Page 92 of Sidelined Love

HAILEY

The next week, I watch as the last customer for the evening finally leaves; the jingle of the bell over the door signaling the end of my shift.

I made it through this unscathed.

I let out a long sigh, feeling the stress from the day lessen somewhat as I start to close up Brewed Beginnings.

The quietness of the café at this time of night is soothing, a world away from what I experience in the morning. During my regular shift, the quiet in the mornings is just the calm before the storm, whereas now, this is almost zen-like. Well it would be if I wasn't working. The only reason I'm here is because another coworker took off due to exams and I could use the extra shift. Thankfully, Jenna and a couple more people are also working this shift too.

I wipe down the front counter with a rag that's seen better days, moving on autopilot as I think about the chess event that I'm putting on at Oak Terrace this weekend. I can't believe the time has finally come, but to say I'm nervous is an understatement.

“Hey, Hailey, can you mop the floors as well?” Marc calls out from the back, breaking my concentration temporarily.

“Sure thing,” I reply without looking up, not in the mood for one of his trademark snarky exchanges. I go back to work, choosing to zone out instead of having to think about Marc for one more second. I wonder if Levi's busy right now. I'll call him on the way back to my apartment.

“Hailey? Are you listening?” Marc stands near me now, his arms crossed as if he's been waiting for me to look at him for a while.

“Of course,” I lie, glancing up to meet his gaze.

“I'm transferring,” he says abruptly, “to a new Brewed Beginnings location that will be opening soon.”

“Transferring?” The word repeats in my head and I'm not sure how to feel. No more dealing with Marc's attitude on the daily? That could be a win. But who would replace him? I can't decide if I should be worried or throw a mini celebration right here, right now.

“I'm helping the new location launch because of the success of this location.” He shrugs, as if it's no big deal. “Anyway, I thought you should know. I've already told everyone else.”

“Right,” I say, keeping my face neutral. What does this mean for me? For everyone currently working at Brewed Beginnings?

“Try not to look too happy about it,” Marc adds. “I'll still be around temporarily until the transition is complete and we have another manager in place here.”

A memory from when Levi dropped me off at work one morning pops into my mind. When I was bitching about Marc, he said something along the lines of, “Something should be done about him.” Is this something Levi has a hand in? I can’t let Marc know that I suspect something, so I focus on his initial news.

“How could I?” I shoot back, the sarcasm rolling off my tongue. But inside, my mind is spinning. Marc is an ass, sure,but he’s the devil I know. Who knows what kind of fresh hell a new manager might bring?

“Good luck, I guess,” I offer halfheartedly as he grabs his jacket and heads for the door. What the hell do you say to the person who has tried to make your life a living hell since you arrived now that they're leaving?

“Thanks. Have a good night… I guess?” And with that, he's gone.

As the door closes behind Marc, silence once again falls over Brewed Beginnings. That is until I hear Jenna's voice coming from the seating area, where she's clearing the last few tables.

“Was that Marc leaving for the night? I can't believe he's leaving for good!” Jenna calls out.

“Yeah, he's gone,” I say back.

Jenna laughs as she peeks out from the kitchen. “Do you think jumping for joy would be too much?”

That makes me chuckle. “It might be. After all, he isn't gone yet. I don't trust him not to pull a fast one on us.”

I toss the rag under the counter and walk to the back to grab the mop and bucket. As I begin to sweep it across the floor, I hesitate when the bell above the door chimes again. I glance up, expecting to see Marc returning or a customer ignoring the fact that we're closed. Instead, I'm shocked to find Levi standing there, looking completely disheveled.

“What's wrong?” I ask immediately, propping the mop against a wall before making my way toward him.

However he doesn't say a word. He meets me halfway and pulls me into his chest, holding onto me as if I'm his only lifeline. I decide that this is what he needs at this moment, so I don't try to get him to speak to me immediately. If this hug helps soothe him, then so be it.

We stand there for what feels like an eternity but is probably only a couple of minutes. I can hear someone's soft footstepscoming closer to us, but they stop short, and I hear them walk away again.

Finally, Levi's grip on me lessens just enough for me to pull back and look up at him. His blue eyes showcase a storm that is brewing, and I realize he’s been holding back tears. I let out a shaky breath and brace for what he's about to tell me.

“It's my dad,” he finally says, his voice hoarse. “He had a heart attack.”

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