2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Eva
As soon as the rush dies down, I’m grateful for the peace and quiet I find in the staffroom. My break should have started an hour ago. My feet are killing me. I’m now sweating, and I’m counting down the hours until I need to open the shop.
I didn’t think trying to achieve my dream would be so gruelling. As if knowing how tired I’m going to be, my body slumps back in the chair, effortlessly.
I yawn, taking out my hair and letting it hang loose for a minute. I feel a tension instantly lift. The headache beginning to form subsides when I start massaging my scalp, allowing my eyes to close. It’s never the same when you do it yourself, though.
Startling me, I leap forward when the staffroom door swings open, my tired looking boss at the threshold. “Need you back down there, girl,” Jacob says.
“Seriously?” My arms hang heavy by my sides.
“Hey, you’re the one who rang the bell.”
And every part of my wishes I hadn’t. “I came up here after that rush.”
“Yeah, well, some other poor fucker asked for a free round, right after he asked Tiffany to kiss him.”
“Oh fuck,” I say, knowing she will have hated that.
“Yeah, oh fuck. The guy’s blind drunk and about five minutes away from being barred. ”
I sigh, retying my hair. “Can I have ten minutes at least?” I need a pee and some coffee in my system. It makes me wonder why that guy grimaced at the one I made him. I’d be grateful for that now.
“Make it a quick ten,” Jacob says, closing the door behind him, missing my middle finger being held up at him.
Or so I thought.
He quickly reopens the door, throws me his middle finger, then slams it shut.
I laugh to myself. Wanker.
Deciding to just grab a coffee downstairs, I use the loo and wash my hands, then down some water.
I grab my phone from my bag. There are two messages, the first is from Ben.
You can’t ignore me forever
“I can. And I will,” I say to myself, taking another sip of my drink.
Hey, bitch. What time are you finishing tonight? I seriously need to let my hair down. Do you and Tiffany fancy a night out?
I sigh as I type my reply to Jamie.
No can do. Work again in the morning. Anyway, I thought you had work too? What is it this time? They still overworking you?
I do, and yes! Boss is calling a big meeting in the morning. I can already tell I will be too busy for my liking
I shake my head. My other best friend is the exact opposite of me.
Pretty sure that’s called being lazy
Alright, Miss Goody Two-Shoes. We can’t all be as motivated as you
Dream bigger
Fuck off. I’m perfectly happy with where I am, thank you
What, virtually single again and refusing to grow up?
Ouch, girl, ouch. Anyway, few drinks later? Or is that a definite, no?
It’s a no. But if you do go out, stay safe x
Yes, Mum
Slut
Bitch
Taking a quick selfie, I share it on social media with the caption; tired as hell, but we keep going . Once it’s uploaded, I chuck my phone into my bag and make my way back to the bar. Taking the stairs, I can’t help but wonder if working myself to the bone is a good idea, or if I’m just wasting my time and missing out on life. I guess I could be more like Jamie; out most nights, having fun, meeting guys. I swear though, I have such bad luck when it comes to things like that. Ben being a prime example.
The gig I let Jamie take me to, I wasn’t the slightest bit interested in. I only agreed to go because I assumed it would just be us. It wouldn’t matter that I couldn’t sing along to any of the songs, it would just be nice to spend some time with her. Low and behold, once we got there, three of her other friends—who I have nothing in common with, showed up and whisked her away from me, leaving me on my own with one of their brothers.
Ben.
I’m not one to waste money, so seeing no other option, me and him got a drink. One drink turned to two, and the rest is history. We saw each other on and off for six months, but I simply couldn’t handle his lies. He also started taking money from me and talking to me like I was a piece of shit.
When he mistakenly yelled at me in front of my dad, well, the way it upset him was more than enough for me to end the relationship.
My mum and dad mean the world to me. There’s nothing I won’t do for them. They’re my safe space, and it’s because of them that I know where I want to be. So, boring or not, that’s why I never crack. That’s why I don’t give in and take the easy road. Once I’m done and I’ve saved enough, I’m going to get that dream of ours and open a studio. I’m determined to achieve—not only what Dad wants—but what I want, too.
I need to help people beyond pulling pints and being a behind the bar therapist.
Taking the final step, I pause seeing the crowd. Jesus. Jacob wasn’t lying. It’s bloody hectic. The game’s on which always draws people in, but this is next level ridiculous.
Walking past Tiffany, I get a nod from Jacob, then proceed to manically take the punters’ orders, one after another. I don’t get a chance to look up. I’m rushing from the bar to the till, taking money, pulling pints in their droves and mixing cocktails which I’m shit at doing. I’d forget to breathe if it was down to me. I have no time to notice anything.
So, when Tiffany sidles up next to me, giving me a nudge with a drop of her shoulder, I don’t even bat an eye. She does it again a little stronger, this time making a stupid noise under her breath.
“What?” I say, passing the pint and placing it on the mat. “Five pounds, please,” I tell the man smiling at me. I wait to determine whether he’s paying cash or card, and when he looks down at his phone then proceeds to hold it up to the machine, I click the button on the till .
“So?”
The twirly icon appears, spinning on the screen as it connects to the card reader. “So, what?” I ask Tiffany, wondering what’s got her all whispery.
“Who is he?”
“Who’s who?”
The card machine finally works, and the man smiles again, taking his pint.
“The guy who hasn’t taken his eyes off you?”
“A lot of guys haven’t taken their eyes off me.” We simultaneously look up seeing at least six men patiently waiting for us to serve them. “See.”
We both laugh. “Okay, point proven.” Tiffany leans forward, taking an order, and I do the same. Fortunately, we both need the same pump. She goes first, and I follow. When I pull back the handle, she nudges me, making me take a step to one side. “There!” she shouts over the loud music that’s now playing.
I carry on pulling the pint, my gaze drifting down the length of the bar. I don’t see anyone looking at me. That is until I get to the last man still sitting in the seat where I left him earlier. He’s still here?
It’s as though the entire bar falls silent. I don’t hear the people around us as everything stills. My heart pulses in my ears.
Again.
But that was an hour ago. He said he was meeting someone. Has he left and come back?
Taking a sip from his full glass of water, his gaze roams all over my face, studying me. He places his glass down, looking away. I watch as he then picks up a stirrer and begins turning it in his fingers, tapping it on the bar before spinning it again. Without his movements faltering, he looks back up, and I realise I’m still staring at him.
“Fuck!” The pint I’m pulling overflows, running down the side of the glass. I let go of it, flicking the froth to the floor before wiping my hand on the small apron I have around my waist.
“See him?”
See him? He’s all I see, but I’m not sure why.
“Well?”
“Yes,” I snap, meeting the wide eyes of a very smiley Tiffany. “What? ”
She raises a brow. “Got your knickers in a twist, has he?” She laughs, moving like a natural as she begins making a group of girls on a hen do some cocktail jugs. Rather her than me. “You never know, he could be a ten.”
I eye roll her, risking a quick glance his way. His eyes are still on me, his fingers still twirling the stirrer. Good God. My legs are turning to jelly. I need to sit down.
“Eva!” Jacob shouts so loudly from behind me, I’m forced to look away from the rogue stranger. I can feel his eyes burning into my back, though.
“Christ, Jacob. What’s the matter?”
“Tell that boyfriend of yours to leave us alone.”
What?
Jacob jiggles the phone in his hand.
Oh . Ben.
My body deflates. I skimp away, taking the landline, wondering who the hell still uses one of these things. “What?” I fire down the line, seeing Jacob serve my customer. I want to turn around and steal another look into the darkest eyes I think I’ve ever seen, but when I hear the sullen voice of my ex breathing heavily down the phone, I turn my back to everyone, sheltering the angry look now gracing my face.
“I need your help.”
“No. I’m working. Whatever mess you’ve got yourself into this time, that’s on you. It’s not my problem.”
“Baby girl, don’t make this worse than it already is.”
“Don’t call me that. I hate it.” I shiver, my eyes closing.
“Whatever,” he sulks, running out of patience. “You going to help me or not?”
“Piss off.” I smash the red button, holding it down longer than necessary, fury fully making my skin heat. When I replace the phone to its holder, I turn, coming face to face with Tiffany. I jump back, one hand flying to my chest. “Christ!”
“That knobhead?”
I take a long blink. “Is it that obvious?” I brush past her, getting back to my evening job.
“The guy’s a prick. Send him my way, I’ll shit him up for you.”
I laugh, grabbing a cloth. “Shit him up? ”
“Yeah, you know,” she spins with two jugs filled with Strawberry Daiquiris in her hands, “do him in. Fuck him over. Could even shiv him for you, if you wanted me to.” She says it so casually.
“Shiv him?” I must look lost. I carry on wiping as she gives the girls their drinks then turns back to me.
“Fucking hell, Eva. Climb out from under your fucking rock will you. Do you want me to cut him?” She’s serious as she annunciates every word.
I throw my head back on a howl. Tiffany is six-foot, has a killer hourglass figure and rocks a rockabilly fringe. Her hair is a deadly night shade, just like the man who I can feel is still watching us, and every inch of her ears are pierced. “Yeah. You can shiv him. But when you go to prison, who’s going to work here with me?”
She rolls her eyes at me, crossing her arms. “We didn’t choose to work here for the staff perks, Eva, remember? We have places we want to go, this is just a stepping stone. But don’t kid yourself. You’ll be out that door before any of us. You know it. I know it. Fuck, even Jacob knows it.” We both look at him. He’s staring at us having a chat, hands on his hips. “Shit,” Tiffany says under her breath, and we both step into action, taking another order each.
When we come back together, the air suddenly feels chilly. I rub my exposed arms as she continues, “All I’m saying is, don’t fucking quit, okay? Don’t fall for Ben’s bullshit this time. Whatever you choose, don’t give up on that dream of yours. Otherwise, you’ll have me to deal with.”
I reach up, kissing her cheek. “I’d be lost without you,” I tell her truthfully.
“Oh, I know. Pick me up from mine tomorrow, I’ll join the sunset?”
“You bet.”
She winks, and I chance a look down the bar, feeling confident. It immediately fades when I see he isn’t there.
When I finally finish my shift at midnight, I step out the rear exit having locked the door, swinging my jacket over my arms. It’s cold. The air nips at my nose. I pull it tight around me, heading in the direction of my parked car. With a yawn, I picture myself falling into bed. I can’t wait. Tonight was beyond busy.
Pressing the key fob, my car unlocks and the orange lights blink. I let my bag slip off my shoulder as I move to open the door. I only get it open an inch, freezing when I see a man’s reflection in the window.
Swinging around, the air is robbed from my lungs at the sight of Ben. Except, he doesn’t look like Ben. His face is beaten up, one eye swollen, black and bruised. “Fucking hell, Ben! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
My question goes unanswered as he grabs both my arms in a vice-like grip. “You need to help me!” he barks, his eyes frantic, almost crazed.
“What happened?” I notice the blood coming from his lip is fresh. “Ben?”
“I don’t have fucking time for this, Eva! I told you I needed help!”
“W-what are you—”
Ben pushes my back flat against my car, stunning me. “They’re coming for me, Eva. Look,” he holds a hand up to his face, the relief from his grip on me, immediate, “look at what they’re fucking capable of!”
He doesn’t let up shouting in my face. My whole body is trembling. “Who’s t-they?” I take a deep breath of air trying to steady my nerves.
“ They are men who you do not mess with, Eva. Alright? Do you understand that?”
My face contorts. “Do you?”
Ben’s eyes stay locked on mine as he tilts his head slightly. His pupils narrow, the edges turning to slits. “You think this is a game?”
I shift my weight, trying to get free. “No! Of course not. I just don’t see how I can help. This is your mess.”
“ My mess?” he questions, like I’m somehow at fault here.
“Yes! Your mess. Leave me out of this!”
His head shifts to look over his shoulder, and I take the opportunity to push him away, both my palms pressing flat to his chest.
I’m quickly grabbed by his outstretched hand, being flung around to face him like I’m a ragdoll. “I need money, Eva!”
I shouldn’t, but I let out a laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know. ”
Ben scowls at me. It’s dark. Scared. “I wanted to make money to support us, Eva.”
My laugh intensifies. He must think I’m an idiot. “Oh, stop with the bullshit!”
He lets go of my arm with a shake of his head.
“Your stupid attempts to ‘make money’,” I use air quotes for effect, “always end in disaster.”
He scoffs at me, his eyes nervously scanning the car park. Is he running from someone? “Ben, is someone coming?” I feel a hot heat swimming in my veins.
“We don’t have time!” I see panic engulf him. “They want money, Eva, money I don’t have!” He takes a giant step forward making me step back away from him. “They’ll kill me!”
His eyes are pleading. The corners soften, and I see his fear. It glows bright, worry and stress overtaking him. “Fuck,” I curse under my breath while his hands skittishly fiddle with the beanie on top of his head. I hate the fear in him. Even more so, I hate the way I feel sorry for him. I curse the compassionate part of me that falls for this bullshit every bloody time. “How much do you owe this time?”
We’ve been here before. I recognise the way his shoulders flatten out. He thinks he’s won me round. He hasn’t, he just hasn’t lost yet, either. “Ten grand.”
“Ten grand!” I yell, my voice spiky. “How the hell do you get into ten grand’s worth of debt so soon after paying back five?” I gave the bastard half the amount he needed. It kept him away for longer, but I should have known I’d be the first person he’d come to for more. It’s always the same with him.
“This is the last time, I swear.”
The sound of tyres screeching and an engine roaring, fill the night air around us. Ben falters, fear gripping him. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Eva, please!”
“I don’t have ten grand, Ben!” That’s not strictly true. I do have the money, but that’s for me. My dream. I worked for that. It may just be sat there, but it’s mine.
But if he gets killed, could I live with that?
A blacked-out car flies into the relatively small car park, it’s intended target clearly in sight. The driver presses the accelerator, and the car leaps towards where Ben’s standing.
Where I’m standing .
Managing to move my heavy limbs, I dive out the way, hitting the tarmac with a thud. I hear Ben’s feet scurry towards me as the driver slams on the brakes, narrowly avoiding my car.
Ben helps me to my feet, momentarily filling me with relief. It’s short lived. My eyes are jumping between the two burly guys who climb out from the vehicle, my blood turning ice-cold when I see the weapons in their hands.
One holds a baseball bat on his shoulder. The other has a knife. It’s larger than any kitchen knife I’ve seen, the end’s all jagged and fierce. I don’t move.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Ben hurriedly says, taking small steps back, dragging me with him.
“Ben, who are these men?” I stammer, my hands gripping the sleeve of his jacket.
“Shut her up, or neither of you are walking away,” the guy holding the knife says, brandishing it threateningly.
“Ben—”
“Shut up, Eva!”
I let go of him. Now I’m a sitting duck. They don’t see me. They don’t care that I’m standing between them and the man they want. I press my lips together, praying for a miracle. I can’t see how we make it out of this in one piece.
“Why did you run?”
Ben falters. He’s terrified. I see his hands trembling. “I need time,” he says, his voice not as pushy with them as it was with me.
“You’ve had plenty of time, princess. Now, you have two options.” The guy adjusts his stance, and my hands raise, palms up towards him in defence. His move is immediately more threatening. A nervous shiver skates down my spine. “Either give us our money right now…” Fierce eyes land on me.
I step back, knowing what’s coming. “Ben!”
My cry out makes him smile. “Or, we take the girl.”
No .
He lunges for me, but I’m too slow to move. “No, please!” My feet dig into the ground, desperate for escape while the man drags me back to him. It’s like a whirlwind in my mind. “Ben!” My voice is riddled with desperation as my body writhes .
“Let her go!” Ben steps forward but stops when the knife is raised.
“Ben,” I sob once more, my legs now shaking.
Ben’s eyes are darting to and fro, trying to find a way out of this for both of us. I can tell he can’t see one.
I need to get away. I need to do something. I can’t let this happen. Things like this don’t happen to normal people like me.
Attempting to create some distance, I bend my legs, anchoring myself against him. I start pushing, and he’s forced to step one leg back before I push him over.
“Enough!” the man shouts, but it only spurs me on.
I wriggle and thrash, pushing and fidgeting, trying to create as much commotion as I can.
The other man laughs, flashing a gold tooth my way.
Taking a gasp of air, I scream at the top of my lungs, praying someone will hear.
All three men wince. “Quite the fighter you’ve got there,” the one with the bat says as the man holding me doesn’t even seem to struggle. I try to take another deep breath but his hand now over my mouth stops any sound from escaping. “Music to my ears,” the same man says. It’s clear I’m no threat to them. “Well?” he adds, stepping closer to Ben.
“Let her go. Give me more time,” Ben pleads, one hand out as if he’s reaching for me.
There’s a look exchanged between them. Even I know Ben just gave them the wrong answer.
“Oi!” The sound of a man’s voice echoes to where the four of us are. Someone’s here.
Both of the men’s heads swing to whoever shouted, and I kick out my heel sensing a chance to escape.
Assuming I’m free, Ben seizes their moment of distraction and turns to run. “Eva! Come on!” he shouts for me to follow.
I stagger forward, hearing his feet hammer the ground at the same time as the huge man steps in front of me. Seeing him reaching for Ben, survival instinct surges me to make a grab for him, but he twists quickly with his hand raised.
The one holding his knife .
The sound of tearing flesh is horrific. It creeps into the deepest depths of my being, turning my stomach, making my skin crawl. It comes with something other than just a noise. It’s followed by a screaming, deep heat that consumes every part of my body.
I don’t need to look down to see what’s happened. My heart’s racing. Sweat forms on my brow. Not only is a crippling pain running unharnessed like a wild beast in my bones, but the horror in the eyes also looking down at me is unsettling.
“Please,” I murmur, sensing what he’s going to do.
Pulling the blade back, the man turns to his right, both men spinning fast on their heels.
I feel a seeping sensation, warm and wet, begin to trail down my side. Nausea rolls over me in waves as their car starts, the tyres spinning before they make their escape.
It’s like I’m frozen. The tears are forming, my breathing is picking up. But I can’t move. Terror has me trapped in its claws, lacing its talons around my body. I don’t need to look over my shoulder. I know Ben left the second he thought I was free.
Blackness washes over me. Taking a long blink, my head drops, my chin hitting my chest. I take a shallow breath, my blood no longer hot. It turns chilling, the adrenaline slowly dying. Arms shaking but not from the cold, my body begins to sway, my legs quivering. I’m going to pass out. It takes hold, and I’m no longer able to stay upright.
“Woah, woah, woah,” a man hurries, his arms catching me, breaking my fall. He bends his legs, slowly lowering me, cradling me in his arms.
I drag my heavy eyes open. Pupils as dark as Death’s eye bear down on me. Even with my poor state of consciousness, I’m mesmerised. They swallow me whole, blanketing me in a dreamy haze. “It’s, y—you.” Talking isn’t easy. I cough. Splutter.
The guy from the bar presses a heavy hand to my side as I take another long blink, enjoying the darkness trying to hijack me. It’s peaceful. Keeping my eyes open is too hard. Everything hurts.
But not when I look into his eyes .
I pull them open, seeing what I need to see.
“I need to get you to a hospital.”
I point to my car, unable to say any more words. The blackness is sticking around longer each time I close my eyes.
I’m instructed to open them on a harsh breath, and I try, I really do, but it’s pointless. “Shit.” The man here to save me stands to his feet. I only know I’m moving when my body jostles in his arms, the pain shooting like a bolt of lightning up my side.
“Ah,” I cry out, using all my energy and air. I immediately cough again, my body sagging further into his hold.
“Need you to be a warrior for me. All this will be okay; I promise.” He mutters a few more words which I miss, placing my body in the front passenger seat of my car. The seatbelt is quickly clicked into place around me. “Hold this on there,” he says, grabbing my hand for me and wedging something under my hold. I hear him round the car and open the driver’s door. “Keys?” he questions in a hurry.
“Out—there.”
He climbs back out, coming back a few moments later. The rattle in the ignition and the sound of the engine coming to life, drowns out everything else.
I slip, drifting away, unable to hold on to anything except those words. I need you to be a warrior . Then everything fades.