Page 14 of A Beary Nice View
With that, Bo grabs the plates for his table and walks away. I pick up Alaric's food and make my way over to his table.
“Jesus, Dell, I didn’t know it got so busy here.”
“It doesn’t usually get this bad,” I tell him truthfully. I feel like I’m in a daze. Bo’s words have opened something inside of me. I shouldn’t have to take this. I shouldn’t have to work myself at such a thankless job.
Just as I’m about to tell Alaric to enjoy his meal, Bradley walks past. “Enough chit chat, Dell. Can’t you see we’re busy!”
I stare at my manager for a long moment before looking down at Alaric. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Will do,” he says, his eyes never leaving Bradley. He stares daggers at the other man but Bradley doesn’t even notice. I start to walk away but Bradley grabs me.
“You’ve been comping way too much food.”
“The kitchen keeps making mistakes, what am I supposed to do?”
“I don’t care. Do better.”
I stand there for a moment, trying to get my breathing under control. Once I feel like I won’t throw hands, I turn and check on my tables. One of them ends up leaving before their mealseven come out of the kitchen. Another has been waiting for their drinks too long.
Gods, this is way too much for Bo and I to handle.
Two of my tables stiff me on a tip. Bradley yells at me a few more times. Finally, Bo and I make it to the end of the rush. Alaric is still here. He’s been taking his time with his food. He’s been a comforting presence in the midst of all this chaos.
Now that the rush is over, Bo and I can focus on our side work, getting all the silverware rolled and stuff like that. The whole time, he can’t stop talking about how this is going to be his last shift and how I should quit too.
His words play over and over and over in my head as I walk over to Alaric’s table. He’s just finishing up the last of his wings. He looks up at me with a grin.
“Those were delicious.”
“I’m glad,” I tell him, unable to put a smile on my face. “I’m sorry for the wait tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dell. It was fun watching you work.”
“What is it with you and watching me?” I say, the frustration inside of me finally breaking.
Alaric chuckles, shaking his head. “What’s not to like when it comes to you?”
“Apparently more than you’d think. A bunch of tables stiffed me on their tip and my manager has been his usual asshole self. My coworker is thinking about quitting after tonight.”
Alaric bites his bottom lip, looking like he’s unsure of something. Finally, he looks up at me with soft eyes. “Dell, I don’t really like sticking my nose into places it don’t belong, but I think you should know something.”
“What?”
“Your manager has been taking your tips while you’re too busy to notice. I assumed he just collected them and then gave themout later but you’re making it sound like that might not be the case.”
I stare down at Alaric for a long moment before something inside of me finally breaks. “That son of a bitch!”
“I’m so sorry.”
“No, no. You have nothing to be sorry about.” I cross my arms over my chest, feeling fire burn inside of me. This place has been sucking the life out of me for too long. It ends tonight. “Bo isn’t the only one quitting tonight. Fuck this place.”
“Are you sure, Dell?”
“Positive. I’ll tell you all the details later, but I’m done for now.”
“I’m here for you, however you need me, okay?”
That breaks the ice inside of me slightly. I smile down at Alaric. Ever since meeting him, I’ve always known he was on my side. He’s the type of guy to go to bat for me no matter what. I like that about him. Hell, I justlikeAlaric.
