Chapter 11 : Something Different

The morning sun crept in through the dirty blinds of Marty's cramped apartment, casting thin streaks of light across the room. Dev sat up from the couch, his body aching from the lumpy cushions beneath him. It wasn't the worst place he'd ever slept, prison had conditioned him to worse but it wasn't home either. Not that he had one.

Marty was still snoring loudly on his bed, his short frame tangled in the sheets. Dev ran a hand over his face, trying to shake off the weight of last night. He hadn't had much to drink, just a few beers, but his mind was heavy. Heavy with the way Josie's eyes lingered when she took their order. Heavy with the way he felt the ghost of Cole following him everywhere, never speaking, just watching.

He exhaled sharply and stood, careful not to wake Marty as he moved toward the tiny bathroom. The sink was cracked, the mirror had a long fracture running through it, and the faucet squeaked when he turned it. He splashed water on his face, gripping the edge of the sink to steady himself.

"Another day," he muttered to his reflection.

A knock on the door made him tense.

"You alive in there, buddy?" Marty's voice was groggy.

Dev opened the door, stepping out. Marty, still in his boxers, scratched at his messy brown hair.

"Yeah."

Marty yawned. "Good. 'Cause we got work."

Dev almost groaned. A full day of cleaning up other people's garbage wasn't exactly something to look forward to. But it was all he had. So he grabbed his jacket and followed Marty out the door.

*********

The city never really changed. The streets were still filled with noise, cars honking, people rushing, the distant sound of construction. Dev felt out of place in it all, like a shadow moving through a world that had forgotten him.

He and Marty worked their shift in relative silence, except for Marty's occasional complaints about how unfair life was and his grand plans to leave town someday. Dev barely responded, his mind elsewhere.

He kept thinking about the bar. About Josie.

There was something about her that unsettled him. The way she had looked at him, not with pity, not with fear, but with something else. Likeness, maybe? No, that didn't make sense. She didn't know him.

"Yo, Dev!" Marty snapped his fingers in front of Dev's face.

Dev blinked, realizing he had been standing still while Marty had already emptied his trash bin.

"You okay, man? You're more spaced out than usual."

"Yeah," Dev muttered.

Marty didn't look convinced, but he let it go.

By the time their shift ended, the sky had darkened. Marty stretched, tossing his gloves into the back of the truck.

"Let's go back to the bar," he suggested.

Dev hesitated.

"Come on, man," Marty nudged him. "I saw the way you and that waitress looked at each other. Maybe you'll finally talk to a woman like a normal person instead of brooding like some tragic novel character."

Dev rolled his eyes. "You're annoying, you know that?"

Marty grinned. "You don't need to tell me that. Now let's go."

When they walked into the bar, it was just as loud and crowded as the night before. Dev's eyes scanned the room, unconsciously searching.

Then he saw her.

Josie.

She was moving between tables, balancing a tray of drinks. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face. She wore a fitted black T-shirt and jeans, her curves subtle but noticeable. But it was her eyes that caught Dev's attention the most hazel, sharp, observant.

As she approached their table, she smiled, not forced like most waitresses, but something softer.

"You guys are back," she said, setting down two menus.

Marty leaned back with a smug grin. "Told you she remembered us."

Josie smirked. "Hard to forget you. You're the loud one."

"And he's the quiet one," Marty said, pointing at Dev. "But don't let that fool you. He's a real charmer deep down."

Dev shot Marty a look, but Josie just laughed.

"Well, quiet one, what'll it be?" she asked, turning her gaze to Dev.

He hesitated.

"A beer's fine," he said finally.

She nodded, scribbling on her notepad before turning to Marty.

"And for you?"

Marty grinned. "Whiskey, neat. And your number, if you're feeling generous."

Josie rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming, shorty."

Marty clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. That hurts."

She smirked, shaking her head as she walked away.

Marty leaned toward Dev, whispering, "Dude. She's into you."

Dev ignored him, but his heart was beating a little too fast.

He didn't know what it was about Josie. But something told him this wasn't the last time they'd cross paths.

"Seriously, man, don't just sit here like a statue all night. Go talk to her," Marty urged.

Dev scoffed. "And say what?"

"I don't know, your name would be a good start. Maybe ask hers, make small talk, pretend like you're interested in human interaction."

Dev let out a tired sigh, but after a moment, he stood up.

Marty grinned. "That's the spirit!"

Dev walked over to the bar, where Josie was leaning against the counter, filling out a drink order. She looked up as he approached, a small smirk playing at her lips.

"Decided to stop being mysterious, huh?" she teased.

Dev leaned against the counter. "Figured I should at least introduce myself. Devan."

"Josie," she replied, wiping her hands on a rag before crossing her arms. "So, Dev, what's your story?"

"Nothing interesting," he said.

She raised an eyebrow. "I doubt that."

Dev hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. Before he could answer, another customer called for her.

Josie sighed. "Hold that thought. I gotta finish my shift. But stick around, okay?"

She winked before walking off.

Dev watched her go, feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time, curiosity.

He turned back to Marty, who was grinning like an idiot.

"Oh, she definitely likes you," Marty mouthed.

Dev shook his head, sitting back down.

"You sticking around to talk to her?" Marty asked.

"Yeah," Dev admitted.

Marty clapped his hands together. "That's my guy! Finally, some excitement in your life. I'll hang around for a bit, but I'll leave you two alone when she's ready."

Dev rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the small smirk that tugged at his lips.

For the first time in years, something felt… different.

And that scared him more than anything.