Something Fresh Served Hot

Later on in the day, I was making my way to the john when I noticed Alex sitting down in George’s office looking over some papers. I was on my way out of the place since my shift was over and my hot night with Zena was in the next hour.
When we exchanged glances, he waved his hand at me. “Jimmy, hey, can you step inside a moment, please?”
I exhaled before going into the small space and closed the door behind me. I had been in George’s office a little too many times for my taste so needless to say, when I went in I was a little nervous about talking to the new boss to be in here.
Still, I thought this to be the perfect time to let Mr. Seidling know my boat doesn’t float that way. Once I got in, I sat in the wooden chair in front of the desk.
“Hey, Jimmy. I was just looking over some things and it seems like you’re in need of a raise my friend. How could you just let George stiff you all these years?” Alex shook his head while still glancing at the large sheet of paper.
I cocked an eyebrow. He was definitely right about this observation.
Okay, maybe he ain’t so bad after all.
I ran my hand though my brown mane. “Well, I need the job and um…well, I make okay money, or…”
“No you don’t, Jimmy,” he interrupted. “At the last restaurant I managed, the top cook was making twenty-two bucks an hour. The owner felt it was necessary to pay him well because he kept the customers happy. Not to mention, he was quick, polite…”
I cut him off. “Wait, did you just say twenty-two dollars, an hour?”
Alex chuckled, “Yeah man. You’re only making fourteen. Dude, seriously, you’re getting robbed, yeah. I’ll make sure I let George know he should raise you up to at least eighteen effective immediately.”
My eyes bulged when he said that number. I was trying to keep my excitement in but I couldn’t help it. All the things I could do with making eighteen dollars an hour. A new car, a better apartment than the rat hole I was staying in, and damn, some better clothes. I may be a cook but I like to look good when I step out with the ladies.
“Gods Jimmy, I cannot believe George mimics the guy on that cartoon, what’s his name?” He looked up at the ceiling and snapped his fingers.
I laughed when I thought of my favorite show other than Sportscenter. “Spongebob and you’re talking about Krabs…he’s a tight wad.”
Alex giggled and placed the papers on the furniture in front of him. He locked his eyes with mine, making me a tad uncomfortable. “That show is hilarious.”
We shared a laugh and even though we seemed to be getting along great I had to remember why I was here.
Man, I did come in here to tell him something…oh yeah…
I nodded, “Yep, it’s full of laughs. Hey…um Alex…I was uh, noticing the eye you were giving me earlier.”
Alex raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Yeah?”
Suddenly, I froze. As much as I wanted to tell him to stop staring me down like a piece of meat, I thought twice about how to phrase it, especially since the guy told me that he’d be telling George to give me a four dollar raise. I sighed. “Um, yeah dude, was there a reason why you were looking at me like that?”
Alex smacked his lips together and rolled his eyes. “Oh Jimmy let’s not play games here. You know I was checkin’ you out and don’t tell me that you don’t go that way because I really don’t care that you do. Besides, it’s nothing wrong with looking. Just because I’m taking a gander at your tight fitting jeans to go along with the snug, black tee shirt that you have on, it doesn’t necessarily mean I want you.”
I leaned back in my chair and turned up my lip. “Oh yeah, then what would you call it?” I crossed my legs. I had to hear this.
“Well Jimmy, consider this, when you look at a tasty dish that catches your eye on a menu does that mean you have to order it? And, in your terms, being the macho heterosexual that you are, do you go after every girl you see walking by? Maybe you do. Let’s just stick to the first example, yeah?”
This guy’s a card.
It was true what he was saying but then after he completed his sentence, I wondered why he didn’t want me. “Well damn, why don’t you find me attractive?”