The Restaurant

Chapter 25 - Tina

The hardest decision I had to make was leaving Jimmy. I faked my excitement when I got to this new restaurant. I actually wanted to turn around and go back home. But Jimmy sounded so happy for me that I couldn't let him down. I'd been struggling since the moment I got here. I kept looking for someone to talk to but there wasn't anyone that I clicked with. I'd call Jesse every few days to hear a friendly voice. I didn't want to stress Jimmy out about how much I missed everyone, especially him. But now, I was so lost. There was just so much information coming at me that I was going through a rollercoaster of emotions. I needed to breathe. I tried to get lost in work, but I was busy training the staff in every different area. There was no time to stop. There was one guy, Travis, who was trying to help me out. He would get the staff to pay attention or tell people what to do. I was thinking he could be the manager when I left. After our soft opening, the team actually showed promise. I decided to take them out. I looked on my phone trying to find a place close by that was open that late.

"Don't worry, I know just the place," Travis said. He tried putting his arm around my shoulder but I moved out of the way. He shrugged and stepped outside with the others while I locked up.

We all followed Travis to a small bar a block over and went inside. The atmosphere wasn't exactly what I expected, it was packed full of younger people. The others found a table while I pushed through the people and found an opening at the bar to grab drinks for us. When the bartender came up, Travis appeared from behind me and put his hand on my back.

"Hey man, can we get a couple pitchers and some shots for that table over there?" he asked, pointing to the table my people were at. I felt his hand drift down and so I moved away from him. The bartender looked at me then at Travis. Travis quickly said, "My girl is mad at me for checking out the scene." The bartender nodded but looked at me asking if I was ok. I nodded and handed him my card, I tried to stay far from Travis, but there were people all around and I could barely move. When the bartender came back with the drinks, Travis grabbed them and went to the table. I grabbed the receipt and signed my name. The bartender slid me a piece of paper that had his name, Tyler, and number on it and leaned over.

"He's been kicked out of here before for harassing girls, be careful." I smiled, thanked him, and nodded at Tyler before walking to the table. Travis had filled up the mugs and had his arm around one of the waitresses. I could tell Tara was uncomfortable, so I hooked arms with her and took her to the bathroom.

I asked Tara, "You ok?"

"No, he's like this at work too." She went to the sink and wiped her eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked as I handed her a tissue.

"He kept saying he was going to be the manger and we had to do what he said." She blew her nose.

I wasn't liking what I was hearing. This was supposed to be the person that was going to be in charge when I left. Now, I'm thinking I was going to have to let him go. After she cleaned herself up, we went back to the table. Where Travis was drinking by himself.

"Where did everyone go?" I asked.

"When I saw you two go to the bathroom together, I realized why you both didn't want me. You're into each other. So, I told everyone, and they left." He finished the rest of the mug and slammed it on the table.

"I think it's time for you to go home, Travis." I said trying to stand him up.

"Oh, so now you want me again?" He tried to kiss me before I hip tossed him to the ground. The crowd next to us all started laughing at him on the ground. Travis scrambled to his feet. "You bitch, you hit me."

Tyler stepped in front of me, "The way I saw it, you slipped and fell. I suggest you go home and sleep it off." Travis tried to step past, but Tyler stepped in front again. When Travis eyeballed Tyler, several of the patrons stood up. Travis backed away and shoved the door open before leaving. The atmosphere calmed immediately. Tyler turned to look back at me, "You alright?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Looks like I didn't need to help any."

"My dad taught me well."

"Can I buy you two ladies a drink?"

I smiled at Tyler, "Sure. But I have to call my crew back so we can finish celebrating."

"I think I'll join you outside." I looked at him awkwardly. Tyler held his hands up, "I'm only going in case there is an unexpected visitor waiting out there." I thought about it and nodded, grabbing Tara's arm, and pulled her out with me.

The crew wasn't sure about coming back to the bar after what happened with Travis, but Tara was able to convince them to come back. When they all got there, I bought them another round and Tara told them how I kicked Travis' ass. There was laughter after which I was surprised when they told me what Travis was doing while I was looking the other way. Harassing waitresses, yelling at the dishwashers, and complaining about the food. I couldn't believe I was thinking of leaving him in charge when I left. I had to figure out who was going to be able to take over while I was gone. Tyler checked on our table a few times throughout the night, asking me if we needed anything and making a few jokes here and there. He was a nice guy. I got them another round and we hung out till the bar closed. As we were walking outside, Tyler came out.

"Hey, don't be a stranger," he said.

"Thanks, but if this is Travis' bar, I think I'll find a new place."

"I'll kick him out permanently if it means seeing you again." He stepped a little closer. As he did, I could only think about Jimmy's smile, how he would stutter when I kissed him, his laugh, how awkward we were but that we fit so well together. How he wanted me to stay but let me go. How he told me he loved me, and it scared me but made me happy at the same time. The first time I had taken him to the Middle Ground. Tyler leaned forward and I put my hand to his chest.

"That's nice of you, but I'm not interested. I'm in a relationship and I love him."

I saw the look of defeat on his face, a sad puppy dog before smiling and stepping back. "He's a lucky guy."

"I'm the lucky one," I said walking away. I had to get home soon, but I needed someone to take over for me. I missed my crew, my brother, Christy, Kat, but above all, I missed my Jimmy.