Now, I’m just the customer who orders a deathly amount of espresso shots in her coffee. One employee actually wished me well in the next life, claiming no one could survive that much caffeine. Taking that as a challenge, I ordered an extra shot the next day.

All of that led me to my new job at the sports bar, Twisted Fox. Maliki’s—Sierra’s boyfriend—best friends own the place, and they agreed to hire me. My first shift is tonight, so I’m dealing with a ball of nerves in my stomach the best way I know how—by drinking two vanilla lattes and cramming four mini Snickers bars into my mouth on the drive there.

I walk into the crowded bar, and Finn, the bouncer, jerks his head in greeting. Casually dressed patrons with beers in their hands yell at the display of mounted TVs—a different sport on each screen. A long wooden bar is stretched along the back, a mirrored wall behind it, throwing back the reflections of the happenings in the building.

The sweet aroma of fried bar food trails with each step I take toward the employees-only door in the back, following the directions I was given. Venturing down a short hall, I knock on Cohen’s office door.

The co-owner answers and waves me into the room. Since Cohen is Maliki’s best friend, I’ve met him a few times. Last weekend, Sierra dragged me to his birthday party and introduced me to my new coworkers.

We briefly chat before he passes me a stack of forms to complete. Twenty minutes later, I return to the front of the bar in search of Georgia—my trainer for the night and Cohen’s younger sister.

I do a sweep of the bar and spot Georgia waving me over in a similar fashion as her brother did.

“Hey, girl!” she shouts.

I wade through the crowd, dodging a group of guys arguing over a sports call while women yell at them to grow up, and join Georgia and her friends at the pub table.

“Hey.” I pull out the stool and plop down next to her before exchanging hellos with her friends—Lola, Grace, and Silas—all people I met at the party.

While they make conversation around us, Georgia guides me through the employee handbook and training packet. I’ve never waitressed before, but the job seems simple enough. I’m a people person. I got this.

Georgia claps when we’re finished. “You ready?”

“I think so.” I twist my watch and do another scan of the room.