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Robby’s usual nerves seemed muted, and strangely, it helped Matt relax a little too. “I’ve, uh, been meaning to ask, I mean—you think there’s any way I might be able to earn to some extra cash at work?”
Robby tilted his head to the left. “You need money?”
His face burned. “Yeah, I was hoping there might be some extra shifts I could pick up, since we’re moving into the spring season.”
The tight lines on Robby’s shoulders relaxed. “Oh, yeah, that makes sense.”
“I, uh, have a little boy.” How much should he say?
Robby rubbed the back of his neck. “I know. I’ve, uh, heard you on the phone with your girlfriend a few times.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” The declaration came out sharper than he intended.
But instead of making Robby flinch, it made him grin. He held one of his hands up in supplication. “Sorry. Ex-girlfriend.”
He didn’t bother to correct him. It was a fair assumption. “Yeah, well. Things are tight. If there are any extra shifts—”
“I’m sorry. No overtime, man.” Robby paused and rubbed his chin. “If you’re looking for some extra cash, though, maybe you should look into a side job…like bartending.”
Just the idea made his beer go down the wrong way. He broke into a coughing fit, and when he finally came up for air, Robby watched him with a half grin. When he was able, he choked out, “Are you kidding?”
Robby rolled his eyes. “Why? Because you’re shy?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “The best bartenders only have to do two things: listen and make drinks.”
“I can’t make drinks.” The most he had ever done was mix a seven and seven for his mom.
“Weren’t you listening to my story?” Robby pulled out his phone. “Every drink ever created has the recipe online.” His fingers flew across the screen before he lifted the device and turned it outward. It had links for drink recipes from top to bottom.
Matt shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I think you’d be perfect, at least in a smaller place on a slow-shift to start. Follow the directions, flash your gorgeous smile now and then, and you’ll barely have to say a word.” Robby shrugged. “Just my two cents. Think about it.”
He would.
A few more minutes of silence. A cricket chirped somewhere near the porch. The smell of garlic bread meant dinner would be ready soon.
Robby inhaled deeply. “I love eating here. Liv can really cook. It’s a nice break from my TV dinners in front of the PlayStation.”
Matt perked up. “You’re a gamer?”
“Am I a—heck yeah. My PlayStation is my baby. I’m online all the time.” Robby caught the interest on his face. “What about you? You play?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but not so much online, though.”
“That’s half the fun! What do you do? RPGs? First-person shooters?” Robby squinted his eyes, giving him an assessing look. “GTA?” He tacked the last one on the end, almost like an afterthought.
“I like the first-person shooters these days.BattlefieldandCall of Duty, mostly.” This was something he could talk about. “But when I was younger, I was all about the RPGs.Final Fantasyand stuff. The bigger the world, the better.”
“Have you tried the VR? It’s just like being inside the story.” Robby’s voice was a cross of wistfulness and awe.
He chuckled. “Did you catch the part where I told you I’m strapped for cash? I can’t afford a VR headset. I don’t even have a regular headset with a microphone.”
“What?” Robby clutched some imaginary pearls. “We can’t have that. Look, I have an extra headset—two, actually. They’re not in perfect condition, but they’ll get the job done. I’ll bring one to work tomorrow.”
Oh, no. How had he become a charity case? He shook his head. “I can’t accept.”
“They’re not the fancy ones. I’m talking the nineteen-ninety-nine variety from Walmart. They’re just collecting dust in my apartment. The backup headset to my backup headset.” The breeze rustled a lock of Robby’s brown hair into his eyes.
Robby had great hair. Dark and thick with just a little bit of wave.
