The Broken Road

Chapter Five

The weekend was going by so slow and I still couldn't get what happened on Friday night at the diner out of my head.  I know that everything didn't mean to happen like that, I never took Bentley to be a violent man, and I don't know how much this changes things. I was finishing up my shift at the diner before going home to get ready for school tomorrow. I did some final calculations and took the last order before shutting down the cash register. I turned around, and Nathan walked in.
"I'm sorry, we're closing; I can't take anymore orders." I say, picking up the leftover cash envelopes. I didn't even look up; or make eye contact.
"I came to see if that man was here? The one from Friday night?" He asks, that grabbed my attention, because I haven't heard from Bentley since that night, and he didn't come in to work all weekend.
"He's not here. His next shift is tomorrow at 5pm" I say and go back to cleaning, it falls quiet, leading me to believe that Nathan had left the diner, but he didn't.
"I'm sorry for my part played in this encounter." He says, looking to the top of his shoe
"It's fine. It's in the past and done with. Bentley should have never put hands on you, and that's that." I say looking at him with my hand on my hip
"No that's the problem, he had every right to. I was drunk and got carried away, working at the office is beginning to stress me out and the most embarrassing part of it is I don't even remember half of what happened. I know somethings were exchanged, and my words were definitely unnecessary, and way out of line. I didn't realize you had a boyfriend, and I should have handled myself better." He explains
"Bentley isn't my boyfriend. Before we came in here that night we had our first date. I didn't realize he was a violent person." I say
"A violent person?" He asks, looking at me confused. I can tell this man had his fair share of high school drama. I ignore his question and go back to sweeping the main floor.
"I don't think Bentley is violent Katie. I think Bentley stands up for what he believes in, protects what he loves and cares about, and maybe goes to extreme lengths to do so." He says, taking a seat at one of the nearby tables. I let out a sigh, knowing that I will now have to wash this whole table again, I sit down across from Nathan, and put my head on my hands.
"Where do you go to high school? Are you home schooled? I never see you anywhere." I say with a smile, happily changing the conversation.
"I graduated seven years ago." He laughs, sitting up in his seat more. My jaw is definitely on the floor by now, I didn't realize he was older, and how much older would that make him.
"Wait. How old are you?" I ask, eyeing him with all my confusion after picking up my jaw.
"I'm 25." He says with a chuckle
"I work across the street" he says pointing to the very large building. I look out the window, admiring the block letters on the top.
"I know, I know. This wasn't apart of the plan, but when my mom almost lost my dad's company four years ago, I decided to step in."
"No. No that's great, good for you." I say getting back up. There's no way a twenty five year old business man is anywhere interested in me.
I start cleaning up again, and grab my jacket.
"Well we are closing now, so I'll see ya around." I say as I hold the door open to the diner. He gets up and walks over to me, standing half in the door, half in the diner.
"I don't mean to overstep on your life, but high school romances don't last. Don't be mad at Bentley, talk it through; give it your all. That's what life is all about." He smiles and walks out.
Wondering how he would have any knowledge about romances, and life problems; I lock up the diner and get in my truck to head home.

When I get home, I notice Bentleys truck is in the driveway. I start panicking because I actually have no idea why he would be here, or what he wants. I park my truck, hop out and head inside. I'm very surprised when I see Bentleys and my father sitting on the couch in the living room, both of them have their eyes glued to the hockey game. I wished life could be this good forever, and I wouldn't have to worry about being left behind all the time, but that's not how my life works. I walk into the kitchen and grab a can of Pepsi, sitting down at the island. I wonder how long it will take them to notice I'm here. I open my can of pop and then open Instagram on my phone it feels like I'm scrolling forever but it's only been six minutes when he walks into the kitchen.
"I didn't know you were home.." Bentley says
"Missed ya at work this weekend." I say plainly, keeping my focus on my phone
"Kate. I really am sorry." He says, eyeing my phone with me. I just keep scrolling through Instagram, ignoring him
"Your dad bumped into me at the grocery store yesterday morning, invited me over for the game." He says, looking back to the television with a smile. I dimmed my phone screen, and look up at him
"Nathan stopped by the diner today. Wanted to speak to you about Friday night. We had a long chat about how you're not a violent man; and just protect what you love." I say bluntly
"Kate." He starts, walking over toward me
"I don't want you near that man, and I'm sure your dad would agree if he knew what happened." He says
"That's not your call to make Bentley, and I don't know, why don't we ask him, you think my dad would like to find out that you are violent while at work?" I ask him and his face drops.
"I'm just trying to protect you, Katie. That man is bad news." He says
"That man has a name. It's Nathan. And you wouldn't know that because you don't even know him." I say
"I know that he works for a big company, his dad's actually; he stepped in four years ago when they were almost got sued." He says, waving his hands around while he talks. I get up from my seat, walking around the island and toward the stairs.
"That's not your business, Bentley." I smile and walk upstairs

I spend the rest of the evening getting ready for the school week. I love working at the dinner so much, but I don't know how good of help I'll be with Bentley around and us arguing like this. I can't believe he took the time to look up Nathan, and his dad; his family. That's huge, and not his business at all.
I like Bentley, a lot; I really do. I know there is something there, but I also know he's violent and I don't want to be around that. I lay down and doze off to sleep.

My alarm going off always gives me a piercing headache. Only because I know my freedom is over, and it's back to school for me. I get up and get ready quickly, hoping to get to school before Bentley does so I can do what I need to before I run into him.
Before I know it I'm hoping in my truck and driving off towards school. I stop at Starbucks on my way.
"Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get started for you?"
"Good Morning! Can I get two grande iced mocha lattes please."
"Sure thing! Would you like whipped topping on that?" The lady asks me
"Hmm. Sure!"
"8.62! Please drive up."
"Thank you!"

I drive up to the window and hand out a ten dollar bill; allowing her to keep the change, grabbing my drinks and wishing her a good day. It's Monday, Mondays suck. I drive toward school and pull in when I arrive, I park in my original parking spot, the same one every single day. I grab everything from my passenger seat and head inside. I see Tessa sitting by my locker, she jumped up when she sees me.
"Ouuu. For me? You shouldn't have!" She says reaching for her drink
"You know I always do!" I say with a laugh and hand it to her
"Happy Monday, are you still grumpy?"
"No. I've decided that men are overrated and I'm over it!" I smile and open my locker
"Well good! There's a party of Friday and I think we should dress up, and go!" Tessa says, spinning around in the hallway like she's in a ballet class
"Maybe. It would feel good to get cute and go out to let loose!" I say, grabbing my books and closing my locker door
"Yes! That's my girl!" Tessa says jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store.

The day goes by quickly and I head to the diner. I walk in and see Bentley and Randy, talking by the cash. I walk past them and head to the back. I put my items in my work cubby and walk back out; wrapped my apron around myself. Bentley walks right past like I wasn't even standing there, and I walk up to Randy.
"Your cheque will be ready by the end of the day." He says and walks to the back, before he can get too far; I stop him.
"When you get a minute, I would like to have a conversation." I say to him, he nods and goes into his office. I get straight to work, Bentley spent the day ignoring me, for the most part. He was standing at the counter by the cash.
"So, this is how it's going to be now?" I ask
"Nope, I'm working. What can I do for ya." He says, full of sarcasm.
"So that's it then? Good. Keep it that way and don't bother me again." I say, throwing the towel down on the counter
"No. That's not it. But you don't want to have this conversation so what's the point?" He says
"This conversation. You're right Bentley. I don't want to have this conversation with you. I don't even want to work with you, because this has just become pure ridiculous." I say, turning around to walk to the office with Randy.

I have a long conversation with Randy, explaining to him what happened on Friday night, and clearly the air. Telling him everything, never leaving out a single detail.
"You're sure?" He asks
"I'm sorry, I hate to do this. It's just too difficult right now." I say with a frown
"I get it. I'll put it in for your last day on Wednesday." Randy says with a smile
I smile back and get up and walk back out to the main room. Bentley is washing dishes when I go to the cash to write down tips, and get things cleaned up.
"How do we fix it." Bentley asks, looking right at me
"You owe that man an apology, and if you don't want to then that's fine. But if you're wondering how to get back into my good graces, you'll work it out with Nathan." I say, setting the keys down on the counter and walking out of the diner.

Bentley stands there for a few extra moments, watching me walk to my truck and get in. I don't know if he will actually do anything I just said, but my heart hopes he does.

"What was all that about?" Bentley asks Randy
"She just gave me a two day notice. After Wednesday, Stellar won't be working here anymore." He says to Bentley, letting out a sigh and walking back to his office

I left the one thing that gave me a little bit of extra happiness and I wasn't even upset about it. I hoped Bentley would do the right thing and make it right with Nathan. But now there is only one thing going through my head

Where the hell am I going to find another job?

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