Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Hours later, I’m feeling rested and much better when I pull into Doc’s parking lot for my shift, which is packed.
Weaving through the throng of cars I curse under my breath when I notice my usual spot under the streetlamp is taken.
Driving around the back instead, I pull up along the side of the building, deciding to take a spot closest to the door.
Making a mental note to move it as soon as I can, I shift the car out of drive and into park.
Light rain patters on the windshield of my jeep and I prepare to step out into the cool, damp air.
Tugging the hood of my rain jacket over my head, I exit the car and jog to the front door.
“Hey girl!” Ashlynn shouts in greeting over the deep thump of the music. She gives me a huge smile as she pours a drink for one of the customers and when I round the back of the bar she wraps me in a hug.
“How’s your shift been?” I ask, placing my things below the bar. When I straighten up again she rolls her eyes when I look at her.
“You know, just another Saturday. No issues so far but the night is still early. Hopefully you won't have any problems.”
I smirk, “You know I’m not worried about ‘problems’,” I say making air quotes around the word, “I can handle it.”
She throws her head back and laughs. Her smile splits her face, contrasting the annoyance I just heard.
Ashlynn is gorgeous. She’s about my height with big crystal-blue eyes, pouty lips and waist length copper colored hair.
Tonight, she has it in big waves, half of it out of her face. Framing her face perfectly—of course.
“Don’t I know it but still, it makes for a shitty night when someone comes in acting like a dick.”
I can't argue with her there. I’d rather just come in and have a smooth night but that isn't always the case.
“Besides, we have a newby. Seems like James figures we need some extra muscle to keep people in line. We have our very own babysitter now. Sorry, bouncer.” She waves her hand, dismissively, then points to the back corner of the bar.
Interesting. We’ve never needed a bouncer before. Any issue I’ve had on my shift I’ve managed to de-escalate, though sometimes interference from other customers has been needed. Even Ash’s afternoon shifts are uneventful.
Lifting a brow, I look over my shoulder to see a man tucked where Ash had just pointed to.
Our new shadow is standing with his arms folded across his chest and his foot resting on the wall.
He’s probably around six feet tall, with short blond hair.
The look on his face says he’s not happy about being here—neither are we.
He scans the busy crowd, his head on a swivel, seemingly engrossed in his duties.
That’s when I notice the cuts on his lip and eyebrow, and what looks like a black eye.
Looking back at Ashlynn, she shrugs at the question in my eyes.
“That guy?” I ask, nodding my head in his direction. “He looks like he’s had his ass kicked already.”
She lifts one shoulder, “I have no idea. James hasn't been in for me to ask about it, but it is what it is. Big guy showed up around six and hasn’t moved, camping there like a creep. He’s not in the way so, whatever I guess. Maybe it’ll work out.”
Maybe. It might be nice to have someone else here with me through my shift and during closing.
“Do you have plans tomorrow? I was thinking we could hang out. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She asks me, grabbing her jacket and keys.
“You saw me two days ago in this exact spot, but no I have nothing going on. Text me in the morning.” Ash is a little dramatic but I love her all the same. She’s my only friend here, and honestly, the best friend I have ever had.
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll see you in the morning with coffee!” She kisses my cheek and hurries out from behind the bar. Squeezing past guests in only the way she can do, looking lithe and graceful.
“Have a good night! Love you!” She shouts back at me before darting out of the door and into the rain—giving her a little wave as I set to work.
It’s almost midnight and the crowd has only grown larger within the last hour. It’s a full house tonight and I couldn't be more happy about it. I’ve needed a distraction from the strange things that have been happening the last couple of nights, and last night's dreams.
“Here you go.” I say to one of my customers, sliding his bottled beer over the counter.
He turns back to his buddies at one of the pool tables, paying me no mind, when the door opens.
I look over to see two more men walk in.
Two massive men. They don’t stop at the bar or even spare a glance in my direction.
Beelining to the back of the bar where the new babysitter, or whatever you want to call him, is still standing.
I need to find out his name before I leave tonight.
Bouncer-boy straightens his stance as the three of them engage in what looks like a little bit of a heated discussion.
Busying myself with washing some glasses, I occasionally steal glances in their direction.
The two newcomers have their backs to me.
where I can’t read their lips. They tower over the third, who looks more irritated than before.
Who are these guys?
I put the last glass on the dish rack and begin to dry my hands as their quick exchange comes to an end and the two turn to leave.
One of them has disheveled sandy-colored hair, intricate looking tattoos that cover his neck, and there's a cigarette tucked behind his ear.
He looks pissed and is talking to the other animatedly.
Glancing over to his friend, I note a bored expression as he listens to the former's rant.
Like his partner, he’s insanely tall, though maybe a little more so.
With tattoos covering the exposed skin of his neck and hands, onyx colored hair that’s shorter on the sides and longer on the top.
Styled in a messy ‘I woke up like this’ look with a few wavy strands hanging across his forehead.
He stops mid stride to look at his friend but his green eyes slam into mine instead.
Damn, caught staring.
Heat flames my cheeks, turning away from him, I hurry to the other end of the bar to see if anyone needs refills. I take the orders of the three sitting there but when I turn to grab their drinks, my shoulders sag in relief when I notice the men are gone.
Two hours later, I lock the door and turn to see the new bouncer still in his spot. I honestly forgot he was there. The entire night he didn’t make any attempt to introduce himself, and I got so busy I kind of shifted his existence to the back burner and left him there..
Steeling my nerves I make my way over to where he stands, intent on putting a name to his face.
“I’m Parker by the way.” I say and extend my hand.
He looks down at it and then his blue eyes meet mine, eyeing me with indignation. Ooookay?
Annoyed and a little embarrassed, I cross my arms over my chest. “Okay, well anyway, I got this. I can tell you’d rather not be here so you can go.” Dismissing myself, I head back behind the bar to begin my closing duties when he finally speaks.
“Cole, and no can do. I stay until you leave.”
“Alright. Can you at least stand outside?”
“It’s not preferable.” He retorts, looking even more irritated than before I asked.
“Okay fine. But I have cleaning to do, and I like to listen to music while I do it.”
He shrugs, and finds a seat in the booth closest to him, flopping down unceremoniously. “By all means, pretend I’m not here.”
Fat chance of that happening now when it's just the two of us in here. Letting out an annoyed breath I turn on my playlist and begin cleaning. Getting lost in the music, I don’t realize how fast time moves. The next thing I know, I’m walking to my car with grumpy-Cole behind me.
“You know,” I state, “I can walk myself, there’s no need to follow me.”
“Unfortunately, I do. Trust me, I’m not pleased about this job, and less happy that I have to walk you to your car.” His pissed off tone has me turning toward him, almost slamming into his body.
“I didn’t realize that was part of a bouncer's job.” I huff, mutually displeased.
“Yeah, me either. Car.” He juts his chin toward where I’m parked. Damn, I never did get the chance to move it.
Jeez, this guy is an ass. I climb in and turn the engine over until it purrs to life.
Cole makes his way over to his own vehicle, disappearing inside of the cab seconds before the headlights illuminate from him starting it.
I’m sitting here, glaring at him, when the asshole flashes the high-beams at me, signaling for me to pull off.
Rolling my eyes, I put the car in drive and exit the parking lot, relieved when I see Cole head in the opposite direction.
Once I’m home and freshly showered once again, I drag myself to my bed.
My nap earlier was enough to get me through the night, but now I feel like I could sleep for a week.
Sliding under the covers, I pull out my phone and open the app for my cameras.
I am determined to catch whatever it is that’s been lurking around my house the last two nights.
Even if it’s just an animal, I don't like feeling uneasy in my own home. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I never would again, and even if it’s just Bambi and his friends getting braver, I need to know what’s outside my house.
I pull up the cameras one by one and watch intently, combing through the footage for hours, forgoing the sleep I desperately wanted. I watch, pause, rewind and rewatch each recording. I try again to zoom in on the figure that’s moving in the treeline but I still cannot make out what it is.
With a frustrated groan, I toss the phone to the end of the bed and drag my hands along my face.
This can’t be happening. Doubt begins to gnaw at me—maybe I’m losing it.
Maybe the time I’ve spent secluded is starting to catch up with me and playing mind tricks.
I try to bat that thought away as quickly as it comes in, but my inability to decipher what it is on the footage tells me I’m paranoid.
Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, five a.m. stares at me in bright bold red numbers.
Son of a bitch. Two hours looking at nothing.
Sitting up, I snatch my phone from the foot of the bed and put it on the charger once I set my alarms for a few hours from now.
Cursing myself for worrying and remembering Ashlynn is supposed to be coming over.
Getting comfortable on the mattress, I pull the covers up to my chin and start dozing when I hear it, barely audible but it’s there.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Footsteps. On the deck, just outside the french doors of my bedroom.
Shooting up, I reach into the nightstand and grab my weapon.
Ensuring it is loaded as I stomp over to the doors.
Now I’m pissed off. I just spent hours losing sleep, looking for proof and came up empty handed.
My obsession with the damn cameras almost had me feeling like I was losing my mind.
Jerking a cardigan off the back of the chair sitting next to the doors, I shove my feet into a pair of slippers at warp speed.
I’ve got you now.
Unlocking the doors, I yank them wide open.
The framed glass bounces off the walls, making both rattle and shudder with the force.
Jumping onto the porch with my weapon raised, I scan the deck as my heart hammers in my chest, threatening to claw its way into my throat.
Following a brief pause, I cautiously creep in the direction I heard the steps shuffle.
My body presses against the corner of the house when I come to the end, using it as cover in the event something is lingering around the edge.
Drawing in deep breath then holding it, I look around the corner and my body sags. There’s nothing.
There is no way!
My face heats and I let out a strangled scream.
How is there nothing? I know what the hell I saw, I know what I heard!
I’m not going insane, there’s something out here.
I step off the porch and begin to walk around the house, looking at the ground as I hunt for any kind of evidence that I’m not losing my shit.
Every few steps I look up and survey the tree line that surrounds my house, then continue my security check.
After I secure the entirety of the tree line, house perimeter, and walking to the end of the driveway to see if there’s maybe a car I haven’t seen before, I once again come up empty. Which is bullshit, I will find whatever is out here lurking like a damn phantom.
Storming my way back inside, I slam the doors shut, lock them and head straight back to the cameras.
Nothing.
Hot, scalding tears threaten to spill over my bottom lashes when my throat starts tightening to the point of pain.
Shoving my face into the mattress, I scream until my throat loosens and starts to burn as I run out of oxygen.
The thought that someone’s watching me is bothersome, but the idea that I am losing my mind is beyond terrifying.
I have fought for too long—built myself back up piece by shattered piece and I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow myself to lose it now.
Somehow I manage to calm my racing heart and put a stop to the tears that are trying to escape. Their silence leaves a gaping void in my chest but I refuse to let weakness show when something is watching me so intently. Finally, black takes over my vision as the adrenaline wears off and I pass out.