Page 17 of Infinitely Mine
“I do. My mama raised a country boy even if we didn’t live there. I grew up on bacon, grits, and homemade biscuits. Millie uses the same recipes.”
Aww. “That’s adorable, Mammoth.”
He scrunched his nose. “Adorable?”
“Don’t worry. It doesn’t take anything away from your badass biker persona.”
“Good to know.”
We didn’t discuss anything substantial as we waited for our food. He seemed at ease, relaxed in a way that I envied. I felt likeI would have to look over my shoulder with one foot, ready to run for the rest of my life. It wasn’t a way to live.
Did I have a choice? No.
“How are you settling in?” He asked the question as he mixed a couple of sugar packets into his grits and the melted butter on top. “Feeling less lost?”
Less lost? Hell no.
“I’m learning the area. Tonopah isn’t big.”
“No,” he laughed, “it’s not. But Highway 95 can take you up to Carson City or Reno or back down to Henderson or Las Vegas.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
We ate in silence for several minutes. It wasn’t awkward, even though I didn’t know him well. I enjoyed his company. Something about him made me feel safe. With everything I had gone through in the last year, I probably latched onto that feeling too fast.
“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” I began as he lifted his head, finishing the last of his eggs and the yolks with his toast.
He gestured with his hand for me to continue as he chewed, swallowed, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. I waited for him to wash it down with coffee before I spoke up.
“I need to earn my own income. While I’m incredibly grateful for all you and Heather have done, I can’t sit idle and let other people pay for everything. I feel like I’m taking advantage, and I hate that.”
He nodded, sipping on his coffee. “I understand. What are your qualifications and skills? I can put the word out and find something to your liking.”
This was the part where I knew I’d get embarrassed. “I haven’t gone to college. I planned to finish my business degree, but then I got pregnant with Jacob. It got to be too much.”
“Hey, no worries. I’m not judging you. I ain’t got a degree either.” He shrugged and tapped his temple. “I got a lot of street smarts and shit I learned from hard work and experience. I bet it’s the same with you.”
“I know customer service. I’ve done many of those jobs, but I don’t want to be on the phone or sit behind a cubicle all day.” I sighed. “I do like to be around people, though.”
“I’ve got just the thing.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. You’re hired.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I need a new waitress. You’re hired.”
“You’re serious?” This would help me out so much.
“Yeah, the pay is shit to start, but the tips will make up for it. This diner is always busy, which means plenty of paying customers.”
I sat back, thinking it over. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Mammoth waved Millie over. “I’d like you to meet our newest employee,” he announced as she came our way with a coffee pot and topped his mug. “Rowen is lookin’ for work.”
Millie turned to me. “Thank goodness. I’ve got my hands full, and the last girl ran off to Vegas to be a showgirl.”