“She’s tired, Jay.” Ash exchanged one of his empty cups for a full one and stopped to face him. “She’s been through a lot. You both have. I’m not saying this is any easier on you because, honestly, I don’t know all the details, but what I do know is this was your choice. You didn’t give her any say in the matter and she’s working through that. Em’s . . .”
“Pissed?” Jay supplied.
“No. She’s upset, Jay. I think you should talk to her.”
“I will.” When this was all over. Whenever that may be.
“And Jay?” She turned to scoop some ice into the empty cup and fill it with Sprite before shoving it back in Jay’s hand. “You should take a break, too. You could both use a little rest. No offense, but you kind of look like shit.”
No offense taken. Jay knew exactly how crappy he looked. Little food and even less sleep would do that to a guy. He felt worse than he had in months. At least he could still be grateful for running water.
“I’ll do that, too.” Someday.
Jay trailed Ashlyn to her table where he helped to deliver the beverages before retrieving his dull gray bin and making for the vacated table in the corner. Reaching across it for an empty fry basket, he felt something brush against his ass, and glanced over his shoulder in time to watch Sahara saunter away.
She was swaying so hard you’d think she was at sea. Jay had never struck a girl on purpose in his life, nor would he ever, but she was seriously starting to test the limits of his restraint. If the girl didn’t lay off, he was bound to let his foul mood get the best of him and say something they’d both regret.
On its return path, Jay’s gaze breezed past Mason standing behind the ticket counter. Someone else who wasn’t far behind on his ‘shit list’, though the bruise still shadowing his jaw was a pretty damn good excuse for the glares he kept shooting in Jay’s direction. Somewhere along the way, Jay was forced to admit to himself that maybe he’d overreacted just a little. Didn’t mean he was sorry he hit him, though.
“You may want to stop looking at him like that.”
“Who?”
Ashlyn’s eyes rolled dramatically. “Mason. You’re antagonizing him.”
“I am not.”
“Sure.” She snatched up a ketchup bottle, shaking it in Jay’s face. “You may have beat his ass last time, but you sort of sucker punched him. Keep it up and you may be looking at a real fight.” Her gaze shifted from him, to Mason, and back again. “And I’m not sure who would win that, actually.”
If it came down to it, Jay would win. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind, but, “I’m not antagonizing him, and no one’s going to start a fight.”
“That’s what you say.” Ash headed for the counter with her bottle. “But you’re not the one that got sucker punched.”
Okay, he’d give her that much. He’d been on the receiving end of more than a few of those, and they could really piss a guy off. Covertly sneaking a peek in Mason’s direction, he wondered if she wasn’t too far off the mark. If he wanted a fight, let him bring it. He might even let the guy get a few free shots in as payback. But he’d still kick his ass.
***
By the end of the shift, he was slightly less confident in his combat skills. Fortunately, Mason didn’t seem all that interested in testing them. Jay was coming off of yet another twelve hour shift and was barely staying upright as he crossed the threshold at home.
He kicked the door shut, but it ricocheted off a booted foot and bounced back open as his father strode in after him. “It’s payday, Julian.”
Jay groaned. Did it really need to be today? Without sparing his father so much as a glance he stomped over to the kitchen drawer and pulled out an envelope stuffed with cash. Handing it over to him was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do. It felt like giving in. Like surrendering. His fingers clenched around the offering, but the memory of Em’s tears in his truck and the hurt on her face was enough to ease his grip.
His father snatched the envelope and flipped through the stack of bills with a huff. “I’ve allowed you more than enough time to come up with the money. At this rate, you’ll be paying my corpse.”
One could only hope. “That’s everything there is.”
“That’s a shame, Julian.” Without another word, he left, pulling the door shut behind him on his way out and leaving Jay completely bewildered.
What the hell was that supposed to mean? He didn’t have the brain power left to figure it out tonight. It was only ten o’clock, but he was dead on his feet and needed to be back at work again bright and early the following morning. Slamming the kitchen drawer shut, he lumbered down the hall, shedding clothes as he went and climbed into bed in nothing more than his boxers.