Page 51 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)

Olive

I t’s almost closing and I’m cleaning some bar glasses when Tripp finally walks in.

He heads straight to the office without even glancing my way.

I’m surprised to see him here since it’s after midnight.

I make eye contact with Rick across the bar, and he nods his head to me as if to say, it’s time .

Rick and Rob have been trying to psych me up all day for this conversation.

Rob has already left for the night and Rick now cashes out with me quickly; he's the only customer left in the bar. I say my goodbyes to him as he walks out. Then, I set down the glass I’m drying, smooth down my hair, and inhale a deep breath.

“Okay,” I say to myself and push through the kitchen door.

Tripp has the office door shut when I approach, so I knock.

“Come in,” he murmurs from the other side. I open the door and when he sees me, he looks annoyed. “What?”

“I was, um, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?” I stumble over my words as I uncomfortably stand before him.

“Okay, I only have a few minutes. I’m just getting something off the computer for tomorrow morning for B I honestly should fire you for filming at my bar without my consent.” He gives me a once-over.

“There will be no need for that, though. I am going under contract with B&B Investments tomorrow morning at nine A.M. In thirty days, you will be jobless.”

My lungs feel like I can't even get air. I’m completely speechless. I stand still as a statue as he continues to mock me.

“I’m honestly surprised you worked up the nerve to even ask me for the bar. I’ve been waiting.” An evil smile pulls from his lips. “It’s cute that you thought you could do it.”

“Fuck you, Tripp,” I say with venom in my voice, and storm out of the office. “I quit.”

I throw my apron on the bar counter and breathe heavily as I grab my stuff. I can’t stand another second in this place knowing it is going to be torn down in less than a month. I feel like I’m suffocating as I push through the front door and am blinded by rain.

“Shit,” I say as I run to my car. I’m dripping wet by the time I unlock it and get in the driver's seat.

I put my keys in the ignition and try to start my car, but nothing happens.

I try again. I hear nothing but my car clicking.

My battery must be dead. I smack my hands on my steering wheel in frustration and scream out, “Right now ? Are you kidding me?”

I run around to my trunk so I can grab my jump box and realize it’s not there when I open it. I took it out last week to start my car at the grocery store and must have left it in the parking lot by accident. The universe is playing a cruel joke on me.

I look for other cars in the area and there isn’t a single one to be found.

It’s past 2 A.M. on a Tuesday morning. No one is out right now, and I refuse to go back in and face Tripp.

I get back in the driver's seat and tap my fingers on the steering wheel, deciding what I should do next. I know who would want to help me, I’m just not ready to face him.

I sit for a few more minutes listening to the rain pour down on my car before I pick up my phone and reluctantly hit the caller ID for the only person I know who will be awake right now.

Hunter answers on the second ring, his voice laced with concern. “Olive? What’s wrong?”

“I need help. My car won't start,” is all I can say.

“Are you at work?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” Hunter hangs up then, I’m sure to rush out the door, to be my knight in shining armor once more.

He must think I’m pathetic. Always coming to rescue me. I can’t do this to him anymore.