4. Chapter Four
4
Chapter Four
Nicari
sometime later…
W hen Mel told me she was able to get me a job, I was appreciative, even though I told her she didn’t have to. When she told me that the job would be at Linc’s, I almost fainted. Linc’s was Buck’s sports bar. That meant that I would be in constant contact with him. Nobody couldn’t tell me I hadn’t died and gone to heaven because this was definitely a dream come true. When I asked her how she pulled that off, she just informed me she was cool with someone one close to them. I didn’t care if she was fucking their daddy; I was just glad that I would be around Buck on a more consistent basis. The night that we shared still played in my head. Even though he was known for his one-night stands, a girl still had her dreams.
Even though I had to go in at five. I got very little sleep in anticipation of seeing Buck again tonight. When I went in to do my paperwork, I was informed that I would be working at the bar with Armani. I found out her name when I went back, and I knew right then she would be an issue. It was clear that she felt some kind of way about me leaving with Buck that night. She either wanted to fuck him and couldn’t, or he fucked her and was no longer paying her any attention. Either way, she better stay in her lane, and I’ll stay in mine. It was another girl working that night. Hopefully, she had a better attitude than Armani’s duck ass.
After my shower, I went back into my room and smiled at my uniform that was sprawled out on the bed. It consisted of a red baby tee with the word ‘LINC’S’ plastered across the chest in bold gold letters surrounded by flames. The bottoms consisted of black shorts that stopped right below my butt cheeks. We had to wear black boots, so I complimented mine with a pair of black fishnet stockings and red socks. After wrapping half of my braids up in a bun and let the back hang, I made sure my lashes were on point and swiped a layer of nude gloss on my lips. My jewelry was minimal since I was still technically serving. I only wore my Apple watch, small hoop earrings, a small gold chain, and my small stud nose ring. Once I gave myself a nod of approval, I smiled at my reflection just as my phone notified me that my rideshare had pulled up. Quickly, I grabbed my bag, phone, and keys. My mama wasn’t home from work yet and Keenan was still after school, since it was only after four. I left early to make sure I got there on time, with it being my first day and all. Besides, I was hoping to see Buck’s fine ass again.
I was a ball of nerves the entire ride to Linc’s. A part of me wanted to tell the driver to turn around and take me back home, but I know I couldn’t do that, so I sucked it up and got myself together. When we pulled up, the crowd hadn’t gotten there yet since the first game didn’t start until seven. I thanked the driver and headed inside and reported to the bar like I was told. When I got there, I saw Kasha.
“Hey,” I spoke once I approached her.
“Hey. You’re early. That’s a good look. Buck hates tardiness. If you want to be on his good side, do your job and stay out of his way. He may come off as an asshole, but he’s a good guy,” she recited. She was telling me all this stuff about how to stay on his good side, but his side wasn’t where I wanted to be.
I followed Kasha as she showed me to the employee lounge where they had lockers and a lounging area. She showed me where to put my things and I followed her back upfront. When we got back to the bar, Armani was there. When she saw me, her eyes popped out of her head while my face housed a taunting smirk.
“This the new girl you were talking about?” she snarled.
“It is. I want you to make sure she knows the ropes. You know what Buck expects, and I don’t want to hear his mouth. I know you don’t either,” she stated.
“Hear my mouth about what? You up here talking shit about me already, Kash?” My eyes snatched in his direction, and I swear I had a mini orgasm looking at this man. When his eyes met mine, a look of familiarity flashed in them before he turned his attention back to Kasha.
“Make sure she’s good to go before the rush starts,” he addressed Kasha. “Armani and Jaz, y’all make sure you show her how things go up here,” he demanded.
“You don’t think this is a conflict of interest?” Armani spat.
“It’ll be one for you if you can’t do your fuckin’ job and mind your business. At any point, you don’t deem yourself confident enough to do so. Let me know and you can get the fuck on. Other than that, do what the fuck you get paid to do and stop running your dick suckers.” The way he just read her had me scared to do anything. I stood quietly as I waited for somebody to say something…anything.
“Goldie, you’ll be training for tonight only so pay attention and keep up.” When he called me Goldie, it sent a tingle down my spine. That’s what he called me the night we were together.
Blushing, I responded, “Okay.”
I watched as he swaggered off and disappeared around the corner while Kasha stayed behind and ran a few things down to me. Armani acted as if she had a dick stuck up her ass, but I didn’t care about her attitude. I was just happy to have a job. Buck, being my boss, was just an added incentive.
“Girl, ignore Armani. She hates everybody because she swears she’s Buck’s bottom bitch.” Jaz came over and filled me on a few things. She wasn’t like Armani at all, and I appreciated it. I didn’t think I would be able to work with two hating ass hoes.
The first few hours were slow but steady and I was able to catch on easily. All the customers at the bar were fine, so I decided to stand on the far end and observe everything. When I got in the corner I posted up in, a guy that favored Buck was taking a seat. He had to be his brother because they were damn near identical. The only difference was his hair was cut low and adorned with waves, and he sported a nose ring.
“Wassup, shorty?” he spoke, exposing his dimples and grill. His was diamond clad and only covered the bottom row of his teeth while Buck rocked one on the top and bottom.
“What can I get you?” I approached, setting a napkin down in front of him.
“You can start with’ ya number,” he flirted.
“Not an option. What else you got?” I smirked. I didn’t know if he knew I had slept with his brother or not, but I wasn’t that kind of girl. Yeah, I may have slept with Buck after one interaction, if you could even call it that. That was something I wanted to do. I was far from a toss-up, so he was barking up the wrong tree.
“Damn, my bad.” He threw his hand up in mock surrender. “Lemme get a Corona, no lime.”
Nodding, I turned around and went to retrieve his beer from the beer cooler. When I returned, Buck was standing beside him. My breath got caught in my throat as I approached the two.
“Here, you go. Can I get you something else?” I asked.
“Nah, I’m good right now.”
Glancing at Buck, I asked the same question.
“Nah. I’m good,” he stated dryly.
Once again, I nodded and went back to the other end of the bar, where I noticed Armani had been eyeing me like a watchdog the entire time.
“Pussy must not be that good. He won’t even acknowledge you.” she smirked.
“Must be better than yours, because he won’t even look at you,” I fired back as I turned to walk off, making Jaz giggle.
I hope I didn’t have to deal with this girl’s funky ass attitude the entire time because one of us wouldn’t make it if she kept on with her smart ass mouth.
The rest of the night went by smoothly. Armani didn’t say anything else to me, and I didn’t care one bit. Jaz was cool, so I stuck with her most of the night. Since I was new, they had her show me how to close. Once I did everything, I pulled out my phone and ordered a rideshare so I could go home. On my way out of the employee lounge, I ran into Buck…literally.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered.
He stared at me blankly.
“Thank you for the job. I really needed it.”
His only response was his back that he gave me once he walked off.
Fine asshole.
Gathering my things, I headed up front and waited on my ride. I no longer saw Buck, but Kasha was still here.
“Shit, I left my jacket.”
Turning on my heels, I went back toward the back of the bar where the employee lounge was located so that I could get my jacket before the car got here. Once I retrieved it, I headed back up front but stopped by the restroom first. When I walked in, I got the shock of my life to see Armani on her knees with Buck’s dick gliding down her throat. His eyes locked with mine, and I quickly snatched them away. When I looked down at Armani, she had a smirk on her face. Shaking my head, I laughed as I backed out of the bathroom to give them their privacy. I don’t know why I was in my feelings, but I was. I wasn’t gone let it get the best of me, though. I know what type of nigga he is, and as for Armani, that bitch was just delusional as hell.
***
I made it home and showered before calling Mel and telling her about my first night. I went into detail, telling her everything, including walking in on Buck getting his dick sucked.
“See, this is why I didn’t want you to get involved with him, and now you work there. That’s my fault though. I’ll see if I can find you something else because I really don’t want to come up there and beat his ass about you, Nic,” she threatened.
“Mel, I promise I’m good. He’s not my man, and that bitch is just doing what hoes do. As long as I can make my money, I’m fine,” I assured her.
“If you say so, but the minute that changes, I’m on his ass,” she warned.
Laughing my sister off, I talked to her a little longer before she got a call. She thought she was slick, but I knew she had a secret man stashed somewhere, and whoever it was had money. She insisted she wasn’t talking to anyone, but when her Honda put her down; she ended up with a brand new GLE straight off the lot. She could tell that lie to somebody who believed it, but I didn’t. As long as she was happy, then I was good.
After I hung up with my sister, I got ready for bed since I would be working the lunch shift tomorrow. I wanted to be well rested so I could look my best just in case I ran into Buck. I couldn’t wait to see him, even if he was an asshole.