Page 59 of The Sidekick

She takes Tera’s arm as if they’re reunited best friends and pulls her away. I want to protest and keep her at my side, but I want Tera to see she was missed more. To let her know that the old Tera wasn’t the horrible person she might have convinced herself of.

I slide into the kitchen, where Pat is frowning over an order ticket, and slip my apron on.

“What’s got you all smiles,” she asks without taking her eyes off the paper.

“Tera,” I shrug and grab my towel and spray to get to work.

Her eyes skip up to mine. “What memory do you have now?”

We’ve all been living off fond memories of Tera as if she had died beside Joe. Sharing little Teraisms every day. Even Trevor has done it, even if I glare at him the entire time he’s talking.

“Of Diana kidnapping her from me and taking her order at the bar just now,” I grin at her and leave as she gapes in surprise.

Before long, Diana and Pat hover around a confused Tera, shouting about their lives since she’s been gone over the loud music.

I watch her and the hallway to the office, where I know Trevor is sitting, utterly oblivious to what’s happening. If I were anyone else, I would have told him. Too bad he chose me to love and not someone nice.

The newer employees are starting to get disgruntled that the two women are no longer pulling their weight, not knowing who Tera is, or simply not caring. I watch as one of the more bitchy girls twitches her ass into Trevor’s office and can’t help the malicious grin that spreads over my lips.

Here we go.

Sure enough, she hurries back out of the office, face pale and eyes wide as she hurries over to me.

“Boss man wants to see you in his office.”

I give her a flat look, my smile hidden away again.

“He wants you to bring that chick with you,” her eyes narrow on Tera, where she sits, nodding at whatever Diana is so excited about telling her. “Who is that, anyway?”

When my answer is to remain silent and continue glaring at her, she huffs, the color returning to her cheeks as she eyes me with disgust. “Whatever, I’ll tell her myself.”

I follow her quickly with a scowl. If she upsets Tera, I will give in to the urge to kick this girl’s scrawny ass out the door. By the time we reach the group, she has worked herself up into an egotistical zone she definitely hasn’t earned.

“The boss man wants to see you,” she breaks into whatever Pat was telling her without apology and flips her long hair over her shoulder. Pat and Diana puff up like momma hens protecting their chick, which I would find hilarious at any other time. Right now, I’m so pissed I’m already reaching for the girl’s shoulder, my foot itching to kick.

“I don’t work here. Unless he has a complaint and wants me to leave, he can kiss my butt,” Tera’s chin lifts, and she dismisses the waitress by turning her head back towards Pat. “I’m sorry, I missed that last part. Can you repeat it?”

Our frozen surprise breaks when Diana squeals again and wraps her arms around Tera for another bouncing hug. “I’m loving the new Tera so much!”

“You’re Tera?” The girl props a hand on her hip as she thrusts it out and looks her up and down, unimpressed with what she sees.

When she turns back to her, Diana has her chin resting on Tera’s shoulder with a taunting grin. Her voice is strangely calm as the ice coating her emotions gets thicker. “Yes. Now you can kiss my butt too.”

She scoffs and turns on her heel to sashay away as if anyone wants to look at that.

“Please come back,” Diana breathes with wide eyes.

“You guys are doing great without me,” Tera shakes her head and gives her a stiff smile.

Pat frowns, and her eyes slide to mine, noticing the negative differences and just as concerned about it as I am.

“I’m going to go see what he wants, ok?” I check in with Tera, and she nods, although I see the flash of tension that goes through her. I want to hug her and tell her it will be alright. Instead, I force myself away to face the asshole that helped make her feel like trash.

Babygirl,

Andi just bought the bar. She’s making all these changes, and I hate it. It’s like she’s wiping away every trace of you from my life, and I can’t fight it. Please come home.

Yours,

---