I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this.
Chapter 9
“Can I get three blowjobs and a sex on the beach?”
“You got it.” I move through the order quickly. “Twelve fifty.”
“Here’s fifteen. Keep the change.” The guy hands me the money and shoots me a wink. I smile back and pretend that I could be interested when I am anything but. The Terminal is just that. And old bus terminal converted into a bar. Its New Year’s Eve and the place is crazy busy. I’m set up to have a phenomenal night in tips. We’re in the middle of a college town which means lots of kids eager to get drunk and hookup for the night. Campus has gotten pretty strict about parties which is good for business. I went for half a semester my freshman year. Fisher hated me being gone all the time. Like the fool for him that I was I dropped out and started waiting tables. He hated me working too.
If things had gone his way, he would have already had me knocked up. He believes in keeping a woman barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Looking back, I don’t know why I ever thought it was because he loved me. It was because he wanted to keep me home to manipulate me. To keep me home so I wouldn’t know what he was doing behind my back. I was such a fool.
I’ve kept my word and stayed away from the clubhouse and away from Death. I’ve not seen nor spoken to him since Christmas morning. I know it’s for the best. Though I can’t stop thinking about him and have had to use my vibrator twice the past week. I want to hate him, but he never made me any promises and like I told my sister. It was one night. One night where I experienced things I’d never touched before with anyone else. He isn’t mine. He’s married and off limits.
I gotta learn to stop playing with fire. Because all I ever seem to do is get burned.
I stuff the tip money into the jar and move to the next customer. We’re almost at capacity. Its elbow to elbow no matter where you look. There’s not an empty seat in the house. I’ve not stopped since I came on the floor. I wipe the bar quickly as Mikai signals he’s going to grab restock before the next rush hits us. He’s a gorgeous black, gay man with a weak spot for older white men with dad bods. Says he’s looking for his next sugar daddy. I’ve worked alongside him for the past six months, but he’s not had much luck with the sugar part. Though he’s found plenty of men who like it when he calls them daddy. My spot behind the bar was meant to be temporary, but I prefer it. Drunken assholes can’t get handsy with a bar separating us. The night moves fast. Before I know it, midnight is upon us. The crowd begins the countdown, and it hits me. Once again, I’m single. I’m alone and back to my fake happiness. I smile through it as I watch the patrons of the bar kissing their partners or strangers they just met.
They have something I don’t. Hope. Hope that the promise the new year holds will bring them their best year yet. My cell vibrates in my back pocket with a text from Yara. She’s at the clubhouse with Whiskey. I hurry to type back a message before Smith catches me on it. We aren’t supposed to have our phones out while we’re on the clock.
Best Sister Ever:Happy New Year! Wish you were here.
Her message is followed up with a photo taken with her selfie stick. My brothers are in the background chugging their beers while Yara is kissing her husband on the cheek. I can’t help but scan the faces in the background to search for Death. I don’t spot him. That doesn’t mean he isn’t there though. I wonder if his wife is with him or is he with someone else.
Bratty Little Sister:HNY! ILU.
I shorten my wishes and my I love you because its faster than typing out a full message. I can hear the fireworks shooting off the roof of the bar just barely. I’m already dead on my feet.
“Any big plans tonight after closing?” Mikai asks.
“Dude you and I both know we aren’t getting out of here till after three if we’re lucky. I’m taking my ass home and to bed. What about you?”
“I was hoping to take me home a biker, but he doesn’t seem too interested.” He bumps his hip against mine, and I look to the end of the bar where I see Death planted on a stool staring me down. “Friend of yours, sugar?”
“Something like that. Excuse me.”
“Take your time. I would. Damn, daddy.” He flicks my ass with his towel.
“What will it be?”
“I didn’t come here to drink.”
“Either you order or move.”
He simply stares at me while reaching into his pocket and slapping hundred-dollar bills on the counter. “That should cover it. You’re officially off the clock.”
I gulp. “You can’t buy me.”
“But he sure as hell can buy me, hello.” Mikai comes up beside me. I should’ve known he’d be eavesdropping.
“Think you can handle the rest of the night without her?”
“If she doesn’t want to come home with you, sugar, you can have me.”
Death chuckles as Mikai does a spin, licks his finger, and touches his ass while making a sizzling sound. He’s ridiculous.
“Whatever.”
“Thank you, Daddy Benjamin Franklin and your doppelgangers.” Mikai pockets the money, and I close out my register while the heat of Death’s stare washes over me the whole time. Shit.