Page 14 of Fast Lane

“Do you think I should try to text her, or should I just swing by the food joint?” I ask.

Baylor holds up one finger telling me to hold on while she disappears down the hallway and reappears with a post-it note that has a phone number on it. “I’d text first and go from there. That’s her number in case you didn’t have it.”

“Thanks. You’ve been a huge help,” I tell her as I stand up taking my coffee with me. “Enjoy the other coffee and pastry, Bay.”

“I will, and good luck with Kosi.”

I chuckle. “Thanks. Somehow, I think I’ll need it,” I tell her from over my shoulder.

As soon as I get back to my car, I pull my phone out of my back pocket and open the texting app. I quickly type in Kosi’s number

Roscoe:Hey Kosi. It’s Roscoe. Baylor gave me your number. I really need to talk to you.

Then I wait… and wait… and wait. I drive out to Free Fall and clean up some of the grounds before heading upstairs to look at scheduling. I check my phone periodically, but Kosi never replies.

Thirteen

Kosi

The reflection of myself in the mirror is the last thing I ever expected myself to look at. My hair and makeup are fine with me, but the outfit is just the requirement for Rowdy’s. Rowdy’s is a western themed BBQ restaurant and bar. We literally have to dress like Daisy Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard, and to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t even sure who that was. So basically cowboy boots, cut off denim shorts, and a western style shirt that is sleeveless and tied up so that my midriff shows. It’s a little much if you ask me, but it’s a job. From the money on my paycheck to the tips I make, it helps to keep me from dipping into my savings account.

When I pull up into Rowdy’s parking lot I groan. It’s going to be a long, busy day. The parking lot is packed! Then again, it is college game day and Rowdy’s does have multiple TVs set up. To be honest, the place is kind of a mixture of everything. I guess sports bar can be added to the list. Rowdy’s definitely sticks out in Los Angeles. It’s built to look like a log cabin with a bright red front door. Inside there are deer heads and whatnot mounted on the walls along with the TVs. The decor is dark and rich with woods and fabrics. Every table is covered in those red and white vinyl tablecloths that you used to see for picnics. Along the left side of the building is the bar. It takes up the entire wall and houses every whiskey, bourbon, and beer known to mankind I feel like.

As I’m heading across the parking lot, a group of people come out and the loud country music follows them. Once I step inside, the smells of smoked and barbequed meat fill the area. I do have to admit that it smells really good. The hostess greets me as I head into the back to clock in and toss my purse into my employee locker.

A few hours later and I’m exhausted. I’ve been running all over the place since the moment I stepped out to serve. My feet are screaming in these cowboy boots. With work being so packed, I haven’t had time to take a break. It isn’t until a familiar face walks through the door that I remember my phone vibrating in my back pocket hours ago. I had pulled it out and glanced at it, but I didn’t have time to respond. Plus, I wasn’t sure what to make of the text. I couldn’t figure out what Roscoe could possibly have to talk to me about. I’m pretty sure I’m the last person he would want to talk to. Now, here he is. He walks in and instantly I can see his eyes scanning the area.

It must be foreign to him. That’s not too shocking. When I first came in to apply, I wasn’t sure what to make of it either. Rowdy’s is so different from any place I’ve ever stepped into. However, I do envy Roscoe one thing. After taking in the restaurant and bar his entire body visibly relaxes. He has this amazing talent of just being able to fit in wherever he’s at. This place isn’t his scene but you’d never know that. Roscoe always makes it look super easy. He should stick out like a sore thumb in his ripped and distressed jeans, brown combat-like boots, and camouflage t-shirt with an olive-green bandana rolled and tied around his head, helping to keep his sun-bleached hair out of his face. Sara, the hostess, is basically drooling. When he turns to her it only gets worse. I watch as he gives her his signature smirk before I roll my eyes and make my way to the bar.

Why is he here? When I turn back around with my tray full of drinks, there he is, sitting in my section at a table. All by himself. Internally, I cringe. This is the last thing I wanted to deal with today. After dropping off the drinks, I head to Roscoe’s table. “Welcome to Rowdy’s. I’m Kosi and I’ll be your server.”

Roscoe’s hazel eyes travel up and down my body. It literally feels like an inspection. I bite my tongue because I’m at work but threatening him with bodily harm doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Ideally, I’d like to tell him exactly where to stick his eyes, but I don’t. “You look different.”

I scoff and roll my eyes. “I’m sure I do.”

He smirks, then brings his bottom lip between his teeth. The reaction my body has to that simple gesture almost makes me want to vomit. Roscoe is the last person on this Earth I should be attracted to. I’ve literally passed the Roscoe phase of my life so what the hell is wrong with me? I must just be lonely or hearing about Colby's engagement has really thrown me for a loop. “I didn’t expect it.”

“You didn’t expect the uniform? I don’t buy that, Roscoe. Everyone on this side of town knows exactly what Rowdy’s is. It’s basically a remake of the movie Coyote Ugly with a Dukes of Hazard inspired outfit.” I tap the cap of the pen against the pad of paper we use to take orders anxiously.

“I’ve never seen the movie.”

I almost swallow the gum in my mouth. Ever since getting laid off from my marketing executive job, I’ve taken up the bad habit of chewing gum. For all my life I’ve been lucky and never suffered from anxiety and now I almost feel like that’s all I have. The fruity flavored gum helps keep it at bay for me. “You’ve never seen Coyote Ugly?” I never expected that. I thought all teenage boys of that generation had seen that movie.

Roscoe shakes his head. “Nope.”

Shaking my head, I reply, “Well, you aren’t missing much but this is basically a version of it. Anyways, are you planning on ordering something or are you just going to discuss pop culture with me? Because if you’re not ordering, I have a job to get back to.”

“Wow,” he says as he releases a low whistle. “Working Kosi is no fun.”

My eyes narrow into a glare and I can feel the looks of disgust form on my face. “In what world did Roscoe find me fun?”

“Point taken.” He pauses and looks away. When he looks back, his eyes seem kinder. “I needed to talk to you. Did you get my text?”

“Yes, I did. But as you can see, I’m a bit busy at the moment,” I tell him as I motion around the room.

Roscoe scans the room. I know I’m falling behind on my tables. The more useless time I spend here with him, the less my tips will be. “Won’t you be getting off soon?”

Exasperated, I shake my head. “No, not likely. I was supposed to be off work two hours ago, but once again we’re shorthanded so I’ll probably be here until closing, so I can't talk right now. Are you going to order something or what?”

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