Chapter 2
Ste was very quiet, not quite sure what to make of what he heard the night before. He could quiz Leah about it but that wouldn't be fair on her. After all she did promise that she wouldn't tell on Brendan. It was maddening though, what should he do? Ignore it until it stops and then never know why it even started. Maybe Brendan would grow an emotional pair of balls and admit to what he's doing and why. Ste chuckled at this, he just couldn't imagine Brendan ever being upfront and honest. Should he just confront Brendan himself screw the consequences and just be done with it all?
Ste's phone rang, he didn't recognise the number so hoping for a job opportunity he answered. It was Ash the new girl at Chéz Chez.
"Is this Stephen?"
"It's Ste, but yes who's this?"
"It's Ash" she paused "I need you at Chéz Chez I'm a bit overwhelmed, don't worry you'll get paid." she said sounding a little desperate.
"Uhm... I don't know, I guess... all right see you in a few." he replied.
Thanks I'll be in the office. Bye." with that Ash hung up.
Ste was a little confused as to why Ash was in the office and why she would need Ste's help. He had no choice but to go to Chéz Chez and find out. Curiosity is a great motivator after all.
At Chéz Chez Ste found it was very quiet, he went straight up to the office and found the problem. On the floor with Ash crouched beside him was Brendan in a drunken mess. Ste was surprised at his state, although Brendan was a drinker Ste rarely saw him actually drunk. He definitely never expected to see him in such a pathetic mess.
"Sorry I lied, you're not getting paid." said Ash trying to get Brendan up and failing again. "I found him like this, these are the clothes he had on yesterday so I don't think he's been home. Anyway I couldn't get hold of Cheryl and I've heard some stuff about you and Brendan having history. So I found your number in his phone."
"And you thought I'd want to help?" Ste said, still standing at the door trying to look unaffected by the scene before him.
"Well like I said you were option number two." Ash replied getting slightly ticked off by the fact that Ste was just standing at the door, watching as she tried and failed to pick up an uncooperative Brendan. Ste sighed and decided he couldn't watch Ash struggle any longer. Heaving Brendan up was pretty difficult as he was slumped like a dead weight and moving him to the sofa proved even more difficult as he then decided to struggle. He had obviously liked being on the floor in his half conscious state and did not want to be moved. After a few minutes of Brendan fighting Ash and Ste for an unknown reason, they finally got him on the sofa. Not in the most comfortable position mind. He was laying with his leg over the arm and his face squashed half into the seat cushion. He seemed to have calmed down and was now snoring away.
Ash and Ste had moved themselves over to the bar to catch their breath and have a drink of water.
"So what's our next move?" Ash asked.
"Our next move!? I helped you get him off the floor. I say let him suffer his stupid hangover when he wakes up and don't mention I was here." with that Ste left.
Ash was now curious as to what exactly went on between Brendan and Ste. Knowing Brendan she had figured it was probably going to be complicated.
Brendan awoke in terrible pain, rubbing his face free of the stiffness caused by laying on it. He slowly sat up and concluded that he may be too old to just crash on a sofa randomly. Still too sleepy to care why he was at the club he tried to stand, but found his head protested too much.
"Aargh" he growled, his head feeling like he'd volunteered it for boxing practise.
At that moment Ash came in "Ah you're awake, finally." she said holding a glass of water.
"Gimme" is all Brendan said as he snatched the glass from her hand.
Ash found herself sighing and asking "Do you want to talk about it?"
Brendan moved and sat behind his desk and glared.
"Where have you been all morning?" asked Amy as Ste walked in and threw himself on a chair.
"Same as yesterday" Ste replied "trying to find a job."
"Any luck?"
"No" Ste sighed "though I thought I almost had a bit of work."
"Oh?" said Amy intrigued.
"Yea, Ash the new girl at Chéz Chez called me asking for help. She said she was overwhelmed and that I'd get paid. Turns out though she lied to get me over there and help her move a half conscious Brendan off the floor." Ste sighed knowing telling Amy would give him a lecture of things he already knew.
"Why she ask you?" Why not Cheryl? It's her brother, he's not your problem." Amy said sternly.
"I know, Ash seemed worried and said she couldn't get hold of Cheryl and that she found my number in Brendan's phone." Ste explained. "I guess she knew I'd be happy with the money, so that explains the lie as well, I suppose."
"So what did you do?" Amy asked "Left him there I hope."
"No I got him up, I couldn't just leave Ash to do it alone could I? Though it wasn't easy to get him on the sofa, he just kept struggling." Ste could see Amy sigh and added. "He wasn't in a very good positioning though, he's gonna be so sore." Ste and Amy chuckled. "He deserves it for being such an idiot." Ste finished.
"Yea, and for being Brendan Brady." Amy added.
"There's nothing to say." Brendan finally said.
"If there really was nothing to say you wouldn't have answered me." Ash said knowingly. "You would've just got on with whatever it is you want to do and ignore me or send me away."
"Really?" Brendan replied as he lent his elbows on the desk so he could tent his fingers. "And what if I was just trying to give you a polite subtle hint?"
Ash chuckled, did he really think she was going to fall for that? She definitely wasn't planning on dropping it. "Come on Brendan, you obviously have something to say. Don't change your mind, just say it."
"It's not happening Ashley, now go and do what I pay you for, and close the door behind you." Brendan said closing himself off again.
"Fine, you know where to find me if you change your mind though." she said as she left.
Brendan was left thinking everything from the past few days over. He remembered how he got to the club, with that came the realisation of what happened at Ste's.
He had spoken to Leah.
