Page 25 of Find Me in the Rain
“Oh my God, do you really have to listen to your music that loud?” I laugh and am partially in shock that she has any hearing left at all.
She gives me her famous side-eye and snickers. “Yes, actually, I do. It’s a full-body experience.”
I can’t resist my laugh at her. “Luckily, you’ll only get about another five years before you can’t listen to anything.”
“Ha-ha.” She mocks.
We drive the short distance to Fireflies with the music at a low volume—thank goodness. I try to calm my nerves as much as I can, but the closer we get, the worse it becomes, and the tighter this skirt feels.
When we finally pull into the employee parking lot, I am ready to jump out of my skin.
I’m not usually nervous for a new job, but I really don’t want to mess this up. I need this money, and I’m not going to find another job that pays this well for a college student.
I let Char lead the way through the back entrance, and an oversize bodybuilder opens the door for us.
The man leads us to the employee lounge to drop our stuff off before heading to the main room.
When he pushes the door open with anEmployees Onlysign, my steps falter.
An employee lounge? Ha!This feels like it should be the VIP lounge for the most pristine guests.
A giant glass chandelier hangs from the center of the raised ceiling. Lounge chairs line the wall with small round tables accompanying each one.
“Are you kidding me right now? You’re seeing this too, right?” Char walks ahead of me into the room and heads toward the door labeledLockers.
I trail quickly behind her, still in shock.
The wall of lockers doesn’t disappoint either. Although we quickly drop the shocked act because there are two other girls in here. They are talking in a hushed tone but end their convo when we get closer.
Their costumes look great.
One of them has a cute blonde pixie cut, and she’s decked out with white glitter for the night. She’s literally shimmering under the lights. I can’t wait to see it under the flashing lights in the main room. She offers a sweet smile when she turns our way.
The brunette grins as she turns to us, and she is the first one to speak. “First day? Laura and Charlotte, right?”
I’m stunned at the fact that they already know our names and still a little shook with the decor, so my response is lagging. “Yeah, I’m Laura, and this is Charlotte.”
They each introduce themselves and offer their hands, and we shake them. The brunette’s name is Hannah, and she is a shift lead. The pixie blonde girl’s name is Callie, and she is a bartender. And also Hannah’s best friend.
They show us where to clock in and out on the computer system back here.
After we briefly talk to them, we follow them through the door of the locker room that leads to the main corridor of the building. Music is pouring out of the main room—aka the club. The DJ must be setting up.
Hannah and Callie follow the music and take us with them. It seems so much bigger with all the lights on. The DJ is set up on the stage on top of the bar. I really do work at the coolest place.
The circle bar’s entrance and exit is a small break in the bar top that you can just go through. Mila is talking to two guys when we approach. They look like bartenders based on their aprons.
The music is intense inside the bar with the DJ up above us. My listening skills will need to be on point. Good thing I’ve raised a toddler, so I am fluent in gibberish. Drunk people and babies speak the same language.
We grab Mila’s attention as we approach. She isn’t dressed up in a costume like the rest of us. She’s rocking leggings, a black bralette, and an open blazer.
“Nice to see you two. Your costumes look great. This is Mark and Eli, two of my best bartenders. They have each been here over a year. They are going to get your training started. I hope you’re quick learners. Lights off in ten.” And with that, she walks off and out of the room.
Char offers her hand to the boys, who each take it. “I’m Charlotte, and this is Laura.”
After shaking Charlotte’s hand, they shake mine, and I catch Eli’s gaze drifting a little too low. Yeah, one more time, and I’ll put him in his place.
I know my boobs are practically on show in this top right now. I expect the ogling from drunk customers. But I expect respect from my coworkers.
