Page 78 of Searching for Nova

“You’d still have to clean. You’d only work the snack bar during open skating hours.”

I walk up to him. “I really want the job. What do I have to do to make sure I get it? Besides not screwing up?”

“Smile. Be friendly. People come here to have fun.”

“I can do that.

He eyes me, skeptically. “I’m not so sure about that, but we’ll see.” He turns to leave.

“Wait, what do you mean?”

He turns back. “You always have that sour look on your face, and you do that thing where you talk under your breath. People don’t like that. When you work with the public, you gotta be friendly. Smile. That’s what makes them come back. I’ve seen a shift in you this week that makes me think you might be able to do the job. You’ve been smiling more, not muttering shit. That’s why I’m giving you a chance at this, but if that ornery side of you comes out again, I’ll need to find someone else to run the snack stand.”

“I can do it!” I point to my mouth. “See this smile? I’ll keep it going the whole time I’m out there today.”

He laughs a little. “We’ll see.”

We walk out of the break room together.

“So you and that hockey player got something going on?” Rod asks as we go down the hall.

“What hockey player?” I ask, wondering how he knows about Easton, assuming that’s who he’s talking about.

“The kid who keeps showing up here after you get off work. It’s the same kid who takes lessons here on Sundays. You two going out?”

“No, we’re just friends.”

“Looked like more than that last night. I went to take out the garbage and saw you two attached at the mouth.”

“It’s not what you’re thinking. We were just…” I don’t know what to say. There’s no way to explain it as being anything other than kissing.

Rod stops next to the cleaning closet. “You gotta watch out for guys like that.”

“Like what?”

“Guys with money. They come to this part of town, meet up with a cute girl, buy her stuff, make her feel special, and then use her for whatever their girlfriend’s not giving them. I’ve seen it a million times, especially with girls your age.”

“That’s not what Easton’s doing. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, and like I said, we’re just friends.”

“Let me guess. He said he broke up with his girlfriend soon after you two started hooking up?”

“Rod, no offense, but I don’t think we should be talking about this.”

“I’m just looking out for you, kid. I hate to see you get hurt by some rich prick just using you for a quick fling. The guy seemed okay when I met him, but that’s the thing. These guys know how to charm the ladies. They throw some money at a girl like you, a girl who’s got nothing, and before you know it, you’re falling for the guy. I’m not telling you what to do here. I’m just saying to be careful. My guess is the guy’s still with his girlfriend—some rich girl who wouldn’t ever come to this part of town so he doesn’t have to worry about her finding out about you.”

“Easton wouldn’t do that. He’s not like that.”

Rod’s brows rise. “You meet his friends yet?”

“No. Why?”

“Ask to meet his friends. If the guy’s just using you, he ain’t gonna let you meet his friends, or his family. He’s gonna keep you a secret.”

“I’ve met his friends. I met them at the diner.”

“And he told them you two are together?”

“No. We weren’t together then. We still aren’t. I’m telling you, we’re just friends.”

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