Finding My Way

Chapter 3

ZOEY

When I got to the apartment Charlie told me about, I opened the door with the key under the mat, as he said. Charlie was right about the place being furnished. The apartment was decorated well, and I liked everything. All it needed was a little touch of my own and some pictures.

My car was packed like sardines, so I grabbed some stuff to put inside the apartment. I'd bring more up later, but I'd put a couple of outfits in my drawer for now.

The bedroom was lovely. Queen-sized bed with a decent-sized dresser and an attached bathroom. It was a change from living with Aidan, although I knew deep down it was for the best. It'd take some time for me actually to realize that. I have to try and stay positive. If only my parents were here. They'd be shaking their heads at me.

I collapsed onto the bed, face down, aiming to sleep until about three o'clock. Drained and slightly hungover from the previous night, I yearned to be rejuvenated before heading to work. Charlie's kindness in offering me a job and this apartment was heartwarming. Now, all that remained was to finish the paperwork for the rent payments. My eyes shut, and I quickly drifted into sleep.

When my alarm sounded at three, I took a chance to check the refrigerator and freezer for anything edible. Unsuccessful, but it was worth the attempt. I slipped into the outfit I wore while waitressing a few years back, leggings and a T-shirt, hoping it would be appropriate.

After that, I picked up my car keys and headed to the car to go through a drive-thru for food. I ended up eating on the way back to the club, and by the time I got there and finished, it was almost time for me to go in.

"Hey, Charlie! I know I'm a bit early, but I figured that couldn't hurt since I'm new here," I said.

Charlie smiled. "That means you're a good employee if you arrive early." Charlie patted me on the shoulder. "These are our servers: Chelsea, Megan, and Alyssa. These gals work their tails off each night when this place is booming with business. You coming in here helps them out a lot because even though it's a club, we serve food and have many people eat it. Not to mention they drink, and they don't have to be on the dance floor to drink."

"Nice to meet you girls. I'm Zoey. I'm hoping you didn't see me here last night all intoxicated and get pushed to the floor, but I'm assuming you did," I said, embarrassed.

They all nodded. "Oh, we saw it, but girl, please don't sweat it. We've seen some crazy things here, and that was nothing. I'm sure it was embarrassing, but it's over now. If those girls return, I will push them over and laugh. I'm Chelsea," she said, shaking my hand.

"She's the one you want in your corner at all times. Chelsea here will fight anyone, no matter the size. She might end up in jail one day. I'll probably be the one bailing her out. I'm Alyssa." She shook my hand, too, and I smiled.

"I think you want us all in your corner because working here, we're feisty and don't take the crap these men give us. I'll be honest: you may have a hard time since you're new, but you'll get used to it, and things will be fine. If something goes wrong, you have us, Charlie, and the bouncers will always be near you. The cooks can come out and throw hot frying pans, too. I'm Megan." Megan was the last to shake my hand, and she made me laugh.

"Will the cook come out and throw a hot frying pan?" I asked, curious because that was a strange scenario.

All three of them nodded. "Oh yeah. It happened. You name it, and it's probably happened here. We have so many stories. It's wild here. I think you'll like it, Zoey. I hope we will all get along," Megan said.

I smiled. "We already are. So what exactly will I be doing?" I asked.

After the girls explained what I was doing and it was time for the club to open, I shadowed them until I understood. It was straightforward and the same thing I did back when I was in college. The place didn't have a lot of food because it was a club, but people still ordered because dancing can make you hungry.

"Hey, Zoey! Come over here and meet two of our bouncers," Chelsea said.

 I handed the drinks to the customers, who gave me a twenty-dollar tip. Then I rushed over to Chelsea, who was standing with two guys. Neither of them was Grayson, who helped me last night. 

"Zoey, this is Brett, and this is Darren. They've been working here for a couple of years like us girls. If you need something because someone's bothering you, tell them. They also walk us to our cars every night because people like to hang out after closing."

I shook hands with both of the guys and smiled. "Nice to meet you both." I glanced back at Chelsea. "What about Grayson? Charlie mentioned he sometimes fills in."

Chelsea nodded. "Yeah, he does. Either when one of them has the day off or calls out. It's not too often. Sometimes Gray will come here to help because it gets overcrowded." Chelsea put her hands on her hips. "How do you know Grayson?"

"I don't. I mean, not really. You didn't see him help me out of here last night while I was drunk?" Chelsea shook her head. "Well, he did. He even paid for my hotel after taking me there. Then, when I came here this morning to get my car, I talked to Charlie. That's how I ended up here. Like I told him, it's a long story."

"Huh. Gray pops in occasionally, so I'm sure you'll officially meet him soon." Chelsea ran off to grab her table order, and so did I.

The rest of the night was fine. I made tips left and right. Overall, this wasn't a bad job. I got to know people and my coworkers, who I happened to love. They would become my new best friends; I just knew it.

"Alright, ladies, we're heading out now. Are you all ready to go to your cars?" Brett asked.

"Yes, we are coming personal bodyguards!" Alyssa said as she slipped over to Brett and Darren. She linked arms with Brett and smiled.

"If you're wondering, yes, they're dating," Megan whispered. "They don't admit it to everyone, but they know we know."

I chuckled. "Good for them. They're cute together."

Megan nodded. "They are. Chelsea and I both have wonderful guys in our lives, too. What about you?"

"That's part of my long story," I said. "I'll tell you, girls, tomorrow during shift, but for now, know I'm single."

Megan hugged me. "Oh no, I know that look! I'm sorry, girl. You seem like a great person. Whoever he was is stupid."

"Thanks," I said as I reached my car. Darren was standing a few inches away from us, waiting. "Have a good night, girls. Thank you for welcoming me, and thank you, guys, for walking us to the car and keeping the creeps away. I will see you all tomorrow!"

"Bye, Zoey!"

It seemed like the first time in a long time I was smiling on my way home from work, even if it was two in the morning. Sure, I was beaten and ready for bed; however, this change in my life was good. I was happy, and that's what mattered.

When I got inside the apartment, I placed the papers Charlie gave me to complete on the table. I'll hand them to the landlord tomorrow morning. I sighed and decided to change into pajamas. It'd been a long day. Heck, it was already the next day.

Before crawling into bed, I heard a noise outside my door, so I checked it out through the peephole. My neighbor across from me was getting home. He looked beat, too. I wonder who he was and what he had been doing to make him get home so late.