Page 68 of Wasted Memories
I nodded and threw my arms around Brendt. “Thank you,” I said into his chest. He hugged me back, the plastic bag in his hand brushing against my back.
“You’re my best friend, Em. Don’t mention it.”
I let him go, taking a step back. Brendt may be one of the only good things to come from that part of my life, and I’m glad he was still by my side through all of this.
I turned around and walked down the alley to the back of the restaurant, careful not to step in the deep puddles despite my shoes being soaked through. I hurried inside, slipping into the bathroom to attempt to dry my hair with the thin paper towels.
As much as I wanted to go home right now, I was the only one working besides Elijah and Logan, and I knew how much Elijah hated interacting with the diners when he had other things to do like payroll.
My hair was still damp and my clothes were soaked through as I made my way back into the seating area. Elijah was taking a couple’s order as my eyes combed through the few people in the restaurant. Felix was gone.
***
An hour later, my clothes were stuck to my skin and my hair was still somewhat wet, but I felt a lot better than I did when I walked back in here. There was only one family seated at a table in front of the windows, which meant cleaning after we closed would go quickly, and I could get the hell out of here. I was waiting for the kitchen to prepare their food when I turned to Logan.
“Have you ever thought of working somewhere with an actual nice boss and better wages?” I asked him. Logan had the bartending skills of a pro, yet he stayed at this small town restaurant. He could go to the city and make a lot more if he really wanted to.
He shrugged. “I’m a small town kinda guy, and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there ain’t many bartending jobs open around here.”
I turned to him, leaning both elbows on the countertop. “You don’t peg me for a small town kind of guy.”
“Well, I’m living in one, aren’t I?”
I smiled. “You have a point.”
“Plus, if I got a new job, who would make you the best damn sweet tea you’ve had this far north?”
I was off in thirty minutes but damn if that didn’t make me want one. Elijah didn’t like when we ate or drank on the clock, but I was to the point today that I didn’t care. He was lucky it was just a sweet tea and not a long island. “You want to make me one right now?”
“Clearly I have nothing else to do, so of course.”
He pulled the gallon container of sugar out from under the bar and set it down with a thump. “Please tell me you’re not putting that entire jug in my drink.”
He laughed, grabbing a clean glass to fill it with ice. “It may work better than that shitty coffee in the break room.”
I laughed as I heard the bell go off for my table's food. I walked over to the kitchen window and grabbed the three plates, then headed to the couple with a young child. I set the plates in front of them. “Was there anything else I could grab you guys?”
The man smiled up at me. “No, this is perfect. Thank you.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” I grinned and headed back to the bar. My drink was sitting on the edge of the bar, condensation already dripping down the glass in the humidity of the restaurant. Logan was scrubbing at a spot next to the sink, his back to the bar, when I grabbed it, taking a long sip.
“This is just what I needed after a long day. Logan’s famous sweet tea.”
He laughed without turning around. “Oh, don’t flatter me.”
Chapter Forty
Wesley
Ibrushedmyhandsoff on my jeans, standing up. My left knee cracked after having been crouched down for so long replacing the brake pads on an old Toyota Rav4.
“All set,” I called into Jim’s office. I headed to the sink to wash my hands of the grease that accumulated throughout the day. With the garage door opened, the sound of pouring rain echoed throughout the shop.
“Hey, Wesley.” I turned my head while scrubbing my hands, my eyes landing on Jett, who stood a few feet away. After the day I’d had, he was the last person I wanted to see.
His truck wasn’t on the list of vehicles we were working on today, which meant he was here for either Jim, or me. I had no reason to entertain a conversation with him, but for the sake of trying to keep things civil, I’d be nice.
“Hey.”
