Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 20 • Work

I groaned and rolled over as my alarm went off. One day of being able to sleep in and now I didn't want to go to work. I stayed curled up in my bed until the alarm stopped. Only then did I reluctantly sit up and run a hand through my unkempt and tangled hair. I went through my routine with the added step of covering the dark bruise on my cheek. If it's covered, less people will ask questions.

When I looked in the mirror, I winced. It was worse than I thought. Instead of a dark purplish-blue, it was an ugly yellow and covered my entire cheek. When I gingerly pressed a finger to it, it hurt worse than yesterday. How hard did Liam hit me?

I sighed and dismissed it, painting on concealer. I managed to hide most of it but there was still a shadow of a bruise. I walked away from the mirror and stripped out of my sweats and worn t-shirt. I changed into my uniform and tucked the tube of concealer in my pocket so I wouldn't forget it.

I gave one last sweep of my room to make sure I have everything before turning and flicking off the light switch. I grabbed a plastic bag on my way down the hall to the kitchen and dropped the concealer in it. Setting the bag down on the counter, I grabbed the prepackaged lunch and a drink.

• • •

I did a quick double check to make sure I had everything before I stepped out of my apartment. Then I stepped out and locked the door behind me. I hesitated and stopped when I remembered Lynch's offer from yesterday. I still haven't heard anything from Liam. Dria can't stop by and walk with me to work. Maybe walking with Lynch won't be too terrible.

With a new destination in mind, I walked up the stairs. When I reached his apartment, I found him looking the door behind him with a bookbag slung over his shoulder. I approached him as he turned around. His eyes went wide for a split second at my sudden appearance.

"Hey, what're you doing here?" He asked while tucking his keys in a pocket of his booking.

Now I was nervous again. He clearly wasn't expecting me to accept his offer. "I, uh, I was wondering if it was too late to accept your offer and walk to work together?"

He seemed confused for a second before a smile broke out on his face. "Of course, I figured you'd already be heading over."

I nodded as he walked up to me. We walked back down the stairs and out to the main street. Cars flew by on their way to work. Some kids passed us with bookbags on their backs. I had a feeling today would be a very busy day.

"Ryder?" I looked up at the sound of my name.

"Yes?"

"Do you have any hobbies?" My eyebrows scrunched at the question.

"I...Where did that question come from?" I asked in return.

He shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know much about you so I just felt like asking."

"Oh, well," I stopped to think about his question. "I like listening to music, um, I sew sometimes. There's not much else."

"What do you do most of the time?"

"I work everyday. After work, I'm running errands and finishing chores. I don't have much time for hobbies."

"Ah." He fell silent.

"What about you?" I repeated his question.

"I play guitar here and there. Woodwork every once n' a while when I feel like it. I do some engineering. I like working on cars."

"What do you make with wood?"

"Whatever I'm feeling. Sometimes people ask me for things. I've made memorials for people. Flowers carved in the wood. I make signs n' stuff for me. Things like the Army logo."

"That's cool. What did you make the Army logo for?" I inquired, looking up at him.

"My grandfather." He closed off and a deep frown set into his face.

I looked back down at the sidewalk and counted the cracks. Of course I would ask the wrong question. I got too comfortable and I said the wrong thing. Stupid. Why'd I let my mouth run again? Maybe Liam was right. I shouldn't say anything.

"Ryder?" I raised my head again. Lynch was holding the door to the coffeeshop open. "Ladies first."

I nodded and walked in. He followed behind. The bell had already rung over the door so Vivian was waiting at the counter. She seemed annoyed when she saw Lynch walk in behind me but didn't make an ordeal of it. Instead, she turned back to cleaning the coffee machine. As we walked past to go set our stuff down, she turned around again.

"Lynch, you're working with me up front today. Ry, you're working in the kitchen today. You're washing dishes." Oddly, she seemed almost proud of herself.

"Oh ok. I'll se y'all later." I left and headed to the back to set my stuff down.

Five minutes later, I was walking out to the front with a bucket to collect the dirty dishes. Vivian was talking to a customer and Lynch was refilling the cup dispensers under the counter. I walked past both to the tub that held all the dirty dishes. As I was moving them to the bin I was carrying, Vivian finished with the customer and turned to Lynch. She started working on the customer's order while talking to him.

"So what do you plan to do over the weekend?"

"I'll be working but when I have time off I'm gonna finish unpacking my place."

"Would you like some help? I can stop by for a couple hours?" Her voice was a low purr.

Oh. Now I know why she seemed annoyed. She's flirting with him. She was jealous. I moved a little slower just to listen in on their conversation longer.

"I'll be fine. You don't need to drive out all the way. If I need any help, I'll ask Ry. She lives in the same complex." He shut her down quick."

I stood up with the bucket full of dirty dishes. Vivian was staring, almost glaring, at me. I ducked my head as I walked past back to the kitchen. I could hear them start talking again but I didn't know what they were saying. I unloaded the dishes from an earlier wash cycle and reloaded it with the dishes I just grabbed. 0nce it was loaded and started, I walked farther into the kitchen to find Rhea.

She was working on a batch of pastries. Her hair was wrapped up in a bun under a hair net. I made sure to stay back from the food while I made myself known to her.

"Hey Rhea."

She looked over her shoulder. "Oh, hi Ryder. What're you doing back here?"

"I'm on dish duty today. I just reloaded the dishwasher."

"Ok, did Vivian put you back here?"

I nodded.

She muttered a few curses under her breath. "She doesn't like you. Especially with new guy around. She's trying to push you out of the way so she can have him. She doesn't like that you have his attention."

I was almost surprised when she knew all of what was going on. She has her ways of getting this information even if she spends most of her time in here. "I don't have his attention. He is just being nice."

She slud a tray of bagels into the oven. "Sure. I'll let you believe that."

"It's true! And I'm dating Liam. I can't be looking at other men."

She turned and raised an eyebrow. "And I don't work at a coffeeshop. Just accept it. He's at least interested in you if not trying to make a move. You need to drop Liam and get with Lynch. He will treat you well."

I still denied it. "Nope. Not gonna happen. I'm in a good relationship with Liam. I'm not going to break up with him just because everyone wants to date Liam."

She sighed and place her hands on her hips. "Alright. Believe what you want. Oh, by the way. The bruise on your cheek is starting to show."

My hand shot up and cupped my cheek. I've only been here an hour and the makeup was already wearing off. Keeping my mouth shut tight, I nodded and rushed out to the bathroom.