Chapter 27
KADENCE
Annika squeezed my hand gently as we walked into the club.
After my trauma dump with Dr. Williams, I felt better.
I knew healing was not linear, and sometimes healing meant feeling worse before getting better but still embracing the journey.
It was going to take more than one session with her for me to be okay again, but talking to her took this deafening weight off my shoulders.
Hunter smirked at me as Annika continued to walk into the club. “Can I bartend tonight?” She arched her brow. “I think it’s better to do that for a few hours, and then I can start serving drinks.”
She nodded. “I’ll inform Jax. How are you feeling?”
“I started therapy, so I guess I’m going to be okay eventually.”
Her brows furrowed, but she hid it quickly. “You don’t have to worry about that happening again. We have extra guys here tonight. Nothing like that usually happens, but we dealt with him.”
“Thank you.”
For five days, I’d been paranoid that Blaize or Hunter would call Annika and tell her to keep me from coming back.
It was my first night, and I had a panic attack.
If I would have done it in private instead of in view of everyone and without beating that man, I could have pretended I was okay, but I also knew I wasn’t.
I’m planting roots here already, creating friendships I never had and growing a bond with Hawke.
This place already felt like home, but I sounded insane.
It’s technically been a month and a half since I came to Westhaven, but I’ve spent almost a month of that time surrounded by amazing people.
Westhaven felt safe, and the people I was surrounding myself with were starting to feel the same.
Hunter directed me to follow her as she strutted into the main floor.
There was already a growing crowd and girls dancing.
Ivory glanced my way and gave me a bright smile.
A few of the girls checked on me during my week away, which made my heart swell.
It was odd having people worry about me, but I wasn’t going to let my insecurities ruin these new friendships.
Hunter tapped her nails on the mahogany bar, making Jax rush our way. “Hunter, baby.”
“Hi, honey bun,” she purred, as Jax poured her a whiskey neat. “Kadence is going to bartend with you for a few hours until she’s ready to get back on the floor. I want you to show her the ropes.”
“Do I get a reward?” he joked, keeping intense contact with Hunter.
Hunter leaned forward, slipping her fingers under his beard and brushing her thumb down his pout. “Good boys get rewarded.”
Jax grunted. “That’s just mean. You always tease me.”
Hunter laughed, taking her drink and throwing it back. “You know I love the feminine type, Jax. It’s just fun teasing you.”
“I’ll get you to cave one day, baby.”
“Good luck,” Hunter called as she walked away. I didn’t know if she was talking to Jax or me, but either way, I looked back at Jax and smiled.
“You know how to mix?” I nodded. “Make me a sex on the beach.”
I nodded, slipping behind the bar. Of all the drinks, he gave me the easiest one.
I paused to take in the bar, glancing at the liquor brands and noting where everything was placed.
The top shelf was tucked away and the middle grade was the most used.
Grabbing the shaker, I started with one and a half ounces of vodka, pouring it with a satisfying splash.
Followed by half an ounce of peach schnapps, the fruity aroma hitting my nose.
I grabbed the cranberry and orange juice, adding two ounces of each.
Jax was watching me, making sure I did everything correctly.
Normally, I’d feel intimidated with someone watching me like this, but bartending came naturally.
After adding ice and mixing the contents in the shaker, I grabbed a tall glass and filled it with ice before straining the shaker, watching the colorful hues come together.
Adding a cherry and orange slice for garnish, I slid it over to Jax.
It’s been a few years since I bartended and my portions might be off, but it won’t be that bad.
He took a sip of the fruity drink and smiled.
“Perfect. A little heavy with the vodka, but I like my drinks like I like my women—strong.” He winked, and I laughed.
“Welcome aboard. Whenever you get ready to stop for the night, just let me know. Molly will be here to help around eleven when it picks up.”
After five hours at the bar, I realized I was enjoying it entirely too much.
It was only Monday, so I knew I had a few days before I got a feel of the real hectic nights.
I was going to talk with Hunter and see if I could do both if Jax ever needed the help.
My eyes caught Blaize walking towards the bar, toward me.
I flashed her a smile because she let me keep my job after beating a customer, so I could at least be civil with her.
“What can I get you, Blaize?” Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, and I felt heat creep from my chest to my cheeks. My outfit wasn’t as risqué as before, but my breasts were moments away from spilling out, and my ass was hugged tightly in these tiny shorts.
“Whiskey neat. Fill it to the brim,” she said blandly.
Blaize looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I only knew that because I knew what it was like to have it weigh someone down.
I grabbed a crystal glass and reached for the top shelf whiskey that Jax told me was her favorite when he was going over everyone’s personal orders.
I filled the crystal whiskey glass in front of her until it was about to topple over the edge.
The amount of whiskey was questionable, but to each their own.
There was a question on the tip of my tongue, but Blaize was intimidating and I didn’t want to piss her off.
She didn’t seem to like me, but she was keeping me around anyway.
“Are you okay?”
She arched her brow, running her finger over the edge of the glass before bringing it to her lips. Blaize drank half of it without making a face. How much whiskey did she drink? “I have a lot on my mind.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” This was finally a moment we could have between the two of us without the animosity.
“I don’t trust you, Kadence.” Never mind. That moment went out the fucking window. “I don’t like being in the dark, and you’re a fucking blind spot.”
I sighed, pouring myself a shot of whiskey. “I’m just a person trying to live, Blaize.” I pinched my nose and tossed the shot back, the amber liquid burning my throat. How the hell did she drink hers with a straight face?
What could I do to prove to her that I was not an issue?
Telling her who I was, was out of the question.
My past life was not her business. The girl I once was before coming here was dead, and bringing her up would lead to her coming back to life.
Somehow, I'd prove to her that I was not a threat, but I couldn’t do that if she didn’t open up to me either.
This whole predicament couldn’t be a one-way street.
We stayed in uncomfortable silence for too long before I shifted uncomfortably. “How are you?” she asked. Her voice was still bitter towards me, but it had the smallest hint of sincerity. It would do for now, I guess.
I took another shot of whiskey, cringing at the taste once again. “Honestly, I’m peachy. I like bartending a lot more. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to do it more often. No one has the opportunity to grab me, but I understand if I need to waitress.”
She finished the remainder of her glass, sliding it over. “No. We have plenty. If this makes you comfortable, then continue to do it. I’ll inform Hunter. We’re always busy, so Jax and the others can use the help.”
I beamed. “Thank you, Blaize. I also hope everything gets better. You look like you are about to crumble, but you’re hiding it.”
“There’s too many people under me to allow myself to fall,” she whispered. Standing this close, I caught her words before she walked away from the bar, leaving me to watch her go.