Today Monse leaves for writing camp, leaving me by myself. Or with Ruby, Jamal, and Cesar should I say. Dad was going to be out on a business trip, I was going to have the house to myself, one full of groceries since dad stocked the cupboards. He knew my pregnant self could not do groceries shopping, I would never get real food. Just weird craving combinations.
I got a job at the local convenience store, just a couple blocks from the house so that would be occupying my time as well, while Monse is away and I'm stuck with 3 horny teenage boys. Who I am sure will be spending most of their time in my living room and eating my newly stocked cupboards of groceries.
"Bye Monse" I frowned hugging her. "Keep my friends in check okay," she said pulling back and I nodded. How hard could it be? Throw some food on the table, get a case of beer and I bet they would sit on my couch for the entire summer and be happy just like that.
The boys also said goodbye to Monse and I said goodbye to my dad.
I quickly walked back inside, finally able to take a hot show since Monse always takes the hot water.
-
Monse has been gone two weeks. I started picking up extra shifts since she left since I was so bored and it seems to be the only time the boys would leave me alone. Only it's just Ruby and Jamal now. For some reason, Cesar stopped hanging out with them and they wouldn't tell me why. Monse is going to kill me, the one thing she asked me to do and I couldn't even keep these boys from fighting with each other. Monse really was the glue to those four.
I pulled on a pair of jeans that thankfully still fit. I wasn't showing exactly but I had gained some weight. These damn pregnancy cravings.
After changing I made my way to work. Jamal joined me, then Ruby. "Why are you following me to work?" I asked the two boys as they just walked with me in silence.
Rolling my eyes I walked into the store, Jamal and Ruby splitting up. I furrowed my eyebrows at him before going into the backroom to clock in. I was finally trusted to work the closing shift alone. Which was a little nerve-wracking since this was Freeridge, but thankfully I was pretty well respected.
After a while, Randy finally left and Jamal took a seat on the counter, snacking on the two things he got. Ruby stood a bit away going through the magazines. "What are you two doing?" I asked, annoyed since my couple of non-boy-filled hours was being interrupted. "Not letting you sit in this store alone," Jamal said with a duh tone. I rolled my eyes and turned to count the cash in my drawer. A habit I had not since Randy isn't the best at counting. His books were always off.
"Why won't you tell me what Cesar did? Why doesn't he hang out with you guys anymore?" I asked leaning forward against the counter and looking at Jamal and Ruby.
"Just trust us, we can't tell you especially with those pregnancy hormones," Ruby said shaking a little like he was scared. "What are you trying to imply," I said eyeing ruby and he just smiled. "Absolutely nothing"
The front door opened causing me to shove Jamal off the counter. "Bad for business," I said shrugging as Jamal acted as if he was hurt.
My breath hitched in my throat.
Gray flannel
Black shorts
I watched closely as he searched through the freezers and grabbed a couple of things. When he made his way up one of the isles towards the counter, he stopped in his tracks when he saw me.
"Madison?" He questioned, continuing towards me after a second and putting the stuff down on the counter. "Spooky," I said semi smiling and checking him out. His grocery items, not him, himself. Hell, I wouldn't mind checking him out. He was always a good-looking guy, he was just an asshole and we tend to but heads a lot.
"When did you get out of prison?" I breathed heavily, placing a hand on my belly protectively. "Couple days ago, you've changed a lot," he said eyeing me up and down causing me to roll my eyes.
"Keep the change" spooky said, smirking at me and grabbing his bag. "I'll see you around, Hermosa," he said with one last smile, his dimple popping out.
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"You two," I said once the door closed behind spooky. "That's why Cesar isn't hanging out with you, when we're you gonna tell me that pendejo was out of prison" I complained.
"You're a lot like your sister, I know if we tell you anything your mouth, or your attitude will get you in trouble. We didn't wanna stress you or the baby out" Ruby said trying his best to sound sweet and concerned.
Rolling my eyes I grabbed a box that was being the counter and handed it over to Jamal, "make yourself busy"
The store phone started to ring so I picked it up. "Madison" Randy instantly said into the phone, not giving me a chance to speak. "What's up, Randy," I said holding the phone with my shoulder and watching as Jamal and Ruby argued over something.
"Why are those two working in my store, if they don't work there. You know I have access to the cameras right" he explained and I sighed. "I tried kicking ''em out, they refuse to leave me alone," I said truthfully. Which was true, they would not leave me alone.
They walked me everywhere I had to go. They even walked to my Dr. appt with me, stayed outside then walked me home.
"Well as long as you're taking care of the store and they at least pay for their snacks, I don't mind. I like that you're not alone in the store" he said and hung up.
I watched as Ruby and Jamal argued still over the way the chips should be laid out.
