Chapter 12 #3
He turns back toward me with half a smile. “What can you do?” he asks, taking my hand I think to hurry me along. “Do you have your RSA?”
“Everything, I’ve done plenty of bar work.”
With his hand still in mine, he leads me into the kitchen. I should pull away from him, but I don’t. I like his hands on me, makes the emptiness disappear instantly. “Garry, this is Dove, she’s going to be helping out round here. Make her feel at home.”
The big burly guy runs his dark eyes over me then shrugs. “What do you want to eat?” he grumbles.
“Burger and chips?” I smile, hoping to soften his glare.
“Hmm,” he grumbles, slapping a burger patty on the grill.
River keeps me moving away from the kitchen toward the bar. “Cook’s not one for many words, doesn’t really like people.”
“Understandable,” I agree. I don’t like many people either. It’s safer that way.
River leans into the bar. “You have any trouble, though, he’s the dude you want on your side.”
“Good to know.”
Down the far end of the bar is a girl probably close to my age, her blonde hair in a long braid. The T-shirt she has on is tied at the front, exposing her tanned belly. It reads “Beach Bar.” She glances up from counting the till when she sees us approaching. “Morning, boss.” She grins at River.
“Hey, Melanie, this is Dove. Can you show her the ropes? She’s going to help out.”
“Sure.” She smiles at me all friendly.
River leans in and kisses my cheek. My eyes flick up to him, wondering what on earth he’s doing, kissing me like that. “Behave, I’ll be over there sorting out some work,” he tells me.
I smirk at him. Him kissing me didn’t feel as awkward as it should. “When have I ever behaved?”
His look becomes more serious, and he motions to the bouncer at the door.
It’s a different one to last night, but he still looks oversized and scary as fuck.
“Do I need to remind you what happened last night, baby? It might look like I’m giving you some freedom here with me, but this place is Fort Knox, and they all know you’re not to leave without me. ”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Yeah, alright, I’ll be on my best behavior.” I draw a cross over my heart. It’s what I expected after the speech I got from Kasen last night, but it still pisses me off that they are treating me like a child, locking me up with them.
With one last stern look, he leaves us, heading over to the other side of the room to a booth where a laptop already sits waiting for him.
I wonder what exactly he’s doing on that thing?
Work for Kasen? I can’t imagine he has too much work for this place to do on it, unless it’s bookwork, but he was never very good at math, so I doubt it.
He used to get Bodhi to do all his homework for him, it was the only way he got through high school.
Melanie finishes up counting the till then leans back into the bar. “Are you dating River?” She comes right out and asks me what is clearly on her mind, even though she doesn’t know me at all.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “God, no, he’s… he’s just an old friend. Definitely not dating him,” I splutter, the words not coming out fast enough.
She nods, seeming satisfied with my answer. “Alright then, let’s get you started. First, you need a shirt.” She grabs a fresh T-shirt from under the counter and hands it to me. “They are oversized, but if you tie it in the front like I do, it won’t completely swim on you.”
It’s not long before Garry brings in my lunch and plonks it down on the bar with a grunt.
I eat my early lunch as I spend the next hour shadowing Melanie, learning how they like things done around here.
I hate to admit it, but River has created a fun work atmosphere.
This place is nothing like my old work. His staff are happy and seem to enjoy their job.
No sleazy bikers looking over their shoulders.
The bar fills up quickly as the lunchtime rush of tourists and local beachgoers come in search of a drink and some pretty decent food.
I’m soon in the flow of taking orders and dishing out drinks.
It’s not hard since I’ve been working behind a bar since I turned eighteen.
Every place is pretty much the same. The other staff seem relaxed, and I even got a half smirk out of the cook.
I could see myself fitting in here just fine.
Why I’m even contemplating that idea eludes me, but if I’m stuck in this town for a bit, maybe it’s not all bad.
I do need a way of earning some cash until I get back on my feet and work out my next move.
Could also be the perfect place to find out some information.
It might have been a long time since my mum was murdered but, in my experience, bars are the best place to overhear shit.
People have one too many drinks and their lips loosen.
Who knows what I might just overhear. That’s the lie I’m telling myself, anyway.
In reality, the man across the room is keeping me here, not because he’s literally guarding me so I can’t run, but because for the first time in so long, I can’t seem to want to leave.