Chapter 124 CHAPTER 124
I was crying under the shower, my heart still reeling from everything, the travel through space, the heartbreak before it, the reality check that I'll never see Valyra again or the annoying Principal.
And I had dragged Zade with me, as though I had my life on earth set straight, as though I had half an inch of the luxury he's used to back here.
I'm dirt poor, the only thing I have is this house and I can't sell it.
Then the water stopped and the tears flowed harder.
We'd not had light nor heating since we got in and we had to generate heat by lying in each other's arms every time.
I love Zade but I wasn't in the headspace to be skintight with anybody, even myself.
Maybe it was the one sun or my chi messing up since there's no magic here, but I feel restless.
I'll have to pick up those pills again.
There's no point crying forever so I got out of the bathroom and put on clothes.
I had a plan before we left but I'd not taken a lot of other things into consideration so it was time to stop running and actually fix my shit.
Zade took care of me in his planet and I won't let him starve in mine.
He rolled over to look at me when I walked into the room.
“Hey Sunshine,” he whispered groggily, his long lashes fluttering in such a cute way.
“I'll be downstairs, I need to make some calls and see if I can get a job that pays weekly. We can't survive on air.”
I still don't know how we're going to survive the week before the payment comes in but first things first.
After applications and calls with the laptop and drawing up plan after plan, I finally secured a job.
Serving drinks in a pub.
I can do it, the girls who don't have three heads, right?
“I've slept enough for the next year or two,” Zade said and I turned to see him walking down the steps.
No matter what, seeing the man will always make me smile.
Especially without a shirt on.
Yes, I have the right man for through thick and thin for sure.
“I'll be going to work this evening. Once I can afford it, I'll get us a rental car and I will take you to my Late Momma's library. You can get busy there so you don't die of boredom.”
“Oh, that's fine. What do I do in the meantime?”
“Die of boredom,” I winked at him.
He laughed, his voice booming around the house.
“I found something that I can cover my scales with. Or maybe not, your moon isn't bright enough, I'll clear the bushes tonight. Tomorrow, I'll find something else to occupy my time.”
“Don't worry, once I get everything straightened out, I'll personally keep you busy.”
“Keep talking like that and we'll start right now.”
“Keep your stiff erection away from me young man, I have to go to work.”
“Now?” He whined.
“No but I have to get ready. I'll be leaving in two hours.”
“Ooh, can I watch?”
“You're a weirdo.”
“I'll take that as a yes,” he winked.
I laughed but I held his hand walking back up.
Our banter made me feel better, like I wasn't out of my depths here, like I wasn't terrified I'll have to send him back and then endure the existence of living without him.
I'm not too excited about that thought.
When I got to the pub that had accepted me, from the door I was already regretting my actions.
“You're Alira, right?” A tall man with huge shoulders from overworking them at the gym called me.
“Yes?”
“I knew from that hair. Come this way. That bitch quit on me halfway through a busy weekend and now I am a bit desperate so you'll have to learn on the job, be fast on your feet and make these customers happy.”
I nodded quickly, taking deep breaths from the feeling in my throat.
Wrong place to have a panic attack, Alira.
But my body didn't give two shits about timing and location.
I just needed to breathe.
Immediately.
As the man explained how the tiller worked and how to serve drinks and food, I rushed past him to an opening I saw behind him.
The second fresh air hit my face, I was able to think.
“You told me you could do this!” Rico yelled from behind me.
“I can, just… give me a quick minute.”
“I don't have a mini, people need serving!”
That was my cue to get my shit together immediately. No counting of numbers, no blinking, no coping mechanism.
I just had to shove my crap into my stomach and get to work.
And work I did.
With the right investment, this place could be a good club.
There were so many people, drinks were in high demand and there was a DJ playing music for them.
The earplugs I made aren't working as much as I'd like but I delved into the work, taking orders and carrying more trays than I should be able to but I had come in late and Rico was overwhelmed.
The only other employee in the place was Dan in the kitchen who looked like he was burning from all the heat.
I nearly begged to switch places with him because of the cold I felt despite the hot pub but I couldn't cook for anyone but myself.
After about two hours, the demand reduced and I was able to breathe easier, carrying just one tray to a group at the back that had ordered about ten trays already.
They were drunk and should probably begin heading home but I don't concern myself with that.
I served them and turned, but then I felt something on my leg, like a crawling feeling.
Immediately I swat it away.
“Ow!”
I turned to see one of the men, a beefy thing with a scruffy beard cradling his hand.
“Come on girl, why would you do my man like that?” Another one slurred.
This one had a taper fade and his skin was red and blotchy.
“Your friend should have kept his hands to himself. Do you gentlemen need anything else?”
“Yes, apologise to our friend,” a third guy, shorter demanded, trying to create a mean face.
I looked at him and suddenly he looked like Kovar.
Or Asher.
But I just wanted to pummel him until there was nothing but blood.
Because I would have been happy in Drakkonia, I would have but those two bastards decided to run me back to this hellhole and now I have to deal with assholes who thought every woman owed them something.
I forced myself to turn around though, it's my first day of the job and I didn't want trouble.
But beefy guy was desperate for attention.
He reached forward and slapped my ass.
Hard.
All hell let loose.