Take Care Of Me (Charlie Barber X Reader)

Chapter 5: Happy New Year

It was Christmas Eve and while most of your college friends had gone home to be with their families, you stayed in the city. Christmas and New Year's were killers at Dameron's and during this season, you could easily make a month's worth of tips in just one night. There was something about the holidays and drinking that just went too well together. And the busyness was definitely a welcomed distraction, especially after all that conspired just a week ago.

Somehow you couldn't let go of all the events that had unfolded over that night at the bar with Exit Ghost. After the second cigarette, Charlie and you promptly went back in and joined everyone at the booth. At that point, some of them were already making plans to head back and luckily enough, one of the cast members, Finn, lived within your vicinity so you could share an Uber home.

As everyone settled their arrangements home, you purposely avoided Charlie's gaze. The night had been confusing enough and your intoxicated state didn't make anything easier. The last you remembered of Charlie was as you got into the cab.

Almost everyone was waiting out in the street and as you made your way into the Uber after Finn, Charlie had stepped out into the street for the sole purpose of closing the car door. You looked up out of the car window in confusion and Charlie simply shot you a smile. You couldn't tell if it was meant for you or Finn or the both of you.

Ever since then, all the moments of that night kept replaying in your mind like an endless loop. Each time you'd focus on a new detail, in an attempt to uncover what Charlie's intentions were and what you were truly feeling. How could you possibly have a crush on your likely attached boss?

–

Before you knew it, Christmas came and went and your life went on as usual. You had spotted a few more job openings that sounded good – junior editor, copywriter, content writer. Since Charlie was still in LA, you had picked up extra shifts at Dameron's too.

Today was the big day for all bars and clubs in the city – it was New Year's Eve. You were about mid-way through your shift so your shift break was due and you could not be happier. The crowd this year seemed a lot larger than the years before.

It was about 30 minutes to midnight so you decided to break for a smoke because you wanted to be inside to countdown with the rest of the crew at Dameron's. As you were finishing up, you felt your phone buzz in your back pocket. You reached in to check who it was, thinking that it was most likely one of your group chats but to your surprise, the message was from Charlie.

'Will need you to arrange a meet with Dean once I get back'

You read the message, wondering what was the urgency of meeting the lighting technician. Charlie would only be back 3 days later, surely he could have sent in that request during that time or even during a more decent time. You shook your head to try and stop your thoughts from spiralling further.

'Can do. Your Tuesday afternoon is all clear, I'll check in with Dean tomorrow and update you.'

'Tks'

What a reply. You decided that no further response was needed and as you were about to close your app, a new message popped up.

'Happy new year by the way :)'

You stood still for a few minutes, wrecking your brain over what you should say. He was probably just being polite, seeing that he dropped a work text at such an ungodly time.

'Happy new year to you too, Mr Barber' you replied before heading back into the bar just in time for the countdown.