Mercy on my Soul

SIX

I walk into the kitchen to give Carlos the order slip as Colt was writing stuff down on a piece of paper with a clipboard. I give him a confused look. "What are you doing?" He looks at me.

"My job," I cross my arms.

"You are actually working? Do you actually know how to be a manager to a diner?" He snorts.

"My mother used to own a diner. I know how to do this in my sleep," I let out a sigh as I turn to Carlos. He smiles at me.

"Hey, gorgeous, what do you have for me?" I hand him the slip and he smiles. "I can have it done in five minutes."

"No onions on one of those," He nods. I turn around and see Colt rubbing his face. I walk up to him. "Problem?" He looks at the charts in his hand and looks at me.

"I've been going over all the charts and they were all good besides all of the ones done by Liv. Which is only like three. Whose initials are A.G?"

"Mine," He gives me a confused look.

"Why were you doing the charts? It's a manager's job? I mean 90% of them were done by you." I roll my eyes as I turn around to walk out.

"Because Liv doesn't think it's her responsibility. Not to mention the other manager didn't want to do them either." He grabs my arm stopping me. I look at him.

"Why is Liv a manager still?" I shrug.

"Ask your best friend," He sighs and I turn. I walk out of the kitchen as Carlos dings the bell. I grab the plates and bring them over to the guys.

"...All I'm saying is that if Ryder wasn't in the picture then Azura and I would be back together," I hear Zeke say. I stop for a second by the counter pretending to talk to Faye. She looks at me.

"What?" I shush her.

"Well, it's not going to happen now. I mean Ryder has his claws so deep I think she is starting to grow feelings for the guy," Quill said. I take a deep breath.

"I refuse to accept that anyone could ever love that freak let alone Azura. I mean he is sadistic." I close my eyes for a second and clear my throat as I walk over to them. Quill opens his mouth to reply but sees me and stops.

"Here you guys go," I set the food down. Quill gives me a small smile.

"Thank you, princess,"

"Thank you gumdrop," Zeke said. His nickname rolled off his tongue and tugged at my heart. I swallow harshly and turn around quickly. I walk up to the counter as people started to walk in. Faye gives me a confused as I hide my face in the menus.

"What's wrong with?" She whispers.

"Zeke," I whisper back. She looks behind me and bends down with me.

"What about him?" I look at her while taking a heavy breath.

"He called me gumdrop and said that he wanted to get back together if Ryder wasn't in the picture." Her face falls and she gives me a sad smile.

"Oh honey," I close my eyes.

"This isn't fair,"

"I know," Someone clears their throat. I move the menu to see a smiling Zane with Flora. I take a deep breath.

"Hello, Azura," He said. I look at Faye.

"This is your table," She gives me a confused look. "The brother and the ex," She nods slowly.

"Right this way," Faye says while grabbing two menus.

"No, I think I want Azura," Zane said. I look at him.