20.
There are many downsides to working in a bar, especially one as notoriously popular as this one.
Not only did I constantly see familiar faces and have a horrible sleeping schedule, but I also had to put up with incessant flirting and aggressive drunks.
The latter just so happened to be the part I hated the most.
I glanced down at my watch, sighing as I saw the time.
It was a little over midnight, meaning I would be going home soon.
The shift was passing by fairly quickly, but I was starting to feel the effects of being up so late and for standing so long.
I couldn't wait to get back to mine, take a boiling hot shower, and just lay in bed.
That was without a doubt one of the best feelings in the world.
I was soon snapped out of my thoughts. Literally. My gaze followed the scrawny hand snapping its fingers in my face upwards to meet the eyes of its owners.
What the actual fuck. I glared at the man as he went from snapping his fingers in my face to waving it back and forth as though my attention was not already on him.
"Hello? Anyone home up there?" He said as he laughed, looking over his shoulder at his friend who was too busy overlooking the crowd of people to pay heed to his shitty attempt at a joke.
Great. Another asshole. Oddly, tonight, there seemed to be more assholes than usual. In an effort to hide my annoyance and remain professional, I squared my shoulders and greeted him with a tight lipped smile.
"Sorry about that. What can I get you?"
"Give me a rum and coke."
Despite my irritation at his lack of manners, I quickly got work making the drink. The quicker I made it, the faster he was out of my sight.
"Your total is $7.50." I placed the cup in front of him, watching as he picked it up and chugged the drink within seconds before slamming the glass on the bar counter as if he ordered a shooter instead.
"Get me another one." he barked out with a drunk smirk. His eyes were glazed over, his face flushed and highlighted by the sweat dripping down his face.
"Are you starting a tab?" I asked, as I focused my eyes on following my hands as I made his drink. At his lack of response, I glance up momentarily to find his eyes trained on my boobs.
I was by no means blessed in that department.
However, even I could admit that with a nice top, the girls didn't look too bad.
While I could appreciate my tits in this top, it didn't mean I wanted this man to.
I placed his glass on the counter roughly, the dark liquid sloshing outwards at the force of it.
"Total is $15."
"Oh, yeah." I watched as he reached towards the back pocket of his jeans before tapping the front pocket with what I assumed was his attempt at looking innocent. "I think I left my wallet at home."
"What about your friend here?" I asked as I motioned towards the guy standing behind him.
"This guy? I have no idea who he is." He laughs and leans over the bar in attempt to get closer to me.
"Interesting. So, how did you plan on paying your bill without any cash or card with you?" I asked, condescendingly as I brought my face closer to him so he could hear the clear sarcasm lining my words over the loud music.
I scanned his face. He wasn't ugly. He looked like the All American guy with his effortless sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. The freckles scanning his face were adorable and he had an athletic build. While he may have been attractive, his personality made him extremely unappealing to me.
His glossy eyes darkened at the closeness of our faces and I had to refrain myself from throwing up at the smell of mixed alcohol hitting my face as he spoke.
"How about I get your number and I'll pay you when we meet up?" His confident smirk told me that he didn't get shut down often.
My irritation with this random man had hit an all time high and all thoughts of being nice went out the window.
"How about you actually pay your bill and get the fuck out of my face?"
His attempt at a sexy smirk dropped. His face hardened and his glossy eyes cleared into anger.
"You fucking bitch. What's your problem?" He questioned as he completely leaned over the bar and grabbed my upper arm with force. Despite being drunk, he was really quick and I didn't have time to back away.
"Let go of me." I bit out, as I maintained eye contact with the man. I didn't want him to think I was scared of him, even though I was on the verge of pissing my pants and my heart was beating in an uncontrolled frenzy.
"Is there an issue here?" A deep familiar voice sounded. My eyes snapped from the staring competition I was having with the wannabe frat boy towards the tall figure behind him. The tightness in my chest eased slightly as I made eye contact with Mason.
"No."
"Yes," We said at the same time.
"Well, first, why don't you start by letting her go?" Mason's deep voice spoke sharply over the music. Almost as if my skin burned him, he quickly removed his hand from my upper arm.
"Listen, man. Why don't you buy yourself a drink and back off?" The man questioned aggressively as he turned to face Mason, his back now to me. Mason cocked his head to the side, unfazed as he looked the man over from head to toe before meeting my eyes.
"What did he do?"
"He ordered drinks and claims he forgot his wallet at home." I rolled my eyes, annoyed and exhausted over the entire situation at this point.
Mason nodded, his short soft curls bobbing with the movement.
He stepped forward and clapped his hand onto the man's shoulder.
Although it didn't look like it had hurt, the flinch from the stranger was enough evidence to say that it most likely had.
His tattooed fingers gripped the man's shoulder tightly, keeping him in place as he bent to whisper in his ear all whilst maintaining unrelenting eye contact with me.
Slightly intimidated by the look in his eyes, I fleetingly casted my eyes in a different direction several times.
Using the hand clasped on his shoulder, Mason pushed the man behind him making him stumble in an attempt to catch himself from falling.
With one large step, he was now standing in front of me, his large muscled figure hiding the man probably scrambling to get away.
"Hey, why would you just let him go? He didn't pay his bill." I protested.
"He's not worth it. Let it be." His rough voice grumbled as he placed a $50 bill on the counter. "That should cover the bill."
"No." I pushed the bill towards him. "Why should you pay that loser's bill? No way."
"Charlotte, take it."
"No. Thank you, really, but no. Anyways, would you like anything?"
"Water, if possible."
"On it."
There was a comfortable silence between us as he stood at the counter, leaning on the wall, watching as I made the drink. He quickly picked up the water cup and took a sip. He stayed there as I moved down the bar to serve someone else. I could feel his gaze follow me as I moved around the bar area.
We were nearing close and the bar was slowly emptying out. This was usually my favorite time to get advanced on closing tasks. Yet, I found myself procrastinating and mainly cleaning in the area around him. I was replenishing the fridges, when I heard his voice.
"Have you spoken to your sister, tonight?"
I stood quickly, nearly hitting my head on the counter in the process.
"What?"
"Have you spoken to Ophelia? I've been trying to reach her all night."
"As you can tell, I've been pretty busy myself. I'm sure everything is fine."
He hummed as he examined my fidgety figure. His eyes trailed down my body, briefly pausing at my boobs as he jaw tensed.
"What time do you finish?"
"Depends what time we finish cleaning. Usually, around 2:30."
"Do you need a ride?"
Man, this guy was really trying to win brownie points with me. I figured he was most likely trying to impress "Ophelia" by being generous to her sister, aka me.
Unless, he knew. Wait, did he? No. There was no way. I watched him carefully, trying to see if there was any signs of him knowing.
"Um, no. Kyle usually drives me home." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Thank you for the offer."
"I insist." At Kyle's name, he stood straighter as though ready to walk into battle. His face had hardened, lined with annoyance.
"No, really. I can't make you stay up that late."
"I'm not tired." He quipped.
Why was he being so adamant? I love persistence more than the next person but damn.
"Really, it's okay."
"I'm not taking no for answer." He said fiercely with the same ferocity I've seen during business meetings. He was definitely not going to back down and I was too tired to argue with him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
Up until we closed, he stood at the bar. His eyes followed me everywhere to the point I even felt them when I was not within his eyesight. He refused to take his money back and I had reluctantly pocketed it. I made a mental note to make him unlimited drinks next time he comes to the bar.
I was gathering my things as Kyle prepped the bar for close. He stood by the alarm, as I made my towards him he asked, "I'm driving you home, right?"
"Actually, I have a ride tonight."
His outstretched arm fell briefly as he looked over his shoulder at me in disbelief.
"Who?"
"You know who," I mumbled as I pulled my things closer to my chest, avoiding his gaze.
"You've got to be kidding me. You're picking him?" He turned to face me, voice raising.
"I'm not picking anyone, Kyle."
"If you leave with him, then the choice is pretty obvious."
"Kyle, please don't do this. I'm tired. It's been a long shift and I just want to go home," I sighed.
"Fine. We can discuss it another time," He grumbled.
There's nothing to discuss. Especially, between us.
Before digging myself into the hell this conversation was going to be, I kept my mouth shut and head down as he led us outdoors and locked up.
He sighed as he caught gaze of Mason's car, before shaking his head and walking off without saying goodbye.
I made my way over to the passenger seat, sighing softly as my butt met the warm leather of his seats. My eyes closed contentedly as his manly cologne wafted through my nose.
"So, what's your address?" My eyes snapped open as I gulped.
Fuck.
Hi Guys!
I'm so sorry about the wait. I thought I had set up the schedule manager to upload the chapter automatically, but I didn't do it properly.
How are we liking it so far? Any suggestions?