Bad Wolves

Night Shift

Haleys Pov

All I can think about is getting to the end of this shift. I needed a hot cup of coffee, but I knew I couldn't take a break yet. Nia keeps grinning at me all weird and her extremely hot brother Hunter is watching my every move, like he is just waiting for me to screw up, so he can fire me. I walked over to him and asked if I could get him something. He orders bourbon. I smile remembering how my dad taught me to pour a glass of bourbon. I grab a glass and pour three fingers of the brown liquid into the glass. I place it in front of Hunter along with a napkin, just as I would any other customer. He says nothing, but neither do I say anything more. I learned early on it is of no use to try to get people to like you. I continue to serve drinks as the bar fills with people. The band was getting ready to start when I saw Hunter raise his hand. I see another large, good-looking male has joined him. I hurried over to get his order and get Hunter another glass. The bar is backing up with orders, because everyone wants a fresh drink before the band starts. I am taking orders and serving drinks. One of the guys gets a little physical, but I can deal. I know he is just getting drunk and acting out, so I ignore him and he does what most guys do, forgets me almost immediately. Plus, I don't think Hunter would like it if I broke one of his customers' noses. So I choose to be good for the sake of this job and the tips I make here. God knows I can't survive without this income.

My day job doesn't pay enough to pay the bills and Nia is already helping me out by taking on half the rent. I plaster on my best smile and go to serve a young girl at the bar. Fortunately, she orders a table. I like waiting on tables because they leave the best tips, so I try really hard to make them feel important and comfortable. After I serve them, I find Nia and let her know I am going to sneak into the break room to grab a quick coffee. I'm going to be falling asleep at the register if I don't. I feel exhausted, but I don't have a choice but to keep pushing myself to the limit, because I have no one. No family money, no family at all. The only person I have is Nia and I thank god for her being my friend every day.

Ill never forget the day we met. I had just lost my mom and dad in a car accident. I was failing one of my classes and she offered to help me. I don't know why, but I accepted and we became fast friends. She helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. Then there was Thomas, who took advantage of me in my most vulnerable state. I thought he was the love of my life, until I walked in on him and some blonde that he met at a bar, going at it in my bed. While I was working the night shift at a cafe and trying to finish law school, yeah he was a bad choice, to say the least.

Nia was the only one who stood by me and helped me understand that it wasn't my fault, none of it was my fault. She pushed me to keep working hard and to keep working towards my goal. Which I did, but now I'm just tired and need to take a break. The irony of it all, is that I thought I would be able to afford a break after I got my law degree, but I'm worse off than I was in college.

After my parents died, I realized they left me in debt up to my ears. With my student loans and their debt, I won't be able to take a vacation until I'm old enough to retire.

Nia offered to help me with the debt, but I did not feel right taking money from her. Yes, we split the rent on the apartment, but that is it, this is my burden. I will not take advantage of our friendship.

My fifteen minute break was over, so I headed back into the bar feeling like I had my second wind. Only to notice Hunter had filled in for me while I was on break, and looked very unhappy about it.

I quickly apologized, and started pouring drinks. He came to stand beside me watching me make the drinks. I brace myself for what he is going to say. Because I know he doesn't want me here.

We worked behind the bar the rest of the night. Hunter made sure to let me know when I was making mistakes or when I left an ingredient out of a mixed drink or if I had over poured. He made sure to tell me how much money I was costing his bar.

It's closing time and I feel so bad. I didn't know I was costing them money. I feel like I have taken advantage of them. I cleaned the bar and helped Nia sweep and mop. While the guys took out the trash and cleaned the tables. When Tom counted the till, he separated our tips. He always puts mine in an envelope with my name on it and leaves it under the bar for me to get before I leave.

I watched as he did the same thing tonight. As usual, he leaves my envelope under the bar and goes to the office. We finished up and I went to the bar to grab my coat and purse and, normally, my envelope, but Hunters voice in my head telling me I had cost them money, made me think twice. I left the envelope and went outside to the car to wait for Nia. She comes out in just a few minutes and we head home.