Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Noelle
After assisting Charlie for a brief moment, I briskly wipe my hands on my jeans and inform her, “I need to grab my phone. I left it in my car.” I use this excuse to check on Zack and update him on the situation.
“Sure thing, Babe. Come find me when you’re done, and I’ll finish showing you the ropes,” she says with a warm smile as she heads across the bar with a tray of beers.
I swiftly navigate through the lively crowd and step out of the bar, feeling the chilly night air envelop me, causing me to shiver. With quick steps, I hurry across the dimly lit parking lot to my car, where I find my brother engrossed in playing a game on his phone.
I tap on the window to gain his attention. He looks up, flashes a smile, and then unlocks and opens the door.
“Hey, buddy,” I say as I squat down to his level. “You okay?”
“Yeah. How much longer will you be?” Zack asks.
“I got the job,” I say with a beaming smile. “They need help, so I’m starting tonight. Would you be okay with sitting here for a little bit while I make us some money?”
Zack shrugs. “I guess.”
Leaving him out here alone isn’t ideal, but neither is taking him into the bar. Plus, I haven’t informed my new boss about Zack. “I’ll be back to check on you really soon. Keep the doors locked, got it?”
Zack nods. “Got it.”
I give him a quick hug and then close the door and wait to hear the doors lock before heading back inside the bar.
When it comes to bars, I always picture the seedy, holes-in-the-wall type places Rob would frequent. Brewer’s is nothing like that. Sure, some of its patrons are a bit rough around the edges, but the bar itself has an easygoing feel about it. The soft glowing lights mixed with the rustic yet modern interior are impressive.
On one side of the bar, you have an array of chairs and sofas for lounging, along with several pool tables. On the opposite side is a stage for live music that’s surrounded by tables. By the looks of the place, there is no question the owner takes pride in his establishment.
I never thought I’d entertain the thought of working in a bar, considering my history with Zack’s dad and the fact I’ve been called more times than I can count to pick him up from whatever seedy joint he was being kicked out of, but at the end of the day, I’ll do anything for my brother.
I couldn’t believe my luck when Eazy offered me a job. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about serving drinks, but even though the crowd has a few rough-looking men, the patrons are kind and respectful. When a couple of guys were getting handsy or flirty, one look from my new boss and their attitude changed. I wasn’t lying when I said I had no experience but was willing to learn. I’m lucky someone was willing to take a chance on me.
First impressions of Eazy had me second-guessing my decision to walk into Brewer’s. The man is at least six-foot-four tall and has dark hair, broad shoulders, and ink-covered arms. Eazy has an air of authority about him. He’s gruff and speaks with a no-nonsense tone, but whenever he addresses me, his demeanor softens. And God, how he watches me with emerald green eyes that set my nerves on edge. Never in my life have I had a man look at me the way my new boss does, and I don’t know what to think of it. My lack of experience with men has me unable to make heads or tails of the pull between us. Then again, the tension could all be one-sided.
I glance over my shoulder at the bar to find Eazy pinning me with his heavy gaze. My stomach fills with butterflies. What kind of name is Eazy anyway? I’ve found myself wondering more than once about his peculiar name. Same with his friend, Brewer. My eyes drift across his face, then wander down, where his T-shirt stretches tight across his chest. I don’t miss the tattoos that peek out beneath the collar and travel upward against the column of his neck. I watch the muscles in his arms flex as he braces the weight of his body against the bar. Even from twenty feet away, I can see his knuckles turning white from his grip on the bar’s edge. That visual brings my attention back up to his face. My mouth parts slightly with a gasp, noting the feral expression pinning me in place. Suddenly, I can’t breathe, move or think.
“Excuse me, little lady.”
I’m shaken out of my trance when I feel a tap on my shoulder. “Yes?” I regard the older gentlemen sitting at a table to my left.
“One of those mine?” He jerks his chin to the tray.
“Oh, my goodness.” I rush to set his beer down in front of him. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
The old man chuckles. “No worries, young lady.” He takes a swig of his drink. “It’s your first night. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Is it that obvious?” I wince.
“Not at all. I’m here almost every night, and the first I’m seeing you. You’re doin’ a fine job, darlin’.” The old man pulls out his wallet and drops a few bills on my tray.
The man’s easygoing demeanor makes me smile, and I relax.
“Keep doin’ what you’re doin’, and bring me another one in about twenty minutes.”
“You got it.” I leave the old man to enjoy his beer in peace and go about delivering the rest of my orders.
Luckily, when I make my way back up front, Eazy is busy with a customer at the opposite end of the bar.
“I saw you chattin’ with Harold.” Charlie sidles in beside me and plops down on a stool.
“Harold?” I question.
Charlie nods toward the older man I was talking to a minute ago. “That’s Harold. He’s a sweetheart. He’s here almost every night.”
I smile. “Oh. He was nice to me after he caught me zoned out like a dufus.”
“Hmm…” Charlie smirks. “I saw.”
My smile falls. “What do you mean?”
She bumps me with her shoulder. “What I mean is I saw how you and Eazy were eye fuckin’ each other like you wanted to rip each other’s clothes off.”
My mouth falls open, and I feel the heat rising. “Oh, my God,” I choke out. “Are you nuts?”
Charlie is a waitress here at Brewer’s and has taken me under her wing tonight. She’s a stunning redhead with the longest legs I’ve ever seen on a woman and has an abundance of curves, with every man in the room turning their head when she walks by.
“I might be crazy, but I’m not blind.”
I shake my head. “Eazy is not looking at me in any kind of way. He’s just making sure I do my job right. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t fire me after tonight.”
Charlie narrows her eyes. “Fire you. For what?”
“For starters, I’m not as quick as you. I’ve messed up four orders. And I tripped and dropped my tray and spilled beer all over some guy’s shoes.”
Charlie waves me off. “That was Greg. He’s cool, so don’t sweat it. You’re doing great. I’ve been schlepping drinks for years, and not a week goes by where I don’t spill a beer or two.”
“Charlie,” Eazy barks, making me jump. “That table in the back is waitin’ on you to take their order.”
I look over to see Eazy striding this way.
Charlie rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m on it.”
Just before walking away, Charlie nudges me with her elbow and winks. I turn my attention back to Eazy, standing across from me, his hip leaning against the bar and his arms crossed over his chest. This time I avert my eyes so I’m not caught ogling again.
“How’s it goin’?” he asks.
“Pretty good, I think. Is it always this busy?”
Eazy nods. “Yeah. This is normal for this time of year. We get a shit ton out-of-towners hittin’ the slopes and families lookin’ to get away for the holidays.”
“I can imagine. I haven’t taken in all the sights, but from what I’ve seen, Ember Falls is beautiful.”
“It is,” he agrees.
I wait a beat to see if he will say more, but he doesn’t. Instead, he simply stands there eyeing me in a way that makes me think he can see straight through me, seeing all my secrets. It’s unnerving, and I begin to fidget. Thankfully, I’m saved when a new patron sits at the bar, drawing Eazy’s attention. Before walking away, he leans over the top of the bar. “Take a thirty-minute break, baby. Charlie will cover your tables.”
He strides away, leaving me dizzy.
Did he just call me baby?
Shaking off an array of emotions caused by a certain someone, I head outside to check on Zack. Spotting a twenty-four-hour diner across the street, I pull my coat tight around my body to fight off the cold and jog across the parking lot, thankful for the tip money I’ve made so Zack can have a hot meal.
The moment I step inside, I’m assaulted by Christmas music and the smell of fried chicken. A few customers enjoy a late-night meal, and an older gentleman sits at the counter sipping from a coffee mug. Some people eye me with curiosity, but their gazes last only briefly.
Seconds later a waitress appears from the back. “Well, hey there.”
I settle on a stool at the counter, and she passes me a menu. “Can I order something to go?” I ask.
The waitress, who looks to be in her mid to late thirties, smiles. “Sure can, honey.”
I scour the menu. “Can I have fried chicken with macaroni and cheese with a side of broccoli?” I pause, examining the different desert options, and decide to splurge. Zack has a sweet tooth like any other kid and deserves a treat. “And I’ll take a slice of the German Chocolate cake too.”
The waitress scribbles my order down. “Will that do it for ya?”
I nod. “Yes. Thank you.”
“All right. I’ll be back with your food in no time.”
Fifteen minutes later, the waitress returns with my food and packages it in a to-go box. She rings me up, and I quickly pay and leave her a five-dollar tip. I try not to think about how I spent half my tip money and focus on returning to Zack. My brother’s eyes light up when I slide into the car’s driver’s seat. I breathe a sigh of relief to find the heat still working.
“What’s that?” he asks, eyeing the bag in my hand.
I pass it over. “Here.”
Zack opens the smaller box first, and I see his mouth practically watering when he spots the cake. “No, sir. Cake last. I got you some chicken and macaroni. I also got you some broccoli. You have to at least eat all your vegetables to get cake.”
“Aw, man,” he grumbles.
“Rules are rules, dude.” I grin as I watch him shovel a massive spoonful of macaroni into his mouth.
“All right.” I look down at my watch. “My time is up, and I need to get back in there. Are you going to be okay for a little longer? Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
Zack shakes his head. “I’m okay, Nelly.”
“Here.” I open the glove box and grab a bottle of pain reliever. “Take these.” I hand him two pills. The bruises on his face are still an awful shade of purple, but at least the swelling around his eye is not as bad today. “I only have about an hour left of my shift.” I lean over and kiss the top of my brother’s head before climbing out of the car and returning to the bar.
An hour later, the last couple of patrons exit the bar, and Eazy shuts and locks the door behind them. I follow Charlie’s lead by wiping down the tables and collecting the empty bottles left behind.
“So, what did you think about your first night?” Charlie walks up behind me carrying a small garbage bin she uses to collect trash left on the tables.
“It was good. My feet are killing me, though.”
“Comes with the territory.” She chuckles. “Think you’ll be back tomorrow?”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Yes. I mean, if Eazy wants me to come back.”
“Oh, he wants you all right.”
I look at Eazy to ensure he didn’t overhear Charlie. “You have to stop saying that,” I whisper. “And you’re wrong. Besides, I have enough on my plate right now. Dating is the last thing on my mind.”
“Eazy doesn’t date, he claims. And after he claims you, he’s going to be fucking you.”
“What the hell are you talkin’ about?” Eazy booms.
Both Charlie and I jump at the sound of his angry voice. “Ain’t nobody gonna be fuckin’ Noelle.” Eazy’s nostrils flare.
“Jesus. Take a chill pill.” Charlie rolls her eyes, unaffected by our boss’ temper.
But then Eazy takes in my expression, and his whole demeanor softens, though the tick in his jaw tells me he’s still irritated.
“Anyway…” Charlie continues, “Noelle and I are finished. Unless you need us to stay.”
“No. You’re good.” Eazy turns to me. “You did good tonight. The job is yours if you want it.”
“I want it,” I say eagerly.
A smile stretches across his face, revealing perfect white teeth. “All right, baby. Can you come in early tomorrow to fill out some paperwork? Say around one?”
There it is again, calling me baby . Is that something he calls all women? By the Cheshire look on Charlie’s face, it’s not. “One is fine,” I squeak out.
Five minutes later, I’m walking out of the bar with Charlie. “That’s me over there.” She nods toward the Jeep parked at the opposite end of the parking lot as my car.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I give her a little wave.
“Night, Noelle.” She bids goodbye as I quickly make my way to my own car. I want to get out of here before Eazy leaves and before anyone notices Zack. If anyone finds out my little brother has been in the car this whole time, I’d no doubt be in serious trouble. I know my actions tonight were dangerous, but I was desperate.
When I slide in behind the wheel, Zack stirs awake. “Hey. Are you done?”
“Yep, and I work again tomorrow.”
“Does that mean we’re staying?” he asks hopefully.
“Yeah, buddy. We’re staying in Ember Falls. For now, anyway.” I put my hand in my pocket and pull out what’s left of my tip money. I count thirty-seven dollars. My stomach drops. More is needed for gas and a cheap hotel. I eye the gas gauge, which is sitting close to empty. We need gas. Without gas, I can’t get back to work tomorrow. But no hotel means sleeping in the car. The threat of tears stings my eyes. I feel so helpless.
“What’s wrong, Noelle?”
I look at my brother as I force myself to keep the tears at bay. I have to be strong for him. “I have enough money for gas but not a hotel. I’m sorry, buddy, but it looks like we’re camping out in the car tonight. But just for tonight. I’m sure I’ll make enough tips tomorrow to get us a hotel.” I grab his hand. “We’re going to be okay.”
Zack squeezes me back. “I know we will, Nelly. I believe in you.”
God, this kid.
“Come on.” I put on my seatbelt. “Let’s get gas. Grab your toothbrush from your bag in the back. You can brush your teeth in the bathroom at the gas station.”
Thirty minutes later, I drive back by the bar to see the parking lot is completely empty, so Eazy must have gone home for the night too. I slowly make my way around back and decide behind the bar is secluded enough. I make a mental note to set the alarm on my phone to ensure I’m gone early before my new boss or anyone shows up.
“I’m going to move all our stuff to the trunk, and you can lay on the back seat.”
“But we only have one blanket,” Zack points out.
“I have my coat. I’ll be okay.”
“Nelly.” Zack goes to protest.
“Go on, buddy. Climb in the back. I promise I’ll be okay.”
Zack hesitates but eventually does as he’s told. I set the alarm on my phone and let the back of my seat down a little. It doesn’t take Zack long before he’s out, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Me, on the other hand, can’t settle long enough to fall asleep. Though I’m dog-tired, I can’t help but stay on high alert. Not only because Zack’s father could be out there somewhere, but a woman and a child sleeping in a car is dangerous. I don’t know how long I sit here staring at the clock on the dash, willing the time to hurry up and move.
Suddenly, the heat stops working again.
As if my luck couldn’t get any worse.