Page 10 of His to Hunt

“Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?” I mutter.

I have to be sick. That’s the only explanation. Hangovers don’t last days. Maybe Madison and Shana had a bug and didn’t tell me.

After my stomach settles, I go to the sink and clean up. I send a message to Madison and Shana in our group chat.

Taryn: Hey, I’m sick this morning. Anyone else feeling sick? I may have a bug.

Madison: Nope, I’m fine. I really hope I don’t catch it!

Shana: Same here. Are you working today?

Taryn: Unfortunately. The other waitress who works during the day is on vacation.

I put my phone away and sigh. I’ve still got some time before the diner opens, but I should be rolling silverware, stocking condiments, and filling the ice bin. I’ve got to find a way to make it through this day, no matter how much my stomach protests.

When I step out of the bathroom, Frank is waiting on me with his arms folded across his chest. It doesn’t look like he’s here to offer words of comfort.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’ll manage,” I mutter.

“Taryn, are you pregnant?” he asks, glaring at me. “If you are, we need to talk.”

“It’s not mine!” Joe yells, clearly eavesdropping. “Not yet at least.”

I don’t have the energy to throw up again, but my stomach clenches anyway.

“Frank, I’m not pregnant,” I say flatly, shaking my head. I’ve had sex before, but it’s been almost two years. “That’s impossible.”

“Then you really need to lay off the drinking,” he says, turning and walking away. “It’s not a problem until it starts interfering with work. Then it’s a big problem.”

“I’ll be more careful,” I assure the grump, hurrying to take care of my morning duties.

It’s an absolutely miserable day. Possibly the worst one I’ve ever had at the diner. I’m incredibly sensitive to everything from the overhead lights to the sound of the bell every time an order is ready to the smells that pour out of the kitchen.

By ten o’clock, I’ve dropped several forks, gagged behind the coffee station because a man at table six apparently bathed in cologne, and heard Joe mutter something disgusting from the kitchen even though the grill fan should have drowned him out.

When my shift is finally over, I’m exhausted, cranky, and more agitated than ever. I’m glad I don’t have to ride home with Frank. He drives me to work, but I usually take the bus home, since he doesn’t leave until the last customer is gone in the evenings. Today is definitely not the day for a double shift, even if I could use the money.

“Did you remember to clock out?” Frank asks as I walk past him.

“Yes, sir,” I reply respectfully.

There’s not much daylight left when I leave the diner. I just want to go home, crawl into my bed, and pray that tomorrow will be a better day. But while I’m standing at the bus stop, I get a message from one of my friends.

Valerie: Hey girl! Are you off work yet?

Taryn: Yeah, my shift just ended.

Valerie: I thought so. Swing by the bar. I’ve got a birthday present for you!

A bar is the last place I want to go, but it’ll be faster to stop by and get my gift than explain why I don’t feel up to it. I’m not as close with Valerie as I am with Madison and Shana. We went to school together but weren’t really friends until we both ended up stuck in Covington after most of our classmates left for college.

The bar is within walking distance, so I head that way. Halfway there, a new sensation emerges. Not nausea this time. Not dizziness. It feels like I’m being watched. A few times, I swear I see something lurking in the shadows between buildings, but when I look, there’s nothing there.

“Great, now my imagination is screwing with me too,” I sigh, shaking my head.

If I could afford it, I would make an appointment with my doctor, but that’s just another expense I don’t need. What I need is rest. A lot of rest.