Sinsation (Book Two)

67

MADI

I can't shake the feeling from our argument. Jace hasn't snapped at me like this since Brad. It's hard ignoring the sharpness in his voice when he called me naive. I've always tried to be understanding, to see the best in people, but maybe I misjudged the situation. I should've stayed out of it. I hate that I didn't hang up on his mom...then this wouldn't have happened. It isn't my place to intervene. 

I make a mental note to never push this trigger of his. I love him too much to see him upset, hurt, and reliving past pains. I try to shake off the melancholy at the country club. It's going to be a busy day. Me and Lil have new staff members to train. I'm not my usual hyper self. There's a weight on my chest, one I can't shake.

Lil's got her usual pep, though, leading the servers through their training with ease. "Alright, everyone, watch closely!" she calls out, balancing trays full of drinks and plates. "Use balance control. You don't want any wobbling or spilling. Or to cause an unwanted food fight...as fun as that sounds." Lil cracks up the trainees.

I watch her hold each with precision, demonstrating how to level the trays by tilting forward to distribute the food equally. The new trainees follow her movements, mirroring her, their faces a mix of concentration and awe. She makes it look so easy. My mood isn't as engaging, and it's obvious. I stand before the bar, facing away from my sis to hide my hurt. I observe the bartenders line up shot glasses for a trick I've been perfecting. Flavored ice drops in glasses in sync like dominoes.

Usually, I love this, showing off the fun side of mixology, but today feels flat.

"Okay, guys, this one's all about timing," I explain, my voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. "Trick shots with flavored ice cubes. Our key is a domino effect." I set up rows of shots, scooting the cube up so it knocks all 20 down. The ice clinks into each glass in an assembly line, the colors swirling and bubbling. They attempt to do the same.

The slower learners outnumber fast ones, so this will take a while.

A few pickup on my glum mood. One of them, a young girl named Ava, is concerned. "You okay, Boss? You seem off today.

I force a smile. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. But thanks for asking. Let's focus on getting this trick right. It'll be a big hit with customers.

Ava nods, but I can see the concern in her eyes. I need to snap out of this funk, I can't be unprofessional around subordinates. But my mind can't shake the fight. I hate how things ended; I know I need to apologize. I didn't expect him to lash out like that. I expected him to be better.

The rest of the training is rough. I keep them grooming them; we have an hour before customers pile in. Lil keeps the servers in line, her usual snarky self. All I want is to go home and cry in bed.

The day winds down into night; the club is packed. Every table is occupied by the wealthy. The servers are surprisingly organized, and the tenders are keeping up with the 15 second turnover rate. Lil meets up with me for our usual patrol of the banquet hall. We stroll the perimeter. "You're quiet. Everything alright?"

"Just a lot on my mind." I lie.

She narrows her eyes, not convinced. "You sure? You can talk to be about anything."

I nod slowly. "Yeah, I know."

"You'll work it out."

"I hope so."

"Is it about Jace?"

She won't stop until I fold, so here it goes. "We had an argument...it was bad. I broke a boundary."