11.
My shift had passed very quickly. Johnny and I worked the bar while Kyle restocked.
The bar crowd was slowly starting to disperse as the early hours of the morning encroached upon them.
Similar to other bars, we usually stopped serving alcohol about an hour before closing time which never failed to make someone upset.
Thankfully, Johnny was the unlucky one tonight. I tried to contain my laugh at the sight of him fighting off a group of drunk girls yelling at him to give them shots.
I walked in the back to retrieve more rags to continue cleaning the front and when I walked back out, Kyle and Johnny were bent over the bar each flirting with the small group of girls.
I used to get annoyed at the sight of them doing this, Kyle more so than Johnny, but for some odd reason I was just amused by them.
I nudged Johnny with my elbow and stuck out the broom I conveniently also brought from the back.
I couldn't order Kyle around but I wasn't going to close the entire bar by myself.
Getting the hint my eyes were giving him, he took the broom and started working while passing me a mock glare.
At Johnny's disappearance, Kyle pushed himself off the bar, bid his goodbye to the girls who wouldn't remember his name in five minutes, and walked away to his office.
Eventually, the loud music stopped and the dim lights brightened to their full intensity. We had managed to clean everything at record speed and were slowly getting our things ready to leave. I yawned as I checked my phone for the time.
3:30 am
Thankfully I had studied earlier in the day so when I got home, all I needed to do was get some much-needed sleep. Tomorrow was Saturday so I didn't need to be up and ready for the impending doom Mr. Morrentti was.
I waited for the guys by the door. I knew if I tried to leave without one of them they would hunt me down and just follow me the entire way to my apartment. I might as well be nice and warm in a car if they're going to insist on making sure I get home safe.
"Char, you need a ride?" Johnny asked as he walked towards me.
"If you don't mind."
"I could never mind." His arm reached out and messed with my unruly curls.
While waiting for Kyle, we stood there discussing assignments and professors. We made plans to meet up on Monday and study. Kyle eventually came out and locked up the bar.
He turned around and blew out a puff of air.
"Good job tonight. You guys killed it."
"Thanks, man."
I nodded while giving him a small smile.
The boys quickly engaged in a small conversation about the group of girls.
Johnny was already going out of his way to drop me off.
I didn't want to be rude and cut his conversation short but I couldn't help it when another yawn escaped me.
Kyle's gaze flickered to me and he chuckled as he examined my tired figure.
"Come on, Charlotte. I'll bring you home."
"Oh, it's okay Kyle. I already offered." Kyle's head snapped to Johnny. His eyes hardened as he looked into Johnny's eyes.
"I insist." His jaw was tense and his grip subconsciously tightened on his bag, making the veins on his arms pop with the force of it.
"As do I. It's late and it's on my way. We're practically neighbors."
Something was going on. It was as if they were communicating mentally as they stared into each other's eyes. Their bodies had both turned tense and they stood to their full height, as if trying to intimidate one another.
I knew they were competitive, but to nearly fight over who gets to bring me home was beyond stupid.
I stepped forward and wrapped my arm around Johnny's. Their staring competition stopped as they both looked down at me.
"Tonight, Johnny will bring me home. Next time, you can. Deal?"
Kyle's eyes softened as he took in my tired figure once more. He took a small step back and nodded at me. With mine and Johnny's arms still intertwined, I pulled him forward. We were nearly at his car when Kyle's voice stopped me.
"I'll be holding you to that." I gave him a tiny salute as a response.
The drive wasn't very long. I could tell there was something on his mind by the way his hands gripped the steering wheel.
"Thank you, Johnny. See you Monday?" I asked while gathering my things and opening the door when he stopped in front of my building.
"Is there something going on between you and Kyle?"
I turned to look at him. His grip didn't loosen as he stared at the car parked in front of him.
"No? Why?"
I fully stepped out of the car but bent slightly at the waist to look at him.
"I was just curious. I thought I picked up on a vibe.
I'll see you on Monday. Text me where to meet you.
" His hands dropped from the steering to rest on his thighs.
He turned to look at me and whatever solemn expression he had several seconds ago was wiped away by his bright smile and green jade eyes.
I shut the car door and made my way to my floor. I was so tired that I could barely function.
The incessant ringing of my doorbell woke me up.
The time on my phone told me I wasn't going to be able to get in my seven hours of sleep.
Whoever was at the door needed a lesson on doorbell etiquette.
You do not ring the doorbell before the time is double digits and you most certainly do not ring it a million times.
"What?" I growled as I opened the door.
Mr. Morrenti stood there, leaning against my door frame lazily pressing my doorbell. He straightened up slowly as I stood in front of him, grumpy and annoyed.
"About time. I was beginning to think the button was broken."
"What can I do for you, Mr. Morrentti?" I closed my eyes as I pinched the bridge of my nose. If I didn't find the will to be patient, it wasn't going to be pretty for anyone.
"I need you at the office. I have an emergency concerning a deal with Nano Associates."
"Fine." Keeping my eyes closed, I turned to get dressed. When I didn't hear his footsteps following I turned to see him staring at what I assumed to have been my ass. I was in my soft flannel pjs that seemed to hug every curve perfectly.
A blush spread throughout my cheeks as his weighted gaze scanned up to reach mine.
I stood rooted as he stepped forward, closing the door behind him.
His eyes never left mine as he walked slowly in my direction.
My breath caught in my throat as he was within arms reach and for a slight second, I thought he might come closer, too close.
Instead, he sidestepped me and sat on the couch.
His left ankle rested on his right thigh as he spread his arms along the back of the couch.
His aura was intense to the point I could sense the arrogance and cockiness emanating from him in waves.
His slightly parted button-down stretched over his chest, revealing dark swirls of ink waiting to be discovered.
My eyes drank him in greedily as if he were the only cup of water in the entire desert. My fingers shook slightly and I could feel my chest moving irregularly. I needed to reign in some control.
"I'll go get ready," I said, hoping I sounded normal. Or at least, whatever being normal around him looked like.
"I'll be here." His mouth pulled up slightly to the left as he continued to look at me.
I turned on my heel and made my way into my room, knowing his eyes were glued to me the entire way there.
I needed to get my thoughts together if I was going to survive an entire day, let alone the next month and a half with him.
Written: 11/23