Your Exception

by Starr, Bria

  One missed call and voicemail from Alec, and the rest are from Zachary. I dial my voicemail and delete Alec’s message instantly, then I listen to Zach’s.

  “Hey, Wren. It’s Zach. Your dad said you weren’t feeling well today and stayed home. I remember when you were sick with mono and would still somehow make it in to work, so I hope you’re doing all right and that everything is okay. Please call me if you need anything. Bye.”

  I look to my texts.

  Zachary: Are you feeling better yet? Wanna come over and see Maynard? He’s been asking about you.

  He’s so funny, and it’s sweet that he can sense something is wrong, but no, I don’t feel like doing a damn thing today. Not even reading.

  I seem to be taking this breakup worse than the one with Alec. I know I was going to stop with the comparisons, but I can’t help it. I don’t recall having been so sad that I actually missed work. It was over and I made a decision, and moved on, eventually. Here, I am confused and strung along, with a sense of promise that this may not be the end and that we shall remain friends. I feel as though I’m in a state of purgatory.

  Mid-afternoon, I stroll into the kitchen still wearing my pajamas. I dig through the cupboard that holds my junk food until I find my chocolate and my licorice, grabbing a can of soda out of the fridge and making my way back upstairs. My iPod is playing sappy love songs while I eat my goodies and try not to think as the day goes by.

  *****

  When I wake up on Friday, it sinks in that I work both jobs today.Son of a bitch. I suppose I should get up and dressed so I’m not late. There’s no way I’d be able to get by with missing work two days in a row, but thank goodness Cassidy is on my shift tonight. That’ll help.

  I enter the shop and see Zach out of the corner of my eye looking my way. I make a beeline for the desk and bend down to shove my purse in the bottom drawer before standing up face to chest, with Zach. Whom I have seen in his underwear. I giggle at the thought.

  “Is something funny?” he asks, amused.

  If he only knew. “Nope,” I say and sit down to go through new emails.

  “You okay?” he asks with sincerity.

  I look up and smile. “I’m fine.”

  “Yeah. We all know what fine means.” He winks at me and walks away.

  I keep busy and decide not to go in the back to help Zach, or accept his offer to go out to lunch. He was so good about talking me through Alec, but I’m just not in the mood to go through this all again.

  I leave fifteen minutes early so I don’t have to face Zach. I head home and get ready for the night at the bar.

  When I get there, something seems off and I stop to take in what is going on. I look around at the light colored wood walls surrounding the inside of the place, the little serving area in the back by the kitchen where I spend a good amount of time, and the stage room where sometimes I would just stand and watch the bands play. Some of my favorite pastimes have been here, and so many great memories.

  Nothing is out of the ordinary but I get the sense that everyone around me is suddenly irritating. Someone here is always crying, or complaining, or fighting. I hate the fighting. I’ve always liked working here, but I’m fed up with all the fucking drama! It’s horrible. I really don’t want to be here anymore. I feel a sense of comfort here but there’s always some bad shit happening. I have conflicting emotions because it’s not a place I would prefer to spend my time, yet I enjoy being here and most of the people, most of the time. The music and tips help too.

  I look over at Cassidy, running around taking orders and eventually running into the back room, where I was standing while having my revelation, to grab extra condiment bottles. “Cassidy, I think I’m done.”

  “Done with what?” she asks curiously.

  “Here. I’m going to put in my notice. I don’t think I want to work here anymore.”

  “Now, let’s not be hasty with making decisions like this. I don’t think you’re in your right state of mind. Why don’t you give it some time?”

  “No. I came here to help out. I don’t need this job. I’ll be able to afford the rent just fine with my job at the shop. There’s just too much negativity here. I don’t want to deal with it anymore. I’m sorry.” I shrug.

  “I understand. Kind of. But you do what you feel is best. We’ve hired a few new servers, none will be as good as you, but we’ll figure it out. And I guess we’ll have more time together this way. That is, once the newbies are fully trained in.”

  I go over to Jen and let her know my decision.

  “Is this because of that boy?” she asks.

  “No.” I may have called in sick once because of him, but I’d never quit a job because of the guy. That’s ridiculous. “I’m so tired trying to juggle both jobs. I’m wiped out and just need a break.”

  “Okay. You’re not scheduled until next week. Did you want to work those? I can easily have them covered if you don’t.”

  “I think I’d prefer to be done tonight, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure thing.” She starts pouring drinks again.

  Well, that was easy.

  I feel as though a huge weight has just been lifted off my shoulders. I feel…free.

  I start to feel elated as the rest of the night goes by, knowing that I won’t have to come back here anymore. I am happy to have Cassidy here my final night. Draven is playing, and the tips are good.

  I go towards the kitchen. “Hey, brother. I suppose I should let you know that I’m quitting.”

  “Cassidy already told me.”

  “Can no one here keep their mouth shut? Just one of the many reasons I want out.”

  I hear heavy footsteps behind me. “You’re quitting?” I hear Zach ask. I turn to look at his disappointed face. “Why?”

  “I’m just sick of it. I’ll be back. You know I love my music.” I shift back to Connor. “And I love your food. It’s not like we’re never going to see each other. And maybe you can come out with me to see some new bands?”

  “Does that offer stand for me, too?” Zach asks.

  “Of course. You’re both welcome to come out with me any time you want.” I look back to Zach. “You see me every day, I don’t know why you’d want to hang out with me on the weekends, too.”

  Connor starts walking away. “I’ve gotta get back to cooking. Come back and see me, Wren.” He walks away, leaving me alone with Zach.

  “I will, I promise.” I start walking out of the kitchen with Zach where he ushers me to sit at a table with him. “I’m only going to ask you just this one time, okay?” He waits. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “But I will be,” I say with a small smile.

  “I believe you.”

  I finish the night out with my pockets full of cash and watch my favorite band tear down their gear. It was nice not having Holly or Kate here tonight. In reality, the only drama caused tonight was by me. Not that I caused much. A few regulars caught wind I was leaving and wanted hugs. Extra long, lingering, hugs.

  I go home and take a shower, pop in Gone with the Wind, and crawl into bed. Why can’t more men be like Rhett Butler? I, too, need kissing.

  Badly.

  Chapter 9

  The feeling of having an entire weekend off is amazing. I have nowhere to be until Monday and I’m taking full advantage by sleeping in, lounging in pajamas all day, eating junk food, and watching as many movies as I can. All without leaving the comfort of my room.

  I hear a knock on my door before Cassidy pokes her head in. “I’m off to work, I want you to know I’m taking next Saturday off, and we’re going out. I’m not going to make you go this weekend. I thought I’d give you some time to mourn before you get back up on the horse.”

  “You’re so thoughtful,” I say sarcastically.

  “And by the horse, I’m meaning another man.”

  “I’ll get right on that.”

  “I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Y
up, sounds good.”

  Finally, I have the house to myself. Now I have nothing to do besides sit and think about all the shit that’s gone wrong in my life. Not that I have a bad life. I have a very good life and plenty to be thankful for, but the tears still randomly find their way down my cheeks.

  *****

  By Sunday evening, I’m bored and have turned into zombie-mode. I’m actually looking forward to going in to work tomorrow.

  I decide to readHe’s Just Not That IntoYou by Greg Behrendt. It turns out to be very insightful, so I watch the next movie, and that’s when it hits me. It makes so much sense. If a guy likes you, he’ll be with you. No matter what, he’ll make it work.

  Was I tired from staying up all hours of the night just to spend some time with Logan? Yes. Would I have done it every single night? Gladly. I would have done anything it took just to be with him, but he obviously hadn’t felt the same way since he’d come and go as he pleased.

  This realization makes me feel somewhat better, knowing I’m the rule, and not the exception. He’s not really that into me, and it’s all so clear now. I just need to find the guy who actually does like me and wants to be with me. And if that person isn’t Logan, then my someone is still out there. I’m someone’s exception.

  I know it.

  I’m moving forward. Without Logan. My goal is now to rekindle my friendship with both Zach and Cassidy. I feel as if I’ve pushed them both aside quite a bit lately.

  When I get to work on Monday, I ask Zach if he wants to join me for lunch.

  “You know it, babe.”

  Lunch is pleasant, as always. He doesn’t ask about Logan, and it doesn’t appear hewantsto know anything. Unlike Cassidy. I know she’s dying to talk to me, but she’s holding off for now. After lunch, I text her to ask if she has any nights off this week.

  Cassidy: Nope. You are SOL.

  Me: I was hoping to get some time with you.

  Cassidy: With training all the newbies in, I have to be there every night this week, but I was approved to get next Saturday off like I’d hoped so that we can go party it up.

  Me: Sounds good! I’ll look into some new places to go.

  I think a night out is just what I need.

  *****

  Instead of our night out, we decide to make ita day in the sunshine when we find out about the fair going on in Carver County. This weekend they have everything from rides and games to food and animals, and last but certainly not least, a band playing that night. It’s perfect. Today is all about fun. I need to stop being such a downer.

  I pull into the field I was motioned to park in, and pay the parking fee before we start making the walk toward the fair grounds. We are surrounded by families and young couples on dates as we enter the overcrowded area.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s find something to eat,” I say to Cassidy.

  “We just got here. I wanted to see the animals. How are you always hungry?”

  “It’s lunch time. Normal people eat lunch. Do they not?”

  “I guess so. Fine. Where are we going?”

  “I need some cheese curds and some mini donuts. Ooh, are those turkey legs over there? I need one of those too!”

  We walk around the grounds, Cassidy is looking at all the games as I consume my food. I notice a group of guys about twenty feet away, and one of them is looking at us. At this moment, I really hope he’s looking at Cassidy because I am gnawing on this giant chunk of meat as if there’s no tomorrow. I slowly move the turkey leg away from my mouth and glance back over his way. He’s still looking. From what I can see, he’s not very tall and has light brown hair, closely shaved with a small faux hawk. He’s attractive.

  “Let’s go see the animals, and then we’ll come back and play some games,” Cassidy says to me.

  “Sure. Let’s go.” I try to resist looking back at the guy who has now caught my attention, but I can’t help myself. He looks back at me and winks. I’m suddenly embarrassed and turn to hurry Cassidy along faster, tossing what’s left of my food into a nearby garbage can.

  We walk through each small building that has horses, cows, chickens, and pigs. It smells awful in here, but it’s kind of cool to see them up close. I see animals like this daily, our town is full of farms and fields, but we only see the animals on the side of the road as we drive by.

  We exit the last building, and I see him again. This time Cassidy spots him and his group too. “Hottie alert,” she whispers to me.

  “I see them,” I say back. We walk back over to the games; I get the strange sense we’re being followed, and I have an idea by who. Cassidy goes straight over to the basketball hoops and throws down some money. I stand there and watch her. I’ve never been good at basketball because of my height, but Cassidy was always in that sport in school and she did well.

  Getting her prize of a pink bunny we head to the darts. “Want to play too?” she asks.

  “No, thank you. I’ll just watch.” I glance around nervously but don’t see that guy anymore. I focus back on Cassidy’s throwing skills, and she’s awful. She misses every balloon except for the last one, and it bounces off and falls to the floor. “That game is rigged,” she claims as she walks away.

  “Right. It has nothing to do with the fact that you suck at darts,” I confirm, following her.

  “I always do well at darts. Let’s go find something else to do. Want to go on some rides?”

  “Sure, we can do a couple. Just not any of the crazy ones. I’m not ten years old anymore. I can’t handle them as well as I used to.”

  “I’m afraid of heights so that pretty much leaves us with only the kiddie rides.”

  “Well, the band isn’t starting for a couple more hours. What do you want to do?”

  “Hello, ladies.”

  We both turn to look. Two men are standing before us, and one of them is the guy I keep seeing. He is much more handsome than I’d originally thought. My eyes roam over his face and land on the piercing in his lower lip. His green eyes bore into my own as he never takes them away from mine. Finally, blinking, I look back to the other guy who looks as if he’s ready to eat Cassidy alive. He’s taller and has long black hair in dire need of some shampoo.

  “I’m Eric,” he says as he gestures to the guy standing in front of me. “And this is Aaron. You girls from around here?”

  Cassidy answers, “No, we live about an hour away.” I give her a look. You do not tell anyone that you’re not from around the area. Ever. That’s practically a death wish. She shrugs. “Want to go on some rides with us?”

  “Sure, let’s go,” Eric replies, and we’re off like two teenage couples. I stay quiet, walking next to Aaron. I don’t have a clue what to say to him, and Cassidy is busy talking about anything and everything to Eric. I wish I wasn’t such an introvert. Aaron looks over at me and smiles. “Do you have a favorite ride?”

  “I don’t really go on rides at county fairs, but Valleyfair is another story. I like almost all the rides there.”

  “Valleyfair is fun. I haven’t gone in years.”

  “Why not? Do you consider yourself too old for that?” He couldn’t be more than a year or two older than me.

  “I’ve been too busy with my career.”

  “Oh.”

  I don’t ask as we hand over our tickets and climb into The Scrambler. Cassidy sits with Eric, leaving me with Aaron. Well, this is awkward. He guides me up where I sit on the inside, and he sits next to me, on the outside. Aaron has this boyish charm about him. I like him and I feel kind of at ease around him. Well, as comfortable as I can be around someone without knowing them; it makes it slightly harder to enjoy myself when I’m attracted to him. We sit in silence as we wait for the ride to start. I look over at Cassidy and Eric, and his arm is around her. That was fast.

  We start moving slowly, and as the speed picks up, I’m sliding closer and closer to Aaron. I do not want to be sitting in his lap, so I hold on as tight as I can, praying I don’t fall into him. It’s to no avail. I
smash into him, hard. “I’m so sorry!” I apologize and try to scoot away, but that doesn’t help either. My shoulder is buried into the side of his chest, probably hurting him. He lifts his arm and puts it around me. I’m so embarrassed at this point that I just go with it and let him hold me since I can’t move away. It is the longest three minutes of my life.

  As the ride slows, I back away as much as I can. “Sorry,” I say again.

  “You don’t need to apologize to me. Why do you think I made you sit on the inside?”

  Heat immediately flushes my cheeks as I look down at my shoes. A small smile breaks out as I imagine him scheming to get me closer to him. When my feet are back on the ground, I hear Cassidy ask, “So what’s next?”

  Eric looks at his watch and then to Cassidy. “We have to get going, but I’ll see you later?”

  “Of course.”

  Aaron looks to me. “You sticking around for the show later?”

  “Yeah, that’s why we’re here. Maybe we’ll bump into you guys?”

  “I hope so. See you soon.”

  Cassidy loses at a few more games before it starts getting dark, and we head over to the tent where this new up and coming band is going to be performing. They’re called Lonely Shadows, and they’re a big deal around here. I’ve heard they’re on the brink of getting signed, so I’m eager to hear them, hoping their reputation precedes them.

  We show our ID and pay a small fee before entering. There’s a big open spot of grass in front of the stage for the dancers, a small bar across the way, and several long tables which are starting to fill up. We grab a seat off to the side, and Cassidy grabs her first two beers of many. We talk about the latest books we’ve read, comparing thoughts when we finally hear the band start getting ready. The bass guitarist is Eric, and the drummer is none other than Aaron. I look up at him with wide eyes, and he winks at me in return. Cassidy is just plain excited that the guy she just met and likes, is in a band.

  They start playing, and I’m in awe. The lead singer has killer vocals, and the band comes together perfectly. They deserve every bit of their hype as well as the rumor of getting a record deal. They’re better than Draven and Distort put together.