We're Not Related Anymore...

Rushed Plans

There are cars parked outside of the street, and there are tables on the sidewalks. Every single one seems to be taken, and as I enter the propped-open doors, I start searching the faces there to spot Maddie. 

It's an impossible task. There are many blonde servers here and none seem to be Maddie. The closer I get to the entrance, the more notice I attract. 

A woman holding a tray approaches me, a smile on her lips. "Hey, handsome. Are you joining a table or are you here to stake one out? Because if that's the case, you'll need to wait at the bar until I can clear one for you. We're a bit packed as you can see."

"Actually, I'm looking for someone who works here. Maybe you can tell me where she is?" I ask, moving out of the way when I see a guy wanting to carry his tray full of food outside.

The woman's expression turns from polite to interested in a second. "Who's boyfriend are you?" She asks, eyeing me up with an excited grin. "Or better yet, please tell me you're someone's brother."

"Neither," I say, the irony not lost on me. "I'm looking for Maddie Culkin?"

She closes her eyes and sighs. "God, your accent is so cute. Where are you from?" 

"Jessica! How many times do I have to tell you to stop flirting and to start working? We're fucking packed!" Someone shouts and the woman I've been talking to rolls her eyes before turning in the direction the voice came from. 

"I'm helping this guy. Jeez, hold your horses," she turns back to me, putting her hand on my arm to push me against the wall when another group of people enters the already maxed-out seating area. "Sorry about her. Listen, I've got to get back to work. Maddie's off today but if you head to the bar you'll find an annoying tall girl called Lindsay. She and Maddie live together so she can help you out. But if you find yourself staying, I get off at ten-thirty, cowboy," she says winking at me before heading off to the kitchen.

I follow her advice and head to the bar, maybe the quietest section in this place. There are a few servers behind the counter pouring drinks and wiping glasses. They seem overworked and busy and I almost feel bad interrupting them. I go over to the tallest girl there. She's young with a freckled face. She's bobbing up and down behind the bar and placing bottled drinks on the top of the counter. 

"Who the fuck dropped the box of beer? There's broken shit and now everything's freaking wet," she growls and the two guys next to her both leave before she can turn her fury on them. They just about push me over as I approach. I lean my forearms on the bar, waiting for her to finish her task. 

"I'll be with you in a second," she tells me. Up close, I can see she has a name badge. I'm relieved when I see it says Lindsay.

She finally finishes and picks up a cloth to wipe her hands and then the bar. When she finally looks up at me, she takes a step back, real excitement overtaking her face. 

"Oh my God! You're him!" She exclaims and I turn around to see if there's a celebrity standing behind me. 

I point a finger at myself, not knowing why I would cause such a reaction. "Who do you think I am because I think you might have me mistaken with someone else."

"You're Maddie's hot stepbrother, right?" She says, leaning her hands on the bar so that she can get a closer look at me. "You're even better looking in person. What brings you here?"

"Maddie. Do you know where she is?" I ask, not wanting to waste any more time and lean a bit back when she continues to lean closer. 

"She's off today but I can call her for you."

"That's not necessary," I say but she's already pulled out her phone. 

"Shelia!" Lindsay screams and I take another step back. Jeez, she's loud. "Come handle the bar. I'll be back in two seconds."

I see an older blonde woman peek her head around a door labeled staff. She looks at Lindsay, and shakes her head. 

"I'm the manager. Why the hell are these kids always bossing me around," she mumbles as she walks behind the bar. "Have you been served?" She asks me and then pauses when she sees my face. "You look familiar. Have we met before?" She asks, examining me much the same way Lindsay was. 

"I don't think so, ma'am," I say, watching Lindsay return with a triumphant smile on her face. 

"She'll be here soon," Lindsay says clapping her hands, her earlier exhaustion seemingly gone. "This is so fantastic. You, sir, have my day."

"What's going on?" Asks the manager. "Who's on her way and why has he made your day?"

"This, my friend, is Jacob. And I've just called Maddie in," Lindsay says but the older woman is still looking up at her in confusion. 

"It's her day off... you know what, never mind. I need to stop living with youngsters. I can't keep up," she says, walking back to her office.