Jealous (Nick's Version)

                                    

                                          
While getting ready for work the next day, I come across a box of Halloween decorations. Other pubs have Halloween decorations up this time of year, but the Royal Crown doesn't. 
I know that this is only my second day working there, but I decide to text Tom to see how he feels about me putting them up. 
Nick
Hi Tom, do you normally put Halloween decorations up in the pub? I have some at home, I was just wondering if I could bring them in?
Tom
We don't normally, but I love that idea! You absolutely can take some decorations in 
Nick
Great, I'll take them in today
I finish getting ready for work and leave with my box of Halloween decorations. I haven't been able to stop thinking about Charlie, there isn't really anyone I can talk to about this. I'm open about my sexuality with my mum, but seeing as at the moment my feelings for Charlie are just physical, it doesn't seem right asking for my mothers advice on how to get a man into bed. 
I arrive at work at eleven o'clock, just as a woman with dark brown hair tied into a bun, who appears to be in her early to mid forties, unlocks the door. 
"Hello, you must be Nick." He says, smiling warmly. 
"Yeah, hi." I say, smiling as I step into the pub. 
"I'm Monica, it's lovely to you meet you." 
"You too." I say politely. 
"What's in the box?" Lily asks, seemingly appearing from nowhere. 
"Halloween decorations, I asked Tom what he thought and he loved the idea." I tell her. 
"Oooh fun!" She exclaims, taking the box from me and putting it on the bar. 
"Charlie's not going to like this." Monica warns as Lily starts going through the box. 
"Why not?" I ask. 
"Oh he gets all weird when things aren't a certain way." Lily says dismissively. 
"Maybe we shouldn't put them up then, I don't want to make him... anyone, feel uncomfortable." I say, feeling myself blush a little. 
"He'll get over it, we should all dress up on Halloween night! I'll ask Tom." She says as she starts placing fake pumpkins around the bar. 
I reluctantly start helping to decorate the bar, I'm now worried that Charlie's going to be annoyed with me. I don't know why he acts the way he does, but I'm starting to get the feeling it's deeper than him just being bossy. 
I feel bad that some of the staff seem to give him a hard time, the Charlie I saw beneath how he is when he's working is really sweet and funny. He's also really sassy and sexy, but I hope they don't see that. 
Monica leaves shortly after Sam arrives at eleven thirty. Tom told me she only works part time, and from what he was saying it sounds like she's a friend of his who works here sometimes as a favour. 
"Charlie said you're coming in to help out on Saturday." Lily says. 
"Yeah, I have a rugby match but he asked me to come in after." I explain. 
"You play rugby?" She giggles. 
"Yeah." I say a little awkwardly. 
"That's so cool." She says flirtatiously. 
"Thanks." I say, forcing a smile. 
This is so typical, the person who is flirting with me and showing an interest isn't the person I want attention from. I almost want to tell her that I fancy Charlie so she'll back off, but that would involve outing myself. 
I'm serving a customer when Charlie walks in at quarter to three. My stomach flips when I see him, but I carry on what I'm doing and don't really acknowledge him. 
"What's all this?" He asks. 
I look up at him, he's walking towards the bar and looks a little distressed. Slight panic washes over me, I swallow the lump in my throat and just hope he isn't too upset.