Sixteen
Scarlett
“S o, do you want to tell me what you’re thinking about? You haven’t said two words since we left. What’d your dad say to you?” Roxy’s questions cut through my thoughts.
“He…uh… He finally realized that my love life is none of his business. I’m free to spend time with whoever I want, even if it’s Shark,” I breathe out, still unable to fully believe the conversation I had with my dad just fifteen minutes ago.
“Damn. No wonder you’re quiet. How are you going to break it to Alex?” she asks, adding another layer to my current crisis.
My phone buzzes against my palm and I glance down at the screen to see a new text from Alex. What am I going to do?
*Hey! Hate to do this, but I need to change our plans. They need me to fill in for someone at work and I can’t turn down the extra $$. If you want to hang out at the bar, I’ll take care of any food and drinks you want. Please…
“Alex has to work. He got called in to cover for someone, but he still wants me to come to the bar,” I share with Roxy.
“Well, I guess that makes it a little easier, since it’s not technically a date any more. You can just let him down easy,” she suggests.
“But should I?” I say out loud as the question spins in my head.
“What? Are you crazy? Your dad just gave you the green light to choose whoever you want and you’re still considering a date with Alex. Sure, he’s nice and all, but you shouldn’t settle,” Roxy jumps on me immediately. “Plus, you barely know him. You should explore your other options.”
“But I barely know Shark either,” I reason.
“That’s true, but you already admitted that it’s Shark who gives you the warm and fuzzies. And I’d rather spend one night with a guy who makes me feel like that, then a hundred with one who can pour me a drink and smile at me,” Roxy makes her feelings on the subject clear.
I push out a deep breath as she pulls into the casino entrance to drop me off. My plan is to meet Alex, have a drink and then take my car and go home to figure out what I really want.
“Good luck,” Roxy offers as I open the door to climb out. “Just call or text if you need me.”
“Thank you,” I respond before closing the car door and taking a step towards the wide casino doors as they open like magic for me to walk through.
???
Three hours later and I’m still glued to my seat at the bar. I’ve only gotten up to use the bathroom and drop a few dollars at the slot machines. Alex has been great to talk to, completely understanding. I didn’t expand on the whole story, but I gave him the basic scenario. Controlling Dad and family, and now I have more freedom to make my own choices. He actually told me that he understood.
“I understand. I know it’s not the same, but I was in a relationship for a while and when we broke it off, I suddenly felt this sense of relief. Don’t stress on it. We’re just getting to know each other, I’m not expecting a commitment,” he had said, touching my hand softly across the bar. It was subtle, but sweet.
At that point I had decided to stay. I can still get to know him, even if it isn’t romantic, he could still be a friend. Picking up one of the lingering French fries on my plate, I dip it in ketchup before taking a bite. Alex finishes with a couple customers down the bar and makes his way back over to me.
“Do you want some more fries?” he asks noticing my almost empty plate.
“No, I’m so full. Maybe just some water. I should probably get ready to go,” I answer.
After sucking down my glass of water, I say goodbye to Alex and leave to find my car where I left it yesterday. Unlocking the driver’s side door, I slide into my seat and let my foot rest on the brake pedal. I press the button on the dash, but nothing happens. I try again, still nothing.
Shit.
Climbing out, I re-lock the door and make the long walk back down to the bar. Alex is serving a group of three beautiful young women, and I watch as they throw their heads back in laughter. He’s clearly laying on the flirting bartender act pretty thick.
His gaze lifts and his eyes catch on me causing his smile to waiver. But there’s no reason for him to stop what he’s doing. I really only came back here so I could schedule and wait for a Lyft. I considered calling Roxy, but she’s done enough for me over the past couple days.
“Back so soon,” Alex grins as he leaves his female fans to come check on me.
“Yeah, car wouldn’t start. I’m just going to get a Lyft to take me home. I’ll have someone check out the car tomorrow to see what the problem is. It shouldn’t be long, I just figured I’d wait here,” I explain.
“Well, we’ve been pretty slow tonight and I only have a couple hours left. I bet I could pull someone from one of the other bars to cover the end of my shift, then I could just give you a ride,” he offers.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” I argue.
“This is all extra money anyway. I’m not taking no for an answer,” he smiles before turning around and picking up a phone behind the bar. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I can see him nodding and grinning before hanging it back up.
“Give me fifteen minutes. My boy Joey is going to come down and take my place,” he shares.
“You really don’t have to,” I try to let him off again.
“I don’t mind. Really, I want to,” he says and I know there’s no point in arguing any more.
Alex’s friend appears within minutes, and I watch them grip hands, slapping each other on the shoulder. Alex leans over, saying something to Joey, who then looks over his shoulder and flashes me a wide grin. Joey’s look creates a twinge of apprehension in my stomach, but I push it aside.
“Ready?” Alex asks and I nod, slipping from the edge of my seat.
He leads me out to the employee parking area, and opens the passenger door on a flashy red Jeep. I climb inside and within seconds he’s in the driver’s seat beside me.
“Well, where are we headed?” he questions and I give him the address to the clubhouse to put in his phone.
“It’s not too far, and it’s pretty easy to find. I really appreciate you doing this,” I offer as the car starts to move.
“Not a problem. Like I said before, I’m happy to do it,” he turns slightly and offers a smile.
“You mentioned a girlfriend before, can I ask what happened?” I question, trying to keep from hitting an uncomfortable silence.
“Yeah, we were together for a bit, but broke it off about two months ago,” he shares.
“Sorry. Break-ups are never easy,” I offer.
“True, but sometimes it’s for the best. I mean, Roxy has been trying to set us up for a while now, but I could never accept. And now that I’ve seen you, I wish I had done it a whole lot sooner,” he says, and I watch in slow motion as one of his hands leaves the steering wheel and drops to my bare thigh.
A sinking feeling twists in the pit of my stomach. I instantly wish for the uncomfortable silence, rather than this. Alex is nice, but I made it pretty clear at the bar that this isn’t the best time for me to be starting anything.
His hand starts to move, sliding up my thigh and I instantly snap my knees together, pinching his fingers in order to stop him from going any further.
“Damn, that fuckin’ hurt,” he groans. “Seriously?” he questions roughly.
My head is spinning. What is happening? He was being so nice. Did he honestly expect me to just open my legs for him? I think our messages got confused somewhere.
“Uh…sorry. I thought this was just a ride home, that you understood how I was feeling,” my voice is barely above a whisper.
“Sure, I get it. I don’t want to start a relationship either, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun together. You’ve spent the last two nights showing me the merchandise, don’t get shy on me now,” he says.
“I think I’ve had all the fun I need for tonight. How about I just say thank you when you drop me off and we call it a night,” I answer.
The car starts to slow and he moves to the side of the road, shifting into park. My stomach churns and I know this isn’t a good sign. I clutch my phone in my hand, ready to hop out and start running.
“I’ll tell you what. How about you use that pretty mouth to thank me, or we can just call it a night right now,” he suggests.
“But we’re in the middle of nowhere,” I point out, suddenly noticing that we’ve moved beyond the lights and traffic of the strip.
“Exactly,” he sneers, raising his eyebrows proudly.
I realize quickly that this is why he stopped here. He figured I’d give in and suck his dick rather than get out of the car and walk in the dark. Too bad he doesn’t really know anything about me.
“Dream on. I’ll fucking walk,” I snap back.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You’d rather walk home in the dark than stay in here and have a little fun?” he asks, reaching forward and curling his fingers under the thin strap of my crop top, starting to pull it from my shoulder.
“Getting forced into sexual situations definitely isn’t my idea of fun. I’ll take my chances with the dark,” I reply.
“At least flash me these sweet tits after teasing me all night,” he begs before yanking roughly on the strap until it tears away and the fabric falls, exposing part of my bra.
“That’s enough. I’m done. You have no idea what you just did or who you did it to,” I shout, yanking the car door handle. “You are a sick fucking prick and you’re going to regret messing with me,” I warn as I climb out.
“Whatever you say, fucking little cock tease,” he says, rolling his eyes.
I slam the door in response then watch as he peels out, leaving me stranded in the dark on the side of the road. How could I have misjudged him so badly? I tap the screen on my phone and bring it to life, quickly hitting call when I find Roxy’s name.
“So… Details, tell me all about it? How did Alex take it?” she laughs softly against my ear as she answers.
“Actually, at this point, I’d have to say not well. He just left me on the side of the road,” I tell her, my voice cracking. I’m trying to stay strong, but the second I heard her voice I felt myself starting to break.
“Wait. What? Why were you with him?” her questions start.
“Everything was fine, but when I went to leave the bar, my car wouldn’t start. I was going to get a Lyft, but he offered me a ride instead. Apparently, he thought getting me in a car alone might change my mind,” I offer.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Where are you? I’m coming to get you right now,” she says, sounding flustered.
“We were on our way to the clubhouse. I’m guessing I’m still at least a couple miles away,” I tell her.
“I’m already in my car,” she huffs, clearly out of breath. She must’ve run to her car at full speed. “I can be there in five, just stay on the line with me while I drive,” she says and I hear the engine start.
I make a quick attempt to fix my top, pulling the fabric up just enough to cover my bra before I reach down and pull off my heels. I know Roxy will be here in a matter of minutes, but I can’t just stand here in the dark. I need to start moving. The pavement is warm against my feet as I start to walk.
“How are you doing?” Roxy’s voice echoes in the night air.
“I’m fine. Just holding it together until you get here,” I answer honestly.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” she asks.
“Not much to tell, really. Apparently, he thought I’d be so thankful that he offered me a ride home, that I’d just open up my legs for him. And when I refused, he offered the alternative of giving him a B.J. instead. I made it clear that I wasn’t interested, so he pulled over and gave me the choice. I decided I’d rather take my chances with the desert,” I share.
“I don’t even know what to say. Honestly, I am so sorry that I got you into this mess. I thought he was a decent guy, I had no idea,” she answers, but she doesn’t even have to say it. Roxy is my best friend and I know she’d never put me in a situation like that on purpose.
“It’s okay, Rox. It’s not your fault,” I say, as I finally see faint light approaching from behind me.
“I see you; I see you…” her shaky voice comes through and I stop walking. In a matter of seconds, her tires crunch against the dirt, coming to a stop a few feet away.
I pull open the door and climb inside. Fresh tears have stained her cheeks.
“I am so sorry,” she says again and then her eyes drop. “Did he do that?” she questions in a whisper, her fingertips lightly touching the torn strap.
“Yeah. That was his last attempt. He wanted me to flash him and I once again turned him down,” I share.
“God damn. I never would have thought. Alex definitely knew how to put on the nice guy act, but he really is a fucking scumbag,” she says exactly what I’ve been thinking since climbing into his car.
“Oh, shit. Your dad… He’s going to kill me,” Roxy turns to look at me with wide eyes as we pull into the lot at the clubhouse only minutes later.
“If anything, he’s going to kill Alex. He’d never hurt you,” I assure her. Roxy pretty much grew up around the club too. Not in the clubhouse, but she’s been by my side since we were seven years old.
“Alex has no idea,” she says.
“Well, I did try to warn him. I told him that he was going to regret what he did, but I don’t think he believed me,” I manage to give her a small smile.
I close my eyes for a brief second before pulling the handle and opening my door. I have no intention of telling my dad anything tonight. All that shit can wait until tomorrow. Right now, all I want is a hot shower and to curl up in my warm bed.