Page 6 of Waiting for Redemption

“You umm… you have it on backwards.” She points to the T-shirt, drawing my attention to the large Chattahoochies emblem across my chest that should be on my back.

“Shit,” I mumble. “That’s the last time I get dressed in the dark.” I pull the T-shirt off to turn it around properly, as Ruby’s eyes grow slightly before she turns her gaze away from where I’m now standing shirtless behind the bar. Did I think about this being awkward for her?Nope.I guess that’s what I get for being surrounded by nothing but men in barracks and locker rooms for—well, my whole fucking life.

“Well, well, well,excuseme. Didn’t mean to interrupt,” Marco says, strolling in with a defensive hand up and his headphones on.

“You’re not interrupting anything, Marco. Tank here is just getting his uniform on.” She looks at me with those soft brown eyes, giving the illusion that the warmth from them is washing over me just from one simple glance. Though the feeling ends as soon as it begins when she looks behind me, pinning Marco with an annoyed stare.

“There’s silverware that needs to be washed in the kitchen.” She gives him a sarcastic smile, as Marco grumbles.

“I hate dish duty.”

“Heard that,” Ruby calls after him.

“I said it pretty loud.” Marco flips her the bird as he disappears into the kitchen again. I have the sudden urge to break his finger, but if she’s not bothered then maybe I’m just overreacting.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make things… weird. Or anything,” I apologize, sliding the shirt over my head, where the smallWhat’s your poison?logo rests on my chest now.

“Oh, it’s…fine.You’refine,” she says, bringing a smirk to my face. “No, not like that. I didn’t meanyou’refine. I mean, you’re not…notcause I mean… congratulations on all of that.” She waves her hand up and down the length of my torso, as the shade of red on her face deepens while she rambles.

“Ruby…” I interrupt.

“Hmm?” She rolls her lips together, bringing her eyes up to mine.

“We’re good.” I give her a reassuring wink, and she nods her head.

“Fantastic, here’s the sanitizer and a towel. I’ll be right here when you’re done.” I throw the white bar towel over my shoulder and give her a nod before starting my tasks.

Well, one good thing came from my mindless wardrobe change and her rambling. That’s the first time I’ve felt even a little bit good about myself inmonths.Though, I’m sure the feeling will flee in no time. It always does.

CHAPTER4

RUBY

“You are a lifesaver,Betty. Thank you so much for keeping him late today.”

“Oh please, how many times do I have to tell you, it’s no problem at all. We have tons of fun, and he’s such a big help when the little ones are here.” Betty grins as she rustles Hendrix’s hair. Working doubles at the bar all week has been absolute hell. Not because of the long hours though,thatI’m actually used to. Having a six-foot-five, tattooed grizzly bear that also looks like he probably models for Marine holiday calendars and bench pressestreesin his free time,thatI’mnotused to.Not to mention the fact that I can’t seem to get on his good side to save my life. If there evenisa good side to be on.

Every shift is full of one-word responses or head nods until he clocks out and it’s starting to drive me crazy. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I can’t stand it when I feel like someone is mad at me. So if I have to coax an emotion out of the broodiest man I’ve ever met, then so be it.

“Mommy, can we watch Spider-Man tonight?” Hendrix pulls my attention back to him as he squeezes my leg with a death grip.

“Of course we can buddy. How does chicken casserole sound for dinner?” I gently scratch at his back as he fist pumps the air.

“Heck yeah!” Betty and I start giggling as Hendrix shakes his butt all the way out the door.

“Goodnight, Betty. We’ll see you on Monday.” I wave over my shoulder as we walk across her front yard to our own.

Our little two-bedroom house has been my safe haven ever since Hendrix and I moved in. I was lucky enough to find a landlord who was willing to work with me on rent when I didn’t have enough money right away to be able to move in, and I will be eternally grateful for that. I saved every penny of my first few paychecks at Chattahoochies and added it to the money I had in savings from my previous job to be able to afford this house. It’s nothing fancy but it’sours, and that makes it special to me.

Hendrix and I sit down at the table to eat our leftover chicken casserole—the only thing he will eat most days—and talk about anything and everything. We’ve done this every night for as long as I can remember, and it’s always the highlight of my day.

“So, were you good for Ms. Betty today?” I ask, adding a little hot sauce to my bowl before forking a bite into my mouth.

“Yes ma’am. I helped with baby Boaz when he was crying. I sang and did my booty shakin’ and he stopped crying.” He beams with pride as he tells me about his accomplishment.

“Well, I’m not surprised. You’re the best singer and booty shaker I know.” I wink at him causing a cute little grin to spread across his face. His little dimple is so deep I just want to press it like a button.

“Ms. Betty says I’m the best helper. She says I’m like the big brother of daycare,” he explains with a mouth full of food.

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