His

Chapter 2

When I get to work, there are a few people eating and watching football. Alyssa, one of the waitresses, is talking to some guys at a big table as she places their beer down. When she sees me, she smiles. "Eagles play tonight, girl. It is going to be busy."

I chuckled. "Well, hopefully we won't have to kick any Steelers fans out tonight." I turn on my computer as I enter behind the bar as I hear Frank yelling something about some spilled beer and food."

I looked at Jennifer, a 29 year old single mother of two. It was her first week on the job, and I could already sense how Frank was stressing her out.

"If you can't carry the damn trays without spilling shit everything, then maybe you are working at the wrong place."

Frank looks at me, irritation clearly shown in his eyes. "She can't do her damn job, Tally. You need to teach her to work harder, I don't feel like having to waste money on an employee who can barely do their job."

"Yes, sir."

"I really didn't mean to," Jennifer said the moment Frank stormed away. "I just am stressed with everything that's been going on lately and..."

"Don't let Frank get in your head, Jen. We all make mistakes."

"He really seemed angry at me."

"He's intimidating, but just focus on your job and you'll do fine."

Jennifer nodded. "Thanks, Tally." 

As time goes by, I go through all of the complications first of starting my shift. In between, I make a few drinks for the first customers. The beginning of my shift is fairly slow and quiet. I like to think go it as the calm of the storm before the clouds roll in.

Around 6:45, the crowd starts congregating, every table and barstool were occupied, and waitresses going back and forth between tables, like chickens with their heads cut off. With the help of Johnathan behind the bar as well, I already had over 20 drinks made and took fifteen food orders within a short period of time. 

Halfway through the game, a fight broke out which was no surprise and our security guard, Dale, breaks them up and drags them out without knocking anyone down for once. Just when I thought that my night would go smoothly, but I never had good luck on my side. 

When the orders get overwhelming for the girls, I step aside and help them out. "Thank you so much, that back table has ordered ten food items and it's overwhelming."

I looked at Jen and smiled. "Of course, I know the feeling."

As I set food on the table, I felt a hand caress my upper thigh. I looked down at a man who appeared to be in his forties, a smug grin on his face. "You sure are good looking, how about I make your night better?"

"Thank you, but no thank you."

"Oh, come on."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I am not interested."

"I can change that."

"She said no." A stern voice said behind my back. I turned around, noticing an older man looking at me with a concerned look on his face. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah."

"I am sure you get plenty of that here."

"I umm... need to get back to work."

"Of course."

I picked the tray up and stepped away from the man, ignoring how good looking he is. However, I had no time to think about men. I had to focus on my job and not allow some stranger's appearance to distract the rest of my night.

By the time 3:30 rolls around, I feel beyond exhausted. However, I was able to count out 500 dollars' worth of tips tonight. 

"Thank God," I mumble, grabbing the hand towel to finish cleaning off the beer-soaked counter. Everyone else has left and I as usual, am left to finish cleaning the mess. "You sure are a hard worker." 

I glanced up from the counter and noticed the familiar stranger from earlier. "Umm, we just closed. No one should be coming here now."

"I think I forgot my blazer here, have you seen it anywhere?"

"Is it dark grey?"

"Yes." 

"It's in the box near the entrance door."

"Thank you for keeping an eye on it, my clothes are rather the opposite of cheap."

"I can tell."

By the looks of his freshly pressed black slacks and the diamond Rolex on his wrist most definitely fit the part. "I never caught your name, by the way. I am Ryder, and you?"

"Tally."

"Tally what?"

Before I could respond, Frank appeared thankfully from the kitchen, eying Ryder. "Sorry, pal, but we're closed."

"I came to just retrieve my jacket, but thank you, Tally."

"No problem."

"I'll see you around."

"Umm, sure."

Once Ryder left, I helped Frank clean the rest of the counter and locked the doors for the night.