When The Clock Strikes (ONC 2020)

6| Or Something

"Are you feeling better?" Kyle asked me as we sat in a coffee shop. "I know you were in a pretty lousy mood when I first met you."

After I finally met up with Cam and bartender guy, introductions were made. Of course right after that I needed to explain why I was late to Cam. I told her my subway broke down, but I left the kiss out of it.  After we had talked for awhile, the three of us decided to go get some coffee. So far I had to admit, I liked Kyle.

I knew when he asked how I was feeling, he was referring to our first meeting at the bar when Cam took me out after my breakup. It was actually nice that he remembered. "I'm feeling better. Thank you."

Turns out having a heated, passionate kiss with a stranger on a subway train you could really make your night more enjoyable.

Kyle wrapped his arm around Cam's shoulders and I didn't miss the pink that highlighted her cheeks. "So, do you start back at work tomorrow, Ally?" Cam asked.

My frown alone was answer enough, but I still said, "Yes. I work a closing shift for the next few days, unfortunately." 

Even though I knew it was time for me to stop hiding out in my apartment, it was good to start back at work. Besides, if I was home, I was wallowing and depressed. I didn't want to start the new year off being depressed. I wanted to start it fresh and try to have some semblance of normalcy.

"I know how that is," Kyle chided. "I've worked closing shifts at the bar for months now. They keep saying they'll hire a new closer to take some of the stress off of me, but you know how managers are."

I scoffed. "Oh, yes. It's the same way at my job. Once I told him that I could work some night shifts, he started working me all closing shifts."

"Do you need me to talk to him?" Cam asked like a big sister would. "Because I'll go down there and--"

"No!" I laughed. "Please don't do that. It won't help anything."

"Fine," Cam huffed, "but if he keeps on treating you this way, I'm going to come up there and do something about it. I don't care what you say."

My only response to that was a smile and a shake of my head. I really loved Camille. I didn't know where I would be in my life without her. To be honest, I didn't want to think about where I would be without her.

There have been a few times when I worked at different jobs that Cam had tried to come to my rescue when I had a terrible manager. It either ended with me getting more stuff piled on to my duties, or fired. I know she meant well and she always tried looking out for me, and that's why I never got mad at her for it.

Kyle laughed along with me and nodded his head in Camille's direction. "This one's a firecracker, isn't she?"

My eyes shot to Cam at the mention of her full name. No one ever called her Camille. I only called her that when I was pissed at her or trying desperately to get her attention. But bartender guy was calling her Camille?

She knew that I noticed and gave me a look that told me not to bring it up. At least not right now. Clearly she liked this guy and I didn't want to embarrass her. So she was off the hook...for now.

"Yeah," I said to Kyle, "she is definitely a firecracker."

Cam clapped her hands together. "I don't know about you guys, but I have had enough of coffee for tonight. Why don't we go out and get some drinks? Maybe do a little dancing?"

Kyle shrugged. "As long as it's not the bar I work at, then I'm all for it."

They both looked at me and cam gave me a look that said she wasn't taking no for an answer. "Okay," I sighed. "Let's go dancing."