"Keep it together, Kensie," I cursed under my breath as I slipped into the outfit I'd prepared for work. I pulled out the paycheck Alan had given me, reading over the words Tyler had scribbled on the back again.
"See me later"
I felt my insides churn at the three little words I'd been trying to ignore, what exactly did he need to see me for? After I'd realized that it was either now or never, I'd scrounged up enough courage to go and see him after work - but the second I went to go see him, he'd been with Adrienne and they weren't just talking. She was in between his legs and he was letting her, I had absolutely no idea what they'd just got done doing.
"Hey you," Chloe came in my room, "I'm keeping Johnny company tonight since he's on security duty. Need a ride to work?"
I stuffed the envelope in my pocket, "No thanks, but I'll see you there? I've got a few last minute things to do before I leave."
"Sure," She smiled, "By the way, your brother is passed out on the couch almost naked. Does he always do that?"
I laughed, "Unfortunately."
I followed her out to the living room as she pointed to me where Noah had been camping out for the last several days since Marie's funeral. He had limbs and pillows everywhere and it was only six o'clock, where had he been last night?
"I'll ask him about it in the morning," I reached over to fluff a blanket around him, "I'll have to help him find some appropriate pajamas too."
Chloe snickered as she began to leave, "That'd be awesome."
I laughed as she closed the door behind her, surprisingly happy that as annoying as Noah was, he was here. I needed family right now and even though I didn't have my parents by my side, I knew my brother would always be there for me and I was lucky enough for that.
XXX
Twenty minutes later and I found myself walking into work a lot later than I'd anticipated. The minute I entered, Lacey threw a rag and a few plates my way.
"Can you take these to the back?" She sneered, slamming them against my new long sleeve I'd picked out for tonight, "You're late, better hope Tyler doesn't find out."
My lips curled up as I felt my insides boil over, but before I could get a word out she ran to the back of the bar. Damn, why was it that whenever she wasn't around I had all these great comebacks and then when she was right in front of me, I froze?
"Hey," Adrienne greeted me, but her tone was flat and forced. I looked over my shoulder to see her, but she wasn't making any eye contact.
"Hey back," I smiled, dumping the plates on the side, "You okay?"
She finished the drinks she'd been working on and looked up, "Fine, ready to work? You're down here with me, the bitches are upstairs."
