didn’t enjoy. Because the sharp daggers of my thoughts were pointed at me. Why didn’t Aiden like me? He couldn’t even tolerate me, and it was impossible for me to wrap my head around the idea that the job was the only reason for his attitude. If it wasn’t just the job...it meant something about me had to be driving him to act that way.
I very much deserved the intervention that happened toward the end of the shift. Once the final client left, the crew crowded around my chair, and it was clear they weren’t going to let me pack up and escape without a lecture.
Mateo pulled up a stool. “What’s up, Thor? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, you're being a giant dick.” Dane was frowning, his arms crossed over his chest.
Reagan put a hand on my shoulder. “If you need fewer hours, or if the stress of school and work is getting to be too much...”
“No,” I said, shaking my head and exhaling heavily. God, I was being childish. It was embarrassing that one person not liking me was throwing my entire groove off. How pathetic was that? “I'm sorry, I know I've been awful today. I just have a shitty partner for a group project at school, and I know I shouldn't be letting it get to me like this, but you know how it is when somebody continues to wear on you. Still, I'll try not to bring my shit into the shop next time.”
Erykah laughed, high and bright. “Oh, baby. I'm actually a little relieved. I thought that you were some kind of superhuman happy machine. It's nice to see that you're human and able to have a bad day like the rest of us.”
“And at least you have a c-c-crew that s-supports you. Even when you’re b-being an asshole.” Javi smiled and threw an arm over Dane’s shoulder.
I looked at each and every one of them in turn. I'd been nothing but a jerk all day, and yet there was my crew, all of them smiling and understanding. They didn't need me to be happy all the time—they just needed me to be okay.
I nodded. “Thanks, guys. I'm sorry for taking my bad mood out on you. I'm going to head home.”
All of them nodded and murmured their good wishes as they walked away. All of them except for Mateo. He still sat on the stool next to my workstation. When it was just the two of us, he said, “I hear from Bryan that your partner is Aiden.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, just my luck. That guy is a serious piece of work. It’s honestly hard to imagine him being friends with anyone. Bryan must be a fucking saint.”
Mateo laughed, one of those deep laughs that came from the belly. “Bryan is no saint. He's more like a sexy little devil. But I have met Aiden a few times, and he comes off cold, but he's a good friend to Bryan. For real, I've never met a more loyal guy. Maybe if you could try to understand him better, instead of just pushing his buttons, you can get along more. At least long enough and well enough to finish the project and put it behind you.”
“Who says I'm trying to push buttons?”
“Did you miss the part where I just told you my boyfriend fills me in on all of your drama?”
“Ugh, Bryan is such a narc. Okay, yeah, maybe I like to push at Aiden a little bit. Sometimes. I can't help it—he's always so grumpy. He needs someone to teach him to relax and have fun, and I’m a fun guy, right?” I scratched at the back of my head and side. “I can try to cool it, but honestly I’m just trying my best, and I don't see Aiden making the slightest effort to get along.”
“Well, the best you can do is try. And remember that it's only a semester.”
Mateo got up from the stool and gave me a quick hug. “I don't know if any of us have said this to you yet, but we're all super proud of you for pursuing your degree. It isn't for everyone, but I know the lure of academics, and I can tell you how good it feels to make it happen.”
We said goodbye, and I packed my stuff and headed out. But on the drive home, I couldn't help but be pessimistic. How were Aiden and I supposed to get our project done when he couldn’t