The Mermaids' Mate

Chapter 27

~2 months later~

My alarm went off. I quickly shut it off and hid under the covers grunting. It was 4 am, and I had to get ready for work. My soul cried a little every time my alarm went off. My parents made me do online school and let me get a job at this breakfast place. I got stuck with the 5 am shift cause nobody wanted it.

"Somebody kill me," I grunted, jumping out of bed and dragging myself to my bathroom. I took a quick bath, hoping it would wake me up, and dressed in black work clothes. I put oil on my braids and ran out of the house to avoid being late. After almost two months of not having braids, my mom had done my hair a few days ago.

I got into my dad's truck and headed for work. The peaceful drive to work was always my favorite part of waking up this early. And also the fact that there were zero cars out.

"Well, here we go again." I sighed, unlocking the door of the restaurant. I could hear my boss in the kitchen. He always got here early. Sometimes I wondered if he even went home. "Honey, I'm home!" I yelled out mockingly.

"Nexy! Good morning! How are you doing?" He yelled out, peeking his head out the food window.

"I could be better. I could be asleep." I rolled my eyes, clocking in. I loved my job, but these 5 am shifts suck ass.

"Oh, come on! It's another beautiful day!" He chuckled. I looked out the window, and the sun wasn't yet out—beautiful, my ass. "Well, look at you! Trying something new with your hair? I've never seen braids on you."

"Yeah! My mom has been begging me to let her do my hair." I said, tying my hair up in two buns.

"You didn't go to a hairstylist?" He asked.

"Nope. Unfortunately, no hairstylist in this town knows how to work on black people's hair." I lied. It was actually because only my mother was allowed to do my hair.

"Ah, yes. I remember you mentioning that a few weeks ago. About how they don't teach that in beauty school, or whatever it's called." He replied.

"That's right," I called out, putting all the chairs down from the tables.

Eric was part of Damien's pack. He is Amy's and Mike's uncle. He was supposed to be the Beta but chose to open a restaurant instead, from what Amy mentioned a while back. And I don't blame him. His food was to die for. He only hired wolves, but he made an exception with me. I'm sure Amy convinced him to hire me. Even though I didn't talk to her or any of them, she was still looking out for me.

"You ready to open up?" I asked after I had finished doing my opening stuff.

"I sure am." He said and went to unlock the door.

"Well, here we go again," I repeated, putting on my apron.

~

Six hours into my shift, the morning rush began to die. I was finishing cleaning a table I had spilled some water on when Eric approached me.

"Hey, I have a new table for you." I gave him a strange look.

"Um, what about Emma? It's her turn in the rotation."

"Yes, I understand, but you're my best server, and they're special." He whispered to me. He seemed on edge.

"How special?" I asked but was interrupted when we both heard the door open. I could not believe my eyes. Damien, Tasha, Melissa, Amy, and Mike. Two months. I last saw them two months ago, and now they were here, and Eric wanted me to serve them. I looked at him, frustrated. "You have got to be kidding me." He just shrugged his shoulders, smiling, and waved them over to the table I had just finished cleaning. I should've called out today. I put my biggest fake smile on, hoping somebody would kill me right about now.