Page 38 of Verses

Pedro said, “Monday and Tuesday.”

I didn’t ask, because I already knew Wolf’s days off were Tuesday and Wednesday, even though Marv a lot of times had him work six days a week. As I thought about it more, Wolf would probably appreciate not being a wage slave just like the rest of us. In all fairness, though, my boss was okay. Like Marv, he owned and worked in his own shop. Hell, that was pretty much like most businesses in Charlotte. And when I needed time off, he accommodated as much as he could.

But even Marv seemed to betrying.

Wolf’s mouth still expressed concern. “I guess we gotta see what’s up with Kyle.”

The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I’m pretty sure he’s not working anymore.” Meaning he could live with whatever the rest of us decided.

Pedro said, “What makes you say that?”

Jesus…I could go on and on about all his sketchy behavior—but I knew Kyle was close with the guys and there’d be no way they’d side with me. Not that it mattered. So I tried to keep what I said next from sounding confrontational. “He just seems to have a lot of free time.”

“You don’t know, do you?”

“Knowwhat?” I steeled myself, wondering if Pedro was going to tell me Kyle was dealing drugs now or something.

“He got promoted to team lead or whatever the fuck it’s called at Burger King.”

What the hell? Apromotion?“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Did you ask?”

Did I fucking need to? My supposed boyfriend couldn’t bother to tell me he’d gotten a promotion? It might have been a shitty job, but his accepting a responsible position told me Kyle’s head was probably on straighter than I’d been giving him credit for this entire time.

Shit. What a bitch I’d been.

“Okay…so he’s working the night shift too then?”

“Yeah. Me an’ Adrian sometimes go there for our meal break, and Kyle gives us a discount.”

Wolf cut through it all. “So do you guys think we could practice in the afternoons? Hayley, what time do you think you could be here after work?”

Ugh. Meaning I’d be wearing my uniform and smelling like roasted coffee beans.

But it could work—and if it meant everyone could keep their jobs, even better.

“I could probably be here a little after two.” Early Rise was on the next block across the street. If I ran, I could probably be in the bar in less than two minutes.

Wolf said, “You guys think two to five’ll work?”

But I had to be the bitchy voice of reason. “Kyle’s sometimes not even home till after that.”

Pedro said, “I think his shift’s over about the time me an’ Adrian are done.”

Well…thatwas fucking awkward. What the hell was he doing from the end of his shift till he came home?

My mind came up with all kinds of possibilities.

And Pedro probably saw all that shit on my face, because he kept talking, likely to keep me from thinking anymore. “We’ll want to ask, but I don’t see why he couldn’t be here at two.”

“Then it’s settled,” Wolf said, and I felt a little miffed that no-fucking-body knew what this little revelation had meant to me.

Goddamn Kyle. What the fuck?

But Wolf kept talking. “Let’s practice Monday through Thursday and, when we’re feeling good about it, start playing live on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Marv, who must have been listening the entire time, piped up. “Are you saying you want to change the days you work? I thought you wanted Friday and Saturday for the tips.”

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