The Knowing Secret

Chapter 9

When Sam arrived at work that evening, I took a deep breath and tried my best to relax. Sam's words had gotten to me and made me wonder what he meant. I decided I would do my best to make him believe that he didn't affect me. So when Chris told Sam he needed to talk to him I couldn't help but smile to myself

            "Sam, I need to talk to you," Chris said when Sam walked in.

"Look I can explain," Sam responded.

"Explain? There is no need to explain I already know what happened," Chris informed him and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"I'd rather just quit instead of being fired," Sam said back.

"Fired? Why on earth would you get fired? We've all forgotten to clock out at least once," Chris said.

"What?" Sam questioned.

"You forgot to clock out last night. I already talked to Riley about it and got it all squared away."

"Riley?" he asked glancing back at me.

"Yeah, who else? She said you guys where really slow last night so she thinks she let you go around eight thirty," Chris continued to inform him.

"Um, yeah that's sound about right," Sam replied.

"In fact Riley told me how awesome you have been the last few nights working with her," Chris went on.

"Oh."

"She even offered to stay late for you tonight to give you a break. Said she heard you had some hot date planned and didn't want you to miss it," Chris said.

"She did what?" Sam asked looking back at me again. This time I couldn't help but smile.

"Riley is going to be my late person tonight, so you'll have more time for your date. And don't worry, I'll try to get you outta here as soon as I can," Chris elbowed him and laughed.

"Hey Ri," Jay said bringing my attention back to the pizza I was working on.

"Oh, hey Jay. You're working tonight too?" I asked.

"Yeah, Karaoke Night starts tonight. Chris thinks we are gonna be busy," he reminded me.

"Crap you're right," I sighed. "This is gonna be one looong, possibly annoying, night,"

"So it's true. You are taking Sam's shift," Jay accused.

"Yeah, why not," I shrugged. The instant I answered Jay's jealousy started showing up again.

"Why not? Maybe because you're staying late so he can go out with Sara?" Jay replied.

I stopped what I was doing and turned to face him. "And that bothers you because?" I questioned him. I knew it had nothing to do with Sara and everything to do with his feelings for me.

"Because Sara is the jerk, who's been making your life terrible!" he snapped.

"Yeah and Sam's doing the same thing. Aren't they perfect for each other," I smirked. Hearing me say this calmed Jay's jealousy monster, but saying Sara and Sam were perfect for each other only woke up mine. "Maybe it will get them both off my back," I shrugged.

"I guess you're right," he sighed. "Ri what happened today? You seemed really upset on the way home?"

"Really? I seemed that upset?" I asked. "I was just a little upset about what my English teacher had to say about my paper. I may end up having to rewrite it." While I was talking, Sam had walked up behind me

"Riley, can I talk to you for a minute," Sam asked.

"So that's kind of stressful maybe that's why." I continued to talk to Jay without even reacting to Sam at all. Jay was confused at first by my reaction to Sam.