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but nothing I could learn would make me feel different.
    I want Chase. I just do.
    And I think he really does want me, too.
    The door to Jeff’s office is open. He is laughing as he hangs up the phone. He looks up and notices me. He seems startled. He wipes the smirk off his face. “What do you want?” he asks.
    It catches me off guard to hear him laughing. He has a bandage on his forehead. His lip has split back open. I try not to stare at it. I say, “Beer glasses. I can’t find them. Don’t we have some new ones?”
    “Christ, girl. I already told you! They’re in the trunk of my car! Does all that hair block out the sound?” He chuckles and shakes his head.
    I’m not used to Jeff laughing and cracking jokes. I wonder what’s so funny. He looks at me and waits. What does he expect me to say? I don’t know what to do. Should I make a joke back?  
    I blurt out, “Why did those bikers come to the bar? Why was there such a fight?” The moment I say it, I wish I hadn’t.  
    Jeff’s face changes instantly. He shouts “God damn it, girl!” and slams his fist on the desk. “That’s none of your damned business! Don’t you ever ask me about that again.”
    His face turns red and he stands up from his chair. I take a step back from the desk. He makes a fist and seems to steady himself.
    Then he reaches into his pocket and tosses me the keys to his car. His face turns back to neutral. “Go out and get those beer glasses.” He looks away and sits back down at his desk like nothing happened.
    I don’t need to be told a second time. I start to walk out of the office.
    I hear him say, “And Allie?” I stop walking and turn back around.
    “You listen to what I told you. You stay away from Chase Halloway before I have to make him stay away.”
    I turn away without saying anything back. I can hear him typing on the computer as I walk away from the office. He mutters something under his breath before I go out the back door, but I can’t hear what it is.
    I go out to Jeff’s car. It’s an old red convertible Camaro. He calls it Scarlett. It’s always parked behind the bar. I use the key to open the trunk. It’s empty except for a large cardboard box.  
    I say, “Definitely beer glasses.” Then I say, “Great, now I’m talking to myself.”
    The beer glasses are heavier than the shot glasses. I hold the door open with my foot while I bring the glasses in. The air feels like a sauna out here. Nothing new, but it hurts my lungs to breathe today. 
    I don’t think it’s the heat, though.
    I load the beer glasses into the dishwasher and break down the box, putting it in the recycling bin. Someone comes in through the back door. I can’t see who it is, but the footsteps are clear. I hear Jeff close his office door. I can’t hear their conversation over the air conditioner.
    I turn on the dishwasher. It will take a few minutes to wash the glasses. I look at the clock. It’s only three. Time to mop the floor. I’m a regular bundle of entertainment, aren’t I? 
    Party girl with a mop.
    I go back to the storeroom. It’s next to Jeff’s office. But I can’t see who he’s with, because the door is closed. Normally, I’m not this nosy, but too bad, Jeff. 
    I need to know what’s going on.
    So I go in the storeroom. I don’t see the mop bucket. I can hear voices in Jeff’s office. The air conditioner is not as loud in here. I stop and try to listen. I still can’t hear what they are saying.
    The mop bucket is behind the door. I have to close the door to get to it. It’s always hotter with the door closed.
    It’s also quieter.  
    I put my ear against the wall. Now I can hear what they’re saying.
    “You tell Galt to keep his ass away from my house!” Definitely Jeff’s voice. “And his punk kid. I don’t need Chase Halloway sniffing around Allie like she’s fresh meat. He touches her again, I’ll cut off his hand.” 
    “Just be glad it wasn’t me!” The voice sounds familiar. Who is