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Istand behind the bar at Danny’s, the crowd not as crazy as usual, so I actually have a second to think. My thoughts instantly go to Mia and how defeated and frustrated she looked with water spraying around the kitchen last night. Then I start to think about how relieved and grateful she was once I had fixed the problem, so happy I thought she was going to cry or something.
If only I was able to take away that look of fear mixed with uncertainty that plagues her face, if only I could solve all of her problems. Even if I could, I doubt she would accept it, which only frustrates me further.
I'm so lost in my thoughts that I jump in surprise when someone suddenly slaps a big hand on my shoulder. I blink up at Danny’s kind hazel eyes, full of a fatherly concern I have only seen on my own father a couple of times. “What’s got you down, kid?”
I keep my features neutral, wishing a rush of customers will hurry up and give me something to distract myself with. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” Travis, another worker here, with shaggy black hair, an eyebrow pricing and sleeve tattoo that makes female patrons crazy, comments. He slings a rag over his shoulder and props his hip against the bar top with an amused grin. “You’ve mixed up so many orders, you’re making me look good.”
Malcom, another worker and the complete opposite of Travis, dressed in a black polo with the bar name across the front and jeans, with an innocent look on his face, asks, “Is it that girl?”
I hold my gaze with Malcom then, hating that I had confided in him about Mia upon arriving for my shift today. He slightly shrinks away from me, realising his mistake, and gives me an apologetic look before leaving to fill a couple’s drinks as they sit at the bar.
This is definitely a quiet night.
Just my luck.
“What girl?” Danny asks, his brows furrowed in curiosity as he cocks his head, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“It’s nothing,” I mumble, shrugging Danny’s hand off my shoulder and moving around Travis to busy myself with the empty glasses, finding anything to do to keep me busy or at least look busy.
“No, no, you can’t just leave it on that.” Travis’s grin grows until it takes up his entire face as he closes in on me, standing on one side, while Danny stands on the other, waiting. “Spill it.”
I look between the two, seeing they are not going to budge before I give a defeated sigh, hanging my head for a second before meeting their eyes. “Yes, it’s about the girl. She’s just a friend, and she recently lost her parents.”
“Fuck,” Travis groans as if in pain himself.
Danny merely gives me a saddened look, saying with a grave voice, “I’m sorry to hear that, son.”
I continue to explain. “She’s at her parents' place, clearing it out to be sold. That’s where I’ve been the past few days, helping her out.”
The words hang between them until Travis speaks. “And you’re sure she’s just a friend?” Danny slaps him across the back of the head before I do. Travis pouts as he rubs his head. “Ow!”
“Show some respect. She just lost her parents,” Danny growls at him like only a father could, and it makes me wonder why he never had kids. He speaks often of his wife, Millie, and how she got sick, but they had so many years to have a child. I just never thought to ask why they didn’t.
“Just curious,” Travis grumbles, still rubbing his head as I proceed to glare at him.
“So you worried about how she’s coping?” Danny asks me, Travis’s comment forgotten.
“Yeah, but it’s more than that. She found out that her parents are broke. Once this month is up, she will have no home, and she has no job. She has no idea what she wants to do, and I’m worried for her. I wanna help, but she-” I try to find some way to finish that sentence, but before I can say anything further, Danny finishes the sentence for me, understanding clear in his eyes.
“Won’t take it. I know the type. My wife was like that, even when she got sick.”
I watch as his eyes are taken over by sadness for a moment. My chest aches at the idea of all the pain Danny has been through in his life and yet he is the most understanding and generous person I know, taking guys like me in to work in his bar, giving me a place to live in the apartment above the bar. He had done for me what I wish to do for Mia: to help her. “I’m sorry, Danny.”
He waves off my apology, the sadness quickly becoming suppressed. “None of that. Listen, she obviously doesn’t want to feel weak or be a burden or something, so if you wanna help her, all you gotta do is give her an offer that will help her while giving her independence.”
“How do you suggest I do that?”
He ruffles my hair, as if I were a child, a smartass smile appearing on his face as he says, “You’re a smart boy. Use your imagination.”
I nod, taking this in and hoping I can discover an answer soon because time is running out now. I’m contemplating my options, when Travis asks, his brows raised in interest, “So she’s single, then?” This time, I slap him. “Ow!”
CHAPTER 14
MIA
Isit in the bathroom with my face buried in my hands. I thought I had more time. It’s been days since the incident in the kitchen and the house is almost packed away and time is almost up. My cut-off date insight.
