14. Winver
FOURTEEN
Icontinue to lay there with my legs still open, watching as he leaves.
Did that really just fucking happen?
My mind goes a million miles per minute as I take in what I just went through. I allowed it to happen because this time, I wanted it to. I wanted to see just how far he’d go, if he’d go anywhere at all, and sure enough he did. Right in between my thighs.
Earlier tonight I made it a point to not lock the balcony door. If break-ins were still going to happen one way or the other, I figured I might as well welcome them in. After being alone with my thoughts, I’ve decided to reel them in. If I need answers, I’m not going to find them acting like a little bitch. Of course there is still that feeling of fear, the unknown to what they could do. But I’ve been the naive, manipulated girl before…I’m not going to let it happen again.
My body’s been used against my terms before, but if I need to use my body to get answers from them, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I don’t care if that makes me a whore. If anything, it makes me hold more fucking power over them.
Working at a pub is not my specialty, but since moving here, it has to be. The first thing I did when I moved to Willow Creek was apply for jobs and this one was the only one that called back. My dad paid my first three months of rent until I could make some money on my own. Even when I did have an income he told me he’d pay my expenses, but I refused. I was finally making my own money, paying for my own shit, and living freely. I didn’t want to rely on anyone again.
Ever.
“Win, are you okay?” Ansley asks.
We both work at the pub which is great…sometimes.
“Yeahhh…do I not look okay?” I look down at my work outfit for the day. She leans into me, whispering so no customers can overhear. “You just look tired and kind of flustered. You sure everything’s okay?”
“I just didn’t sleep that much last night. I’m good, Ans!” I flash her a smile before going back to fixing another drink for a regular, Edward.
This whole day has dragged on torturously slow. I keep on thinking they’re here, scanning the pub every minute for them. I can feel them. I can feel them watching every step I take with every breath I breathe. Shaking the mixer, I pour it in a glass then slide it over to Edward.
“There ya go. Your Rusty Nail with an extra splash of lemon, just how you like it.”
He takes a sip, rolling his eyes back dramatically. “If anyone else makes my drink, it’s just not the same. Don’t tell my wife this but,” he leans over the bar, coming close to my ear, “this is the best one I’ve ever had,” he loudly whispers with his old, scruffy voice.
“Edward, isn’t your wife–”
“Dead? Yes. But I’m sure she’d be rolling around in her grave if she heard me say that.” A laugh escapes his lips before sipping his drink some more. I shake my head smiling as I clean the cocktail shaker. It’s a Monday so this place is dead. Only three other people take up the barstools, all of them older gentlemen whose spouses have probably been long gone, too.
Or just escaped an argument with.
“So…find you a man yet?” Edward asks, making my eyebrow raise in surprise.
“Nooo…” I wipe down the bartop around him. “I told you I didn’t need one,” he laughs, slapping the counter.
“Well of course nobody needs a partner. But it’s nice to have one. It was the greatest forty years of my life.”
“I did have a man, but his true colors showed. It made me despise your kind,” I say, leaning on the bar with my forearms.
“Oh honey, don’t let one man make you hate the rest of us.” He motions his hand around the bar to the other three men spaced out around the pub.
“I don’t know, Ed...The L word makes my skin crawl. I do hate a few men, though. Does that count?”
His gray eyebrows raise with disbelief. “Love? You hate love but you love hate?”
“Yup,” I pop the p.
“If you think you were in love, please, think again.” He gulps down the rest of his cocktail.
“Please, explain.” I open my hands for him to continue.
“Loving a person takes time. It’s not this instant feel of emotion you get. That’s lust…
So whoever made you fall out of love, turning into hate, wasn’t your love. They are simply an obstacle given to you in order to find love.” He pats my hand smiling, dismissing me when his eyes look at the television above the bar.
I stare off in the distance, reflecting on what he just said. He was never my love, but I sure as hell thought he was. Back then he was everything to me. It wasn’t just lust that I felt. I felt everything. But Edward’s right, the love I got wasn’t the love I gave. In return, it made me hate. How do I even go about love? How do I know when it’s actually love? Why am I even thinking this much into it?
“Win, go on and leave. I’ll close up,” Ansley says, coming up next to me.
“Are you sure? Want me to pick us up some dinner?”
“Yes I’m sure and nooo…” She bites her bottom lip, smiling.
“Oh right…you’re going to see Ian.” I wiggle my brows.
“Fuck yes, I am. Now go! Get some sleep.” She nudges me with her hip.
After I finish counting and collecting my tips for the day, I exit out the back of the building to the parking lot where employees park, noticing another note on my windshield. I run over and pick up the same old and burned edged note from before.
Do you see what I see?
I read it back a couple of times, looking around the parking lot for them or a sign as to what they’re talking about. I get in my car locking it immediately, then pull out of my phone to send him a text.
Me
Stop hiding and come out.
Ringleader
Where’s the fun in that?
Me
Really…?
Ringleader
You come out and show yourself.
I look around again, then behind me through the rear-view mirror. No one.
Me
Where are you?
Ringleader
Step into the night, angel.
My brows furrow together when I’m suddenly hit with the realization. I start my car, speeding out of the parking lot and heading to the place that I originally thought would just be a fun haunted house. I didn’t realize I was practically signing away selling my soul. Driving with one hand, I cross my heart with the other while Haunted by Isabel LaRosa plays in the background.
I had crossed my heart and truly hoped to die. Whether or not they were here with me right now, I just made a deal with three devils. There’s no turning back now.