by Olivia Snow
“What’s so funny?” He chuckled, letting me go.
“Nothing, I’m just really happy to see you.” I stepped back so I could get a full view of Christian.
He flashed me his ridiculous boyish smile, showing off his dimples. “How have you been?”
“Good, just got back in town, you live down here now?”
“Yeah, I actually just opened up a bar,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Really? Wow, that’s great. Which one?”
“This one.” He indicated the door he had just opened. Damn, what are the odds?
“Are you hiring?” I asked.
“You looking?”
“Yeah.”
“Hell yeah, we’re hiring. I need a bartender. I know your skills, so when can you start?”
And just like that I was a bartender.
A recovering alcoholic was going to be pouring drinks all night. Oh, I am a smart one.
If this wasn’t a test, I didn’t know what was.
Chapter Eight
Ava
After catching up, Christian and I headed to his office to sign some paperwork. He handed me my uniform, which consisted of a tight V-cut black tee with Blush printed on the top right-hand corner.
“You forgot this.” He handed me another piece of clothing.
“What’s that?” I took the small scrap of nothing.
“It’s a skirt all my female bartenders wear,” he said with a devilish smile.
“Chris, this isn’t going to cover half my ass. I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen me naked, but, um…this isn’t going to cut it. Plus, I’m not into the slut wear anymore.”
Christian laughed, grinning. “Believe me, Ava, there’s no way I will ever forget that ass. I’ll make you a deal. Wear tight leather pants instead and we’ll call it even.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“And heels,” he added.
I scowled harder, making him laugh. “Fine.”
“See ya later, mamacita.”
Ooh, I love it when he speaks Spanish. He waved, and I flipped him the bird before leaving his office. Christian only laughed harder as I closed the door.
I realized my face hurt from smiling so much. I missed him, and I hadn’t even realized it until now. Jogging back to the apartment to meet up with Uncle Bill and Vanessa, I opened the door following Uncle Bill’s instructions.
The apartment was already furnished. It was very modern and neither my or Vanessa’s style, but I wasn’t going to complain. Vanessa smiled when she saw me, but I could tell she wasn’t happy. Other than that, she ignored me. While Uncle Bill was explaining the amenities and the security code, my phone flashed with an incoming text. It was Declan.
Ur home?
Yea. sorry I’ve been busy. Wanna catch up tonight?
A moment later, his reply came in.
Sure. Where? What time?
New bar Blush. Ever heard?
Hell yeah that place is hot.
10?
See ya there.
***
After a long night of training, I was beat. Christian was too busy to help so he had his other bartender Jade train me. Jade had stringy blonde hair cut inches above her shoulders, her brown eyes outlined by thick black lashes. She was athletically built except for the huge boobs she showed off in her tight Blush T-shirt. She was in her mid-twenties, had recently married, and was an extremely hard worker. Even though she was older than me, we got along very well.
She was an old soul and incredibly sweet, but was in no way a pushover. When my shift was a few minutes from ending, I received a text from Declan letting me know he was running a little late. Truthfully, all I wanted to do was go back to the apartment and sleep. I was exhausted and wasn’t in the mood to talk. Ha! When was I ever?
While I cashed out for the night, I counted my tips, discovering I’d made a pretty good killing tonight. Two hundred dollars in one night was pretty awesome. School hadn’t started yet so all we were getting were locals and some young construction workers who were building one of Uncle Bill’s newest building, oddly enough.
Colorado was booming right now, with the change in legalizing marijuana. Bill’s business was thriving; he was expanding and needed all the help he could get. Rose told me he even went out of state to find the best of the best development company from Oklahoma. He was probably thinking to the future, and how much help he’d need if this success continued.
Luckily for him, Declan had switched his major to architecture and last I heard from Rose, Vanessa was still undecided, but I could bet my inheritance she’d pick a business major per her father’s request. Even with Van’s rebellious phase, she would always try to please her parents. Eighteen years of being controlled isn’t easily broken, especially when you’re naturally a people pleaser like Vanessa.
I stepped over to Christian as he poured some wine for two older women who were flashing their best flirtatious smiles. He was eating it up, making them giggle, and getting them all hot and bothered for their husbands. Before I got close enough to talk to him, he turned around, and his smile grew wider. The women glared at me. Jesus, even as we age we never stop hating on each other.
“Hey, beautiful, all cashed out? I haven’t had a chance to really talk to you, how are you liking the job?” He wrapped his fingers around my elbow, ushering me away from the bar.
“Good. I like it. It’s pretty easy since my knowledge of alcohol is extensive. Thanks again for giving me the job.”
“I knew you’d do well. But ah, how about you smile a little more at the customers?” He rubbed the back of his neck, appearing nervous. I chuckled because even big bad-ass-former-drug-dealer Christian was somehow intimidated by me.
“Sure, whatever you say, boss,” I replied. It was his business, and he wanted people happy, so I wasn’t going to be that employee. “I cashed out, clocked out. If it’s all right by you, my cousin’s stopping by to catch up. Is it all right if we chill here?”
“Yeah, that’s not a problem. You can hang out here any time. Is your cousin over twenty-one?” he asked, wiping his hands on a dry rag.
“Yeah, he just turned twenty-one not too long ago.”
“Good, so I’ll see you Thursday? Same time as today?” I nodded, giving him my best I’m trying to smile and not have it look fake smile. He snorted, then grinned, turning his attention back to his customers.
Declan walked in just as I was pulling out a chair to sit in the main dining area.
“Cugina!” he shouted, wrapping his arms around me.
“Hey, D., good to see you.” I relaxed on the chair across from him, glad to get off my feet. “You want a beer or something?”
“Yeah, that sounds great, where’s the waitress?”
“Nah, I’ll grab it. I don’t want to bother her.”
His eyebrows pulled together and he looked perplexed for a moment. “You work here?”
“Yeah, what do you want?”
His expression eased a little before answering. “Coors is good.” He reached for his wallet.
“I got it.” I stood before he could tell me to sit back down.
The bar was pretty busy for a Thursday night, or so Jade had told me. She’d also let me know there was an event going on at the University for alumni and professors. She had become buddies with one of the girls from the administration office, so Jade always knew first when there was something special happening around the school. It gave Christian the upper hand for business.
I found a gap at the bar, a perfect opening for me to reach over and grab a beer without having to go all the way around. Hopping up, I laid flat on the cool wooden bar, reaching over to slide open the door. I grabbed a Coors from the top cooler. I sensed someone watching me before I even looked his way. Gripping the long neck, I turned my head in his direction.
“You’re stealing,” he said, bringing the simple glass tumbler to his mouth. From where I stood or leaned, I could smell the sweet fragrance of Chiv
as Regal. Hmm, nice choice. I hadn’t served him, or I would have remembered him by his expensive order. Jade had probably helped him out. By this time, the bar was dimly lit so all I saw was black hair, a thick beard, and a dark gaze that slowly traveled down my thigh, his pupils dilating when his stare reached my ass. He gradually looked to my cleavage which was pressed against the bar, then to my face, glaring deep into my eyes.
My breath hiccupped a little; his smolder was nothing like I’d ever experienced, but not hot enough for me to give in. I drew my fingers inside my shirt to my bra and his eyes widened a bit before returning to normal in a split second. In between my middle and index finger, I raised a twenty-dollar bill.
“Hey, Chris!” I called out, and he looked over in my direction mid-sentence as he was talking to a group of girls who’d just arrived. I waved the money in the air before placing it on the inner shelving of the bar we used to cut lemons and prepare mixed drinks, then dropped my feet back on the floor, signaling to the beer in my hand.
“I got’chu, baby,” Christian shouted back, acknowledging that I was paying for the beer.
I turned to Dark Smolder and snapped, “No, doll, it’s not stealing.” Then I swung around to deliver the beer to my cousin.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa…not so fast.” He wrapped his fingers around my elbow, pulling me back. His hands were warm and soft. The urge to stick his fingers in my mouth to suck on them surprised me. I quickly squashed the thought before looking back into his dark pools.
“Not tonight,” I said, taking his hand off of me, and returning to Declan.
Chapter Nine
Vanessa
“Nice digs,” Stellen said as he stepped inside the new apartment.
“Thank you, come on in, and make yourself at home.” Because it sure as hell didn’t feel like it to me.
The apartment was nice, super nice. But it was already furnished with modern square furniture that didn’t look comfortable, and it wasn’t. After spending the last few days with Stellen on casual dates, I had asked him to come over to check out my new ‘home.’ Classes started tomorrow and I didn’t know how often we would be able to see each other outside of school.
Mother had given me firm orders to keep our ‘relationship’ ongoing—or else. Until I figured out how I was getting out of this situation¸ I remained on a numb emotional wave. I didn’t dare tap into my guilty conscious or any thoughts involving Gabriel.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked, walking to the kitchen without waiting for his answer. I knew he would trail behind me. I was getting the impression he had been served with the same instructions I was given.
“Some water would be nice, thanks.” While I reached for a glass, Stellen stood against the kitchen counter across from me. “So, it’s just you and your cousin?”
“Yeah, Ava.” I handed him the glass of ice water I’d poured.
“Is she here?”
“No, I think she went out to eat with a friend.” Her phone had rang earlier in the day; the person she was speaking to made her laugh, and not like the other phone calls I had caught her in. There was no Flirty Ava speaking, it was the real her she never let anyone see. It made me a tad angry that she had gotten over Gabriel so quickly. For taking a chance on a guy who would inevitably ruin your relationship with your cousin, you’d think it would take you a little longer than eight months to forget him. Neither of us had any closure. And here I was standing in my apartment with a man I didn’t even want to be with.
Stellen placed the glass on the white counter before he stepped in front of me, placing his hands on my hips. The past couple of days, we’ve exchanged simple kisses, hugs, and held hands—nothing that made me uncomfortable. Now the energy had shifted into something completely different. He hooked his fingers into the belt loops of my jeans as he moved slowly back so he could look me in the eye.
“So?”
I pressed away from him, the counter pushing up against my behind. “Yes?” I strained my neck to see into his pretty hazel eyes.
“I’ve been thinking about trying something out.” His voice lowered when his eyes zeroed in on my lips.
I knew what was coming next. I drew the numb blanket over my emotions. “And what’s that?”
“This.” He lowered his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle at first, but it quickly escalated when his tongue slid between my lips, demanding entry. I complied; what else was I supposed to do?
Stellen plastered his body against mine. It was a nice sensation to have a warm body against me. He was a pretty good kisser, not that I had much to compare it to. He moved his hands up to cup my face, tilting his head to deepen the kiss.
I imagined how awkward I must look with my hands on my sides, so I reluctantly moved them to his hips. When I touched him, he stiffened, faltering for a split second before returning to normal. We spent the next few minutes this way. My lips were becoming raw, and I was uncomfortable with the awkward placement of my hands. Before I could pull away, I heard a voice.
“Oh, shit. I, ah…I’m sorry.” Ava stumbled into the kitchen, suddenly frozen in place. “Umm, as you were.” She backed into the living room.
“It’s all right, no need to run away. I’m Stellen Webb, Vanessa’s boyfriend.” Hearing that word spoken out loud made my stomach churn. I struggled to keep the vomit from rising.
“Oh, nice to meet you. I wasn’t aware Vanessa had a boyfriend. I’m Ava, her cousin.” She shook his hand while he introduced himself. Stellen dropped his hand just as his cell phone rang in his pocket. As he removed it and glanced at the screen, his body language betrayed his discomfort.
“I apologize, I have to take this. It’s my father.” He glanced at me.
“No problem, you can take it into my bedroom. It’s right down that hallway.”
“Thanks, honey.” He kissed my cheek before heading into my room. Annoyed, I turned to the sound of Ava grunting.
“What?” I seethed.
“Nice to see you’re getting along with the opposite sex.” She opened the refrigerator door and took out a water bottle.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, you know damn well what I mean. Or…is this all Cynthia’s doing?” The look in my eyes must have given her the answer she was seeking, because she nodded to herself in agreement. “Still the same old Vanessa, I see.” She scoffed.
“Yeah, look who’s talking. Same old Ava, who’d you go out with tonight, huh? Some married man? Some poor girl’s boyfriend? Don’t pretend to be a better person because you were in rehab, okay? Once a slut, always a slut…and in your case an alcoholic slut.” I couldn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth. I didn’t really think those things about her; it was like vomit spewing from between my lips.
Ava didn’t even blink. She was used to being called names by the Saint Johns, which made me feel even worse. I didn’t want things to continue this way with her, but I wasn’t sure how to take that next step. I wasn’t even sure if I could be the bigger person in this situation.
“Actually,” she began as she placed the bottle of water on the counter, crossing her arms over her chest. “I went to go see my therapist, Dr. Parker.” Not the answer I was expecting. Oh my God, I’m turning into my mother.
“Hey, Vanessa?” Stellen walked in the kitchen, clearly sensing the tension between Ava and me. He appeared awkward, which wasn’t like him. “I have to run. I’ll uh, call you tomorrow?” He gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
“Yes, of course. I’ll walk you out.” I glared at Ava as we passed by. I heard her let out her familiar grunt-chuckle which always pisses me off. Because she does that when she’s laughing at me.
After Stellen left, I called Mallory to vent.
“Yo,” she answered.
I let out a frustrated cry which was something like a whine.
“What the hell was that?” Mallory laughed.
“She makes me so mad!” I practically screamed over the phone as I crashed on my very mod
ern Asian-style bed, yuck.
“What’s Cynthia done now?”
“No, it’s not her, it’s Ava.” I waited for the recognition to ring in Mallory’s voice, but all I heard was silence. “Mal, you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know how to be around her, how do I get past what she did to me?”
“You have to ask yourself one simple question.”
“And that is?”
“Do you want to get over it? Seriously, Van, people make mistakes. Yeah, she messed up big time, but like I told you before she met him first and after she found out you were into him she backed away. Well, she tried too. But you remember Gabriel—God rest his soul—one minute with him and any girl would fall in love with him. Not to mention she was going through her own shit, like serious life-altering shit. The day I walked in on her convulsing on the floor was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. What she’s gone through, what she’s going through, is bigger than some petty high school mistake, Vanessa. You guys are family. With the family you were given, you have to stick together, who else do you have?”
My eyes stung with tears because she was right. “I have you.”
Mallory chuckled. “Van, I love you, but it’s not the same and you know it.”
“So what do I do?”
Mallory sighed, letting out a long hmmm. “You take it one day at a time and rebuild slowly. You learn to trust each other again. Van, as much as Ava messed up, you messed up even worse. You destroyed her dad’s truck, one of the only things he loved. That’s harsh. I’m surprised she’s even willing to work it out with you, and that in itself speaks volumes.”
I gripped the phone as tears streamed down my cheeks. Mallory was absolutely right, and as much as I cared about Gabriel and how badly Ava’s betrayal hurt me, what I did to her was far, far worse. Not only did I hurt her, but I also hurt Aunt Rose. They didn’t deserve that.