Grin and Barret

Raelynn POV

What does one wear to an illegal, underground fight?

I imagine most girls probably wear something flashy or skimpy, but that wasn’t my style. The shortest thing I owned was a pair of shorts with a four-inch inseam. Dresses were a no unless there was a special occasion, and makeup wasn’t something I played around with much, but I suppose I’d like to make an effort.

Kieran did take the initiative to invite me out tonight.

I’d always wondered about the bruises on his face, but I didn’t like to assume anything about someone. Maybe he was clumsy, though I doubted that. Or maybe it was something more sinister, like a parent abusing their child.

It’s sort of a relief to know that he fights, because the latter option scared me for a solid six months back in throughout school. He showed up more often than not covered in bruises or split lips.

I opted for a pair of frayed-edged denim shorts and an old band tee tucked into the waistband. As I was slipping on my glittery pair of docs, my phone dinged.

Boss: Carla called off. Any chance you can come in?

My shoulders slumped as I stared at the screen. I worked part-time at a mom and pop diner on the edge of the city. Friday nights weren’t usually on my schedule, but I knew if Mr. Barret was texting me to cover; he’d exhausted all other options.

I didn’t want to bail on Kieran, but I really needed the money.

Raelynn: Sure. I’ll be there within the hour.

Boss: You’re a real lifesaver, Rae. Thanks.

I frowned as I pulled up my message thread with Kieran. He texted an address about an hour ago, which I added a thumbs up to, but now I was going to have to cancel.

Raelynn: I’m so sorry to do this at the last minute, but I got called into work. Raincheck?

The message was read instantly, but after staring at the screen for ten minutes, no response ever came.

My bottom lip pulled between my teeth, and another few minutes passed before the coppery tang of my blood spilled from my abused bottom lip.

Pocketing my phone, I grabbed a hoodie, and stopped by Caelum’s room, “Hey kid. I’m really sorry, but I’ve gotta work late tonight. I have already made dinner since I planned on going out, but I won’t be home until late. Text me if you need anything.”

“I’ll be okay,” he signed with a smile.

The last year has been nothing short of a nightmare. If it’s not me waking up from the nightmares, it’s Caelum. He puts on a brave face, and tells me every day not to worry about him, but how can I not?

Mom’s murderer still hadn’t been caught, and I still don’t know whether Cae and I should be looking over our shoulders at the shadows.

The walk to Grin and Barret’s took longer than I’d hoped because an accident caused an entire block to be shut down after the driver hit a gas line.

“Sorry I’m so late,” I called out, rushing to the back to hang my bag and tie my apron.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re doin’ us quite the favor tonight.

The diner was small, with about ten tables total, and a small patio for fresh air. The atmosphere was typical of an old-school diner, and there was even a jukebox with flip discs. It smelled of fried food and cherries, something that I don’t think I’ll ever tire of.

When ten rolled around, every table was full with rambunctious college students. I spent two hours taking endless orders, running back and forth with fresh drinks, and cleaning tables.

The place was practically empty by midnight except for a couple that seemed like they weren’t quite ready to head home yet, but they were seated on the patio sharing a milkshake, and I was finally able to take a break.

“You are killing it tonight,” Johnny, our cook, grinned through the small rectangular kitchen window.

“Don’t go telling the boss that,” I smiled. “He’ll want me to do this more often.”

He mimicked zipping his lips, “You ain’t wantin’ to see my face every weekend?” he shook his head, that grin still plastered on his face.

“Y’know that’s not it,” I winked, and he waggled his finger, “Yeah. Yeah. Just keep tellin’ this old fella lies. You’re still young. You probably have plans on the weekends.”

Not usually…. Just tonight….

The bell over the door signaled another round of visitors, but as I turned around, my breath hitched.

Kieran walked in with a large group mixed with women and men.

Malcom, Kieran’s best friend from high school, turned around, and his lips pulled into the biggest smile, “Well what do ya know. Ba… Raelynn,” he cleared his throat. “Care if we push some tables together for the group?”

“Not at all. I’ll be right over to take y’all’s orders,” I forced a smile, but it wasn’t lost on me that Kieran was eyeing me with this pensive look on his face, though it was hard to decipher because he looked like he’d been through hell. Gauze was taped over his nose, and his eyes had already begun to change in color.

Ignoring that churning feeling in my gut, I walked over to their table, “What can I get everyone to drink?”

“Is that Bambi?” the girl clinging to Kieran’s side sneered, her high-pitched voice an octave too high.

Up close, I realized that the girl was Veronica Samson. She was the captain of the cheer team in high school, and a grade A mean girl.

The girl with Malcom giggled, and as my eyes roamed the table, I realized I recognized all of their faces. Members of the swimming team and the football team sat in sticky, bright red chairs, all staring at me.

“You got a piece of that ass on the menu?” Axel, the football captain, snickered, garnering laughs from around the table.

“Hey Johnny,” I called out, “You servin’ up ass tonight?”

“Depends on whose asking,” he leaned against the edge of the window, looking out over the table. “I get off at two,” he winked for extra measure, and I turned back towards the table.

“Ass on the menu if you’re willing to wait,” I lifted my wrist, checking a fake watch. “About two hours.”

The table erupted in laughter, with Malcom teasing Axel about how raunchy the cook must be.

“Fucking hell, Bambi,” he sneered, nostrils flaring. “Take a joke.”

The rest of the table ordered without making a fuss, and I quickly returned with their drinks. Twenty minutes later, I returned with hot plates of food. Everyone seemed satisfied enough, and the comments from before ceased.

In the downtime, I leaned against the kitchen window, “Any chance I can sweet talk you into making me a milkshake?”

Johnny arched a brow, “Lay it on me.”

I giggled softly, clasping my hands together. “Would the greatest, kindest, most handsome cook in the whole world make me one of his famous milkshakes?”

“Aw shucks,” he was already moving towards the freezers, “How am I to say no when you talk to me like that?”

“You and your flattery,” I shook my head, glancing over at the table to make sure everything was still good, but I caught Kieran’s gaze once again. The eye contact wasn’t uncomfortable, just confusing.

I’ve known of Kieran for years, and he’s barely spared me a single glance in all that time. Occasionally, I’d overhear the comments on my eyes from their groups or find fake cauldrons filled with disgusting things shoved in my locker.

I was never sure who was the culprit, but I guessed they took turns tormenting me over the years, Kieran included.

Johnny hands me out my milkshake, and I lean against the countertop, enjoying a peanut butter chocolate malt in peace until I hear Axel snapping his fingers repeatedly.

“What can I get for you?” I fake a smile, growing tired of his presence. I’m usually good at ignoring people, plastering on a fake smile, and not letting people get to me, but I’m in an unusual mood tonight, and my patience is wearing thin.

“The damn check would be nice,” he muttered. “Maybe you should focus less on practicing your sucking technique and more on your job.”

Deep breaths, Rae.

“Of course,” I forced a smile. “I’ll be right back.”

After delivering the check, Axel left cash on the table. Exact change down to the penny. The kicker, on the tip line he wrote, “Here’s a tip; Don’t piss off the guy paying.”

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath just as someone came out of the bathroom. My spine steeled as I turned around, locking eyes with Kieran. He said nothing, placing a twenty on the table silently, and walking away without saying a word.

“I’ll lock up, Rae,” Johnny hung his apron. “You get home safe. Got it?”

“Will do,” I smiled, grabbing my things, and walking home quickly.

After checking on Caelum, I collapsed in bed and fell asleep almost immediately.