Page 64 of First in Line

“Yes! And he broke the record for the fastest lap in his category.”

“So cool! When he calls you, say congrats for me, okay?”

“Will do.”

She walks to the door, but before she leaves, she says, “Don’t stay in here too long. Thomas is wondering where you are.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Once I’m alone again, I return my attention to the small screen. The camera is focused on Jax, who’s climbing out of his car. He quickly removes his helmet once he’s out, and I proudly look at his neat cornrows. I’ve gotten so much better at it now. I need to send his mom a picture the next time I do his braids, to show her how much I’ve improved since she taught me.

I’m just about to let it go when the door opens again. “There you are,” Thomas frustratedly grits out. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. It’s your turn at the cash register. Chop chop.”

“Yes, sorry.”

I swiftly exit the freezer, squeezing between him and the doorframe, and walk to the front of the store. Mariana gives me a side look when I join her behind the counter but says nothing.

About ten minutes later, when my phone buzzes, I wince. Knowing it’s Jax calling me about his win, I really, really want to take this. Deciding it’s one of those “better ask for forgiveness than permission” moments, I step away from the cash register and pick up.

“Hey, princess,” Jax greets, ecstatic.

“Hi! You won!”

“I did! I won, Evie!”

“I’m so proud of you, Hot Wheels. And you set a new record.”

“Yeah, that was insane.” The buzzing activity intensifies on his side, and I hear someone shout his name.

“Are you coming back tonight, like we said?” I wonder.

“I’m not sure. There are sponsors here, and they said they want to treat me to a night on the town. Is it okay if I stay and come back tomorrow?”

My heart pinches a little at the thought. We always celebrate his wins together, but it’s important that he entertains any potential sponsors. God knows we need the money.

“Of course it’s okay,” I say. “Get that bag, Jax.”

“Thank you, princess. I’ll call you later, when your shift ends, okay?”

“I’d love that, yes.”

“I love you.”

I don’t even have time to say it back before he hangs up. But maybe it’s better like this, because Thomas shows up at this precise moment. “Were you on the phone just now?” he wonders, annoyed.

“Uh, yes. With my… gynecologist.”

I realized a while back that he doesn’t really bother me as much when it’s feminine concerns. It seems it only works to a certain extent, though.

“You call them a lot. Do you have a problem down there or something?”

“I don’t think you’re allowed to ask me that, Thomas. And honestly, it’s none of your business.”

With my head up high, I return to the cash register where a couple awaits. “Welcome to the Dairy Mill,” I greet them with my customer voice. “What can I get for you today?”

With Jackson not coming back until tomorrow, I don’t have much to look forward to after my shift. Aside from his call, thatis. Maybe I’ll catch up on some of my assignments tonight. It’s not a bad thing since I’m behind on most of them.

Yeah, I can make that work. It’s okay if Jax has to stay an extra day in Pittsburgh. He can have his fun night on the town with sponsors. He definitely deserves the break after all the hard work he’s put into this.