Reluctant Hero
Chapter Wordcount: 711
The next day when she showed up she smirked as she leaned back in the chair waiting for her sub.
He went to pass the sub off to Jen, not wanting to make a repeat fool performance like he had the day before. But she managed to slip out from behind her computer and was across the room before he could hand it to her.
His eyes shot to the left to find Piper conveniently busy as well. He fumbled for a moment, tossing the sandwich from one hand to the other before nervously making his way out from behind the counter.
“Here…here ya go,” he said softly, putting it on the table where she was waiting, eyes shooting to the side as he heard Trucker chuckle.
“Where do I apply?”
“What?” he asked, eyes shooting wide.
“Your shirt,” she smiled, pointing to his chest.
It was like a slot machine clicking into place in his head. Her comment in the first slot, her smile in the second and the realization of what he was wearing finally nailing the jackpot.
‘Sex instructor. *First lesson free.*’
“I…um, it’s…it’s just a shirt,” he mumbled, voice breaking and making Piper fake a cough to stifle her laugh.
He spun around and was behind the counter and out the back door before she ever had the chance to say anything back.
***
He didn’t show up to work the next day and after an hour or so of Piper and Jen bringing him up every ten minutes Trucker finally called him.
“Hey Priestly, just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, Jen crowding in on his side
“Yea, sorry, I was…I was gonna call…”
“It’s alright man, just got…worried,” he said carefully as Piper came running over, sliding into him to get her ear near the phone and damn near making him smash his teeth into the receiver.
“Yea, I’m fine…hey, is it…I mean, it’s okay if it’s not, but can I maybe…take a week off?”
“Yea, sure, no problem man.”
“Thanks.”
“Listen Priestly…you know…”
“I know,” he cut him off.
“Okay, just wanted to make sure…I’ll see ya later buddy.”
Piper flicked Trucker in the ear, making him yank back and head bang into Jen.
“Ow!”
“What was that?” Priestly asked, hearing the jostling of the phone and muffled curse of Jen.
“The girls say hi too.”
“We love you Priestly!” they both screamed, grinning when Trucker winced.
“And now that I’m deaf…”
He chuckled on the other end of the line, “Tell ‘em I love ‘em too, I’ll see ya later,” he smiled, hanging up.
***
She came in again the next day.
Jen and Piper shot each other a look, before waiting on her like any other patron.
“You new in town or what?” Piper smiled as Jen put together her sandwich.
“Yup, just moved in ‘bout a week ago, got myself a job at the bookstore down the street.”
“Cool, Ed’s really nice,” Jen smiled, handing over her sub.
“He is, and I get first dibs on the books that come in, so I can’t complain,” she smiled.
“Sweet,” Piper grinned.
“Andy,” the new girl grinned, holding out her hand. “Well, technically Andrea, but you call me that and I’ll kill you.”
“Piper,” she laughed, shaking her hand.
“Jen.”
“Nice to meet you,” she smiled, unwrapping her sandwich. “I swear these are the best subs I’ve ever had, you’ll be seeing a lot of me,” she winked taking a bite.
“Sounds good to me,” Trucker interrupted, walking behind the counter. “Trucker, the owner of this joint.”
“Andy,” she smiled, swallowing quickly. “Pretty cool, only a couple of you working here, you guys must all be close.”
“Yup, it’s just us three, and well, Priestly, who you met, but he’s taking the week off.”
She grinned again, “I think I scared him, but he seems cool, if you don’t mind I’ll definitely be dropping in more.”
“Not at all sweetie,” Lucille piped up from behind, waving her hand in dismissal before petting her little dog, causing Andy to spin around with a smile.
“She’s right, the more the merrier,” Trucker grinned.
She came in everyday after that for lunch and sometimes even dinner, quickly making friends and fitting into the rag-tag team.
***
Chapter Notes:
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