Homebound

I had hoped to get at least two hours of sleep before work but it was impossible. The sun had begun rising just as I had crawled into bed and I should've known I stood no chance of sleep. I already can't sleep well without Hex and then the added stress of Wyonna just cemented that I'm not getting anymore sleep tonight.

I put in eye drops, hoping they somehow help the redness in my tired eyes. I'm too nauseous from being tired to eat breakfast so I leave the house on an empty stomach after saying goodbye to Teddy.

I pull up outside of Darby's and note that I'm late, only by ten minutes but someone had already opened. They move around inside behind the bar and it only takes me seconds to recognise the person as Jacob.

I groan and throw my head back against the headrest while slapping my palms on the steering wheel. I watch the clock in the car tick by as I put off going inside. Everything I used to worry about like turning up to work late or doing something wrong has been put on the back burner as Hex overwhelms my entire life.

Harley had yet to text me and I wonder if she had managed to get any sleep. I quickly pull out my phone, it's only half charged as I had forgotten to charge it overnight with everything going on.

Any news? I send the text and put my phone away, hoping it saves the battery life. My stomach rolls thinking about having to tell Hex about Wyonna. I know he's going to lose it, especially when I tell him about her dementia progressing further.

I still have yet to tell Harley that Stevie had banned Banks from Darby's. Even though she claims she's to not like Banks, I have a feeling that him being banned form her workplace won't go down well. I set a mental reminder in my head to tell her the next time I see her.

I take a final deep breath and then get out and lock my car before walking to the front door of Darby's. I stupidly pull instead of push even though I had walked through this same door hundreds off times before.

Jacob glances up before going back to counting money and stocking the till. Kevin is already here, bright and early, sipping on a glass of water. He looks like he's had a rough night. His hair is all over the place and his clothes are messy. Stevie must have let him crash in the back overnight. Kevin's not homeless, at least not yet, but sometimes it's just safer to have him sleep in the back room rather then go home to an empty house while intoxicated.

"Mornin' sweetheart" he mumbles lazily, confirming the hangover he's feeling.

"Morning Kevin, big night?" I chuckle as I walk behind the bar and place my bag underneath.

Kevin grumbles under his breath "I could say the same about you" he fires back. I should've expected it, I look a mess and I wonder if I look like the female version of Kevin at the moment.

The morning goes by slow with only Kevin to keep us company until the lunch rush. I'm glad he's here; it would so much more awkward if he wasn't. A blind person would be able to see the awkwardness between Jacob and I so I know Kevin knows something is up. I can only hope he doesn't think we've had an awkward one night stand or anything.

Jacob and I are able to get work done without conversing and I can't help but wonder where his head is at. Does he feel guilty for what he did? Or can he not see why I'm so upset with him?

I decide to take my lunch break after the lunch rush had calmed down as I grab my phone and head outside to my car. Normally I would sit inside Darby's at a table but I want a moment of peace before the after work rush filters in.

Call me Harley's text flashes on my screen, she had sent it two hours ago but I didn't have my phone on me while I was working so I never heard the notification go off.