One

by Mari Arden

  She steps back. "So what brings you here today? Is Cade with you?"

  "No, I'm just walking my gir-" he stops to look at me. "Jules. I'm just walking Jules to work." Was he going to say what I think he was going to say? Pax has a little smirk on his face, and I wonder if he did it on purpose.

  "Oh," Anna's face is expressionless as she looks at me. "I see."

  I'm afraid she does see. I don't know what she thinks. It shouldn't matter because it has nothing to do with my work here, I tell myself. "I should probably get dressed," I say to them. "My shift starts in two minutes."

  "Yes, you do that," Anna replies.

  "I'll pick you up at 8pm on the dot," Pax tells me.

  "Kay. Bye."

  He takes a step forward like he's going to kiss me. Something inside me warns against this idea so I hurry ahead, waving at him. I don't turn back to see what he's doing. I keep my eyes forward as I push through the double employee doors, and head toward the stairs to the locker room. My tennis shoes are swift and silent, and suddenly I'm reminded of Courtney and Stella. I wonder if I'm going to accidently hear something I shouldn't again. Without pause, I enter the employee room. It's oddly quiet so I know no one is around. I head into the changing room and swiftly take off my clothes. I hate the way the uniform blouse feels on me. I'm too afraid to make sudden movements in case one of the "durable" buttons decides to come off. I walk to the back and pull one of the drawers open. There's nothing there. There's been nothing there for at least two weeks already. I'm starting to suspect Anna's not restocking it on purpose. She doesn't want me to find a bigger size top. Irritation flares up, but I suppress it. To be fair, Anna warned me about this already. She'd warned me things were done her way or else. I shouldn't be surprised, right?

  Taking a quick look in the mirror, I decided I'm presentable and ready for another rapid fast shift. The evening shifts are always the busiest. I rarely notice when time passes until Anna or Alex starts shooing me out.

  My cheeks have filled out a bit now that I'm making enough money to actually buy food. I look less scrawny, and the bones protruding out of my face and neck are less pronounced. A smile dances on my lips.

  Even though I don't need Alex anymore, it's tradition for me to always start out my shift with him. I found out he's constantly working because he has a sick mom at home and a little sister in fifth grade to take care of. He takes a few classes at the local community college and works here the rest of the time. Anna seems to like him, which doesn't earn him any special privileges, but does get him extra shifts.

  "Hey Alex."

  "Hey, little girl." I hate that he calls me that even though I'm the smallest person in the building. "Ready for another night of hard work?"

  "Aren't I always?" I respond as I come to stand by him. He's counting out bills to restock the register. "You've been here long?" I ask.

  "Only since seven am." It's four o'clock now.

  I whistle. "Ten hours? And you're going to be here until eight?"

  "Sounds like it."

  "Why were you here so early?"

  He closes the register. "Extra training."

  I nod. My first thought about him was right. Anna is grooming him to be a manager. I smile. Good. He deserves it. "What tables do I have tonight?"

  "Alaina has tables one through five and eight. You have six, seven, nine, ten and eleven. Courtney has twelve through fifteen and Mai has sixteen through twenty. We're a little short today so we'll all need to work together."

  My stomach drops a little when I hear him say Alaina's name. She doesn't work many hours and I only ever see her during weekend shifts, but she mostly works days while I work nights. Anna assumed correctly I didn't have an active nightlife. Immediately, my eyes find Alaina. She's one of the tallest women in the room, but even if she wasn't, her fiery red hair is eye catching no matter where she is. She has the soft features of doll- emerald eyes, creamy ivory skin, and a cupid shaped mouth that seems to be perpetually pink. She's got the legs of a supermodel, and when she stands, they seem endless. I'd disappear next to her. I do disappear next to her.

  I note that our sections are next to each other, which has never happened before. A small part of me hopes there won't be trouble. She can't hate someone she barely knows, right?

  Another part of me knows I'm a round little birdie, and green-eyed serpents like her eat little birdies like me for fun.

  "Remember to put a smile on that stoic face once in a while," Alex says. "You get better tips that way."

  "I thought tips are supposed to be all about good service, and not just looks."

  "Not at Maddie’s." He glances at me. "You know that."

  I mutter something under my breath and head to my tables. Customers are already seated there so I ask how the food is and offer several people a refill. Since working here I've become better at smiling when I don't feel like it, but Alaina's presence is like the arctic north. I feel her sharp gaze like a knife, and it's all I can do not to flinch.

  Half an hour into my shift, Alaina passes by me and I feel something hard push my body down to the table beside me. I trip, gasping as I grab at the nearest thing to me- a head and a pair of shoulders.

  "I'm sorry," Alaina says sweetly, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you all okay?" Her sugary tone combined with her exquisite looks causes the people at the table to smile back at her, seeming to forget to that I was the one that got knocked down. Alaina doesn't spare me a glance before she walks away again. Did she do it on purpose?

  After that incident, I'm warier around Alaina. I can't believe I'm even doubting whether it was an accident or not, but my instincts are telling me it had been planned. I know myself and I'm not clumsy enough to trip on my own two feet.

  The night shift is so busy that eventually I do forget about Alaina. She seems to have forgotten about me too because there are no more incidents. When eight pm hits, Anna starts gathering a few workers including myself, and tells us to leave. We're holding another corporate after party and their staff is already here ready to turn the restaurant into a tropical paradise. As a group, we head upstairs. Alex tells me he's staying behind to talk to Anna.

  "Okay," I say. I grab his elbow before he can go. "Hey, we're going to Xpress nightclub tonight for their annual foam party. You should come," I urge. "A friend of mine can get us in for free."

  Alex looks skeptical. "A foam party?"

  I shrug. "It's supposed to be fun. Come with? There's someone I'd like you to meet."

  He looks unsure, but my continued emphasis on the word free finally convinces him. "I guess," he relents. "It's free so what the hell."

  "Do you need to go home to get ready?" Alex told me once he only lives four blocks from here so he's able to walk to work.

  "Nah. I always carry my hair gel with me. I never know when I might need it."

  Of course. How could I possibly think any different? "Great," I laugh. "I like a guy who's always prepared."

  "Especially one who looks damn good doing it."

  I punch him lightly on the shoulder. My arm is almost vertical to do it but my fist reaches him. "See you in ten?"

  "Yep. I'll wait by the door for you."

  Turning around, I head to the changing room. I brought a spare change of clothes that includes a denim skirt and a form fitting tank top. Nat approves of my casual attire because she tells me we're going to get wet. What she doesn't know is I don't have anything fancier so even if we weren't getting wet, I'd still be wearing this outfit.

  I hear the clicking of high heels on a hard floor. Suddenly they stop. "Ugh, what is that foul odor? It smells like burnt meat."

  I pause in the act of taking off my clothes when I hear Alaina's voice behind me.

  "Judy, I think it's coming from you," she tells me in that artificially syrupy voice I'm starting to hate.

  I grit my teeth in irritation. Jules. My name is Jules! I turn around in black pants and a bra. Courtney comes closer, sniffing near me like she's a dog. She's holding a c
an of Pepsi.

  "It's definitely you, girl." She wrinkles her nose. "Ever hear of perfume?"

  I narrow my eyes. This close I'm drenched in the scent of their perfumes. I almost sneeze but stop myself in time. "I don't like perfume," I lie. "I take a shower when I get home."

  Alaina makes a face, and her little button nose scrunches up. "Ew," she shudders. She takes a sip of her iced coffee.

  What is her problem? "Look, I'm going to be late so if you have something you want to say, spit it out."

  Her eyes narrow until they become slits on her face. "You have a date?" she asks in an icy tone.

  "Yes," I shoot back. "I do. And he's waiting for me downstairs so if we're done, I'm leaving."

  "Where are you going?"

  Why does she care? "Xpress," I snap. "Anything else you want to know? Like my birth date or when I lost my first tooth?" She glares at me. I hold her stare.

  "You think you can just come in here and act like you own everything. You're nothing. Nothing," she spats. "Just a pathetic charity case Anna took in."

  "So what are you then? The resident slut? Every place needs one," I finish coolly.

  Her eyes widen. I don't think she thought I'd play just as dirty as her. I've learned you got to blend in to survive, but you shouldn't lay down and get walked on either.

  "What did you say?"

  "You heard me," I reply, not caring I'm outnumbered two to one. Courtney's so skinny that one shove from me would probably knock her down. She looks between Alaina and me, an uneasy expression on her face.

  "Bitch," Alaina hisses. Her eyes are angry slits and she steps forward. I don't have a chance to react before something cold hits me. I gasp as she throws her cup of iced coffee over my body. Some of it gets on my face, but most of it is on my chest, stomach and work pants. I don't wait to see what she'll do next. I react, some primal instinct taking over. I bend down and swing my leg forward, knocking her off balance. She screeches and grabs at the nearest thing- Courtney. As I guessed would happen, Courtney falls at the slightest physical pressure and her can of Pepsi crashes to the floor, spilling on both of them.

  I straighten, coolly studying Alaina and Courtney, noting that the drink got on their hair. I feel a slight satisfaction knowing it will make their hair sticky for the rest of the night. I grab my clothes and start to walk away, my heart pounding. My insides feel tight even as I put distance between us.

  Something tells me Alaina's going to make me pay for what just happened.

  CHAPTER 19

  "You okay?" Pax's concerned voice is nothing like Alaina's insincere tone. The contrast is a relief and I let out a shaky breath. I can still feel the icy cool coffee on my skin. I'd changed quickly in the miniature kitchen and used the sink to wash off any residue of coffee. I still can't believe I kicked Alaina. Anna would fire me for sure if she knew. My behavior was unacceptable.

  "Yeah. Work was busy."

  He nods sympathetically. "Yeah, I remember how crazy it gets. My parents used to always say Cade and I had limitless energy, but one shift at Maddie's was usually enough to knock us out," he laughs. He puts his hand over mine, and the warmth I find from him is like cool liquid on a hot day. Don't think about Alaina anymore, I tell myself. Don't let her ruin your night. Pax leans over to give me a quick kiss and I sigh into his mouth, loving the feel of his lips.

  There's silence from the back, and it makes me uncomfortable. Alex isn't speaking and Nat's said less than three words. There's something wrong; I know it. I felt it the second I introduced them. Nat gave me a strange look and Alex looked irritated. They both seemed upset with me as if I'd done something wrong.

  Nat's dressed in a super short skirt and a tight form fitting tube top. I walked behind her when we got into Pax's car just to make she didn't flash anything. I doubt she would've cared, but it's important to me that Alex thinks she's a lady even if she doesn't always act like it sometimes.

  Alex cleaned up very well for someone who's been working twelve plus hours. His hair has so much product I doubt a tornado would be able to move it. His skin looks smooth and baby soft and he smells like mint and something fruity.

  Thinking about how he smells makes me worry about how I smell. Even though it hurts to admit it, Alaina and Courtney were right. I do smell like burnt meat. Usually I take a shower after work, but I didn't have time today. I don't own perfume because I think a shower is just as good, and really, who has fifty dollars to blow on three ounces of scented liquid? It's never bothered me before, but tonight I feel self-conscious. If it was Alaina's mission to make that happened, she's succeeded.

  I look out the window, my hand tightening on Pax's. He feels my darkening mood, but doesn't say anything.

  "So how's Bella doing?" Pax asks Alex. They're both acquaintances since Cade's always bringing Pax in.

  "She's good. Started fifth grade this year. She tried to get me to buy her lipstick last week." Alex makes a disgusted sound.

  "It's going to happen sooner or later, man."

  "Yeah, well, I would've preferred later."

  "How's your mom?" I'm surprised Pax knows so much about Alex. I shouldn't be though. I'm learning that's just the type of guy Pax is.

  "Same old, same old. She's got good and bad days. Cancer's a bitch."

  "I'm sorry, man. If there's anything you need, just holler."

  "Will do, Reid." After a moment, Alex snorts. "Mom likes you for some reason. Bella does too."

  "It might have something to do with my winning personality and beast skills on the field."

  "Ha, maybe." Alex leans in closer until his head's between our seats. "This your last year playing?"

  "Yep. Already got a concussion and the season's just started. If I don't stop soon, I'll probably never be able to do anything else."

  Alex nods. "You know they're all gunning for you. You're the heart of the team."

  "I think they see me as an easy target maybe," Pax replies modestly.

  "Oh please," Nat says from behind. "You're the best and you know it. Modesty doesn't become you." Yep. Nat's definitely gotten over being star struck.

  Pax shoots me an amused glance, laughing. "I'm trying to impress Jules, okay? She thinks I'm nothing but an arrogant, handsome face."

  "And you're not?" I tease.

  "Not all the time. You see I have something in here," he points to his head. "Between my ears called a brain and I have been known to use it on occasion."

  "Ha. I'll believe it when I see it."

  "Ouch."

  I pinch his cheeks to show I'm kidding. What I really want to do is pinch myself too. Pax is like a dream. Secretly, I wonder how long it can last.

  We park at a ramp. Xpress is two blocks away, and the walk there is amicable because I'm with Nat and Pax is with Alex. I really want to ask her what's going on. She and Alex are acting so weird it's making me nervous. We bypass the line because one of Pax's friends bought VIP tonight and everyone that's invited goes in free. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. Pax knows the bouncer because he used to play football last year.

  "What's up, Dwight?" Pax knuckle bumps him.

  "Long time no see, man. How've you been?"

  "Good, good. I'll see you inside?"

  "Yeah, have fun." They engage in another weird hand move. I'm convinced it's something all the football players do with one another because I've seen Pax do it with Cade once.

  The instant we're inside music envelops us. It's like being dropped in water where you're smothered from every direction. Nat tugs at my hand. "B-d-oom!" she shouts.

  "What?" I yell back.

  She comes close to my ear. "B-d-oom!"

  "What?"

  She covers my ears and puts her lips next to it. "Bathroom!"

  Oh. I nod, making the gesture to go. I tell Pax but I'm not sure he heard me. I figure I'd find him again later and follow Nat's body through the crowd. Several people stop us along the way, admiring Nat's sleek curves but she brushes them off like she's swatting flies.

>   The second we reach the bathroom Nat grabs my elbow and pulls me to the corner. "Jules, is this some kind of cruel joke?"

  I'm confused and more than a little startled. "What?"

  "Alex and I."

  "No, of course not!" Why would she even think that?

  Nat looks doubtful and angry. "Why would you even think to set us up?"

  "Why not?" I counter, hurt. "He's a good guy; you're a good girl-"

  "Jules," she breaks in with an exasperated tone, "Alex is gay."

  I'm stunned. "W-what?" I sputter.

  "He's gay," she emphasizes again. "You know, when a guy likes the hotdog more than the bun? It means he's gay."

  "I know what gay means," I respond, shocked. "I just- he never…" I trail off as I try to think of signs I might have missed.

  "Didn't your gay-dar go off?"

  I stare at her strangely. "What's that?"

  "Oh my God."

  I shake my head. Both men and women have admired Alex, but he's so handsome I thought it was normal. Now I'm starting to see that maybe that wasn't entirely true.

  "No straight man has that perfect of a tan," Nat continues.

  "I'm sorry. I-I didn't know…" No wonder Alex looked irritated. Maybe he thought I knew and was hoping I was setting him up with another man. Did Pax know? Why didn't he say anything? Maybe I should've told him of my plan, then I wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.

  Nat pats me on the shoulder. "It's all right. You didn't know." She squeezes my shoulder. "Luckily for you some of my best friends in New York are gay so I'm sure Alex and I will get along perfectly."

  "Nat, I would never play a joke on you." It's important that she knows that.

  Nat smiles. "I know. You're one of the good guys, Jules."

  You're one of the good guys. If only she knew. Suddenly, I see it. The color red. It's everywhere. It blinds me.

  I blink several times. "Should we go back?" My voice is hoarse.

  "Yes. Hey," she hugs me, "don't worry about it. It was an honest mistake. I'm sure Alex doesn't hate you too much." She winks.

  "I hope not," I reply seriously.

  "We'll find him. You'll see."