IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU

𝟣.𝟥

Their first shift together after the pool day was just as normal as any other day, and Steve was extremely relieved. The kids made sure that they were there as soon as Steve arrived, hoping to catch a glimpse of their first interaction after what Steve had explained was a date. They craved any ammunition to provoke the older teenager, but there was none. Steve arrived at his normal time, slid his hat over his hair, and immediately poured batter into the thin waffle maker, while Beverly greeted him with a smile and continued serving the kids, not noticing their eyes go wide as saucers upon the older boy's arrival.

The kids left disappointed as the team continued on as normal, as if their interaction did not weigh heavily of both of their minds. Steve, filled with relief at the sight of a normal Beverly, chewed on the pretzels she had bought on her lunch break. Actually, nearly every shift for the remainder of June was normal, aside from a few quiet moments in the back room when the two found themselves just looking at one another across the steel table. Neither of them had spoken about their pool night together, but they both had not stopped thinking about it. In those quiet moments, they both shared the same thought, unbeknownst to the other. They both remembered the feeling of the other's skin, the soft breaths that Beverly released, Steve's calloused hands running over Beverly's flushed skin. Those moments of silence did not last long, as either one of them made a move to rush away from their perverted thoughts.

Working with Robin, on the other hand, reminded him of being around the kids. She was stubborn and short with him, always finding an opportunity to give Steve an annoyed glance or shoot a rude comment at him. Steven tried to hold his tongue, remembering Beverly's story of how she felt the need to protect Robin, her best friend. Steve knew that if he wanted a chance with the blonde, he would have to win over her brunette counterpart.

As July, easily the hottest month of the year, rolled around, Beverly found an influx of customers, especially with the holiday quickly approaching. Steve had been there for a full three hours, worked with Beverly as normal, only to overhear a conversation between her and Robin as they switched positions.

"You'll never guess who came in this morning." The blonde commented, scooting out from behind the counter to grab her bag.

"Harrison Ford?" Robin replied, slipping her hat on and leaning against the counter.

Steve, across the room, cleaning up trash from empty tables, tried not to scoff at the incredible guess.

"No," Beverly rolled her eyes, leaning on the counter opposite of her friend. "Billy. He came in all sweaty and told me that he wanted me to hang out, or something."

Steve stiffened, as did Robin.

"You're not going to, right?" She asked, not doing a good job at hiding the grimace on her face.

"No!" Beverly said quickly, shaking her head. "No, no way. I just thought it was weird."

"Well," Robin shrugged, looking up as the store began repopulating. "It is weird. Good call."

"Yeah," Beverly nodded, then looked at the time. "Okay, I have to go. Cheer camp is in like twenty minutes, and I need to eat." She said, flashing Robin a smile, before darting out of the store, being sure to wave at Steve as she bobbed through the customers forming a line.

"Come on, dingus, start slinging!" Robin called to a starstruck Steve, watching the blonde ponytail as it bounced out of sight.

After the rush died down, Steve found himself still pondering Beverly's conversation with Robin earlier that afternoon. It seemed that Robin was thinking the same thing, as she finally spoke up.

"Did you see Billy today?" She asked, and Steve shook his head.

"No, but I heard Bev tell you he came in. Why do you think she didn't tell me?" He wondered aloud, partially not expecting Robin to answer him.