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“The usual, hot stuff?” drawls Mandy, the assistant manager I’ve known since I was in kindergarten.
“Sure. Make it a double.”
“Rough day, huh?” She places the amber liquid on the rocks in front of me and leaves the bottle sitting.
“Something like that.” I tilt the glass back and she instantly fills me up.
“Just keep them coming.”
“Look, I finish here in about ten minutes. Why don’t we get out of here? My place is just a block away. I have alcohol, and I make a mean pasta dish.”
I study Mandy for a moment and shrug. “I don’t know, Mandy.”
Mandy and I had a thing in High school. She was my it girl for a while. It wouldn’t be fair to encourage anything between us, because Shay is it for me now. If we end up with her body home, then I’ll need to learn to accept that, which won’t be an easy task. I won’t put my burdens on other people. I need to get my shit sorted before I look to the future.
“As friends, Clay. We know where we stand with one another, and you look like you could use a friend right about now.”
I nod. I know she’s right. I have many friends and family members, but no one outside of that circle who will act normal with me and just let me be me.
“Okay. You’re on. Dinner’s on you.”
I take out my wallet and throw down some cash that I know will cover the drinks and then some. Maybe a distraction is something I need tonight.
“I’ll clock off and get my things. Meet you out front?”
I nod and stand from my stool. I store my keys in my pocket and make my way outside. If it’s only a block away, I can leave my truck in the parking lot and return for it later. The walk will do me good.
***
Mandy walks me up the stairs to her apartment. I haven’t been at this part of the city for a long time. What drew me to it tonight, I’ll never know.
“Welcome.” Mandy walks through her door, kicks off her shoes, and throws down her purse and keys. She looks settled here. It’s homely. It’s got the woman’s touch.
“Thanks. You have a lovely place.”
“Thanks. I’ve been here a few years now. It’s handy for work. And how are you doing? You haven’t been in the club for a while.”
I sigh. “I’ve been better. I’ve just had a lot going on.”
We walk into her kitchen and she pulls out a bottle of wine and a bottle opener and hands it to me. “Make yourself useful, Shaw.”
I smile at the nickname my peers gave me at school. A few of my army buddies called me Shaw, but apart from that, I haven’t heard it in years.
“Pasta okay with you, or I could order pizza?”
“I’m good with either.”
Mandy opens the cupboard and closes it again. She pulls out a takeout menu from the drawer and throws it down on the worktop.
“What’s your poison?”
“Anything that doesn’t contain olives and seafood.”
“I’m with you on that. Some things don’t belong on a pizza.”
“Agreed.” I smile.
“Give me a minute to get changed and I’ll call it in. Make yourself at home.” She pushes two wine glasses closer to me and leaves me standing in the middle of her kitchen.
