Fall into the Break

Chapter Two

The next day was colder.

Chase had to grab his gloves before he left the house, which bothered him. It was almost June. Where was his sun? He planned to spend the first warm weekend of the year out in the mountains, in a tent with a cooler of beer and a fishing pole. Those plans still seemed as far off as they had the previous winter, but they were the only things keeping him sane.

Following the advice of his ever-logical younger sister, Chase decided to hold out hope that the seasons hadn’t forgotten what they were doing.

That morning, though, when he reached into the fridge for his usual energy drink, he considered throwing in the towel and making the switch to coffee. His taste buds would be angry, but at least then his hands would warm up on these freezing late-spring-basically-winter mornings.

Chase’s day didn’t get much better after arriving at work. Graham had shown up that morning at Trish’s insistence. She hadn’t even interviewed anyone else. Chase thought about all the crap she must be getting from their developer. Desperate measures were called for, he guessed.

After the morning meeting, it quickly became apparent Graham was in over his head.

He was seen wandering around the worksite without his hard-hat on – huge no-no. He said he left it at home because he didn’t think he’d need it on the first day. It was Ben who confronted him about it, nicely, but firmly. Chase could tell his friend had a hard time keeping it together, and Graham wasn’t even phased.

Despite Ben’s excellent explanation skills, Chase was called away multiple times throughout the day to show Graham how to do basic tasks.

The end of the day came slowly. By nine o’clock Chase had the worksite secured and cleaned up. Most of the crew had gone home except for Gus, Wyatt and Ben.

They stood around Wyatt’s little Geo Metro while they smoked the first of their nightly cigarettes. Chase could hear laughter from the group as he made his way to the office.

He still had to fill out the daily reports. It was a task he usually disliked, but now he looked forward to it. Chase couldn’t wait to make his thoughts on the new guy official. Maybe Trish would consider hiring someone else when these papers, detailing Graham’s obvious inexperience, were passed on to the people who signed her paychecks.

Chase had just finished placing the reports in Trish’s box when Gus walked into the portable.

“You comin’ to Dodge’s tonight?" Gus' brown eyes had an excited glint.
               
“Maybe next week,” Chase replied. His face grew red.
               
“Gibson,” Gus started. “it’s Thirty-Wing-Thursday.” He waited for a response, as if reminding Chase what day of the week it was would make a difference. When no response came, Gus tried again.

“Wyatt’s hot cousin finally agreed to meet us there.”
               
Chase grabbed his coat off the back of the chair. “She’s not that hot, Gus.” He checked his watch. Nine-thirty. “Sorry. Maybe next time. Gran probably has dinner waiting.”
               
“Mhmm,” Gus hummed suspiciously. “You holdin’ out on us, man? Where you goin’?”

Chase shook his head and grinned faintly. His face burned. They left the building together.

“I’ll buy your first round,” Gus offered as they descended the steps. He was relentless. Chase declined the offer and said he would make it out next week. He got in his truck, unlocked his phone, opened his messages and started typing.

—On my way—

He hit send and then peeled out.

***

The little bell chimed when Chase swung open the diner’s door. A rush of cold air swirled in at his feet. His boots fell heavily as he made his way to the back of the restaurant. Chase took a seat in his favorite cherry red booth, kicked his feet up and pulled down his baseball cap until it covered his eyes. The back of his head rested against the window, and he could feel its mild coolness seep through his hat and spread down his neck. His ears rang with the sounds of clinking pots and pans, people yelling faintly in Spanish and at least one crying kid. Soon enough fell asleep.

He woke five minutes later to Ruby placing a hot plate of meatloaf in front of him. She flopped down across from him and stretched. She grabbed a fork, poked at the meat on his plate and took a bite.
               
“Hey, missy,” Chase said. He rubbed his bleary eyes and focused on the woman in front of him. “How was work?”
               
Ruby, who had just gone back in for a second bite, hovered her fork over the meatloaf and gave him a look. She rolled her eyes and scoffed.
               
“Spill,” Chase ordered. He picked up the second fork and started in on the mashed potatoes, making sure to press a few peas into them before taking the bite.
               
“For starters, Roger kept being an ass.”

Chase glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of Roger yelling at a line cook. This didn’t surprise him.

Ruby continued. “Four of my tables didn’t tip, and I worked hard tonight. Like, really hard.” She stabbed her fork in the air for emphasis. A tiny piece of meat dropped to the table. “Oh, and I also managed to drop a piece of pie in some guys lap,” she leaned in. “– his lap, Chase. Do you know how awkward it was for me to clean that up?”
               
Chase laughed loudly. “You cleaned it up? That must have been weird.”
               
“Yeah, it was weird. Real weird.” Ruby chuckled and then set the fork down. She put her head in her hands and groaned. “I’m so glad this night is over.”
               
Chase smiled and pierced a large chunk of meatloaf. “I’m so glad you feed me,” he said before chomping down.

Ruby looked up at him, showing off her large dark eyes. Chase felt his chest tighten.
               
Ruby cocked her head to one side. “How was your day? You look especially tired.”
               
Chase nodded his head and closed his eyes as he swallowed another bite of dinner. “Yep. I am.” He met her gaze once more.
               
A silence fell over the table. The two of them picked at the plate until it, and the rest of the restaurant, were empty. Chase walked Ruby to her car and was surprised when she hesitated before opening her door. The night was chilly, and Chase could tell she was shivering underneath her long peacoat. He heard her say something about the weather, but he was too preoccupied by the warmth he could feel coming off her body to register her words. 

He looked down at her. Her dark hair blew in the breeze and he could smell her floral perfume just enough to make his heart race even more. She leaned in closer.

Suddenly it dawned on Chase that they now were in a “moment,” and that the next choice he made would be very important. He felt her lean closer until her body rested against his. He made a decision.
               
“Drive safe, Rube,” he said softly. He patted her back twice and then pulled away. He turned toward his vehicle without looking back. Once safely in his truck he exhaled deeply and strung together a few choice words directed at his idiot brain. He looked toward her car. She was waiting to turn left. Even her taillights were mesmerizing.

She’d never stood that closely to him before in the ten months he’d known her. He closed his eyes. She leaned on him. He could still feel her. To only offer a pat on the back after she went out on a ledge like that was the wrong choice, he feared.

He opened the glove box and took out a small, shiny container. The liquid burned going down, but it was nothing compared to the burning he felt elsewhere. His feelings of embarrassment melted away with the second sip. He closed the cap and stuffed the flask back into its home, right next to some fast food napkins and few Snickers bars. He started the engine.

I hope you liked Chapter Two! Thanks for reading my story, and if you enjoyed it, consider voting!