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“Good. You start Saturday night. Give Anders your number so he can send you the roster, and make sure you do something about your face. My clients don’t like bruises on girls unless they put them there.” With that classy comment, he turns and goes back to the stockroom, picking up his clipboard on the way.
Anders reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, acting like we’re exchanging numbers. “Fuck, I’m sorry,” he whispers, but I hold up a hand.
“Not here,” I hiss. “There were cameras at the school, so I don’t doubt some are here too.” He gives me a quick nod in understanding, and I smile and wave before leaving the bar. “I have to go, or I’ll be late for dinner, but I’ll see you Saturday,” I call breezily, and when I see Matt watching me from the storeroom, I wave to him too before hurrying out of the bar.
I have exactly fifteen minutes to find the bus and get home. I don’t think I’m going to be able to do it, and I can’t imagine that’s going to make me popular at the home. Hopefully Matt will call the Standishes and vouch for me.
Chapter 19
My run down the dirt driveway leaves me breathless and grasping at my sides as I push the door open that leads directly into the kitchen. The silence that greets me is deafening, and I feel all eyes on me in an instant. My own slide to Martha, who is frowning, her lips pursed with annoyance.
Before she can reprimand me, I quickly say, “I’m so sorry. I had a job interview and missed the right bus and had to catch the next one.” I lean against the doorframe, trying to catch my breath. I’m not actually that winded, but I need to put on a good act, and yeah, my ribs do kind of ache. “The guy at the bar said he was going to call Mr. Standish and run it by him.” I look hopefully at the man of the household, and his eyebrows rise in surprise.
“You got a job at Life Lounge?” He sounds surprised, and I frown.
“Yeah, I did. He said he’s employed girls from your home before. Was he lying to me?” I bite my lip, pretending to be anxious, but James shakes his head.
“Oh, he has, I’m just surprised. He hasn’t mentioned anything to me about interviewing you.”
“Oh, then he hasn’t called you yet? It was a last-minute thing. I went in after school today.”
Martha huffs. “That man… You know I don’t like our kids working for him,” she snaps at James, and he shrugs.
“He pays under the table and doesn’t question their age. There aren’t a lot of options in this town. I’m sure Mackenzie is going to do just fine.” He winks at me, and I have a feeling he knows the kind of interview I just went through. A shiver of disgust flows over me, but I hide it and beam at him.
“He wants me to work a couple afternoons a week and the weekends,” I tell them, dropping my bag down and taking the last empty seat at the table between Will and Ty.
“But that means you won’t be home for family dinner most nights.” Martha sounds annoyed. “I’m not sure I’m happy about this. Out until all hours and parading around in that uniform? People are going to think the wrong thing about you, Mackenzie.”
“Nonsense. They are going to assume she’s doing everything she can to get a good start for the rest of her life. Leave her be, Martha. Matthew will take good care of her.”
Martha sighs heavily. “Fine, but she will have to come to church with us on Sundays and pray for the lord’s forgiveness no matter how tired she is from working.” Martha is firm in her desires, and James rolls his eyes good-naturedly.
“I’m not sure the lord sees bar keeping as a sin, but sure, if that will keep you happy. That’s fine with you, isn’t it?” He turns to me, and I look between them, quickly agreeing.
“Sure, of course.”
“Fine, well, eat up, our dinner is getting cold because we waited for you.” Martha gestures for people to start eating, and the teenagers who had been quiet up until now, eagerly waiting to hear the outcome of me being late, all start talking at once.
“Hey, maybe now that you’re working there, Ty and I can get in.” Will nudges me in the side.
“I highly doubt it. You two don’t look old enough to get in,” Cassie sneers across the table.
“Ouch, Cassie, I’m wounded.” Ty playfully grabs at his chest before reaching for the breadbasket and tossing a roll onto his plate before handing it to me.
“Only whores work at places like that,” Jessica hisses at me, speaking quietly enough that Martha, who is talking to the sisters about their day, doesn’t hear.
“Oh burn, good one, Jess,” I reply lightly. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to find a new insult, because that one doesn’t really hit hard. You think calling me a whore is hateful? The girl, who rumor has it, is quite open to spreading her own legs to get ahead? Pot meet kettle.” I gesture between the two of us, and she scowls and huffs.
“At least I don’t get paid for it. Not like you.”
“Well then, you really aren’t doing it right, are you?”
I can see from the corner of my eye that James, although eating, is listening intently to our conversation. Miller must notice as well.
“Hey, Mr. Standish, can you put in a good word for me when you speak to your friend? I need a job too, and I haven’t had any luck trying to find one. Sounds like it might be a neat place to work.”
James’s eyes narrow, and he considers Miller’s words. He finishes chewing his mouthful and then puts his fork down. “I’m sure I can speak to him. He’s always looking for attractive staff to keep his patrons happy. No one wants ugly people serving them drinks.”
