Page 58 of The Sidekick

When I reenter, she looks at the change of clothes, and I pause as a brief flash of want crosses her face. She looks away quickly, but I catch it. Thank God.

“Want to head with me to work? Things have changed around there that I think you’ll like.” I ask as I reach for the keys to my truck. I never saw the need to own my own vehicle since Trevor drove me wherever I wanted to go. I’m now addicted to the freedom of it.

As a matter of fact, “Who dropped you off? I could swear that was your car that peeled out of here. I thought it was you for a second.”

Her eyes narrow in a look of disgruntlement that I’ve never seen before but find absolutely adorable. Her nose wrinkles up as she utters one flat word, “Shade.”

“Andi’s Shade?” I ask in surprise.

“Yes,” her eyes narrow further as she stares at the keys in my hand. “The guy who’s going to buy me new tires.”

I stop again in surprise. New Tera isn’t afraid to demand things or be in a bad mood. Duly noted and very fucking exciting. I’m practically salivating at the ideas running through my head. A Tera that argues? Really argues and makes demands? Sign me up.

“You still work at the bar?” She gestures towards my shirt with my name stitched into the pocket, and it unscrambles my brain from the lewd thoughts I was stuck in.

“Yeah,” I clear my throat and watch her reactions closely. “Hard to make Trevor suffer if he’s not seeing me being an asshole to him.”

Her brow lowers as she absorbs the words. “You’re fighting, or are you just teasing him?”

I’m used to comments like that being more giggly with a dash of teasing, and I’m thrown by how serious she sounds. “Can’t it be both?”

Her lips tilt in that tiny smile again, “Yeah, of course.”

“He lied.” I wince as the words blurt out of me desperately. I’m supposed to be patient with her. Maybe woo her or some crap. Not slap her in the face with facts. I need that smile back, though.

She doesn’t say anything, which makes my word vomit even worse.

“He’s a total dick when he’s in pain, and he hates being doted on. But he lied. You aren’t a toy. I should have told you that straight up. That’s on me. I want you, Tera. I don’t care if it’s as a friend or … fuck, that’s a lie too. Don’t run again, please.” I can feel the sweat on my palms and brow as I will my mouth to seal shut. Fucking Asher and his ‘talk it out’ advice is going to ruin this.

“I’m not running anymore,” she assures me quietly. She seems lost in thought and a little dazed at my weird confession.

“Come with me,” I beg shamelessly. I already threw my pride on the floor. I might as well make a complete ass of myself. “Even if it’s just for a little bit. The waitresses miss you a lot.”

She gives me a flat, skeptical look, but I’m serious. They had no idea how good they had it while Tera was working there. Now they have no bubble of happiness to keep their spirits up when people get shitty, and they have to pull their weight instead of slacking. Tera did a lot more at work than I ever knew. I don’t pity them, but if I can use that to get her to stay with me even the slightest bit longer, I will.

After a thoughtful silence, she ends up shrugging as if she’s been defeated in a fight and says resignedly, “Why not?”

I grin at her, relieved despite her reluctance, and usher her to the vehicle before opening the door for her.

The entire drive is made in complete silence. I swallow back a million questions while she looks out the window as if she’s relearning the scenery. She doesn’t ask anything either, and it ratchets up my nerves until I’m stewing in my sweat. Being interrogated or yelled at would be more comfortable at this point.

When we pull up, the parking lot is mostly full, everything in full swing by now, and I’m running late with no regrets. She takes in all the vehicles with a slight frown, and I grin. It’s a full house tonight, so she will get a good shock for once. Instead of trying to sneak past Trevor’s office, I walk her to the front doors and open one for her.

She doesn't hesitate as she steps past the threshold and looks around at the changes.

Trevor wasn’t in any shape to tell Andi no when she gave him the offer to buy the bar from us to keep it from shutting down. She told us that Tera wouldn’t want us to lose our home, and that was that. We’re now rich fuckers, and no one knows because we’re still on the staff rosters as a busboy and the boss.

Andi added new booths and bar seats. A couple of pool tables are in the back, beside a small dance floor and an upgraded jukebox that people can control themselves. The entire space looks and feels different. We even have a limited food menu that Andi has been working on. The upswing in popularity has made hiring new people easy and keeps the regular full-time employees well-paid. Trevor doesn’t even need to be on the floor straining his leg all the time anymore, even though he keeps his presence known.

“Tera?” A squeal sounds from our right, and Diana rushes past me to almost knock her down with a hug.

“Oh, I’ve missed you, missed you, missed you!” She releases a shocked Tera and bounces on her toes. “Please tell me you moved back and you’re looking for your old job. I bet the boss man would kiss your feet if you asked. He’s missed you so much. Please?”

Tera gives her a tight half-smile and says, “That wouldn’t be very good for me.”

My stomach sinks as Diana’s face falls.

“At least promise you’ll stop in sometimes. Like, all the time. We all miss you. I’m so glad you’re ok.”

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