The bar was just meant to be a for-now job. I wasn’t even twenty-one when I walked into Envy and asked about the ad. But I was desperate and Ashley clearly saw that in my eyes because she took a chance on me.
She took a huge risk because if the owners found out that I was underage, we’d have both been out on our asses, but she gave me the chance.
I’ve never been more grateful for anything in my life.
It put a roof over my head and decent food in my belly. I’d met more than my fair share of interesting and equally fucked-up people. Channelled my anger with some of the bigger assholes around the back of the bar in the shadows, and laughed until I almost pissed myself with both my coworkers and the patrons.
But was working in a bar what I always dreamed of doing?
No, not really.
But then, I had no clue what I wanted either.
When my cell finally stops ringing, I roll over with every intention of ignoring it.
But then the image of my kitty kat curled up beside me hits me and I flip over, brushing my hand over the floor until my fingers collide with my cell.
Deep down, I know it’s not her. But it could be D or Ryder, who I’ve reluctantly tasked to keep an eye on her when neither of us are around. Diesel has no idea I’ve done it, and I have no desire to tell him either because it’ll only spark more questions than I’m willing to answer. Hell, I’m not even sure I could answer them. Memories of that night still drag up mixed emotions within me.
It was hot.
So fucking hot.
But also…
He touched my girl. Watched my girl as she fell apart, over and over.
Fuck, he made her fall apart. And I should be the only one doing that.
I groan when I find Ashley’s name staring back at me.
I glance at the time.
Almost midday.
“Morning, Ash,” I croak out, making it more than obvious that she just woke me up. “How’s your dad?”
“Bad, Styx. Really fucking bad.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
Silence fills the line for a second. Just long enough for me to predict her next words.
“I’m not coming back, Styx.’
Double fuck.
“Okay,” I say, although it feels anything but.
“I’ve told Marcus that you’ve got the bar covered, that he can trust you.”
“Ash,” I breathe. My argument is right on the tip of my tongue but she speaks before I get to voice it.
“I know you don’t want the responsibility, Styx. But you’re the only one for the job. You know it as well as I do.”
Ash is… well, I don’t actually know how old she is. Heading toward her mid-thirties, I guess. She’s run Envy like a well-oiled machine for years. It’s her baby. Honestly, I thought she would end up dying behind the bar. But, and as should be the case, her family needs her. And they have to come first. I get that. I just… I don’t know if I want to pick up the pieces back here.
“Marcus said the job is yours, all you gotta do is say yes, Styx. It’s more money and—”