Kelley's POV
Kelley ran the rag she was holding over the bar top for what must have been the twentieth time in the last ten minutes. Heath’s was dead at the moment and only had three or four people in the building. They of course were playing darts and not at the bar so Kelley had no one but Tobin to talk to. And Tobin had been strangely quiet all evening. Kelley could tell she had something on her mind, but knew better than to try and ask her about it. Tobin would tell her when she was ready.
She scanned the shelves behind her and to her dismay nothing needed to be brought up from the basement. She washed the few glasses that were dirty and put them in their proper places.
“Hey Kelley.”
“What up Tobs?”
“What do you think? Should I hire someone else? Do you think we need a fourth bartender?”
So that’s what had Tobin all quiet and introverted. “I mean business has been insanely awesome lately. Would you hire her as a full-time or part-time bartender?” Kelley asked.
“Probably full-time if I open the back of the bar. We would probably need two people here at all times then.”
“I mean you gotta do what you gotta do. Besides it be nice to have some new blood here. You and Ashlyn have such boring stories.” Kelley joked.
Tobin smiled and punched Kelley on the arm. “You can leave early if you want. Not that I don’t want your company but it’s pretty dead. You can stay and work if you need the money.”
“I’ll probably stay. I need the cash. Broke college student you know.”
“Ok I’ll probably head out then. Don’t forget to lock up when you leave.”
“Seriously, you have to remind me?”
“Well need I remind you of last weekend?”
“That was the first time ever!” Kelley exclaimed.
Tobin raised her eyebrow at Kelley and started to leave. “First time in like a month.”
Kelley glared at Tobin as she walked out the door.
“You know I still love you Kelley.” Tobin said as the door closed behind her.
“Yeah whatever..” Kelley said to no one in particular.
Now she didn’t even have Tobin to bug. She walked back to the darts area to see if anyone needed anything. She got the drinks ready that the group ordered and took it back to them. One of the guys had been staring at her and winked when she handed him his drink. She smiled back at him, and laughed in her mind about how easy it was to work guys over for better tips.
When she got back to the bar she saw that some people were currently entering the bar. She soon recognized the bar’s best customers in Meghan, Julie and Christen. To her surprise they had Alex with them. They saw her and waved and sat at the bar where Kelley was currently standing.
“Ah the women’s soccer team. Can’t stay away from this place can you?” Kelley asked with a smirk.
“Nope and you know you love us.” Meghan responded.
“Debatable. So can I get you losers drinks or did you come to ogle the goods?” Kelley joked.
“Definitely to drink. There isn’t any goods here.” Christen said while giving a high five to Julie.
“Ouch, gunna spit in all your drinks.”
“Hey! I didn’t even say anything.” Alex said.
“Ok fine, I won’t spit in yours.”
Kelley got all of them the beers they ordered and grabbed the stool that was behind the bar and sat down. She was glad to finally have people to talk to. The night had been getting rather boring and this would make the time pass.
“So Kelley this is Alex. She’s a 21 year old freshman on the team.” Meghan said.
“We actually have a class together. So I’ve already had the unfortunate experience of meeting her.” Alex said.
The other soccer players starting laughing as Kelley glared at Alex.
“Hey I didn’t spit in your drink. What gives?” Kelley asked.
Alex started to laugh also. “Sorry Kelley but I had to. It was a golden opportunity.”
“All right I forgive you.”
“So where is Tobs? Doesn’t she usually work Mondays?” Meghan asked.
“Yeah but she went home for the evening. As you can see we aren’t exactly busy tonight.” Kelley explained.
“Bummer. Alex you gotta meet Tobs. She is the most chill person I know. Plus she owns this bar.” Meghan said.
“So how was practice?” Kelley asked.
“Do you really care about practice, or do you just want to know about Coach Solo?” Julie asked.
“What? Why would I care about Coach Solo?” Kelley asked a little too defensively.
“Oh come on, everyone knows that you have a thing for Coach Solo!” Christen yelled.
“Dude, shush! Tobs and Ashlyn don’t know and I want to keep it that way!” Kelley said.
“What you guys are joking right, and trying to play a trick on me.” Alex said.
“No, Kelley has a thing for Coach Solo. And it’s hilarious. You should see her around the Coach.” Meghan said.
“Ugh…”
“Kel just admit it.” Julie said, “and we’d probably stop giving you such a bad time about it. Probably.”
Kelley laughed along with everyone else and was grateful that they had decided to show up tonight. Now at least she had some people to talk with so her shift wouldn’t be boring as long as they decided to stay. After another round the group of guys playing darts asked for their tabs. Kelley took them their bills and walked back to the bar. A couple of minutes later they walked out and the one dude winked at her again.
“Ooh, does Coach Solo have some competition?” Meghan asked.
Kelley sighed and walked back to their table and picked up their bills. She walked back to the bar and entered them into the system.
“Kelley! That one has something written on the back!” Christen screeched.
Kelley flipped over the receipt and noticed that there was something written on the back of it. Ten digits. 987-332-6129. A phone number. Kelley showed the other girls this and crumpled it up and threw it away.
“Nope, she doesn’t.” Kelley whispered to herself.
“What was that?” Alex said.
“Oh nothing this is the third phone number I’ve gotten in the last two weeks.”
“Stud!” Meghan yelled.
Kelley rolled her eyes and refilled everyone’s beers. Kelley was getting a kick out of Alex asking what she should drink next, because she was a craft beer virgin. Kelley thought that this was due to the fact that everyone had made fun of her for ordering a Bud Light earlier in the evening. So everyone was making it their mission to educate Alex on the different types of beer that Heath’s had to offer.
Before Kelley knew it, it was time for last call. She told the girls (no one else had come in that night) and they all ordered one last beer.
“Wanna shotgun? Hamm’s?” Julie asked.
“What’s a shotgun?” Alex asked.
“Seriously? This is shotgunning.” Meghan said.
Kelley got out three Hamm’s and poked holes near the bottom of each can. She gave Julie, Meghan and Christen their Hamms. The girls proceeded to pop the tops and chugged the beers.
“Shit. I don’t think I’m ready for that.” Alex said.
“We’ll get you there. Don’t worry about that.” Meghan replied.
They paid their tabs and walked out of the door. Kelley locked it behind them and started the clean-up for the evening. She was glad that she didn’t have class until 1 tomorrow and started to vacuum the floor. After an hour she was finally done with everything and she walked outside and made sure to re-lock the door. She sent a picture to Tobin of the locked door and walked to her car and drove home.