Page 11 of Affliction
“How’s your shift been?” I ask, placing my things below the bar. When I straighten up again she rolls her eyes when I look at her.
“You know, just another Saturday. No issues so far but the night is still early. Hopefully you won't have any problems.”
I smirk, “You know I’m not worried about ‘problems’,” I say making air quotes around the word, “I can handle it.”
She throws her head back and laughs. Her smile splits her face, contrasting the annoyance I just heard. Ashlynn is gorgeous. She’s about my height with big crystal-blue eyes, pouty lips and waist length copper colored hair. Tonight, she has it in big waves, half of it out of her face. Framing her face perfectly—of course.
“Don’t I know it but still, it makes for a shitty night when someone comes in acting like a dick.”
I can't argue with her there. I’d rather just come in and have a smooth night but that isn't always the case.
“Besides, we have a newby. Seems like James figures we need some extra muscle to keep people in line. We have our very own babysitter now. Sorry,bouncer.” She waves her hand, dismissively, then points to the back corner of the bar.
Interesting. We’ve never needed a bouncer before. Any issue I’ve had on my shift I’ve managed to de-escalate, though sometimes interference from other customers has been needed. Even Ash’s afternoon shifts are uneventful.
Lifting a brow, I look over my shoulder to see a man tucked where Ash had just pointed to. Our new shadow is standing with his arms folded across his chest and his foot resting on the wall. He’s probably around six feet tall, with short blond hair. The look on his face says he’s not happy about being here—neither are we. He scans the busy crowd, his head on a swivel, seemingly engrossed in his duties. That’s when I notice the cuts on his lip and eyebrow, and what looks like a black eye.
Looking back at Ashlynn, she shrugs at the question in my eyes.
“That guy?” I ask, nodding my head in his direction. “He looks like he’s had his ass kicked already.”
She lifts one shoulder, “I have no idea. James hasn't been in for me to ask about it, but it is what it is. Big guy showed up around six and hasn’tmoved, camping there like a creep. He’s not in the way so, whatever I guess. Maybe it’ll work out.”
Maybe.It might be nice to have someone else here with me through my shift and during closing.
“Do you have plans tomorrow? I was thinking we could hang out. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She asks me, grabbing her jacket and keys.
“You saw me two days ago in this exact spot, but no I have nothing going on. Text me in the morning.” Ash is a little dramatic but I love her all the same. She’s my only friend here, and honestly, the best friend I have ever had.
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll see you in the morning with coffee!” She kisses my cheek and hurries out from behind the bar. Squeezing past guests in only the way she can do, looking lithe and graceful.
“Have a good night! Love you!” She shouts back at me before darting out of the door and into the rain—giving her a little wave as I set to work.
It’s almost midnight and the crowd has only grown larger within the last hour. It’s a full house tonight and I couldn't be more happy about it. I’ve needed a distraction from the strange things that have been happening the last couple of nights, and last night's dreams.
“Here you go.” I say to one of my customers, sliding his bottled beer over the counter. He turns back to his buddies at one of the pool tables, paying me no mind, when the door opens. I look over to see two more men walk in. Twomassivemen. They don’t stop at the bar or even spare a glance in my direction. Beelining to the back of the bar where the new babysitter, orwhatever you want to call him, is still standing.I need to find out his name before I leave tonight.
Bouncer-boy straightens his stance as the three of them engage in what looks like a little bit of a heated discussion. Busying myself with washing some glasses, I occasionally steal glances in their direction. The two newcomers have their backs to me. where I can’t read their lips. They tower over the third, who looks more irritated than before.
Who are these guys?
I put the last glass on the dish rack and begin to dry my hands as their quick exchange comes to an end and the two turn to leave. One of them has disheveled sandy-colored hair, intricate looking tattoos that cover his neck, and there's a cigarette tucked behind his ear. He looks pissed and is talking to the other animatedly. Glancing over to his friend, I note a bored expression as he listens to the former's rant.
Like his partner, he’s insanely tall, though maybe a little more so. With tattoos covering the exposed skin of his neck and hands, onyx colored hair that’s shorter on the sides and longer on the top. Styled in a messy ‘I woke up like this’ look with a few wavy strands hanging across his forehead. He stops mid stride to look at his friend but his green eyes slam into mine instead.
Damn, caught staring.
Heat flames my cheeks, turning away from him, I hurry to the other end of the bar to see if anyone needs refills. I take the orders of the three sitting there but when I turn to grab their drinks, my shoulders sag in relief when I notice the men are gone.
Two hours later, I lock the door and turn to see the new bouncer still in his spot. I honestly forgot he was there. The entire night he didn’t make any attempt to introduce himself, and I got so busy I kind of shifted his existence to the back burner and left him there..
Steeling my nerves I make my way over to where he stands, intent on putting a name to his face.
“I’m Parker by the way.” I say and extend my hand.
He looks down at it and then his blue eyes meet mine, eyeing me with indignation.Ooookay?
Annoyed and a little embarrassed, I cross my arms over my chest. “Okay, well anyway, I got this. I can tell you’d rather not be here so you can go.” Dismissing myself, I head back behind the bar to begin my closing duties when he finally speaks.
