It was a busy Friday night at Jessy’s Diner. All things considered, I was having a fantastic day. The boys said that they wanted to take me out on a date night. Jeremy had mentioned there was a new bar and grill a couple of blocks from where we lived, and Max had heard nothing but great reviews. I didn’t care that the family sitting at table 24 were making a mess of things, spilling drinks every couple of minutes while the children tossed paper napkins every which way like party streamers. I didn’t care that table 11 was constantly sending food back because their steak wasn’t ‘well done enough.’ I didn’t care that my feet hurt, and we were once again short staffed, and I was stiffed by a couple of tables when it came to tips. The thought of getting to spend time with Jeremy and Max once this was all over was what kept me chugging along, happy to just be.
I was standing by the service corner, quickly going through all of my debit and credit card receipts that I needed to keep in order to verify payments at the end of my shift. There dinner rush was finally over, and in another couple of minutes or so, I’d be off work. Like clockwork, I fully expected Max and Jeremy to step inside the diner through the building’s swinging glass doors to pick me up. Since there was a bit of a lull in business, I also took the opportunity to count out my tips. Slowly but surely, I was beginning to save up what I’d lost in the fire. I was still a significant ways off from what I needed to send myself to college, but I was optimistic I’d get there sooner rather than later. Since the boys were always so insistent that I didn’t need to pay them any rent, I’d save up in no time.
Cookie called to me from the service window, “Hey, girl. You looking to work tomorrow night? Kayla’s apparently going to Osheaga. That spoiled little brat.”
I frowned. “I’m sorry. I normally would, but I have a big day planned.”
He pumped his eyebrows at me suggestively. “Does that big day include a couple of smoking hot firemen?”
I bit my lower lip and giggled. “Maybe.”
Cookie whooped, “Girl, get it. That’s fine. I’ll tell Kayla to get her ass in here. Osheaga or no, she’s got to get her priorities straight. Didn’t even book the time off in advance, that little bit–”
Cookie was cut off by the sound of someone loudly pushing the diner doors open, throwing them so hard they hit the walls and rattled the frame of the building. A deadly hush fell over the whole restaurant as we all turned to see who on Earth entered like a man kicking down the gates of hell. I turned to see who it was, but immediately regretted the decision. My feet froze to the floor. Every muscle in my neck, shoulders, and back tensed so hard that it was painful. I couldn’t hear anything over the rush of blood past my ears and my own haggard breathing. My eyes were pulsing, building with pressure. Inside my skull, a thousand alarms rang out while a voice in the back of my mind screamed Run!
Standing at the front entrance of the restaurant was a man I thought I’d never have to see again as long as I lived. His blond hair was a little longer now, shaggy and unkempt. He sported a wiry beard and a thin moustache, likely grown during his time spent in jail. He had hollowed blue eyes that were a little red around the edges. His fancy clothes clashed with his messy appearance –likely all purchased for him by his rich mother and father. He was in a pair of dark black jeans, a gold chain strung from belt loop to belt loop. His black button-down shirt was wrinkled, though it was hard to see because of how dark the color was. He wore a gold chain around his neck, and a silver watch around his wrist. Everything about him was jarring. He didn’t look like the type to make a ton of money to buy himself fancy things, he was just dressing up like he did.
Kellan West.
The convicted arsonist.
My ex-boyfriend.
“Oh, Alice!” he called, voice booming over the soft country music playing over the diner’s speakers. “Come out, come out wherever you are!”
All of the restaurant’s patrons looked to him, some in confused surprise, others in confused annoyance. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. Maybe, if I was careful, I could sneak out the back without him seeing me. But there was a large gap between the service station and the little hall that lead into the kitchen. I’d be spotted for sure. Maybe I would be better off just staying where I was and pretending like I wasn’t here. Or better yet, maybe Max and Jeremy would show up and kick Kellan’s ass like they did with the guy at the bar.