Chapter 10
Tanner
I’ve been working at Maxi’s for two weeks. It’s a sports bar that actually serves really good food. There are two pool tables in the back along with a shuffleboard table. I have beaten Dani like ten times. Who knew shuffleboard was my thing? My only known talent has been being able to stack communion cups at an impressive speed.
Today is my eighteenth birthday. I smiled and laughed as Maxine, Dani, Karissa, Stacey, and Lewy sang happy birthday to me at lunch. Dani was so proud of the chocolate cake she made me. Complete with sprinkles and trick candles. It warms my heart to look over at the new friends that I have made. Maxine is like a second mom, and Lewy is my new favorite person. He cooks the best grilled cheese sandwiches. I had no idea there was a certain craft behind some bread and cheese.
“I’m going on break,” Karissa yells as she slips out through the back exit.
It’s 3:00. The slow time between the lunch crowd and night crowd. Stacey’s shift ended, so it’s just me on the floor at the moment. Maxine and Dani are in the back doing the ordering.
“Lewy, on table six, she wants her meat patty extra well done,” I say as I hang my ticket for him.
“Coming right up.” He winks.
There are only about three tables with customers, so I take my time heading back out. When I do, I spot three men in the front booth. They must have walked in when I went to the kitchen. I don’t recognize them, but they have leather vests on. Probably more brothers from the club. I swear there are hundreds of them.
“Hey guys, what can I get you?” I smile as I walk up to the table.
The old guy on the left looks me up and down. I know that look. Gross.
“Three waters.” The blonde one answers.
“Anything to eat?” I flip open my notepad.
“I see one thing I’d love to eat.” A scratchy voice invades my ears and I glance up to meet his eyes. A shudder waves through me as we make eye contact.
“I’ll bring those waters out,” I say as I ignore his comment.
My hands quiver as I fill up three glasses of water. Dani told me to just ignore the bikers that get nasty. I haven’t had to deal with it too much, most of them know I’m Travis’ sister so they don’t bother me.
“Alright, here are the waters.” I slide each glass on the table.
“What’s your name, sweetness?” This guy has beady eyes and a long beard.
“Tanner.”
“You someone's old lady?” He asks.
I laugh. “No, but Dom’s my brother so, sorry, but it’s not going to happen.” I twirl around on my heel.
“You're the VP’S sister?” He asks with surprise in his voice.
“Yeah, y’all need anything else?” I ask after pausing and turning back around.
“Cheese sticks. Bring ranch.” He grins at me.
“You got it.” I give a dramatic eye roll as I turn around.
I shuffle to the kitchen, then check on table four. I check my phone. Karissa must be screwing around with her boyfriend since she is ten minutes past her fifteen minute break.
“Here’s your ticket.” I reach for the basket of cheese sticks, which haven’t been touched, when a tattooed hand grips my wrist tightly. He stands and I try to jerk free. He grips harder and it stings my skin. My free hand knocks over the glass of water as I wrestle him, trying to break loose.
“What are you doing?” I scream when the other two stand up out of the booth.
The customers at our other tables started to scramble around, and one guy darted to the bathrooms.
He spins me around, so my back is to his front, and I feel something cold on my temple. Is that a freaking gun? My breathing stops. My vision blurs. What the hell is happening?