My Girl
I am going to go fucking stir crazy if I have to stay in this apartment for much longer. I have done nothing but pace from my kitchen to my living room, to my bedroom. I don’t know how Artemis does it. Oh, to be a house cat.
The alley next to The Neon Rose is still under investigation; however, Janice has agreed that Jace and I can finally go back to work tomorrow—music to my fucking ears.
This little vacation has been, well, boring.
Not to mention, having gone about a week without a paycheck and tips has taken a significant toll on my bank account.
I have been living off of Cup of Noodles, coffee, and Pop-Tarts.
I’ve had opportunities to go out with Jace, and to be honest, my mind wavers at the thought. The nightlife excites me while at the same time terrifies me. Maybe a night of work will bring back some normalcy into all of our lives. It’s what we can all hope for.
With a sense of excitement— maybe too much excitement —I scan through my closet.
The only advantage of not leaving my apartment is that I didn't have to do any laundry. I’ve been in the same gray cotton shorts and black tee shirt for who knows how long.
My few pairs of jeans and many black shirts are still hanging up as neatly as possible.
My black, short skirt and a black cropped tee to match are laid out across my bed.
My favorite platform boots to fit the ensemble stand out on the dingy white carpet next to my closet.
These will be just what I need to complete tonight’s outfit.
I take a step back and scan over all the pieces I threw together.
Perfect . It’s cute, but also comfortable. It will look even better with my hair and makeup done. My leather jacket will complete the outfit. It will be okay, I can do this.
The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of thunder and heavy raindrops hitting my window panes.
I guess I will be taking an umbrella to work today .
I stretch my arms and legs under the many covers I have piled on top of me, accidentally moving Artemis in the process.
Sorry, little guy. His bright blue eyes shoot daggers in my direction. Oh, what a terrible life you live.
Without looking, I search my nightstand for my phone. These days, texts from Jace and TikTok videos have been my only news source. I open my screen to Jace’s good morning texts, just like I would have expected.
Jace:
Good morning, bitch. Get your ass up. You get to see me at work today.
I grin from ear to ear at the thought of working with Jace again.
Me:
Getting up now.
I swing my legs over the side of my bed and make my way into the small kitchen.
My spoiled cat waits by his food bowl for his breakfast. He barely lets it sit before he begins his attack on the dry pellets.
He lets me pat his little white head between his pointy ears before I head back into my room.
I grab my phone and search through my apps.
There you are. Spotify is always there when I need it.
My “Daily Mix 1” plays in the background while I begin the task of putting on my makeup.
My look is complete once I add my signature bright red lipstick.
Next, I grab my curling iron and curl each section as well as I can while dancing to the music on my playlist. When I’m done, my loose, red waves fall past my shoulders.
I slide my black denim skirt over my hips, having to jump in the process.
Sometimes it’s a blessing and a curse to have this ass.
My cropped tee comes on next. The wrinkles are easy to smooth out as it falls just about an inch above the waistline of my skirt.
I spot my boots in the middle of my closet and slide them up my calves. They sit just right below my kneecaps.
I pull my black leather jacket over my T-shirt and grab my leather purse.
The black strap carelessly hangs over my shoulder.
My umbrella is next on my list of necessities.
Remembering how heavy the rainfall was this morning, I make sure to grab it off the small counter in the kitchen.
My cat watches while I snatch all of my things in a rush, trying my best not to be late for my first day back to work.
“Be a good boy for me,” I tell Artemis as he lets me pet him on my way out.
Quickly, I open the door and head down the short hallway towards the building’s exit.
I’ve been sitting outside her apartment all morning.
From where I am parked, I have a perfect view of her bedroom window.
Mental note, buy Thalia curtains you can’t see through.
With a hint of reluctance, Janice decided to reopen The Neon Rose, which means she’ll need more of my liquor to sell to her regular customers.
The idea that Thalia will be in the same place where that guy was killed has me on fucking edge. There is no way I’m going to let her be there by herself today.
My grip tightens on my steering wheel when I see her walking out of the side entrance with her black umbrella and her short skirt that sits in the middle of her upper thighs.
She holds it just barely over her head with one hand while the other holds her phone.
My knee bounces in anticipation at the idea of getting to see her tonight.
I’ve been distancing myself since the last time we’d seen each other, only texting her now and then, but it’s just small talk.
Seeing her , it does something to me, and honestly, I don’t fucking like where it’s going.
I continue to watch her walk in the rain down the sidewalk as she heads towards the direction of the bar.
I can’t let her walk alone. Damn it. I’m about to look like a fucking creep.
While backing my car out from my spot to get closer, I honk my horn, stopping Thalia in her tracks.
She quickly turns her head towards my driver’s side window as I roll it down.
My mischievous grin emerges from behind the receding glass.
“Lee?!” I love the way the pitch in her voice rises when she says my name. It makes my smile widen.
“Hey, Sweetheart.” I lean out of my lowered window.
“What are you doing close to my apartment?” Her question shouldn’t bother me, but it does. Maybe because there is a killer on the loose. Or could it be because I can’t stop thinking about you, and it’s driving me crazy. For now, I’ll put those constant thoughts in the back of my mind.
“I was in the area and I saw you walking by yourself.” It was only half a lie. “Would you like to ride with me to The Neon Rose? I’m going there myself.” My smile stays plastered on my face like I'm a giddy fucking kid.
“Yeah, I’ll take that ride.” The not-so-subtle wink she gives makes my cheeks hurt from how wide I’m grinning. Fuck, she’s adorable .
“Alright, Sweetheart. Hop in.” I reach over and open the handle of the passenger side door.
As she shakes the water off her umbrella, I watch her ass move in her short skirt.
I do my best to keep my thoughts to myself, but I can't help the idea of fucking her in my car and making us both late for work. Damn, it would be so fucking easy to slide that skirt of hers up to her waist. I wouldn’t give a shit who saw her grinding those perfect hips of hers on my lap in the driver’s seat.
That all ends when she climbs into the car and closes the door.
“You walk alone in the rain often?” This is me, trying to make conversation.
Whatever I can do to make this situation less awkward and to take away from the fact that I look like a stalker right now.
It feels like you can cut the tension between us with a fucking knife.
Leaving the apartment before she woke up the next morning probably wasn’t one of my best ideas. God, she probably thinks I’m a jackass.
“Yes. Normally, I don’t mind the rain, though.
” I would love to see that perfect body of hers wet.
Fuck, not letting her walk in the rain has its drawbacks.
She looks up at me with those beautiful eyes, her full lips parted.
What is it with women loving to watch men drive?
It’s a kink I’ll never understand. Whatever it is, I don’t mind feeling her eyes on me when I turn the wheel.
“You think it’s going to be busy tonight?” I keep my eyes on the slick road, desperately trying to keep my mind off the vulgar thoughts spiraling in my head. With Thalia being this close, it’s hard to think .
“After being closed for about a week. We’re going to be slammed with our normal regulars.
Well, most of them,” she wrings her hands at the idea.
My girl is anxious about tonight . I can only imagine the thoughts that must be going through her head right now.
Wait a second. My girl? What the fuck am I saying?
I can’t mean that. I mentally shake the notion and continue the short drive in silence.
The drive soon comes to an end, and we park in front of the bar. “You ready, Sweetheart?” I ask, turning off the ignition.
Thalia briefly glances over at the alley between The Neon Rose and the boutique next door before we make our way inside the bar.
I know she has mixed feelings about coming back to work—we all do, but life goes on.
Well, for most of us. I do my best to hold her little umbrella for the two of us.
It mostly covers Thalia, but that’s okay; I don’t mind getting a little wet.
Both Jace and Janice look at the door, snickering at the sight of Thalia and me walking in together. By the way the two are giggling, it must be a sight to see–one that will have them speculating all night.
“Look at you two together,” Janice announces. Her voice is heard over the music, and I see Thalia’s cheeks getting redder by the second. It’s so fucking cute.
“Oh, what’s going on here?!” Jace’s finger is pointing forward, aimed directly at us as he sways his hips at the same time.