“Good morning starshine,” Louise’s abrasive singing disturbed the otherwise peaceful slumber Gabriel had been enjoying at the table, despite the awkward position he’d been sitting in the whole night. That wine had packed a punch, maybe he shouldn’t have polished off the whole damn thing before passing out.
“The earth says helloooooo,” Louise continued to sing, slipping over to the table and drumming her fingers against it. Gabriel waved an arm in the air lazily to try and bat her away. It was too damn early for this shit. Why did this woman never get hungover?
“Go ‘way,” Danny grumbled from his place on the floor. He'd rolled out of his chair at some point during the night. Apparently he’d been so drunk, not even Gabriel’s night terrors had woken him. Gabriel struggled to recall what the hell had freaked him out so much, but the marbles rolling around in his skull and the metallic taste in his mouth were quickly driving away any vestiges of what must have been the worst nightmare he’d had since he was a kid. If it was that bad, Gabriel wasn’t too sure he wanted to remember it anyway.
“If you two are going to be like this, I guess you don’t want any coffee from the new machine I just picked up,” Louise informed them, adding with a sly little smile, “I even picked out a few gourmet roasts.”
That got their attention. “Coffee. Now.” Gabriel cracked open an eye, slumped back in his chair and started massaging the muscles in his neck. Not the best place to spend the night, on second thought.
“Say it nicer, maybe I’ll think about it,” Louise taunted, examining her nails and glancing back over her shoulder as Lee walked into the room.
Gabriel’s other eye popped open and for a moment he was tempted to tell her where she could shove her coffee maker, but thought better of it. His head was killing him. Caffeine could probably help, that’s what they always did in those old crummy westerns anyway. Black coffee thick enough to choke on and a couple of eggs, it could probably go a long way in fixing his hangover, even if the idea made his stomach want to do a few quick somersaults and a grand finale. “Please, coffee. Now.”
Louise feigned sympathy while she made sure to slam every damn thing in the office she could get her hands on as she set to fixing their morning pick-me-ups.
“I’m never drinking again,” Danny vowed, “ever.”
Louise gave Lee a meaningful look as she passed him his coffee mug, and Gabriel couldn’t honestly say he was surprised when the pair kissed as if nobody else was watching. He had things of his own to take care of, business, personal hobbies--but--he was still jealous. No matter how childish it made him feel. “You going to bring me a mug anytime soon?”
“Well, I was going to,” Louise said, bringing Danny his coffee first, and with quite the obnoxious toss of her hair.
Gabriel didn't know what his deal was this morning, hangover notwithstanding, but for some reason that really pissed him off. He growled, “I’m your boss. Shouldn't I get a little more respect here? Better service? Some fucking breakfast?”
She looked at him in shock, dropping her cheery act, “what’s with the foul mouth, and why are you being such an asshole? You want me to cook you a goddamn steak?”
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Steak. That sounded a lot better than coffee or eggs. Normally he had them cooked well done, almost charcoal, but suddenly he had a craving for something rare. Gabriel’s mouth watered at the thought. “Steak sounds really good, do we have some in the mini fridge?”
“Just Pepsi,” Lee said with a shrug before adding, “this isn't the Hilton. This is still a rented office building with bad plumbing and faulty wiring. You can have some of the old pizza you guys left out overnight, though.”
Gabriel grumbled as he got to his feet, “fine--” He wrinkled his nose at the thought of room temperature cheese and stale crust, “Danny can have the leftovers.”
Speaking of leftovers, that crazy wine he’d had last night before he passed out would go really good with a steak. Actually, maybe just the wine, “wait, where’s that bottle? I want a drink.” Gabriel wasn’t really the ‘hair of the dog’ type like Chuck, but he didn’t see any harm in just a small glass.
“What bottle?” Louise asked, “you can't seriously want more.”
“Just a bit,” Gabriel replied defensively, “it was good!” Incredible was more like it. He scrambled towards the table to snatch up the turned-over bottle, peering inside as if maybe it would make a few ounces magically appear inside. He slammed it back on the table in frustration, “it’s empty!”
“Yeah, ‘cause you drank it all. Smelled nasty to me.” Danny grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Gabe thought he must just be jealous because he didn't get any.
“Maybe we can get more,” Gabriel reasoned, glaring at Danny.
“Yeah, sure, you can go back there and ask him for another.” Louise said, throwing her hands in frustration.
“Maybe I will,” Gabriel snapped back, glaring at her too, “or maybe you woke up earlier and finished off the rest so I couldn’t get any more.” He knew he was being ridiculous, but neither of them were helping. The more they talked, the more he needed another drink of that wine!
“Why would I do that? You know what, Gabe, fine, go take your hangover crazy to Ruben and he can deal with you.” Louise said, her voice sharp and a little angry.
Lee, ever the peacekeeper, placed a hand on Louise’s shoulder, “hey, why don’t we all just calm down, huh?”
Gabriel scowled. No way would that old bastard give them another bottle for free, “I’ll just go get my damn steak.”
Danny looked up at him like he was crazy, “you’re gonna drive, looking like that?” He didn’t seem too concerned about the idea of the pizza though, as he was already gingerly tearing a piece from one of the greasy remainders of last night’s dinner. “You should at least take a shower in the back or something. You look like death warmed over.”
“I’m hungry,” Gabriel insisted, stepping over the box of empty wine bottles and crossing towards Chuck’s desk where he’d set his wallet and keys the night before, “just going to go to that meat market down the road,” sure, the place looked kind of questionable, but they probably had what he wanted. Since there wasn’t any wine left, he needed that steak.
“Just, umm, be careful, I don't wanna see you as a splat on the pavement. Even if you’re being a jerk this morning, we kinda like you, ya know?” Danny said, picking at a misshapen olive slice on his pizza.
“I’ve fought off zombie witches and bugbears, Danny, I think I can handle driving a block without killing myself, thanks,” Gabriel drawled, shoving his wallet into a pocket and snatching at his keys, annoyed. His driving was just fine.
Danny gave up and simply shrugged, “Well, try not to die. I guess.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes, slamming the door behind him and immediately regretting it thanks to the effect that little gesture had on his headache.