. Local art decorates the walls, adding splashes of color and character to the space. The shop's success, in part, stems from the aesthetic it presents. That’s not including how good our coffee tastes, the speed that we get people in and out of here, and our convenient location right on campus.

“Hailey.”

I hold back a groan that threatens to fall from my lips. Of course, Marc finds me right now as I’m trying to enjoy my break. I place my cup down, plaster on a fake smile, and give him my full and undivided attention. I’m willing to bet money that whatever he wants to say could wait until after my break is over.

“What can I do for you?” I ask, clenching my fists because it’s the only thing I can do to avoid rolling my eyes or showing any other sign of frustration.

“Restock cups and lids and clear tables at your earliest convenience,” he says with unnecessary harshness.

I glance at the stacks of cups and lids and raise an eyebrow. I shift my gaze to the tables that have been cleaned. The only ones that are dirty are the ones where customers are currently sitting. I resist the urge to point out that “when I have a moment” means after my break, since I’m pretty sure he’s aware. But I simply nod in acknowledgment of his request.

I look up and find Marc staring at me as if he’s expecting me to have a different reaction. His perpetual frown is permanently etched on his face, and if anyone else looked at me like that, it would be creepy. The 'scowl of death' gives him an unapproachable appearance. Because of this, most of my coworkers are intimidated by him.

But me? I couldn’t care less about what he thinks of me, and I refuse to kiss his ass. I assume he hates me but can’t fire me because I’m one of his most efficient and reliable employees. Plus, corporate might give him hell if he fires me for no valid reason.

My eyes land on Thomas and Ben, who aren’t doing too much of anything at the moment. If he wants to have something done immediately, he has plenty of choices without bothering me.

“Do you remember what you said to me when you were desperate for me to hire you?”

I remember it because he brings it up every time he knows he’s stepping out of line. “Yes. I said that I can handle anything you threw my way.”

That day, just a little over three years ago, had been the worst and best day of my life. The best thing is that I’d gotten a job and could supplement the scholarships I’d earned, the loans I’dtaken out, and the money Dad had to put up to pay for school. I must maintain my grades and job or find another one to remain at Crestwood.

Not to mention, he has no issue with reminding me about how disastrous my first week at Brewed Beginnings was because I had barely any training and they threw me into the proverbial fire. He’d been on the brink of firing me several times then, but I begged him to let me keep this job. Now, he holds it over me every chance he gets.

“Well?”

I’m drawn back to the man in front of me. Assuming that he wants me to actually say the words, I put us both out of our misery so that he’ll leave me alone. “Got it. I’ll do it after I’m off my break,” I reply, knowing better than to argue with him. Telling him that I understand what he wants me to do is fine, but I can’t resist adding the last part in.

“Get it done quickly and watch the attitude.” With that, he turns on his heel and walks away.

Thank fuck.

With my manager out of earshot, I exhale deeply. The tension I feel every time I have to interact with him melts away. I finish my coffee, check my phone, and return to work. The rest of the morning shift passes in a blur. Getting what I need to get done before I leave is the only thing on my mind.

As the clock inches toward eleven, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My early morning shift is coming to an end, and I have about an hour before I need to head to class.

Just as I’m about to walk toward the counter to begin the process of leaving for the day, Jade Samuels, my best friend and roommate, breezes in with a grin on her face. Her golden-brown skin shines as she brushes her dark brown curls off her shoulder and walks over to me.

Before she can speak, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

The words leave my mouth a bit more harshly than I intended, but she should be used to me by now. The expression on her face doesn’t indicate that she took offense to anything I said.

“I left my last class early and came to see if you wanted to grab lunch. Then we can walk across campus to our next classes. I think they’re both in the same building.”

Her coming here is sweet, yet unsurprising. She’s always been this nice, spontaneous person since we ended up in the same dorm building our freshmen year. I swear she’s the reason I survived that year, and I don’t know what my life would be without her.

Well, it would be a lot less bright, that’s for sure.

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