Page 12 of Steve's Barmaid
I followed Reykr to the table, where Reykr sat across from Piper, leaving me to sit across from Billie. Billie and Piper halted their conversation.
“Steve!” Piper exclaimed. “Billie was just telling me about how you ran into her at the bar.”
I looked to Billie and she gave me an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Ah, okay, she hadn’t told Piper everything about the meeting yet. I returned my attention to Piper.
“Yes, while my tribemates took the afternoon to nap, I decided to explore a little. I hope that’s alright?”
“Of course, of course. We trust you.” She waved me off as if my concerns were unnecessary. “Billie was saying you might want to stay the season?”
At this question, Tyr, Berit, and Reykr’s eyes all swiveled to me at once. I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. Billie probably didn’t realize I hadn’t discussed the idea of staying with them. I hadn’t because it wasn’t a discussion I wanted to have, but my mind was made up and I wasn’t going to let them unmake it for me—as it had been so many times in the past. The silence stretched on, with more eyes on me, Agnarr’s now included.
I cleared my throat again. “I did tell Billie I might like to stay the season, if you’ll have me. I could help Billie get the bar up and running and do other work around the tribe to earn my keep. I hadn’t gotten a chance to discuss this with the rest of my tribemates, but I plan to stay.”
Rekyr looked unphased, sipping his drink as if he’d expected this all along. Berit and Tyr immediately put their heads together in whispered conversation. Billie, Piper, and Agnarr all looked thrilled.
“Well, I think we are all eager to getBillie’s Baropen,” Piper said with a laugh, emphasizing the name, as Billie cringed. “I think it would be lovely if you stayed to help, Steve. She hasn’t been as accepting of help from others, so she must see some promise in you.”
I blushed, unsure of how to take the compliment. But I was pleased to be welcomed.
Reykr crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a shrewd look. “You know I’ll stay if you stay. I might even be able to help out with the bar if Billie will have me.” He glanced at Billie.
Billie assessed him, taking in his giant frame.“I think we might find some use for you,” she replied flippantly. “What of the rest of your compatriots?”
Tyr and Berit paused their whispering, both their forks held aloft when they realized we were waiting for a response. They nodded to each other before nodding to us.
“We’ll stay,” Tyr said. “We can also help with the bar or do other work around the tribe. It is better than sitting around Snaerfírar waiting for the snow to thaw.”
Agnarr’s brows rose. “Should I be worried that the four of you seem so eager to stay away from home for more than a season?”
I had the same questions in my head about Tyr and Berit. I couldn’t help but wonder if the much larger female representation in Fyrfire made up their minds. I decided to keep my concerns to myself for the time being.
“No, no,” I assured him. “Lodin knows we are trying to build relationships. He will likely assume we have either been eaten by skogkatts or made headway with one of the tribes.”
“Well, then consider it official. You are welcome to stay with our tribe for the season and make yourselves useful however you see fit.”
“Thank you, Jarl Agnarr,” Reykr rumbled next to me.
Agnarr waved his hand dismissively. “Please, just Agnarr. Now, let’s eat. I am sure your fare on the road left much to be desired.”
We all helped ourselves to the piles of different dishes on the table, and I enthusiastically attacked my food. I was still hungry from trying to eat on the road. I tried a bit of everything and found their cooking to be just as good, if not better, than the cooks of Snaerfírar. They had three different types of meat pies that I had to stop myself from shuffling into my mouth. As I got my fill and slowed down, I looked up and saw Billie looking at me thoughtfully. I cocked my head to the side with a silent question. Why didn’t she tell Piper about the bucket and our conversation? Billie just winked at me. She whispered something in Piper’s ear that made her smile, and she stood up.
“I’m heading to bed, all,” Billie said. “After working all morning in the kitchen and then all afternoon in the bar, I am exhausted.”
I’d already cleared my plate and made my mind up quickly. “Let me walk you back to your room?” I asked.
She looked at me with brows raised before giving Piper a quick look. Piper shrugged. Whatever language they were speaking, I wasn’t privy to it.
“Sure,” she said casually, “that would be nice.”
I stood and followed her out of the longhouse. Once I caught up with her I had to slow my pace because her legs were much shorter than mine. Walking next to each other, our height difference was even more apparent. Her head barely reached the middle of my chest. It also made it very easy for me to see down the top of her tunic. I couldn’t help but notice her breasts were significantly larger than any of the other females I’d seen. They looked so… soft. I quickly averted my eyes when I realized this was the second time I’d ogled her in one day.
“So you’re staying,” she said. It wasn’t a question.
“I am. Are you okay with that? I know we discussed it as a possibility, but I made it official with Agnarr without further conversation. I just volunteered to be your assistant until you finished the bar. That’s a lot of time with me, isn’t it?” It came out as a question laced with uncertainty.
“I am happy to have your help. And you need someone to help you work through all of this.” She paused. “But you shouldn’t rely only on me. You should talk to Agnarr and Brandr, too, and be more honest with Reykr. He’ll want to know how much you’re struggling with figuring out your place without your parents if he’s a real friend. I am always willing to listen, but I don’t want to be your sole source of advice.”
“You’re right. I think having new perspectives might help me figure out what I am looking for…”
