Whiskey, On The Rocks

five

It was only a Monday so the bar wasn't too busy, but it was busy enough that I could get a good feel for how it worked. And it was a lot of fun. I was on with Dylan, who let me take most of the orders and he just jumped in to help whenever I needed it. 

"Yeah, see you're getting it." He smiled at me when a customer thanked me and walked off, and I turned to show him the twenty dollars I'd been tipped. "Here's your jar then." Turning around, Dylan opened a cupboard, took out a jar with my name written on the side, and tucked it under the bar next to all the others. His had a few notes and coins in it, the rest empty since we were the only ones on at the moment.

"My first tip." I smiled, putting the note inside.

"Congrats." Dylan held up his hand and I high fived him, grinning like an idiot.

The night passed slowly, but I didn't get bored once. Dylan and I worked pretty well together, and I could have sworn he was flirting with me a few times. I wasn't sure about it, but I didn't hate it. It was kind of fun.

Travis came around a few times to check up on me, and there was something about the look in his eyes that confused me. Maybe he was just keeping an eye on me since I hit my head yesterday, but there was an edge to the way he looked at me that I wasn't sure about. I just looked away, focusing on the job I was here to do. But even so, Travis remained on my mind.

At eleven-thirty, two more staff members showed up, introducing themselves to me as Becca and Jaimee. They were lovely, asking all about how I'd found it so far and giving me their numbers in case I ever needed someone to cover a shift. They took over from Dylan and I at midnight, and the two of us clocked out together before going into the staffroom.

"So, tired?" Dylan asked as he pulled his jacket on.

"No, not really." I shrugged. "I'm used to staying up."

"Well." His eyes sparkled a little. "How about we get that drink now? Fifty percent off for staff."

I considered it for a long moment. It had been over six month since Joe had cheated on me, and I was in a new place, with a new life, and I was happy. Dylan was perfectly nice, and sweet, and fun, so why couldn't I get a drink with him?

"Sure." I agreed. "That sounds great."

Dylan smiled, making a little 'ladies first' gesture as we left the staffroom. We went around to the door and were let in immediately after pulling up our staff ID in the app on our phones, and Dylan led me through to the bar. He insisted on paying for the first round of drinks, and once we'd ordered, we took our drinks to a free booth nearby and sat down across from each other. I just hoped I wouldn't get pulled over on my way home, but I'd stick to one drink and I'd be fine. It was unlikely.

For a little while, Dylan and I just talked. We already knew each other pretty well after spending a week training, so we just talked more and got to know each other even better. I found myself having a good time, which I hadn't really been expecting. For some reason I'd felt guilty about ever having thoughts towards another guy, but now I realized I owed Joe nothing. He'd ruined my life, and I was happy now, free to do what I wanted.

"Want another drink?" Dylan asked, getting up, and I shook my head.

"I'm driving, but I'll have a lemonade." I said, and he winked before taking the empty glasses and moving off.

My eyes drifted around the semi busy bar as I waited, quickly landing on a man sitting by himself, a half empty glass in front of him. Travis glanced up from his phone like he'd sensed my gaze on him, and our eyes locked. My breath caught for some reason as I stared at my boss, and he looked back at me with that same, strange expression. I didn't get it. It was like he knew something I didn't, like he wished he could tell me, and I had no idea what it was. My bottom lip snagged on my teeth; I couldn't tear my gaze away, and I didn't fucking know why.