Page 77 of Crash and Burn

I didn't want to disturb him so I went to get the cleaning supplies and started my usual pre-opening routine. I was surprised when a few regular customers wandered in. I hadn't noticed how much time had passed.

I greeted them and glanced around subtly. The bar was officially open for business and Grant still wasn't here.

I put the cleaning supplies away and took the customer orders. I was licensed to make drinks along with the rest of the staff, but I rarely had to. The others always took care of that. It was my job to take drink orders and bring the bills. Besides, I wasn't half the bartender Grant was. For some reason his drinks were always better than mine, even when using the same ingredients.

After mixing the drinks and bringing them over, I pulled out my phone. Still no text messages. Still nothing from Grant.

Raging annoyance threatened to outweigh the heartache and anger. Was he really going to leave me to take care of the bar myself all night? Sure, Mason was always willing to help out, but he had his own work to do, too.

I thumbed a quick text.

Are you okay?

I wanted to continue and ask if he was dead in a ditch somewhere but that would have come off as too snarky.

I didn't really expect a reply so I was astonished when my phone pinged a few minutes later.

I can't come in today,read Grant's text.Sorry.

Sorry?Sorry?That was all he had to say?

I gritted my teeth and shoved my phone in my pocket. Heartache be damned, now I was pissed.

I stomped to the back room.

"Grant's not coming," I declared to Mason.

He looked up from the screen, blinking as his eyes adjusted.

"Not coming?" he repeated. "He's calling in sick or something?"

"Apparently."

"Huh. Wow." Mason looked shocked. This was completely out of the ordinary for Grant, who was usually so reliable. "I guess I'll call Evan. He was supposed to have the evening off, but hopefully he won't mind covering a shift. And I'll come out and help in a minute."

"Great." I whirled around on my heel and stalked off before the rage brewing in my chest spewed out onto Mason. He didn't deserve me blowing up at him.

I'd save that for a certain dark-haired, blue-eyed asshole.

I had to manage the bar all by myself until Mason could get a hold of Evan, and for some reason today was the day half the neighborhood decided they needed a drink. I was run ragged for hours, racing between tables and the bar, hastily pouring drinks and ringing up customers at the till.

By the time Evan showed up, striding easily through the front doors I was more than a little vexed and had to resist the urge to snap at him.

"Thanks for coming in," I said tightly.

"Sorry, I was busy earlier and wasn't checking my phone." He did sound sincerely apologetic, and it really was nice of him to fill in on such short notice, so I forced down my exasperation and instead simply nodded in thanks.

"You mind taking over the drinks?" I asked. "The tables are all sticky since I haven't had the down time to wipe them down. Customers are complaining."

"Sure thing." He gave me a sympathetic smile. Neither of us mentioned the reason why he'd been called in to take over a shift.

With Mason and Evan's help the rest of the night went more smoothly. My rage subsided into a mere simmering irritation.

We were near closing when Bree came in to hang out with Mason. She also gave me a sympathetic smile, and a brief hug.

"Hey girl, how are you doing?" she asked.

“I haven't smashed the windows out of Grant's car yet, so that's something I suppose," I replied.