Page 15 of Muted

I can’t pinpoint the source, and it’s fucking pissing me off.

“What’s eating at you? You’re glaring at everything and everyone in here,” my longtime friend asks as he grabs the disinfectant spray and towel to wipe off the equipment I just used.

Leaning forward, I dig my elbows into the top of my thighs and hang my hands between my legs. I’ve been debating on whether or not I should share the financial discrepancies with Theo, but fuck it. I need to talk it out.

“The bar is losing money, and I can’t figure out why,” I bite out.

Theo’s steps slow as I admit what I see as a failure on my part. I know I’ve surprised him because the last time we spoke about my business, things were looking amazing. I told him we were at an all-time high for revenue.

Clearing his throat, he’s calm when he asks, “I thought it was doing well?”

“So did I. But we’re losing it everywhere and I can’t figure outwhy. Well, I know one area that’s been slowly dropping, and I had a talk with Vance last night.”

There was no live music last night. We only have it Thursday through Sundays, so tomorrow night will be the start to a new four-day stretch. I spoke with Vance at length, and we’ve got a plan to at least correctthisissue. He was right. Thad needs to go.

“Thad?” Theo asks, and I nod, then tap my nose.

“You got it. He’s shit, and I think we’ve all known it for a while. The guy isn’t reliable anymore and has become inconsistent. Vance was able to point out every night Thad was off, and receipts were lower on those days. People are leaving early when he’s shit.”

Hauling myself off the bench and catching the towel as he tosses it to me, I quickly wipe down where I was sitting. While Theo waits for me, he asks, “So, what’s the solution?”

“I haven’t figured out everything, but Vance and I discussed asking Susu to take over Thad’s spot. We don’t want to completely get rid of him right away because she might not work out, so we thought we’d do a trial. See if she can handle it.”

I’m not concerned about her skill. Vance assured me she’s up to par. It’s her social anxiety that worries me.Will she stumble through the notes? Will she completely lock up?

Theo considers what I’ve said before asking, “Do you… Well, do you think she can handle that?”

Shrugging as I move behind him to spot as he gets ready to do squats. “No clue. Can’t really ask her, can I?” I wince because that was a real dick thing to say.

Glancing over his shoulder, I meet his stare in the mirror. He doesn’t have to say anything; the censure on his face is enough to make me feel terrible.

Sighing, I tug at my beard and then crack my neck. “I researched it. The not talking by choice thing. Depending on the severity of it, asking her to perform in front of a few hundred people could have more than just her voice locking up on her. Her whole body could freeze. She could have a panic attack. I feel like I’ve been building some level of trust with her just by working together. What if she says yes because I asked her, but she truly doesn’t want to?”

I don’t get an answer from him because there really is no answer, so we continue to work out in silence until he finally breaks us both from our thoughts about ten minutes later.

“Why do you think she doesn’t talk?”

Closing my eyes, I make a mental note to do that damn background check I keep forgetting about. “No fucking clue. But thanks for the reminder. I still have to get her information over for the background check. It’s doubtful that’ll give us any answers, but you never know.” I pause and then ask, “Do you think it’d be inappropriate to ask her?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure. I’m curious how long it’s been since she’s said anything. Or if this is something that she’s been doing since she was a little kid.” He grunts out the last few words as he lifts the weighted bar for his last rep, and I help him guide it back to the rack. “Just throw a 10-pound plate on there for me.”

Bending over, I pick up the plate and slide it on the end, then slide the safety clamps back to keep them in place.

“I’ve heard her talk,” I tell him and then smirk when he spins around to stare at me.

“Seriously? When?” Chuckling, I want to needle him because he actually seems a bit jealous of my news.

Playing it off like it’s no big deal, I tell him about when she came in for her interview and I first met her. “I asked her if she was Miss Walston, and she told me her name was Susu.”

“Huh…” he says, trailing off. Then mutters, “Well, at least we know shecantalk.”

Nodding, I agree with him. “At least we know that.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After my workout with Theo this morning, I ran home to shower and get dressed for the day. Everyone should be at the bar this afternoon and evening while we get ready for the next four days. On my drive over, I planned out the way I’d approach Susu regarding taking over a night once a week for Thad to see how she does.

Walking into the bar, I lift my chin at Vance, who’s already at the piano. He and Thad always spend an extra hour or two on Wednesdays working together.

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