CALL IN HUNGOVER
Bailey
“Here! Shares!” Tatiana plops a tray of jello shots in front of us. Jacob reaches for two of them immediately, passing one to me. The pair have quickly become my best work friends. Tatiana always helps with my spreadsheet madness, and Jacob has all of the best office gossip. They are one of the better parts of my day, other than the occasions Sacha says my name.
Moonshine is a frequent after work hang-out spot. It’s a laid back bar, just a few blocks from the Cryptech office building. The bar is partially owned by Mr. Pleasant, so it hosts regular company events. Apparently, being nocturnal means you have a particular interest in businesses that are open late.
“I’m not sure about jello shots.” I need to keep my head. Across the room, in a slightly raised section of the bar, with plump leather couches and bottle service, sit the three chief officers. They share a couple bottles of fancy liquor amongst themselves. Magnes has his arm around a pretty blonde, and a disinterested dark-haired woman perches beside Pleasant. My Bigfoot is sitting gloriously alone. “Besides, we have work tomorrow.”
“You’ve never been here when we finished a big project, but hardly anyone shows up to work after these things. If they do go into the office, they are hungover.”
I shake my head.
“No worries. More for me.” Jacob grins, pulling the little plastic container toward himself and swallowing the jello down down with expert precision.
Sacha briefly turns his big brown eyes in my direction. There’s an unmistakable heat in that gaze as he takes a long sip of a dark brown liquid. Every part of my body feels aware of him, even though he’s all the way across the room. When his gaze moves back to the other members of his group, it feels like I lost something.
“Has Mr. Kwatch ever propositioned any of his assistants?” I blurt to my companions.
“Not as far as I know.” Tatiana grins wildly, the alcohol clearly fueling her courage. “Why? Did he say something to you?”
“No!” I say hastily, but my denial may have been too strong because she and Jacob share a smirk.
“Does the temp have a little crush?” Jacob asks.
“No. I just wondered why you all don’t like him.” I chew on my lower lip.
“Because he’s a massive tool!” Tatiana exclaims.
“He’s gross, eats smelly fish in the office, never wears shoes.” Jacob visibly shudders. “I cannot stand seeing his bare feet everyday. He used to run to work. Can you even imagine? The whole office smelled like wet dog.”
Tatiana begins listing things off on her fingers. “He’s always grumpy, he’s rude to everyone, and he loves yelling. Although, he’s seemed less grumpy the past couple weeks.” Tatiana nudges me. “Maybe your little crush has had a positive effect on the guy!”
“Not a crush.” I repeat.
Tatiana snickers. “Sure it’s not.”
“Maybe I could have just one shot.” I select a small plastic container from the tray, trying to change the subject. My co-workers cheer, each grabbing their own small, jiggly cup.
Our group parties well into the evening. The bar plays loud music, and the drinks are free-flowing. After a couple vodka pineapples I switch to just soda water and lime. I don’t want a hangover tomorrow. My new friends do not seem to share that concern.
“Hey,” I glance up from my text messages, “my friend, Margot, and her law school buddies are doing karaoke at a bar down the block. Do you want to come with me?”
“Hell yes!” Jacob yells.
“Absolutely!” Tatiana pumps a fist in the air. She chugs the rest of her drink, and twists in her seat, already heading for the door.
As we are leaving, I manage to catch Sacha’s eye. He’s leaning against a wall beside the hall that leads to the bathrooms. Now is my chance, I’m three drinks in, I can talk to him now. Tell him that I’m sure now, we aren’t going to date anymore, I’m ready for my money.
“You guys go ahead.” I tell my friends. “I think I left my cell phone at the table.”
“We can wait for you.” Tatiana offers.
“Maybe you should get Jacob out of here? Before he does anything he wouldn’t want showing up in the office gossip?” I suggest with a grin.
“Let’s go, I am ready to vocally express myself! I want to sing!” Jacob shimmies his hips, limbering himself up for an all-nighter.
“You are probably right, Bay.” Tatiana smiles.
