Free Needing You by T. Renee Fike Page A

lines.  I need to get my priorities in check and I will do that starting tomorrow.
     

Chapter 9
    I wake up around l p.m. because clearly, I didn’t get to sleep at a decent hour which is fine; less time to worry or think about other bull shit.  I get up, eat, and then decide to take a shower.  I thought about running, but didn’t want to run into Tucker, so I stayed inside with the lights off so it would appear like I am not even home.  I stay tucked inside my bedroom all day to catch up on my reading.
    Before I know it, it’s time to head into work. I’m excited because I know it’s going to be a crazy busy night since King Dread is playing. This is a good thing because I won’t have time to think about other shit going on in my head and just focus on work. I decide to head into work early and help set up, plus I need out of my apartment.  I take a longer route to work just to enjoy the fresh air before being stuck in the bar with the drunken crazies I am sure I’ll be seeing later. 
    I get to the bar around 7 p.m. and help make sure everything is stocked.  I even talk to the band for a few minutes before they set up their equipment.  They are a bunch of great guys.  I wish them luck and then head back behind the bar.  I also found a time to grab Eddie and talk to him about Spring break and working during the week; he advised it would be great and he will make sure I am added to the schedule.  Thank God. I am going to need something to keep me busy.  Luckily enough it is less than a week away. I just need to get through this week without talking to Tucker and then he will be gone for a week which should make it easier.  I can do this, I keep telling myself.  Hopefully soon I will believe it.
    I ask Marcus if he can take me home after work tonight because I know I am not supposed to walk home and I don’t want Tucker to get the chance to offer to take me home.  Marcus tells me it’s not a problem.
    The bar starts to get busy pretty early tonight which is no surprise.  Natalie comes in a little while later looks tired as all hell. I don’t call her out on it though because it’s not like she wouldn’t know how she looks anyway. 
    We get slammed and continue to stay that way for the rest of the night.  I did see Tucker at one point, but I make it a point not to take my break tonight and tell Natalie to go ahead and take my extra fifteen minutes because, damn, she looks like she needs it. She thanked me and headed to the backroom for a bit. 
    Marcus and I tend the bar and are able to keep up with all the crazy customers in their drunken stupors. The band is playing a few new songs which the crowd seems to love. I must admit I love the new songs too. They are catchy and the beat is great to dance to. Also, the words carry such passion, I know one of the guys wrote the song just not sure which one.  The guys write all their own songs which are amazing.  That is true talent in itself and they outdid themselves with the new song they just played.  I hope they make it big time, because they deserve it.
    I have never seen a group work so hard to get where they’re at, I hope they get noticed soon.  This reminds me, I should get them to all autograph something for me, so when they do make it big, I can say I knew you back when. I laugh to myself, I should do that. 
    I saw Tucker one other time and some brunette was with him this time.  Hopefully he leaves with her; it will make my exit less awkward.  Unfortunately something tells me that won’t be the case, he will be waiting outside like usual.  But we didn’t talk about it tonight so hopefully he continues with other plans.  He is here with his frat guys and they are all surrounded by chicks. I make it a habit to not look in his direction. I need to stick to my guns and let him go. I take up way too much of his time anyway when he could be partying and meeting girls, potential girlfriends. I know I’ll miss hanging out with him, but what I