Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Fifteen minutes before my shift is supposed to begin, I pull into the parking lot of Doc’s and park in my usual spot underneath the street light.
I shut the engine off and flip down my visor to give myself another once over before I go inside.
My hair is half up-half down in a claw clip and a few wisps hang down framing my face.
I put a light coat of mascara on my eyelashes and some eyeliner on, and did a light blush on my cheeks.
It’s no different than what I do for makeup on any other shift, but knowing that Maverick will be coming, I took a little extra time getting ready tonight.
I’m wearing my favorite pair of ripped boot-cut jeans that hug my curves just right, a black fitted t-shirt and my favorite pair of Converse.
Grabbing my zip-up hoodie off of the passenger seat, I pull it over my shoulders.
Tucking my hair into the hood, I open the door and step out into the rain.
I speed walk across the parking lot and tug the front door open of the bar.
It closes behind me and a shiver runs over my body when the warm air hits me.
Making my way towards the bar, I begin to slide my jacket off when I look up and see a very pissed off looking Ashlynn glaring at a man sitting at the end of the otherwise empty bar–a man I recognize as Karson. Maverick’s friend.
My eyebrows pinch together in the middle as I get closer and see the look he’s giving my friend. His lips are curled up into a sadistic looking grin. From the side it looks menacing. I round the back of the bar and shoot a confused glance his way.
“Parker!” He shouts excitedly and his arms fly out to his sides. His grin changes into a wide smile and his light grey eyes glitter with excitement.
“Karson! That is your name right?” I try to match his energy.
I drop my purse and sweatshirt in the cubby under the bar then place my hands on the top.
Glancing over my shoulder at Ashlynn, I can see from where I stand she’s vibrating with rage.
What the hell did I miss? My eyes slide back over to Karson whose shoulders bounce up and down with laughter as he pops some beer nuts into his mouth.
He props his elbows on the bar top, folds his hands together and points his two forefingers at me.
“Ding ding ding. Right answer.” He says in a low and menacing tone.
“Is everything okay here?” I ask both of them, confused. Ashlynn rolls her eyes and scoffs.
“Everything was fine until he showed up. But don’t waste your time, Parker. He’s like a gnat, easy to swat away.” She states and lifts an eyebrow before turning her back to start counting the cash in the register.
“That’s the thing about gnats, Terror.” He stands from his seat, pulls some cash from his front pocket and drops it on the bar.
“They keep coming back.” He shoots me a wink then plucks a cigarette from his pack and puts it between his lips.
He strides out of the bar, blowing Ashlynn a kiss before he pushes the door open and steps into the parking lot.
Walking over to the register where she stands, I lean my hip against the bar to face my friend, who ignores me for a moment. I cross my arms over my chest and lift an eyebrow at her, then clear my throat.
“No way in hell you’re leaving here until you spill. What was that all about?” She finally drops the cash drawer back into the register then turns to look at me. Her blue eyes are swimming in a chaos of emotions.
“Are you okay?” I ask her and drop my arms.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She exhales. “He’s just so fucking irritating.”
“You know him?” I ask incredulously.
She nods and I can see the gears in her mind turning before she finally speaks.
“He’s been coming in here for a few weeks.
I wouldn’t say he’s a regular, but he’s here enough.
I’ve never had any issues with him, his presence just pisses me off.
” She shakes her head. “But I’m good, I promise.
I can handle him.” She gives my arm a light squeeze in an effort to reassure me.
It doesn’t work, I don’t believe her, but I don’t argue either.
She grabs her purse and drapes her jacket over her arm then juts her chin towards Cole.
“I don’t know what the deal with the two of them is, but he was fucking with Cole before he sat down.
” I look over at Cole, and he seems just as flustered as Ashlynn.
Looking back to her, I decide when he gets here tonight, I’ll ask Maverick what the deal with Karson is.
She lets out a huff and shakes her head before putting her hand on my arm.
“Don’t worry about me, Parker. Seriously, I’m fine.
I’ve got to get going, but I hope you have a good shift.
” She gives me a soft smile before stepping around me and making her way out of the bar.
I glance at the clock that hangs on the wall behind me and see that it’s a little after nine-thirty.
If we do get busy tonight, people should start coming in any minute.
He should be here any minute, too. A wave of nervous excitement comes over me and I decide to busy myself by sweeping the floor and making sure the bottles that line the back wall are stocked.
An hour later and the bar is practically full.
Some play pool, others are playing darts and a few sit staggered at the bar.
Cole is perched in his usual corner watching a group of men who are starting to get a little rowdy but otherwise, it’s been a calm night.
I’m taking a girl's drink order when the door opens. I flick my eyes in the direction of the door that’s now hidden behind Maverick.
He runs his fingers through his hair and shakes out some of the rain that’s still coming down outside.
His eyes immediately find mine and his lips tip into a sideways smirk.
I feel the heat rise to my cheeks immediately, but I don’t look away.
I keep my eyes locked on his which earns me a heart stopping, full smile.
“Ma’am. Ma’am did you hear me?” The girl who’s order I was taking asks and I shake my head and look back at her.
“I am so sorry. Could you repeat that for me one more time?” I ask.
Out of the corner of my eye I watch Maverick stride to the end of the bar and take a seat.
The girl repeats her order and I make quick work of making her a margarita.
After making sure everyone at the bar has their drinks, I turn and grab a bottle of bourbon off the back wall and a glass.
Looking over my shoulder I see Maverick’s green eyes watching my every move as I pour the amber liquid into the glass.
I smile and put the bottle away then carry the glass over to him, sliding it across the bar top.
“Thank you, Sweetheart.” The low gravel in his voice washes over me and sets my insides on fire with excitement.
“You’re welcome.” He takes a sip of the liquid and I watch his adams apple bob up and down as he swallows.
I bite the corner of my bottom lip and his green eyes darken over the rim of his glass.
He places it on top of the bar and gives me a wolfish grin.
He spins the glass between his thumb and middle finger before he leans forward.
“Watch it, pretty girl. If you keep biting that lip, I’m going to rip your clothes off and bury myself inside of you in front of all of these people.
” I gasp, releasing my lip and stare at him wide eyed.
He lets out a dark chuckle then leans back in his seat.
He brings the glass to his lips again then looks around the bar.
Cole looks over in our direction then gives Maverick a slight nod before he looks at me for a moment, then back at the group playing pool.
“How’s the night going?” Maverick asks.
“It’s been good. Karson was here when I came in.” I state and Maverick lifts an eyebrow.
“Was he?” He asks, intrigued as he takes another sip of his bourbon. Placing the glass down on the bar, he keeps his tattooed hand wrapped around the glass.
“Yeah. I’m not sure what I walked in on, but Ashlynn seemed pissed off. And he seemed…like he was enjoying rattling her cage.” I say and watch Maverick for a reaction. He only nods his head a couple of times before his eyes meet mine.
“Sounds like him. Did she tell you why she was upset?” He asks me and my brows pinch together in the middle.
“Come to think of it, no. She just said she could handle him.” Maverick lets out a dark laugh and shakes his head.
“Let’s hope she’s right.” He says before tossing back the rest of his drink.
I open my mouth to ask what he means, but he stands and leans across the bar then reaches out to cup my cheek with his right hand.
“I have some things I need to talk to Cole about. I’ll be back in a little bit.
” He brushes his thumb across my bottom lip and pulls it from beneath my teeth.
My breath hitches. I hadn’t even realized I bit it.
He pulls his hand away and brings his thumb to his mouth before closing his lips around it and sucks.
God damnit. Heat pools in my core and I squeeze my thighs together.
Of course, he notices and chuckles before turning his back and walking toward Cole, leaving me standing in place panting.
About an hour later, another group of people come through the door and I look up to see them join the group at the pool tables.
Maverick is still speaking with Cole, both of them now sitting in the back corner booth hunched over the table.
There’s only one person at the bar so I decide to take advantage of the moment and go use the restroom.
I emerge from behind the bar and walk over to where Cole and Maverick are sitting.
Both cease talking and look up at me. My gaze flits between the two of them.
“I’m just going to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” I say to Cole who nods, and Maverick leans back in the seat, watching our brief exchange. I give him a soft smile then walk past the pool tables and down a short, dark hallway then enter the bathroom on the right hand side.
After washing my hands, I exit the bathroom to the sound of Bow Down by I Prevail blasting throughout the bar.
I stop short of the end of the hallway when I feel eyes on me.
Goosebumps raise on my arms as I make eye contact with a pair of dark brown, beady eyes that are staring me down through the group playing pool.
He’s wearing dark colored jeans, combat style boots and a black hoodie that’s pulled up over his head.
His greasy auburn hair pokes out around the rim of his hood.
My heart slams against my rib cage and I try to shake off the gut feeling of needing to run.
It’s the same man who waited for me outside after I kicked him out for trying to grab onto me more than once a month ago.
I don’t want to deal with this shit. I steel my nerves and pull my shoulders back then go to take my place back behind the bar.
Just before I make it to the safety of behind the bar, a hand wraps around my wrist. I turn around and look down at the long, skinny fingers that grip my wrist and rip it out of his hold.
My eyes dart to the back corner where I see Cole and Maverick watching the interaction intensely.
Maverick is about to stand when Cole says something to him and he pauses.
His face remains calm, but I can see his body vibrating from here.
“Get your fucking hands off of me.” I say through gritted teeth.
Yanking my arm from his grasp, I walk back behind the bar and over to a couple whose glasses are empty, and ask if they’d like refills or to close their tab.
They ask for a refill and I grab the bottle.
When I turn back around the red-headed man is sitting in a seat next to them and he gives me a grin that makes me shiver.
Walking over to the bar, I ignore the man's presence and pour the couple their drinks. They thank me then head towards the dart board area, and I turn to put the bottle away but I’m grabbed once again.
This time he yanks me closer to him, with one hand wrapped around the bar to anchor himself.
I can feel Maverick’s presence close by, but this man is oblivious because he just stares at me and smiles.
“How about we give us another try, Babydoll. Whatta ya say?” He says in a low mocking tone that fuels the rage boiling inside of me.
I stare at his hand wrapped around my left wrist for a moment before I look back into his shit brown eyes and offer him a sweet smile.
“I said, get your fucking hands off of me.” I grit out and watch as his eyes begin to simmer with anger.
Bringing back my right hand that's holding the bottle, I swing it like an axe, coming down on top of the hand he has wrapped around the bar.
Glass explodes and alcohol rains down on my arms and face.
Blood pours from his hand as he lets out a pained scream and releases my arm to clutch his injured hand, just as a massive shadow appears behind him.