“Oh, hi, Levi, how are you? I, uh, wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon,” I reply, putting on Pet Patrol in case Emme wakes up while I’m still on the phone.
Please, Shawn. Let it be good news.
Grams joins us in the living room. She must have heard us come in. Seeing I’m on the phone, she offers a wave before shifting to check on Emmerson. I wave back then cover the phone, mouthing that it’s about the job while trying not to “squee” as she excitedly mouths “Oh!”, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs up before settling back on her black leather recliner.
“Yeah, well, when you know, you know, right?” he says and I freeze at his choice of words. He grumbles then goes on, seemingly to clarify.
Under Grams’ watchful eye, I feel a bit embarrassed as I know she sees it—my goofy grin that seems to come out to play and dance across my lips as I listen to Levi’s voice, reacting to
him
once again. I move to take the call into the foyer and sit on the old deacon’s bench. I know Grams is probably wondering what the hell I’m doing, but the last thing I need tonight is her and London ganging up on me, drilling me about my potential new boss.
“I just mean,” he works to correct himself as I feel my pulse accelerating at the implications of his earlier words, “I honestly should have offered you the job while you were here, but I…yeah, anyway, I’d like to offer you the job now, as a server. What do you think?”
I’m already jumping up and down and fist pumping the air when my brain catches up to my mouth to form a response.
“Yes! Oh, God, yes!”
Oh, my God! Did I really just say that into the phone? Cheese and rice!
“Um, yes. What I mean is, sorry, yes. I’d very much like to accept the job. Thank you for the chance, Levi.”
I hear what can only be explained as a low sexy rumble come from his end of the line before he continues: “Seeing as you already have a valid Smart Serve certificate, you can technically serve alcohol right away. So I was thinking maybe you could start training Saturday, then we’ll start you on the regular schedule within the next couple of weeks, depending how it goes.”
“That sounds great. Thank you so much for the opportunity, it means a lot. I promise I’ll be worth the risk.” I cringe at how my words could be interpreted.
Real cool, Daniels, real cool.
“Are you able to work at least one day on the weekends? On top of Mondays and Thursdays? I try to share the weekends between all the part timers; I figure one shift a weekend is fair. That way it gives everyone good tips and a social life.” He laughs at his own statement and I feel it reverberate throughout my body.
What the hell?
“I can work weekends, that’s no problem at all,” I reply without second thought.
“Perfect.” He hesitates for a moment. “Oh, and Braun, before I go, make sure you save my cell number, you’re going to need it and you might as well as get used to seeing it too.”
“Good idea, I’ll add it as soon as we hang up. And please add me as well, feel free to call anytime.”
Insert foot in mouth.
“I mean like for work, not just to call me, like, I don’t want—well, I do, I just mean—God, I…”
He interrupts me as I stand banging my head off the wall repeatedly.
“I know what you mean, Scrappy, you want me to call you. You’re not the first, babe.”
With that I let out a full-on belly laugh. God, I like the way he makes me feel already. “Are you laughing at me? I’ll have you know, I’m a catch. But okay, okay, you need more time before we become calling buddies, got it. So, for now, work calls only, okay, Scrappy, that sound good?” he asks and I can see his smirk through the phone.
I can’t stop the little tummy flutter at his words, but I manage to get out a breathy: “Yeah, perfect, Levi, thank you again.”
“My pleasure. Have a great night, Braunwyn.”
The call goes dead while I stand in the hallway for a moment, still holding the phone to my ear, reveling in the feelings he evokes.
It’s nice to be reminded that the butterflies in my tummy might not be dead after all.
I utter a silent thank you to my very own guardian angel, while at the same time experiencing a wave of guilt for reacting the way that I did to Levi. I take a minute to regroup, tapering down the guilty thoughts, allowing my excitement to take back over before shooting an excited text to London. I tell her to get her beautiful self over here ASAP. That we need to celebrate my first official job!
Before I can even reply to her text, London bursts through our door yelling, “Told you so!” Grams cheers from the living room, and I hear the bird-like murmurs of Emme talking in her sleep.
“I know, I know, it’s almost as if you’re clairvoyant or something.”
“Har, har. Now tell me all about Boss Man. Was he as hot as his friggin’ voice? Cause Hooker, you know you could do with some action. Ooooh, maybe some kinda interoffice affair…” she says, smiling brightly.
“Umm, no. Sure, he’s very attractive, but there will be no great affair. I need the job, not a man, anyway.”
Besides, I’m sure he’s got a girlfriend. How could he not?
But I keep that thought to myself.
Once I’ve fed London’s inquisitive side enough, we spend the rest of the night celebrating the Daniels girls. We celebrate the best way we know how; we dance around the living room to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” while feasting on a celebratory pizza accompanied with popcorn and, of course, watching Emme’s favourite movie, “Despicable Me”. I ended up promising Emme that we would go the movies to see the Minions on Sunday as a way to celebrate how well she’s done in school, just the two of us.
Both London and Grams had no issues helping out with Emmerson on the nights I have to work. Levi explained that my shifts will usually run from 8:30 p.m. until close, and that he liked the staff to arrive fifteen minutes before hand. The shift times were perfect, as Little Miss will be sound asleep, thus allowing me to work and feel less guilty about leaving her. Chances are she won’t even notice I’m gone. All three were so excited that I got the job; I’m so lucky to have them. Emme and I are both lucky. London treats Emme as if she were her own and I could not ask for a more caring and loyal friend, even if she is a pain about getting me a love life.
Braunwyn
I
t’s Saturday, which
means that it’s my official training day at Pub Fiction, and I am so freaking nervous. I’m thankful that London suggested I complete my Smart Serve training a few months ago, so I at least have the basics down. Sure, in theory I can do this, but reality is a totally different thing.
Walking back into Pub Fiction, the butterflies in my stomach are beyond live and well. I have no idea if I can pull this job off, but I’m ready to give it my all, seeing as the last thing I want to have happen is for Levi to regret his decision to take a chance on me. He seemed sincere about having a clean slate like me to train and work with—a declaration that definitely gives me a bit more confidence today.
Walking closer to the bar, I spot a man who is pure sin, and he’s completely devouring me as I approach. Holy fudge, he’s looking at me as if he’s a starved man. I smile a bit inside at being so blatantly perused. It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to enjoy being looked at by a man; nice to see that I’ve still got it.
See? Progress already!
As I get closer, I see that he’s got his sandy-brown hair styled in a “faux-hawk”, longer on the top and gelled into a subtle crest while buzzed along the sides. The style showcases his gorgeous grey eyes, eyes I can see are friendly as I get closer, not at all intimidating like I expected. He isn’t overly tall, but he has the stocky build of an athlete, you know the type, all broad shoulders and huge hands like a wrestler. The man is definitely sex on legs.
Oh, jeez, why do all the men who work here have to be so darn hot?
“Hey, there, pretty lady,” he says with a sexy grin, “you must be my latest victim. Braunwyn, I presume?”
“Uh, yes, that’s I—I mean, yes, hi.” I wave like a loser. “Yes, hi. I’m Braun,” I say, extending my hand. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m glad to be working with you today. I’m not sure what you’ve been told, but I have no clue what I’m doing, I’ve never had a job before, but I prom—”
“Hi, I’m Luke,” he says, chuckling as he clasps my hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses it chastely. “Relax, there, sweetheart. It’s all good, nothing to worry about. Trust me.”
I nod, trying to relax at his kind words. “Sorry, Luke I get a bit over-the-top chatty when I’m nervous. I just want to do a good job. Levi is taking a chance on me and I want to be an asset here.”
“Oh, trust me, sweets, you will definitely be an asset around here. I can totally see why Levi hired you,” he laughs, and I have to admit I’m not sure what to make of his comment. So I do what I would normally never do. I ask.
“What the hell does that mean, buddy?”
Hey! I’m doing the “human interaction” thing.
Putting his hand up in mock surrender, Luke begins laughing. “Whoa, there, Braunnie. You really are a little firecracker, aren’t you? Levi was right, you’re gorgeous, but damn, with that sass you got going on, those dudes won’t stand a chance messing with you,” he says, smiling. “Honestly, it was a compliment. So, down girl. I’m just saying you’re gonna be a good fit.”
“Okay, well, thanks, I guess. But tone down the jerk act a bit, eh?” I burst out laughing at his shocked expression.
Luke shakes his head. “‘Scrappy’ is a perfect name for you. Levi hit the nail on the head with that one,” he chuckles, his shoulders actually shaking, clearly pleased with his assessment of me.
At his use of the name “Scrappy”, I roll my eyes. Luke takes that as a signal that he is forgiven and drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Now, it’s just too bad you’re not my type, we could have been so beautiful together, Braunnie. You’re just too much sass for this ass.” He points to himself.
I want to ask him what else Levi had to say about me. Did he tell Luke he thought I was good looking? But, of course, I refrain. I mean, that would just make me look like I might care…right?
And I totally don’t. Right?
With his arm still around me, Luke carries on: “I think we’re gonna have a lot of fun together. I love a girl with guts, one who can keep me on my toes. I thought you were gonna take me down there for a minute,” he jokes, and I look forward to getting to know this crazy man a bit better today.
Walking toward the back hall, Luke gives me the lay of the land. “Remember, you need to report to the bar at least fifteen minutes before the shift starts; we always have a quick stand-up meeting with all the staff. This is where Levi or I will share any important info for the night, be it specials, VIP bookings, or whatever.” He stops in front of a door that says “Staff Only”. “Okay, so this is the staffroom. In here is where we all have a locker, and there’s an employee washroom and a small kitchen. You can make yourself at home,” Luke says as he opens the door wider so we can step in, “but be sure to lock the door if you’re going to get changed in here.” It’s a pretty big space with about a dozen lockers on one wall, and a leather couch and coffee table off to the left along with a small galley kitchen with a dining table.
“Right. Lock the door,” I repeat.
“Yeah, we had a bit of a problem when Levi’s brother, Ryker, worked here. He always seemed to forget to knock, especially when his now-girlfriend, Kat, would be changing in here. Ever since ‘Rykergate’, we’ve had a lock. The last thing Levi needs is for someone to get pissed off at being unwillingly seen all naked and shit. It’s good thing Kat was so into our boy. Man, those two took forever to hook up; we all knew it was bound to happen, it just took them a while to get on the same page…” he trails off, and shows me which locker will be mine.
“As you know,” Luke begins, as we head toward the storage room, “I’m the lucky SOB who gets to train your cute self today, eh? And you should know that you are also lucky ’cause I. AM. THE. MAN. I am Pub Fiction’s trainer extraordinaire. Ask around, it’s a known fact,” he deadpans, and I laugh at him. “Hey, I’ll have you know, Braunnie, you’ve been graced with the presence of serving and bartending royalty. There’s no need to worry, I will teach you all you need to know. And all within your four-hour training shift.” I look at him skeptically. “Yeah, Braunnie, you and I are gonna be great together.”
I laugh at this nickname and he gives my head a condescending little pat, before he proceeds to show me where to find everything I may ever need, true to his word.
Luke is clearly a joker, and I’m already drawn to his personality. I could definitely see adding him to my new list of friends in the very near future. For now, the butterflies have subsided and I’m even starting to feel a bit relaxed. And, above all, excited to start work.
Levi
I
hear laughter
coming from the storage room and I have to go shut it down. It’s not that I don’t allow fun, but that particular giggling sound is doing shit to my cock and I can’t take it anymore. I assume it’s Braun laughing with dickhead Luke, and the thought pisses me off. Seriously, hearing her voice the other day over the phone nearly killed me. I swear I walked around the rest of the night with a hard as steel dick and her sweet voice telling me “Yes! Oh, God, yes!” on repeat.
What the actual fuck is this chick doing to me?
I approach the storage room.
Fuck it.
I
want to make those beautiful eyes of hers shine.
I noticed their colour, so unique it’s as if you’re looking through a glass of whiskey on a warm summer’s night. I’ll be damned if I don’t want to be the guy responsible for her sexy pouty lips expelling those giggles.
Maybe even the only guy.
I’ve got no fucking clue why, but I know for certain that I want this time with her. To be the one showing her stuff, getting to know her that bit more. But I never train anyone anymore, and Luke knows it.
Shit.
I stand outside the door torturing myself while listening to that laugh again.
Jesus, I need to get a piece tonight.
Deciding I can’t take it anymore, I walk away before I make an ass of myself by getting caught lurking like a creepy pervert, or worse, giving Luke ammunition to bust my balls.