The Searching Game

Chapter 1

"Order up," I called out the hot plate window as I set two full plates on a waiting tray. I was about to ring the bell when Diego scooped up the order and gave me a pointed look.

"I'm faster than you and that bell," he chided. I grinned at him before heading back to the stove to work on the next ticket.

"Z, you coming to the club tonight?" Leo asked as I cracked some eggs into a pan.

"Didn't plan on it," I answered. "Jules was gonna finish up my sleeve." Leo grunted before returning to his station to prepare a skillet order. I continued making everything that was announced quickly and consistently until a frantic brunette burst in the back door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late guys! Leo you should have woke my ass up," she grumbled as she went to clock in and saw she was already in the system. "Who put me in just on time? Leo?"

"Nah sis, gotta thank Zo for that one. You should probably get out there before the breakfast rush ends," Leo responded. Ellie, Leo's little sister and our coworker, hugged me from behind as I flipped some eggs.

"Thanks cutie, are we hanging out after you get your tattoo?"

"That's the plan," I smiled as I dumped the eggs on a plate with some bacon. I put it up to her face and grabbed a fork to offer. "Eat up, can't have you dealing with jerks on an empty stomach." Ellie took the fork and food then kissed my cheek as a thank you. She scarfed everything down and threw on an apron. After grabbing a notebook and pen, she waved to head out into the front of house chaos.

  "Why don't you guys just date? You know you'd be great together! I set up Tara and Diego, let me set up your asses," Leo pleaded. I rolled my eyes as I cut some toast diagonally and spread melted butter across it.

  "I have already told you I'm not into your sister, Leo."

  "Bullshit! If you aren't with me you are with her. You've been friends with us for almost a year now, make my sisters dreams come true!"

  "Leo, those dreams are all wet and not something I want to be a part of. Yeah, Ellie is beautiful, but I'm really not into her. You know I've got one person on my mind." Leo stopped washing the dishes he was doing and glared at me.

  "Then go get that girl back. Every party we go to you get hit on but never flirt back, you could be helping me tear up this city," Leo grinned then. "At least go for a one night stand or something so you don't seem like such a celibate fucking monk!"

  "Oh my god, go back to your dishes. This discussion is for when we get out of work." Leo groaned but went back to his job. At three I finally clocked out with the rest of our first shift crew.

  "See you tomorrow guys!" Tara, our cashier, yelled to us as she and Diego split off into their vehicle. Leo then saluted and got in his car as I followed Ellie to hers.

  "Tattoo parlor?" Ellie grinned as I finished putting on my seatbelt. I nodded so she took off until we came to this nice parlor with a bunch of apartments built over it. We got out and walked inside together. Ellie had gotten some small tattoos done here before so she started speaking with the artists and piercer currently up front. I walked right by until I came to a private room. I knocked and gave a smirk to the person who opened it.

  "Look who it is, are you ready?" Jules greeted and stepped back for me to enter.

  "I am beyond ready for you to finish your masterpiece," I laughed as I sat down in her waiting chair.

  "Honey, you know you are a masterpiece even without my art on your body," Jules flirted. I chuckled since I knew it was nothing more than a joke. She knew everything about me since my tattoo time was also my venting time. Jules prepared my wrist and hand with the stencil to do the last blank patches remaining on my right arm. "I can't believe we are actually about to finish up your sleeve."