Page 120 of Daily Grind
Even the folks from Sam’s company weren’t coming down as often, and when they did… They all knew, from the looks and frowns and glances.
When Fazil came in, he had the same long, worried look that Eli usually wore, sans the penetrating gaze. Fazil studied the counter after ordering and stood in silence while Brian made his mint latte.
He finally spoke when he paid. “You know, I’ve been there.” He contemplated the top of his drink then looked up.
“I remember,” Brian said. Fazil had returned from a business trip a wreck of a man—partly due to reuniting, then breaking up with, his old high-school boyfriend. Brian had been worried about him.Everyonehad been. “But it worked out for you.” Todd had moved to Pittsburgh and a few months later, they’d eloped and bought a house.
Fazil studied Brian. “Todd took a big chance.”
“Somehow, I don’t think Rob’s going to take that kind of chance.”
“Maybe he’s not the one who needs to.”
That punched Brian hard in the chest. He wavered and reached out for the counter to steady himself.
Fazil nodded and dropped a dollar into the tip jar. “See you later, Bri.”
Harder and harder to catch air. Brian scooted sideways from the register and sank down on the stool. The bell on the door rang when Fazil left, adding to the whirling in Brian’s mind. His cellphone burned in his pocket.
Maybe… maybe Fazil and Justin were right. He pulled his phone out and stared at the screen. Worth a try.
He called Rob—and it went straight to voice mail. “Hey, it’s me. I—just wanted to talk. I hope—I hope you get this.” Brian ended the call.
The shop had only two customers in it, and for once he was glad for the small numbers. He wasn’t sure he could stand. Numb didn’t even begin to describe how his legs felt. So he sat and stared and tried to get his breathing back to normal.
Eventually, he got up and puttered around the shop, cleaning things, taking stock, and checking his phone every five minutes for a reply.
Nothing. He tried a text. Nothing.
Tingling from his toes to the back of his head. Had Robblockedhim? He lowered himself onto the stool again. Had to admit it was a distinct possibility, especially after what he’d said.
Shit.
By the time Beth came in for her shift, Brian was sipping water in an effort to quell the rising nausea. His heart wouldn’t slow down, and he hadn’t even had that much caffeine today.
In her expression was everything he feared. He must lookawful, which meant customers saw the same. “That bad?” he murmured.
She frowned, but it was sympathetic. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.” After she tied on her apron, she washed her hands.
The truth from Beth’s lips. Hehadn’tslept… not well, at least. “It’s been quiet today.” The shop, his phone. Everything but his brain and heart.
Beth took stock of the shop. “You know, I can handle the rest of the day and closing if you want to head home.” She paused. “You’ve been here every day for a week and I know it’s been rough.”
He’d worked longer than a week straight. But he wasn’t about to correct her, or look to see how long it had been since he’d had a day off. Beth knew how to close and how to set the alarm, the whole thing. They’d finished her training, but he hadn’t let her close solo yet. He ran a hand through his hair. At some point, hehadto have faith in his new people. “Yeah, okay.”
She stood taller. “Really?”
He nodded. “You’re right, it’s not been a good week for me. I could use the time off… and I trust you.” He met her gaze. “I do.”
Her smile brought out her dimples, and seeing those was a bittersweet thing. Reminded him too much of Rob. But it was also gratifying to see her happy to be working in the shop.
That hammered homeanothertruth. “I should apologize for the way I’ve been recently. I’ve been…” He struggled for a delicate word, but gave up. “I’ve been an asshole. It’s not fair to you or anyone.”
Even if he couldn’t turn the shop around, he didn’t need to make anyone else’s life miserable.
She twisted her hands in her apron. “That means a lot, Brian. Youhavebeen hard to work with sometimes.” She glanced around the shop. “Everyone’s noticed.”
He winced, but it was the truth. He hadn’t seen Dan, Ev, or Jan in ages. Or some of the other regulars. “Gonna try to fix that.”
