“Don’t run too fast or you may need someone to rescue you again.”
I looked down briefly and saw Thomas pointing to mystery man and winking. I shook my head and walked up the rest of the way.
Once everything was ready, Tammy, the manager, unlocked the main door. As usual, they all came flooding in, picked up a plate, and handed it to me. I smiled politely, filled their plates with food, and handed each one back, but I was feeling anxious about my mystery man. He hadn’t eaten here for the last two days and I was worried about him.
I soon saw him walk through the doors and pick up a plate. I sighed my relief and smiled. I knew I had it bad, but I couldn’t help it.
As he got nearer to me, my heart rate picked up a notch. I wasn’t sure why he had this effect on me, but he did. Believe me, I had tried to calm my beating heart whenever I knew I would see him or be near him, but I couldn’t. It had a mind of its own.
He handed his plate to me without looking up. I placed some scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, and two sausages on his plate. It should have only been one, but I was worried he hadn’t eaten.
I handed the plate back to him. He was about to walk away when he noticed. My heart beat fast when he actually looked up at me.
“It’s always one sausage.”
My mouth became dry and I started fidgeting with my apron. “I know. It’s just… You haven’t eaten, and I—”
“And you what? Thought you could take pity on me by giving me an extra sausage? Lots of people in here haven’t eaten for longer than me. What makes me so special?”
Shit, he looked angry. I had really hit a nerve and, to tell you the truth, I felt guilty. He was right.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
He shoved the plate at me. “Take it off.”
I nodded and, with a shaky hand, took the plate from him. I put the sausage back and handed him the plate. He stared at me for a moment. I couldn’t tell what in the hell he was thinking, and it made me tremble. Not because I was scared, but because I was a little nervous. I couldn’t gauge his reaction to me at all.
Alas, it didn’t last long. He took the plate from me, turned, and walked over to the furthest table. I was baffled, I was flustered, and I was left desperate to know what was inside his head. I craved to know more.
I just didn’t realise how much more until the next day.
Chapter 2
“Livy, what have I told you about drinking too much?”
I started laughing. “Oh, come on, Uncle. Just a little more. I promise I’ll be good.”
“You’re only eighteen, Livy, but you drink more than I do.”
Uncle stared at me intensely. Even as shit-faced as I was, I could see he was a man to fear. I knew his power. I also knew the power he had held over my father…and that was saying something.
I leaned over him, trying to snatch the bottle from his outstretched hand. He was teasing me and I didn’t like it. I was desperate for more Jack Daniels. It was my road to numbness… A road I visited as often as I could since my parents died.
“Please, give me more.” I leaned over again, but Uncle stretched his arm even further away. By now, I was practically on top of him and caught a whiff of his sexy aftershave. “I’ll give you a blowjob if you let me have my drink back.” He laughed. He actually laughed. I hated that. “What the fuck do you find so funny?”
Uncle stopped laughing and looked at me sternly. “Livy, don’t you ever raise your fucking voice to me again. You got that? I fucking own you. Remember that. One day, you’ll see. One day, when you’ve got your shit cleaned up and are ready for me, I’ll be there. For now, you must learn to know your place. Show some fucking respect.”
My mouth was dry as I tried to swallow. “S…s…sorry,” I stuttered.
Uncle looked at my expression and his own softened. He leaned forward, brushed his lips across my forehead and sighed. “You smell like a brewery, Livy. You’ve got to stop moping around the house all day. You need to focus your mind on something and get better. I know you have it in you. You always were my favourite girl.” He tilted up my chin to meet his eyes. He was showing me his kind eyes today. The eyes I thought might love me a little. “What is it you want?”
Closing my eyes, I tried to think. All I wanted was…nothing. I didn’t want to think or feel anymore. I just wanted nothing. I was sick of seeing my dad’s lifeless eyes staring back at me. Sick of fucking everything.
“I want a drink.”
Uncle sighed, obviously not pleased, and pushed me off him. “Where are you going?” I asked, watching him head for the door. He still had my bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand.
“I’m going home, Livy.”
I started panicking. “What about my drink?”
He slammed the door behind him, making me jump. I had no Jack Daniels left in the house.
Fuck!
At that moment, I got angry. Picking up a glass ornament, I threw it at the door and screamed, “Fucking arshole!”
I slouched down and sobbed for the loss of my drink. I could still feel, and needed something to take the edge off. Only Jack could do that for me.
Jack was my best and only friend.
It was Friday and tonight was one of the busiest nights at the bar. As always, I showed up at five o’clock to start my shift. It was already heaving with people, but I didn’t mind. It would actually help keep my mind off the fact that mystery man wasn’t around at all today, which irked me a little. I couldn’t help but think it had something to do with what happened yesterday.
“Olivia, thank fuck. It’s way too damn busy in here.”
Charlie was pouring a pint, looking every bit as stressed as he sounded. He was the owner of the bar and an outrageous flirt. The amount of times he’d tried to hit on me had been unreal. I kept turning him down, but that didn’t stop him.
I smiled and walked around the bar and into the back so I could take off my coat. I was wearing a black low-cut t-shirt and beige pencil skirt tonight. I hadn’t worn skirts for a little while, but I thought, with the new season upon us, I would make a change.
Once I dumped my bag and coat, I went straight out to the bar. “Right. Who’s next?”
Charlie turned to me, looked me up and down, then smiled. I knew that smile. I had seen it often enough.
“I would like two vodka tonics and a pint of Foster’s please.”
My head snapped in the direction of the woman asking. “Coming right up.”
After getting the drinks, Sue and Brent, the other two bartenders, went to take their break and left us to it. I was extremely busy for the first two hours, so my break was welcomed.
I walked into the back, Charlie following suit. “Fuck me. Did you have to wear that tonight? I’ve been walking around with a permanent hard-on all night. I’ve already gotten two orders mixed up because I was too busy looking at your legs.” He looked down at my legs again before licking his lips. “Fucking fantastic.”
I shook my head and went into his office to sit down. “Charlie, stop being so rude.”
Charlie sat next to me, virtually pinning me to his sofa. He looked into my eyes, his brown ones twinkling from the overhead light. He was an attractive man. In his mid-twenties, he sported jet black, cropped hair, light brown eyes, and a dimple on his chin. In fact, the first time Charlie tried to get it on with me, I poked his dimple and said, “Dimple on the chin, devil within.” He had lived up to it, too.
“Why won’t you let me sleep with you?”
I poked his chin again and shook my head. “Charlie, it’s not going to happen, so stop trying. It only gets you frustrated every time.”
Charlie put his head down and groaned. “You’re the most frustrating woman I have ever met.” He looked back up at me with a smile. “But I don’t give up easily. You know how much I want you.”
I pushed him away and got up. I heard him groan again as I walked towards his office chair and sat down. “You want everyone, Charlie, and that’s the problem. Do yo
u know the amount of times I’ve left the bar at night and you’re cosying up to yet another woman you’ve just met? I’m not stupid. I realise what happens after I leave,” I huffed. “Remember that time I found a bra stuffed into your sofa? Not to mention these…” I opened his top drawer and a load of condoms practically popped out. All different shapes, sizes, colours, flavors… You name it.
Charlie shook his head. “Oh, them. It’s just a stash I keep here just in case the condom machines in the toilets run out.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Really? I don’t recall...” I picked one up to read it, “Monster Energy… Unleash the beast to be in any of the toilets.”
Charlie quickly got up, took the condom from my hand, placed it in the drawer, and banged it shut. “They’re in the men’s toilets.”
My posture picked up. “Really?” I started to move, but Charlie grabbed my arm.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “To the men’s room to take a look.”
Charlie raised his eyebrow. “I’m not letting you go into the men’s room, Olivia, so cut it out.”
I smiled. “Why not?”
He shook his head. “Because a lady shouldn’t have to see inside a men’s toilet.”
My eyes widened. “Oh, but it’s perfectly okay for said lady to be manhandled every night she comes into work.”
Charlie let go of my arm and his face fell. “When you put it like that, it does sound bad. I’m sorry.” He walked over to the sofa, sat down, and put his head in his hands.
I stood there completely dumbfounded and sad that Charlie was feeling bad about treating me how he has.
Walking over, I sat down next to him and placed my arm around his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
Charlie shook his head, then looked up at me. “Can you forgive me?”
I nodded and squeezed his shoulder. “Of course I can.”
Charlie smiled. “How about a kiss to let me know how much.” His lips curved up, telling me all I needed to know.
I pushed him away and stood up. “Arsehole.”
Charlie laughed. “Oh, come on, baby. I really am sorry.”
I shook my head with a smile. “And you made me believe you, Charlie. Shame on you.”
He looked me up and down. “I can’t help I find you attractive, Olivia.” He roamed his eyes over me again and licked his lips. “Yeah...damn attractive.”
I rolled my eyes again. “Yeah, me and anything else in a skirt.”
Charlie feigned a gasp. “Hey, you know that’s not true.” He smiled cheekily again. “Most of the time, you wear trousers...sometimes leggings.” He looked away for a moment, a heated look in his eyes. “Gotta love those leggings,” he sighed a little and looked back at me.
I shook my head just as my phone started ringing. I walked over to my bag and took it out. When I saw who was calling, my stomach dropped.
I looked over at Charlie. “Sorry, Charlie. I have to take this.”
Charlie smiled and walked towards the door. “No problem. I’ll see you outside when you’re ready.”
Once he had walked out the door, I answered, immediately hearing his gravelly voice on the other end. “Have you gotten anything, Livy?”
The moment I heard him say my name, I shuddered and closed my eyes. Even with him not here, I got goosebumps every time he said my name. At that moment, I wanted him.
I sighed. “No, nothing.”
I heard a raspy exhale on the other end. “Okay. Keep looking and let me know the minute you unearth something.”
I closed my eyes again, wanting the feel of his hands on me. “I will,” I answered seductively.
“I’ll be seeing you soon, Livy.”
He hung up and, acting on autopilot, I stuffed the phone back in my bag. I was shaking and didn’t know why. It wasn’t with fear. It was something else. Whenever I was near him or heard his voice, I always had the same reaction. I think hearing the promise in his voice did me in every time.
Shaking my head, I rubbed my hands over my face. I felt more tired than ever tonight. Today had been tiring, but tonight was even more so. All I wanted to do now was go home and have a long soak in a hot bath.
Looking at my watch, I saw I still had three hours to go until my shift ended. I groaned, somehow managing to find the strength to put one foot in front of the other.
When I got to the bar, Charlie winked at me and nodded his head, silently asking if I was okay. I nodded back and he smiled before serving the next customer.
Moving towards the bar, I noticed some creepy-looking guy staring at me. “What can I get for you?”
He licked his lips and looked me up and down. It was sickening. I mean, when Charlie did it, it was in a fun way. I never felt grossed out by Charlie, but this guy? He had every hair on the back of my neck standing on end.
“Depends,” he finally said after a few more agonising seconds of staring.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “On what?” I probably shouldn’t have encouraged him, but the words naturally slipped out.
“On what’s on the menu.” He leered at me again, making my skin crawl. His eyes practically bugged out of his head, and there was so much gel on his greasy dark hair, I was amazed that it wasn’t sliding down the sides of his pockmarked face.
I sighed, but made an effort to go over as many of the drinks we had, but he stopped me. “I wasn’t talking about drinks.”
“Ah, you want food.” I picked up a menu and handed it to him. “This is what we have.”
He took the menu, but didn’t even glance at it. “I wasn’t talking about food, either. I was talking about what’s on your menu.” He looked down at my breasts and licked his lips again.
I was about to tell him where to go when a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties came and sat down next to him. “Hey, fuck face, this establishment is where you can order food and drink. If you’re looking for something other than that, I would suggest you find one of those women who hang around dark street corners. Either order something to drink, or fuck off.”
I stood there, shocked, as the creepy guy gritted his teeth and looked at me. “A pint of larger.”
My rescuer elbowed him. “What do you say?”
Creepy guy turned back to me, gritting his teeth. “Please.”
I really wished he hadn’t said please because the venom that came with it was almost too much to take. Right now, this guy looked like he wanted to punch me rather than have sex with me.
Not wanting to look at him anymore, I pulled his pint, handed it to him, and took his money. The creepy guy walked away, sat down in the corner, and looked up at me with an angry scowl.
I turned to my rescuer. “Thank you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t mention it. I hate when people think they can talk to you like that. Just because you work behind a bar doesn’t mean you’re game for serving anything other than drinks.” He looked over his shoulder and shook his head before meeting my gaze. Offering me his hand, he smiled. “My name’s Freddy.”
I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Freddy. What can I get you? It’s on me.”
Freddy shook his head, holding up his half-full pint of Guinness. “I’m okay with this. Thanks.”
I smiled. “Okay, but when you’re ready for another, it’s on me.”
“I may take you up on that.” He smiled politely and walked off.
*****
The remaining three hours went by so slowly, I was starting to feel like I had worked a double. For two of those hours, creepy guy stayed and stared at me, which didn’t help, but Freddy simply disappeared after that. I guess he wasn’t that desperate for another Guinness after all.
Once I cleaned up some glasses and wiped down the bar, I made my way to the back to get my coat.
“Do you want me to walk you home? It’s quite late.”
I turned around and saw Charlie standing in the doorway. “No, it’s fine. It?
??s only a ten minute walk.”
“Are you sure? I don’t like you walking around by yourself this late.”
I walked over to Charlie and placed a hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine.” I patted my bag. “I have pepper spray.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Really? You little minx.”
I shrugged. “It’s just a good thing I haven’t needed to use it…yet.”
Charlie shuddered a little. “May it stay that way.” He sighed again. “Are you sure I can’t walk you home?”
I shook my head and walked past him. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I don’t want to use any of my pepper spray on you once we reach my house. I’ll probably end up using the whole can.”
Charlie shook his head. “Ha, ha, very funny.” He suddenly looked as though he remembered something. “Oh, can you come in tomorrow night?”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to. This was probably the worst time to ask.
“It will only be a couple hours. Sue’s got to collect her mum from the airport and asked if she could take a couple hours off. It will only be from six to eight.”
That made me feel a little better. “Okay. I can do that.”
Charlie smiled. “Great! I’ll see you tomorrow night then, Olivia.” He made a move to go back out to the bar, then stopped. “Dream about me tonight, poppet.” He blew me a kiss and ran off before I had the chance to retort.
Smiling, I shook my head, gathered the rest of my things, and left. It was cold, so I pulled my gloves out of my coat pockets and pulled them on my hands. It was a crisp night, full of drunks and party-goers lining the streets. Me? I was going home. I just wanted a hot cup of tea, a warm bath, and my cosy bed.
I walked down the end of the busy street and turned into a quieter lane. I hated going down there as it was sometimes too quiet. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end, and I couldn’t wait until I turned the next corner onto the busier road.
I felt my adrenaline kick up a notch as the sound of footsteps behind me made my heart leap into my mouth. I felt my pace quicken, but so did the footsteps. I wanted to look around, but I daren’t, so I just kept going. I was virtually sprinting now, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away.