I smile back.
5
Knox
The sound of the water running in the kitchen reminds me that I left the sink running.
Fuck.
I drop my arms from my chest and turn around quickly. Hurrying over to the large stainless steel sink. Soap suds begin to pool over the top, dropping to the floor. I just about slip and bust my ass but grab a hold of the counter to brace myself. I reach into the sink to pull the drain, without even thinking, and shriek as the scalding water burns my bare arm.
I give my arm a shake, as the suds fly off and wipe my arm across my t-shirt. If it weren’t for the fact that I need the money for a house in LA this summer, I’d quit this job in a heartbeat. It’s not that Mom and Isaac struggle. We have money. Mom just feels that I need to work hard for what I want. I’m not bitter about that notion, it’s true. So many kids these days get everything handed to them and grow up with a holier-than-thou attitude. Much like Axel.
Axel really thinks he has this in the bag. I noticed the way Ms. Hyland looked at him when he, ever so asshole-like, grazed his hand across her face. I also noticed the way she looked at me. It was a new look, one I’ve never gotten before. I don’t know why, but I kind of liked it. I’m not as skilled as Axel when it comes to the ladies, then again, this is no high school girl. The idea of him filling his ego anymore sickens me. Why her? He could bag Brenda, the lunch lady. Why does he have to go after my new neighbor, who I can’t stand. I feel like she’s always watching and waiting for me to screw up, so she can call me out on it. At least that’s the vibe I get. She doesn’t smile or show any feelings other than hatred for life. Yet, for some reason, the idea of Axel laying a finger on her irks me. Hell, I don't know. Maybe she isn’t that bad after all. She sure as hell isn’t bad on the eyes.
If he really does sleep with our art teacher, he will not just be a king at Redwood High, he will be a god to all the guys who have dreamt of her since she stepped foot in the school.
I toss the dirty rag into the sink and grab the dry mop, soaking up the water on the greasy waxed marble floor. “Memories” by Maroon 5 plays through the small speaker in the corner wall, and my mind drifts to Blakely. Wondering how my best friend is doing these days. I don’t see her much anymore. She’s so busy with her art studio and traveling back and forth to visit Jasper. I make a mental note to stop over after work and say hey.
I throw the mop into the corner, and Sid, the cook and manager, comes through the back door. He’s a soft-spoken giant, at least six foot ten. He has black dreadlocks that are pulled back into a long ponytail, and a stained white t-shirt with Scotty's logo in the corner.
“Long enough cigarette break?” I joke.
He shakes his head, rubbing the back of his hand across his sweaty forehead. “Not long enough. This place is dead. I could probably smoke an entire pack, before we get an order.”
“It’s always dead during the week. The pub just isn’t what it used to be.” I used to come here for dinner with Mom as a kid, back when it was just the two of us. I’d keep the jukebox going. Always playing Bruno Mars on repeat.
This was all before Mr. Thorn took ownership. He basically let this place go to hell. Everything remains the same way it was when he bought it five years ago. I keep harping on Axel to get him to fix it up, or at least get some new flooring and tables. His response is always, he doesn’t give a fuck about that place. He just bought it to piss my mom off. Which is true. After Mr. Thorn found out that his wife was having an affair, he bought up every place in this town, just to try and keep her out of it. She was a sweet woman; she was just dealt a bad hand. She passed away at the end of last summer and Axel hasn’t been the same since.
“Sure as hell isn’t. I remember when this place was packed every day of the week.” Sid waves his hand in the air. “Why don’t you just take off. I’ve got this.”
“Nah, I could use the money. I’ll stick around for a bit longer. Wanna make me some mozz sticks?” I smirk.
“You know I don’t. But, I will because I’m bored as fuck. I may even fry one at a time just to keep myself busy.” He laughs. “Go sit out front, I’ll bring em’ out to ya.”
I do as I’m told, without argument. I don’t want to be here, but since I need to be here, I’d rather sit on my ass and eat. The training session today after school was intense, and my strained muscles are feeling it. Not to mention, my mile run from the warehouse to the pub. I could drive, but I have to keep my body in check, if I plan to win these damn fights I’ve agreed to. I won’t lie, I’m pretty impressed with the way I’m shaping up. I don’t like the idea of fighting, but I think I have as good of a chance as any of the other guys.
I walk out of the kitchen and notice that Axel and the guys are gone. Probably for the best. He only came in here to make a scene. He would lie and say that he came to say hi to me, but we all know the truth. He gets bored and likes to go around causing problems. One of these days, it will bite him in the ass.
Sitting at the bar is just Mr. Wright, Ms. Hyland, and Mr. Jones. She looks uncomfortable sandwiched between the two, and I, unknowingly, let out a chuckle. She’s fresh meat on the staff at school, and I’m not a bit surprised that these men are flocking over her. However, she’s a bit young for Mr. Jones. Mr. Wright, on the other hand, could be a little competition. What the hell am I thinking? It’s not like there is one. She’s a teacher, and I’m a student. I’m just a boy to her. I don’t even like the girl, or lady. Whatever she is. I just can’t seem to figure out why she gets to me so much. Why I think about her all the time. Why I want to break the fingers of any man who touches her. She’s nothing to me.
I shake the unwanted thoughts from my head and walk over to one of the empty tables in the middle of the room, with my head hung low. Technically, I could sit at the bar. Whereas, Axel is only seventeen and considered a kid, I’m eighteen and have that right. But, this time, I don’t. Something tells me not to.
“Alright, you take care, and we’ll see you tomorrow.” I hear Mr. Wright say, before he pushes his stool back and heads for the door. Mr. Jones follows. Leaving just myself and Ms. Hyland in this room. I don’t know where Ruby took off to. Probably in the back giving Sid a blowie. I know they’ve got something going on. They just try to keep it a secret, even though they are loud as fuck at closing time, when they think no one can hear them.
I wish I would have grabbed my phone out of my backpack. At least then I’d have something to do with my hands. Instead, I sit here awkwardly, watching the backside of Ms. Hyland’s head. She tips her glass back, getting every last drop in her glass and sets it down gently on the bar. Then she turns her head to look at me.
“Break time?” she asks, spinning herself around. I’m not sure how many glasses of champagne she’s had, but she seems to be a little off-balance, as her head bobbles slightly.
“Not much to do. The place is dead.” I slouch back into the chair. “You need a refill? I can go find Ruby.”
I begin to stand, but she stops me, by putting her hand up. “Nah, I’m fine. I think four glasses is enough for me. Besides, I just heard some weird noises coming from the kitchen, so I think we should leave Ruby be.”