Page 2 of Winter Ends
While I was thankful for the job, it also meant Shawn. The owner’s son.
The guy walked around this place like he shit gold. He couldn’t do anything wrong, and it drove me nuts. Every day, I felt like one false move could see me being escorted out the door while he could get away with murder. It didn’t help that I found him attractive. His hair was dark, buzzed so short it was barely visible, and all it did was make his hazel eyes pop more. Fuck.
Shawn didn’t deserve my answer. I grabbed a damp cloth from under the counter and headed out into the restaurant. “I’m going to go wipe down the tables.”
He scoffed at my obvious dismissal. Whatever. He was so damn entitled.
Must be nice not to have to worry about anything.
Chase was setting out wine glasses and utensils, and he watched me move around the dining room. When he got closer to where I was cleaning, he leaned in.
“What was that all about?”
I looked up at him and shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
There was a loud clatter as Chase set down the stack of silverware he was carrying on the table next to him. “You’ve been in a pissy mood since I found you in the back room.”
It wasn’t fair to take things out on him. I dropped the rag and ran a hand through my shaggy hair. “Just... stuff from home.”
Chase frowned because he understood all too well what I meant.
“You’re still having trouble with that?”
“Yes, and no. I mean, my parents are finally talking to me again.” I sighed as I looked to make sure that Shawn was still behind the bar and out of earshot. Him knowing the sordid details of my past was the last thing I needed.
“But that’s not what’s bugging you.”
I shook my head. Chase stared at me for a moment, waiting for me to say anything else, but I had no more to say about it.
He sighed and picked back up the pile of silverware. “I get it, man. That shit was terrible, but if you need anyone to vent to, you know I’m here.”
My stomach twisted as he walked away.
Things had been lonely over the last few months. Starting over from scratch was fine in theory, but after something so horrible? Not so easy in practice.
I needed to get with the picture. I finished the half of the dining room that Chase hadn’t set before heading back to thebar. By the time I got there, Mr. Stevens was standing there with the schedule. Shawn was nowhere in sight and go figure that he’d dip out as soon as his father showed up.
“Here are the assignments for the next two weeks. I’m not changing anything. If you don’t like who you’re working with, that’s too fucking bad. Get a job somewhere else.” He set the schedule on the bar and walked away.
Most nights I was in the bar, which was fine. It was busy and kept my mind off things. I enjoyed mixing different cocktails and talking to customers. Most of them had problems that were far larger than my own.
The problem? I was working with Shawn. Of course, it was because the golden child didn’t work anywhere else. Did he even know how to work in any other part of the restaurant? Maybe that was the biggest perk of being the owner’s child. Also, why was he never present when Mr. Stevens put out the schedule? What was the point if you already knew what you were going to do?
I didn’t have time to stew over the assignments as dinner guests filed in the front doors. I looked at my watch and it was just after four-thirty. Right on time.
“God, I’m tired.”
An arm draped over my shoulder, and I yanked my body out of the embrace.
Why did this fucker always think it was okay to touch me?
“Fuck off, Shawn.”
He clicked his tongue as he watched me disappear into the back to grab my jacket, and he was still standing there when I came back out. When I looked out the windows, I cursed.
“Fucking seriously?”
“What’s the matter, Daniel? Can’t handle a little snow?”
