How He Broke My Heart

Chapter 18

I make my way to the shop with one of my melting sunset shirts on, hoping that if I wear it, I'll feel like I still belong there, that I never left and that everything is the same. It's only been a few days since I quit, I doubt Sally has replaced me. I think seeing a different girl behind the counter, seeing her look at Brandon with her chin in her hand might break me. I'm sure any girl would love to work with him, and the thought of it makes my heart race, bringing me to mindlessly contemplate if Brandon would then fall in love with the new girl, forgetting about me.

I peak through the small window on the side of the building before reluctantly going inside, seeing no new girl managing the register. When I walk through the open doors, my insides settle at the site of an empty lifeguard chair up front. A new girl could have easily taken my spot there, the spot I took from Hannah—the girl I oddly named.

I immediately spot Sally behind the counter, leaning against the wall, sipping coffee, and she immediately spots me. Last night and this morning I've been running over what I'm going to say in my head, constantly changing and considering not leaving the house at all. I embarrassed myself and let Sally down, which hurt me more than I expected. Maybe it's because she saved me a position for when I turned eighteen or that she seems to know exactly what I'm going through. Either way, I don't want to disappoint her, ever again.

I run my bottom lip between my teeth and walk forward, ready to spit out whatever can manage to climb up my throat. Before I can explain myself in an orchestra of stutters and excuses, Sally says, "Brandon told me what happened. Don't worry, I get it. I'm leaving for the day so I need you guys to lock up, okay?"

I nod with surprise, now wondering what exactly Brandon told her.

"I gotta run. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Oh, and no funny business while I'm not here, I don't need you two weirding costumers out."

I nod again, rushed this time, saying, "Of course, of course," in my head. I watch her leave and stand in the middle of the store for a moment, convincing myself that Sally didn't just tell me what she just told me. So he did tell her everything. Everything. What else would make her say: no funny business.

My face heats up, then, of course, Brandon makes his appearance, coming out from the back room, pulling his uniform on—just one of the many shirts in the back, he must not have worn to work one of the many shirts he already has. He smiles when he sees me, that stupid, boyish, white, charming, dimple-causing smile that wins everyone over. The smile I was locked with just last night.

"I knew you would come," he says.

"Well, I mean, there's not much else to do so... What did you tell her?"

"Just what happened." He shrugs, turning away to tend to the heat press. I follow.

"Just what happened?"

"Emma, it's Sally. I think we can trust her," he says, playing with me. "And you heard her, no funny business, got it?"

I stop myself from blaming all of our at-work acts of romance on him, holding my tongue. I take a breath and walk away, mumbling to myself, "Why did I give in? Why, Emma?" I take my post behind the counter, trying to ignore him, pretending not to see his pretty glances.

People come and go throughout the day, and I move from the counter to the floor to the chair up front. When Brandon goes on his break, I can't help but watch for him down by the beach. He still goes down and somehow manages to find people he knows. I'm convinced he knows everyone. I'm sure everyone loves knowing him.

After I check out a young girl and her parents, I walk up to the doors and find him sitting on the wall with Jess and a guy I don't know. They're eating and talking. Not wanting to eavesdrop or get caught, I return to the counter.