by Michelle Day
The smell of bacon woke him the following morning. Untangling himself from the stranglehold Matt had on him, Paul stumbled down the stairs, dragging his fingers through his untidy mop of hair as he went. He had drunk relatively little last night and had escaped a hangover but he was tired, dog tired and wished for a few more hours of sleep.
Greeting the bar manager and his stunning, drop dead gorgeous girlfriend to whose charms he was largely immune to by now, he slipped onto a stool and watched the albino beauty work her magic in the kitchen. Arianna placed a large mug of tea in front of him and playfully ruffled his hair, pushing it away from his face, looking concerned as she told him he looked tired.
“I’m dead on my feet, I want to go back to bed but Matt’s taken over.”
“Eat.” She told him sliding a large plate of full English breakfast in front of him along with an array of sauces.
“Thanks, but I’m not really hungry.”
“Eat.” Jez told him as he slathered butter onto a slice of toast, “You’ll need your energy for the stock take you’re about to do.”
“That’s today?” Paul asked and groaned as Jez nodded and grinned at him. Resting his head on his arms momentarily, he grumbled “Asshole.” Before turning his attention to the food in front of him.
“You’d better save some for Matt.” Arianna made to remove some of the piled up food from the two men in front of her.
“Nah, trust me, the longer you let him sleep, the less likely it is that he’ll barf all over your furniture.” Paul prised the plate from her hands and tucked in.
Having yawned his way through the stock take thinking that the numbers would probably be wrong but right at that moment not particularly caring enough to pay more attention, Paul replaced the last of the small mixer bottles he’d been counting and sighed with relief. From his position, sitting on the floor behind the bar, he was hidden from view; he took a few moments to lean his head back and close his eyes when Jez’ voice came loud and clear from the other side of the bar.
“I need all your stock sheets pronto people and then I want all the glasses removed from behind the bar, washed, polished and re-shelved.”
Loud groans followed the announcement as Paul crawled along the bar a little and began pulling glasses from shelves and stacking them into baskets in preparation for washing. Nearing the back of the shelf he began to realise the need for this mass washing of glasses, some of them can’t have been used for some time and were dusty, there was also a nasty odour wafting from the shelf.
Pulling the last few glasses forward, he couldn’t fail to notice the hissing and…was that growling? Coming from the rear of the shelf. Peering around the glasses, he shuddered and pressed himself back against the far side of the bar, as what he supposed was a rat advanced towards him.
Getting the distinct feeling that the beastie was eyeing up his jugular, Paul covered his throat before shouting for the bar manager. The rat hissed again as Jez’ head appeared over the top of the bar giving Paul the distraction he needed to scramble out of his current position and hop very quickly over the top of the bar.
“Holy shit.” Jez breathed on catching sight of the animal. “It would appear we have a rat problem. At least, I assume it’s a rat.”
“It looks a like rat, with perhaps a little Tasmanian Devil thrown in.” Paul answered dryly.
“I’ve been noticing droppings in the staff room but thought they were contained there. Shit, I’d better go and get some traps.”
Walking away, Paul spoke over his shoulder, “Nah, I know a guy, give me a sec.” Reaching over the bar, he fumbled for the club’s phone and dragged it to the surface, dialling the number from heart, he leant on his elbows as he waited for the call to connect. Chuckles and shocked looks caught his attention as he listened to the incessant ringing and glancing into the mirror behind the bar he saw why.
With the phone to his ear, he watched the clubs manager stroll across the dance floor, baseball bat in hand, taking practise swings.
“What do you plan on doing with that?” He asked as Jez bravely stepped behind the bar and confronted the rat.
“I figured if he moved, I’d squash him.” Jez answered, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the wildly squeaking vermin.
“With the size of that thing, if you get anywhere near him, he’s likely to grab the bat and batter you to death with it.”
“Good point.” Jez conceded but cast him a baleful glance whilst telling the rest of the staff to get back to cleaning the glasses. He didn’t leave his poised position in front of the rat although Paul wasn’t sure if that was through fear or stubbornness at that point.
His conversation with his pest control expert went along the lines of “We need to open the club in two hours; this has to be dealt with now.” to “How big? It’s about the size of a Jack Russell with enough meat on it to feed a family of four for a week.”
Hanging up, he smirked at Jez, “Help is on the way.”
Scrubbing a hand over his face and eliciting more angry squeaks from the resident head of the rat family, Jez glanced at Paul. “I knew there was a brain beneath that pretty façade.”
Paul barked out a laugh, “Dude, you don’t pay me enough to look this good.” He turned his attention to the gathered staff and beckoned to the two closest females, “By the way, you know there’s a mirror behind the bar?” He asked. Rolling their eyes at him they nodded. “So you know I could see you checking out my back side?” He was genuinely surprised when the two women blushed especially considering they felt him up on a regular basis. Grinning, he went to wait outside the club for the arrival of the vermin exterminator.
Rat dead, glasses sparkling and back on clean, sanitised shelves, crisis averted, the club opened its doors as usual, right on time, everyone was happy. Paul was back in his happy place, behind the bar. Always the centre of attention wherever he was in the club, he became aware that he was the sole focus of one girls attentions when one of his fellow bar men nudged him.
Appraising the girl as she made her way to the bar, he had to admit she was easy on the eye. Reasonably tall, brunette, everything in proportion and very pretty indeed, it was actually her voice that he remembered from serving her earlier. Clearly from the posher part of town, she had perfect elocution, he could hear every vowel as she spoke and it sent shivers down his spine. She introduced herself as Eve, the perfect name to compliment her looks.
Getting nudged again, his co-worker told him to go for it but he shook his head, leaned close to the other man, “She’s trying too hard man, I like a woman who’ll give me a run for my money.” He heard the words “Fucking idiot” as he pulled away with a shrug and went back to serving.
Chapter Eighteen
Monday was Paul’s day off. He had decided that six day weeks weren’t for him and that he needed time for himself and time for his son and even though more often than not, the sun was rising when he left the club on Sunday mornings, he would jump in to his car and head to Gloucester.
Even though he wasn’t supposed to be working, while in Gloucester, he would check in with his crew there by dropping in on the most recent project and he’d phone Phil at least three times a day to make sure everything was going well. He got the hint that everything was tickety boo when Phil started to hang up on him at the sound of his voice.
Weeks rolled into months. He continued to rake in the money, making very healthy profits on the deals he made with Norm and even with the extra expense of additional staff, the gardening company was once again showing a profit and end of season bonuses were paid as normal.
His evenings at the club were becoming somewhat hazardous with the attentions of Eve. He even considered just fucking her just to make her go away but decided against it. He was surprised to realise he must be maturing if he was actually thinking with his head and not his dick. He was more than comfortable being centre of attention on most occasions but being the sole focus of one females attention for three nights every week was becoming a little
wearing.
There was also Suzanne’s upcoming birthday party to think about. He knew he’d have to be on his best behaviour as her boyfriend would most likely be present but he wondered if he’d have to learn to act in order to hide the hurt her parting words had caused on their previous encounter. He spent some time pondering what to wear to show his features off to their best advantage before turning his thoughts to an appropriate twenty first birthday gift for a long standing friend. He had a light bulb moment when he remembered a long ago promise he’d made her and after checking the latest balance on his personal bank account set out to buy the one thing he knew without a doubt she would love.
The evening of the party and Paul took his time getting ready. He’d had a haircut and had selected a fitted black shirt over dark blue jeans and, as always, black trainers. Taking a look in the hallway mirror as he was ready to leave, he caught the eye of his Uncle and turned to face him.
“Spit it out.” He told the older man.
“Me?” John feigned innocence. Badly! “I have nothing to say that you haven’t already heard.”
“But?” Paul prompted.
“But....this is unchartered territory for you Paul, she’s going to be there with her boyfriend and surrounded by friends. If you do anything, even sulk, she’ll pick up on it and so will Tessa and as you don’t want her to know you’ve banged her very best friend, you will need to reign in everything you feel or ever felt about her.”
Paul dragged his fingers through his perfectly coiffed hair and chanced a further glance in the mirror, he held back the slight grin on seeing that his hair was now mildly tousled and suited him better than his previously perfect style. “I know.” He sighed, “Tonight is going to suck.”
“Then don’t go.”
“I have to go. If I don’t she’ll think we’ve fallen out and my absence will be more than noticed, it’ll be commented upon. Besides, I got her a present. It’s better that I give it to her in public.” He grinned at the thought of what giving her the gift in private would entail.
“Oh God, I can see where your thoughts are going, go on, get out and try to have a good time.” John laughed at Paul’s grin and shoved him towards the door.
Hailing a cab, Paul sat back and stroked the velvet covered box in his hand. Suzanne was going to freak out when she saw this. It gave him soul deep satisfaction to be able to give her this gift. He’d deliberately left late so that he could sneak into the hall unnoticed and not have all eyes on him.
Spotting Matt at the bar, Paul headed in that direction, pausing now and then to greet seldom seen friends. Matt pushed a pint of lager towards him as he slid onto the stool. The brothers clinked glasses before sitting back to survey the room. The usual suspects were all in attendance, all of Suzanne’s friends, their sister and a mixed bag of male and female acquaintances. People where already dancing, booze was flowing, the room was loud.
Reaching for the velvet box Paul had placed on the bar, Matt opened it and his eyebrows rose to his hairline. He glanced up at his brother; saw his smirk then looked over at where Suzanne was holding court with her boyfriend. Oh shit.
Paul was waiting for the perfect opportunity; he got that when Cameron, Suzanne’s now live in boyfriend, walked away from her and headed to the gents. Sliding from his stool and fist bumping Matt, he wrapped his hand around the velvet box and made his way over to her.
Suzanne had been acutely aware of him from the moment he walked in. How could anyone not notice him? For one thing, he certainly knew how to use clothes to their best effect. Nothing he wore detracted from his looks, his clothing if anything, made him more attractive. She knew he’d make his approach the second Cameron stepped away from her so she waited calmly and took in the sight of him as he came towards her.
Turning on his smile as he approached, he held the box in front of him, “Happy birthday Suzie.” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek as she accepted the box.
He smelled delicious. It was such a bad idea inviting him here. Now all she’d do for the rest of the evening would be compare him against Cameron and she knew which one of them would come up trumps. The shape and texture of the box signalled jewellery but when she opened it she was stunned. There was no way he could have remembered the passing conversation that’d had three years earlier. She looked down at the diamond tennis bracelet resting inside the box. Ok, so he’d remembered but this wasn’t the bracelet she’d pointed out, this was the new improved and significantly more expensive version that she’d secretly wanted all along.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she screamed her delight and launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, her lips pressed to his before she knew it. His arms came around her holding her tight but he managed to remove his lips from hers. Smiling down at her, he squeezed her tighter. “You like?” he asked.
“Like?” She asked, “I adore it. You remembered.”
“I made you a promise.” He nodded as he released his hold. “Let’s see what it looks like shall we?” He took the box from her and removed the bracelet. Discarding the box, he waited until she held out her left wrist to him and encased it in diamonds. “Perfect.”
The diamonds sparkled as she twisted her wrist in admiration of her new adornment. “Paul, this is far too much, you should take it back.”
He shook his head. “I told you one day you would have it. Turning twenty one is a once in a lifetime momentous occasion, it’s fitting that you should have something nearly as beautiful as you to mark it.”
“Did I miss something?”
The question came from a voice he didn’t know and turning, he came face to face with Cameron.
Suzanne flushed and took a further step back from him, “Cameron, this is Paul, Tessa’s other brother.” She stumbled over the introduction.
Cameron gave Paul a once over assessment. He didn’t extend his hand, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Paul laughed, “Most people have. I’m not your average shy, retiring type.”
Trying to deflect the clearly rising tension between the two men, Suzanne butted in, “Look what Paul gave me for my birthday.” She thrust her wrist in front of Cameron’s.
Taking her wrist in his hand, Cameron examined the bracelet, his expression turning sour as he examined it. “Don’t you think this gift is a little inappropriate? You are after all, just the brother of her friend.”
“I’ve know Suzie for a very long time,” Paul began, making sure to use the shortened version of her name, “The only person who needs an explanation for my gift is her. She’s already had that so you’ll forgive me if I don’t feel the need to justify myself to you.” Extricating himself from the situation before it escalated further, Paul returned to the bar and ordered a shot.
“I see you met the boyfriend.” Matt said, matching his brother by also ordering a shot.
Paul nodded, “Yep” then asked for another shot.
“He’s a bit of a douche huh?”
Turning to his brother, Paul found he was once again smiling. Matt wasn’t one to draw conclusions on first impressions and for him to come straight out and say something like that made Paul’s day as well as confirmed his suspicions. “I fucking love you Mattie.” He said before reaching for his brother and planting a large smacker of a kiss on him.
Matt wiped his mouth off with the back of his hand, “Dude!”
“I know you Matt; you don’t make snap decisions on anyone’s personality so I know it’s not just me.”
“He’s smarmy and snide and I get the impression he’s one of the women should be seen and not heard brigade.” Matt justified his decision.
“I think you may be right. You know what I’m going to do now?” Paul asked, Matt shook his head. “Get slaughtered and have a fucking good evening.”
Nodding his head vigorously in agreement, Matt ordered the first of many rounds.
When the music changed to something with a heavier, more sensual beat, Paul headed out onto the makeshift dance floor and s
oon found himself plastered to Faye’s back, whispering to her as they danced all the naughty things he’d like to do to her but out of respect to his sister, he really shouldn’t.
Faye knew she was onto a winner when he started talking dirty. She was thoroughly enjoying the feel of his hard body pressed to her back and knew if she could see his eyes when he talked, they’d be twinkling with mischief and would make a liar out of his statement that he wouldn’t touch her out of respect to his sister.
As the song ended, the music stopped altogether and the muted lighting was replaced with the harsh glare of the overhead lights. Paul stepped back slightly from Faye, not wanting to raise his sister’ suspicions and as one the people on the dance floor turned towards the sound of a glass being tapped. His eyes landed squarely on the small box Cameron had in his hand and his heart sunk.
With all eyes on him and Suzanne shaking her head at him as her cheeks flushed, Cameron sunk down onto one knee and proposed. Paul felt a hand slide into his as she accepted his proposal and was presented with a ring. He looked down at Faye and where their hands joined and gave it a squeeze. She nudged him with her shoulder and tugged him towards the bar.
“You ok?” She asked.
“I’ll be fine; she was never mine to begin with. I had no right to presume she would be.” He forced a smile, “Music’s started again, come on, dance with me.” He told the bar man to keep the drinks coming before dragging her back to the dance floor.
They only stopped dancing when Suzanne flitted by so Faye could gawk at her ring. Paul took mild satisfaction that the diamonds in the bracelet he’d given her where by far superior to the one in her ring.
Apart from the brief fly by to show off her ring, Suzanne avoided Paul for the remainder of the evening but she was acutely aware of how cosy he was getting with one of her best friends and she tried hard to stamp on the jealousy bubbling inside her. With the night drawing to a close, she saw that her more inebriated friends made it into taxis for the journey home. Paul and Faye had slipped out of the building while she was saying her farewell’s but there they were, plain as the nose on her face, engaged in a lip lock in the line for taxi’s.