“Good. I understand your rant but just remember young lady who’s in charge here. I may have got you some help, and I’m making you manager, does that help?”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I question, “Which of course means more money…?”
“It might.”
“Either I get more money for my promotion or….”
“Don’t finish that sentence!” He exclaims pointing his finger at me. “Yes, I’ll pay you more. Now I have to run, I have an appointment.”
“Wait….” Before I can finish my question the door slams behind him and I’m on my own again.
Who the fuck will I have working with me now? All I need is a newbie that doesn’t know how to pull a beer or serve burgers. Great!
Before I break something, I sit down for a while, breathing deeply. The door opens and bangs shut again, but when I hear Toby’s voice I sigh in relief; I don’t need to put a false smile on to cover up my anger.
“Hey, baby girl,” he shouts as he walks towards me. He stops behind me, bends and kisses my cheek.
“Hey,” I answer him, subdued.
“What’s up, how long have you been here?”
“Since nine. I had to clean up. How did it go with Landon?”
“Ahhhh, Sia, he’s awesome and so good in the sack!” Toby says dreamily. I roll my eyes at his mushy behavior. Usually, I would find it funny, but with my foul mood, I’m not good company.
“At least someone had fun!” I get up abruptly from the stool and walk back towards the dishwasher to see if it’s finished just too busy myself.
“What’s up with you? How did it go with the drunken Hulk last night?”
“Oh, you remember, then!” I turn to look at Toby, his eyes raise in a ‘what the fuck have I done’ look. “Don’t look at me like that, you do remember leaving me here don’t you… also, I sat up all night watching him sleep because I was scared he was gonna puke everywhere. Then I watched him having bad dreams and heard him calling out to someone named April. Then this morning we argued so I dropped him off at his place and I came straight here.”
“Did you say you watched him sleep?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows at me with a smirk on his face.
I feel my cheeks heat up, but instead, I roll my eyes, “I’m not in the mood for this shit today, Toby. Also, I’m not done yet. Our dick of a boss has already been in to tell me he’s taking someone else on - finally. I just hope that will be someone who knows what to do here. Oh, and I have news…”
“What?” Toby asks cautiously. I can’t blame him, I’ve never been this on edge.
“He’s given me a promotion, to bar manager.”
“That’s great, babe. You deserved that long ago.” Toby walks toward me excitedly and wraps me in his arms, hugging me tightly. “Congratulations, Sia.”
I lean back to look at him and narrow my eyes. “No messing about now Toby, I need you with me, no going early just to get your dick wet...I mean it. You are the only one I can count on.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes me as l laugh at him. I shake my head and get free from his hold and go back behind the bar.
“Come on, boss. Let’s get ready to open up,” he smacks my ass, making me shriek.
Taking a few steps away, the guilt washes over me, I wonder if I was too harsh on him. “Toby, I didn’t mean to sound like a bitch,” I murmur.
“Hey you’re not, and… in all honesty I shouldn’t have left you on your own with the Hulk; I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” he smiles and opens his arms to me.
This is why I love him.
I walked the short distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist, placing my cheek against his chest. His hug helps me with my foul mood, gives me the comfort I need so I stay in his arms longer than I should. I give him a kiss on his cheek, and let him go and get to work on opening up this bar.
~*~
The day has flown by, it is the busiest day we’ve ever had, and I haven’t a clue why, but I’m happy people are loving the place even though I’m dead on my feet and really in need of sleep. Toby and I got the lunch and dinner rush done without taking a break, and it was still busy. Resting anytime soon looked like a dream. Until of course, the front door swings open and a young girl, maybe a little younger than me, walks in. She walks right up towards the bar and tells me she’s due to start work here.