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A Slice Of Life

Toby Wise

ChapterOne

Pete

Iadjust my hat, wiping the little bit of sweat from my brow before heading back into the dining room, pulling my notepad from my pocket. It’s a Saturday night which means Pete’s Sliceshouldbe wildly crazy but there’s something about today that has us slower than usual. When I get back to the kitchen, I’ll have to ask Roe if some event is happening in town.

About three years ago, I decided to take a chance. I moved away from my small town where everyone knew my name to a big city where I was metaphorically just one in a million. I wanted a fresh start where no one knew me and I was able to just be myself. I pulled everything I had from my savings, bought a little building, and made Pete’s Slice.

It was slow going at first, no doubt people not wanting to take a chance on a new pizza place, but eventually, word got out how good our food was and after that, our little pizza shop took off.

Is it a little pretentious to name my pizza shop after myself? Maybe, but if I’m going to make a name for myself, I’m going to do it in style. Balls to the wall. I’m going to go all in, just like everything else in my life.

I dive head first when it comes to everything but one thing. My love life. Or lack thereof.

I stop at my one and only table, making sure they’re doing alright and have everything they need. I hear the door jingle, letting me know someone’s just walked in. For whatever reason, it’s been slower than usual tonight. By this time we’re usually overflowing with orders, but if I remember correctly, we only have this one table who’s finishing up and getting ready to leave and two pizzas in the oven. Weird.

Making my way back towards the front door, a smile spreads across my face as a familiar figure stands, waiting for me. He turns towards me, grinning, showing off the adorable little gap in between his front teeth. My stomach flutters.

Rodney, my roommate and very best friend is here, his shoulders and hat covered in white snow. My eyes dart to the front window, seeing giant white flakes falling down in thick sheets.

Oh, that would be why it’s so slow tonight.

“Hey,” I greet him with a smile. “I didn’t know you’d be stopping by tonight. Why didn’t you text me?”

Rodney snorts. “You’re never gonna believe this but I did, in fact, text you before I left our place. I think you’ve been too busy to check your phone.”

“Oh,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Did you want something to take home?”

Rodney shakes his head. “No, I’m here to help so you can send your workers home early. This snow storm isn’t supposed to let up until the morning and I want them getting home safe.”

My heart swells in my chest and it suddenly feels about a million degrees hotter all of a sudden. Rodney makes it so fucking hard to keep my feelings for him locked away when he does stuff like this regularly. He’s constantly making sure I take care of myself, constantly asking if I’ve eaten or taken a break today. He jumps at every chance to help me with anything, especially when it comes to my business.

He’s everything I’ve always dreamed about having in a partner, and yet, for whatever reason, we’ve never crossed that line.

“Have you eaten tonight?” I shake my head and he puts a hand on my shoulder, steering me towards the back. “Eat something quick, I’ll keep an eye on the phone and make sure your table is okay.”

Rodney grabs an apron from the hook and places a hat over his head to make sure his hair is covered. I’m powerless to do anything but what he’s gently asked of me. I watch as he goes back to the sink and starts washing his hands.

Just one of the many things I love about him. I’m constantly working myself to the bone and I’m not afraid to admit I’m a bit high-strung. Rodney on the other hand is laid-back and chill. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him raise his voice before. Well, except for that one time in high school he punched a transphobe who was picking on me. I think that was the moment I actually fell in love with him.

When I decided I needed a fresh start, Rodney volunteered to come along with me. There was no way I’d turn him down.

“Alright,” I call out to my kitchen crew. “Which of you lives the furthest away?”

Marigold raises their hand. “Probably us? I think? We’re out in the country.”

“Fuck,” I breathe out, “the country roads are probably going to be shit. You two get off the clock now.”

“Are you sure?” Roe asks, looking at the ticket line. “We still have two more pizzas to get into the oven.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Rodney says, jumping onto the pizza line after washing his hands. “I’ve got it. You two get home.”

“Rodney!” Benjamin calls out, swaying his hips back and forth to whatever pop song is on the radio. “I’m so glad you’re here, man! I love it when we get to work together but it’s also sad because it’s usually only when there’s some sort of emergency!”

Rodney chuckles, shaking his head. “Pete keeps me locked away until he really needs me,” he says, turning towards me and winking, getting out dough and putting it through the roller so he can start forming the two pizzas that still need to be made. “Hey, Benjamin. Can you put some cheesy bread into the oven for Pete? A little birdie told me he forgot to eat today.”