I was filling out a job application from behind the ice cream counter.  I know it’s pretty tactless (and even a little risky) to fill out job applications while on the clock at your current job, but I was the only one on shift today and I had to get this done. 

I’d been working at this little ice cream shop for two months. I had applied when I moved back to my hometown to live with my aunt. I filled out a ton of resumes to different shops around town but the ice cream shop just happened to hire me the first week I returned. 

At first I thought this was a god send. I desperately needed a job to start saving up money to move out again as soon as possible. But it turns out it was more of a curse than a blessing. 

On my first day I noticed something that I hadn’t when I came to drop off my application. There was a martial arts gym next door. I didn’t pay attention to it the first time I arrived because, back when I lived in town, it was just an empty building. I think it used to be a grocery store before I was born but for nearly 20 years, no business bothered to renovate and occupy the space. 

Which was understandable. It was a small town and it wasn’t worth it for most businesses to set up shop here. But, of course, it made sense that Gage would want to have his gym in town. 

I heard the bell that hung on the ice cream shop door ring signaling a customer was entering. Two petite blonde women walked in dressed in yoga pants and sports bras. I quickly stuffed my job applications into my apron and smiled up at them. 

“Anything I can get for you?” I asked them. 

“Yeah, uh, I’m going to have a double scoop of mint chocolate chip.” One of the girls said. 

“No problem.” I answered as I grabbed a cup and began scooping. “And for you?” I asked the other. 

“Oh, no, nothing for me.” She waved me off. 

“Seriously?” The other blonde turned to her. “You’re going to let me look like a fat ass on my own?” 

“Uh, yeah! I just spent an hour and a half working out I’m sure as hell not going to waste it on ice cream that’ll be devoured in five minutes.” 

“Ugh, don’t give me that shit.” The girl who had ordered the ice cream rolled her eyes. “I need it, okay? After being rejected by Gage-“ 

I hadn’t meant to interrupt but as soon as I heard the name the words spilled out of my mouth.

“Gage? Gage is working at the gym today?” I asked nervously. 

I handed the girl her ice cream as she eyed me suspiciously. “Uh, yeah, he pretty much always is. How do you know him?” 

“Oh, I don’t.” I lied. “I just know of him. I mean, everyone knows of him, right?” 

She slowly passed her cash over to me. “Yeah, remind me not to touch him with a ten foot pole. That boy is nothing but trouble.” 

“I’ll take your word for it.” I smiled, grabbing the money. She nodded and both her and her girl friend walked out of the shop. 

So, shit, Gage was here today. Even worse, he was here everyday! The only way I was able to justify coming in to work at this shop each week was by telling myself that I’d probably never see him because he’d be way too busy to hang out at his gym. I figured it was just a business he let other people run for him.

I was going to have to change my whole plan now. Maybe I could park on the other side of the street and come in the back entrance of the shop. Yeah, that should be alright for the time being, until I can find another place to work. 

I was about to pull my applications out again so I could finish them fast and drop them off on my way home. But before I could, my coworker James walked in. 

“Holy shit.” I looked up at the clock. “Its been six hours already?” 

“Yep. You’re off.” He said as he stepped behind the counter. 

I normally was relieved to be off work but now I was just nervous to go out into the parking lot. 

I went to clock out and hang up my apron. 

“Okay, see you tomorrow.” I told James as I grabbed my coat. 

“Yup, see ya.” 

As I stepped out of the shop I looked around nervously, keeping an eye out for any sign of Gage. I didn’t see one, so I hurriedly made me way to my car. But before I could get to it, a familiar voice stopped me. 

“Abel? Is that you?” He asked excitedly. 

I recognized the voice instantly. It was Tyler, Gages best friend. 

I looked up anxiously, expecting to see Gage standing beside him. To my relief, Tyler was alone. 

“Yeah, Tyler, hi.” I said, giving him a tentative hug. 

I had no problem with seeing Tyler. We used to be pretty close growing up and I had no ill will toward him. I mean, it was a little awkward when I thought about the fact that Gage might have told him what happened between us. But it was loads better than seeing Gage himself. 

“What are you doing here?” Tyler asked.

“Oh, uh, actually I’m living here again… Temporarily.” 

“Seriously?! And you didn’t say anything?” He nudged me teasingly the same way he did when we were kids. 

“I mean, I haven’t been here too long. And I’ve had a lot going on. I’ve really just been focusing on work.” 

“Work? Where are you working now?” He asked. 

“Uh, at the ice cream shop.” I pointed toward the door, a little embarrassed. 

I may not have talked to Tyler or Gage in a long time, but I admit I had looked them both up on social media occasionally through past few years. I learned Tyler had found success taking over his fathers business and obviously Gage was a world class fighter. 

And here I was, working the same kind of minimum wage job we all worked in high school. It was humiliating, considering how much potential I had when I left this town.

“Oh, well that’s great!” He said it enthusiastically, but it was so obviously not great. “Sorry, hold on, got a text.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket really quickly and typed into it. 

I looked behind him, sitting in a red car was a dark haired woman who didn’t seem at all happy to be here. 

“Is that your girlfriend?” I asked as he looked up from his phone. “Is she annoyed your talking to me? Should I let you go?” I was hoping the answer was yes, I wanted a quick exit.

“Oh, yep, that’s Shirley. And no, don’t worry about it, she’s a little huffy right now, but it has nothing to do with you. She was already irritated. And I told her I had to catch up with you for a second as soon as I saw you, she understands. Normally I’d introduce you but, like I said, she was already annoyed.” 

“I see. Well, then, maybe I should let you go so y’know, you can go work that out.” Really, I was just eager to leave but Tyler was not ready to let me. 

“No, don’t worry about her! I haven’t seen you in years!”

“Right, how have you been?” I asked, reluctantly making small talk. “How long have you been with your lady?”

“Oh, I’ve been great! And two years now. Best relationship of my life.” He smiled. 

I had to admit, his grin was a funny contrast to the angry hunched woman sitting in his passenger seat. 

“Wow, I’m happy for you!” I told him. “I take it Gage has some pretty young thing by his side too?” 

Damnit, why did I ask that? I don’t need to know. It’s none of my damn business.

“Nah. He’s super against relationships right now. He thinks dating seriously is only going to distract him. Right now, his entire focus is the title fight. I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who could tear his mind away from it.” 

I was about to answer when I heard another familiar voice from behind me. This one sent a chill down my spine. 

“Hey, man, what’s going on?” Gage asked. 

For a second, I froze. But Tyler’s words forced me to react. 

“Dude, look who I ran into.” 

I turned around and tried to give a warm smile. “Hi, Gage.”