From Kendra.
It was an image text, which made me cringe as I opened it.
Kendra: I told you she was a WHORE!
The picture was taken at Aces. Ashtyn was behind the counter, looking hot as hell, andReynoldswas on the barstool in front of her. They were both smiling.
I threw my phone across the room and it hit the TV, creating a spider effect shatter in the glass.
Fuck them. Fuck everyone. Fuck it all.
38
Ashtyn
"Whatareyoulookingat?" Max asked as he mixed up an order of cosmopolitans.
I peered over his shoulder one last time and glanced around. "I thought I saw someone I know. This stupid cunt who fucked the guy I like."
Max whipped his head around to look where my gaze landed. "What's she look like? I'll beat her ass!"
"A raging bitch with fake blonde hair and too much makeup."
"Honey, that could be several people in this place."
I focused my attention back on the bar and saw a familiar face. I knew this one. The combed-back dark hair, black-rimmed glasses, chinos, sweater vest.
"Oh my fuck! My teacher just walked in. He's coming this way.” I tried to dodge behind Max but Mr. Reynolds' eyes locked on mine and widened in shock.
He sat down at the bar and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Ashtyn? Are–is that you?"
"Uh, hey Mr. Reynolds..." I half-waved.
"Daniel. Call me Daniel. Especially now," he looked around and smiled. "This is a little awkward.”
"Yeah, if you could not say–" I started.
"I won't say anything, Ashtyn. I get it. Your tips must be out of this world," he said as his eyes quickly looked down my body and back up to my eyes. "So uh, you'll be my waitress? I'll go easy on you, promise. I'm just here for one drink."
"I take care of the bar," Max smiled with his perfectly white set of teeth.
Mr. Reynolds' eyes flashed with irritation for a moment before he smiled again. "Great, I'll have a gin and tonic."
I excused myself with the tray of cosmos, doing my best to stay away from the bar and Mr. Reynolds. The last thing I wanted was for word to get around school that I was a server at Aces. They already thought I was a whore. I didn't need to add to the name-calling and ridicule.
The clock mocked me, moving at a snail's pace as I continued to check it. I only had an hour left of my shift and then I would be out of here. The itch to feel my blade against my skin was strong, but I was trying to fight through it. I promised Remington that I would call him if I wanted to cut, and he promised to call me if he wanted to use again. I had faith that both of us would stick to our promises to each other. I had to because the rabbit hole I was falling down was a tough one to climb out of.
I was cleaning off one of my tables and watching Mr. Reynolds out of the corner of my eye. He stirred his drink for the millionth time. A few people lined the bar, sipping drinks and chatting. Once it got closer to midnight, the place would fill with men ready to put the back rooms to use.Yuck.
Mr. Reynolds looked around, spotted Charlie across the room, and waved him over.
How did he know him?I wondered as I wiped the same spot on the table again.
My eyes furrowed when Charlie started shaking his head. Mr. Reynolds looked furious at that, raising his voice slightly. I couldn't hear what they were saying but Charlie left and Mr. Reynolds slammed back his watered-down drink in one gulp.
I plopped the rag on my tray and started walking to the bar. I needed to drop off dirty glasses and clean up a bit more. I stopped in my tracks when Pete came out from behind the red velvet curtain and marched to Mr. Reynolds.
I placed my tray on a table and watched as Pete and Mr. Reynolds spoke to each other in hushed tones. Mr. Reynolds did most of the talking and Pete nodded along. Almost as quickly as he appeared, Pete went over to the red curtain and turned around, his eyes scanning the crowd. Once they landed on me, he held up his finger and motioned for me to come to him. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced my feet to move. It was never good when he wanted tochat.