"Eddie Walsh. The Beast." Barney calls out from the other end of the kitchen. He’s holding his apron over his shoulder and struts in with it like a champion. "I challenge you to a boxing match, right here in the middle of the kitchen." He raises his hands and starts bouncing around like an idiot in the center.

  He’s met with cheerful voices from all sides.

  "Quit clowning, blondie." Eddie holds the knife with his initials, E.W., custom-made for him. "No boxer’s ever beaten the knife."

  Barney throws his hands up, steps back, and yells:

  "Death in the kitchen!"

  "Can’t you two ever stop?" Cork puts an end to the fun in his own way. He’s usually jovial, but when he decides, he can be tough. "Barney!" He turns first to Eddie’s blond friend. "Two beef with bamboo and mushrooms."

  "Six minutes, boss. Just tell the knife guy about the mushrooms."

  "And put on your damn apron." Cork shouts so loudly that one of the waitresses, who’d just come in for an order, has to close the door to the restaurant.

  "Eddie! And you, stop waving that knife around. I can’t tell if this is a restaurant or a kids’ cafeteria. Two hundred-gram portions of mushrooms. Watch the butter. Last time you overdid it."

  Eddie doesn’t reply. Barney’s the one who got him riled up. But Barney’s always like that. After Maisie’s words the night before, he barely slept. Does she really mean she’d leave him if he goes to fight? Just one more time. What’s the big deal? The big champions fight less often, but the punches are bigger. Do their wives make them quit boxing too? Or do they just turn a blind eye when they see the fat paychecks? He knows why Maisie’s worried. But all in all, it’s just one fight. And it’ll bring in good money for her. With sponsors, it could even grow.

  He loves Maisie, and that’s why he hasn’t said yes. But Rex’s offer is creeping inside him like an infection, splitting and spreading with every move, taking over more of his body. And usually, once it gets this far, the line between that and agreeing is razor-thin.

  "Rookie, the mushrooms." It’s Barney’s voice.

  "Only Cork calls me rookie."

  Barney sets two plates in front of him. Both have juicy beef steaks, still bubbling with grease, thick juice seeping from their pores and slowly coating the plates.

  Barney reaches for Eddie’s pan without asking, gives it two final stirs, and carefully shapes the dish with a spoon.

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  "You said six minutes, blondie." Cork yells and heads toward them.

  "Ready, boss." Barney turns to Cork and steps back.

  Cork stands over the plates, his mustache ends like radar for trouble. He stares down at them like a dog waiting for the command to eat.

  "Serve them."

  Barney lets out a victorious shout and returns to his meat station.

  "Perfect mushrooms, Eddie. But I don’t want Barney hearing me praise you, or he’ll spout off again." Cork winks at him and steps away. "That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, you little punks. Table eight’s got salads. And Barney, get the pork ready."

  "We don’t have an order for it."

  "We will in ten minutes. I know my restaurant." Cork says and disappears into one of the kitchen corners where he likes to hang out.

  And he’s right. Not ten, but five minutes later, there’s an order for pork.

  "The old man’s sharp as hell." Barney lights a cigarette as they take a break just before closing the restaurant. "I’ve worked in four kitchens, but I could retire here."

  Eddie wants to say the same, but he can’t picture himself as a cook for the rest of his life. He’s got no real talent for it, nor does it come naturally. But for now, at least, it brings in good money. Money to feed Maisie and Theo. And Maisie will be back to full-time work soon. Unless he lets her agree to Rex’s offer. Then…

  "Anything interesting with you?" Barney interrupts his thoughts. "How’s the little one?"

  "Maisie watches him at night. I help out in the morning before coming here. That’s how it goes."

  "Kids and wives are tough work… I’m good on my own." Barney takes greedy drags, puffing several times per bite of the cigarette. "If the old man gives me a raise, I’m thinking of moving out of my parents’ place into my own spot."

  "You’re still young, Barney. Are you even twenty?"

  "Twenty-three. Don’t insult me." He’s almost finished his cigarette. Eddie’s burns slowly in his hand. "I know what you’re gonna say." Barney starts defending himself. "That I’m late to the game. But our house is big, man. It’s from my grandpa. Two more families could live there. Still, living with your parents isn’t the way."

  Eddie tosses his half-smoked cigarette to the ground and stomps it out.

  "You threw out a whole cigarette?"

  "That’s enough for me."

  "Your call." Barney keeps eyeing the cigarette like he’s hoping to grab it once Eddie gets up.

  Eddie pulls out his phone. He hasn’t checked it in hours. He might’ve missed something from Maisie. Or Rex…

  But as he stares at the blank screen, he hears his name from the kitchen:

  "Eddie!"

  It’s Cork’s voice.

  Eddie nods to Barney and heads in. Cork’s holding a rag, wiping down one of the counters. He’s meticulous about cleaning and hardly lets anyone else touch it. Eddie already feels guilty for not helping.

  "Grab your stuff and go. Someone’s waiting for you outside."

  "Who?"

  "An old friend of mine." Cork stops and turns. "You still here?"