Maybe you just need to release some pressure.
If I found out Casey wanted me too, I’d be all over her.And it wouldn’t have to turn into a distracting, permanent situation.
In fact, getting it out of my system would probably help me focusbetter.
I smile to myself as I pull out of my driveway, liking this logic.
Maybe fucking can lead to focus.
All I can do is try to find out.
CHAPTER TEN
CASEY
“Casey, take ten.”Ryan, the Brews on the Bay manager, finds my gaze across the bar, tipping his head toward the kitchen.My eyes widen as I double check the clock on the wall to confirm he’s serious.
“Already?God, time flies in here.”I sling my trusty little bar towel over my shoulder as I cock finger guns at my co-workers, sauntering off into the kitchen to take my break.It’s been a busy day, which I’m thankful for—after what IthinkI overheard this morning from Griffin’s room, I’ve been jumpy and horny and bursting at the seams.
If he really was jacking off inside his room, who was he imagining?
The question haunts me, which is why I’m glad to be so busy at work tonight.I can forget the maybe-jackoff-session by hyperfocusing on drink orders.I’m whistling to myself as I cross the kitchen, waving at the small crew back there who work hard to pump out the bar menu.I opt to hang by the back service door, where I can see a little bit of Lake Erie in the distance.
It’s only when I’m launching my second whistled song that I realize.Holy shit.I’m really enjoying this job.
“Crazy Casey, how you doin’ today?”One of the line cooks, Daryl, steps out back with me and leans against the wall on his own break.I’ve worked here less than two weeks, and my new coworkers have already given me that nickname just from the few stories I’ve shared with them so far, including what happened at the farmer’s market with my car.He pulls out a vape and hits it once before offering it to me.
“Oh, no thanks.”I’ve only recently gotten back into the swing of making drinks from memory; I don’t want to fuck things up by taking a hit of whatever that vape has in it.“I’m about to head back in.”
“You better get to it!You’re the top selling bartender,” he says with a grin.
“I don’t know about that.”
“That’s what I overheard Ryan saying.”He waggles his eyebrows at me before taking another hit on his vape.
“That can’t be true.Maybe he’s just being nice.I’m the new girl.”
“Yeah, but you’re thefungirl,” he says with a wink.“See ya later, Casey.”
I make my way through the kitchen and back into the bar, Daryl’s words echoing in my head.I suppose I have loosened up since starting here.I joke with everyone.I treat every customer like they’re the only one.And I’m having agreattime doing it.
In fact, I can’t believe how much more I like this job than my purported “real job” in Chicago.It makes job applications a bit of a drudge, to be honest.I’ve been on the job hunt in earnest, with the goal of having a new position set up by the time I move back to Chicago in mid-August.I’ve applied for a small handful of roles so far; all I can do is keep applying and hope for the best.
The bar is busy tonight, so I’m back in the swing of things before I can chat with Ryan about whether I’m actually the top selling bartender or not.A group of girls comes into the bar, and I smile and wave at them immediately, like we’re friends, even though we’re not.
They gravitate my way, eyes lighting up as they come closer.I give them my usual opening line.“Welcome to Brews on the Bay, what do you want me to recommend: a bite, a beer, or a book?”
I get a round of giggles, so I add, “Everything has to start with a B in here, or else I’ll get in trouble.”
They slide onto barstools facing me.As I smile, I feel the electricity of the moment coursing through me.I don’t just enjoy making drinks, I love this whole process of getting to know people’s preferences and making their experience top-tier.
“I want a book recommendation,” the redhead says with a sly smile.
“Okay.What’s your favorite genre?Are we talking thriller, memoirs, romance…”
“Romance.”
“Good.Are you into open door, or something sweeter and more chaste?”