Chapter Five
1424 Words
“I don’t mind a little flirting to make them happy.”
* * *
Just as I began to pull out of my hard-earned parking spot, my phone started tickling my pocket and made me jump. Taking it out to look at the caller ID, I saw it was my best friend, Sid.
Seeing her number puzzled me because her shift at the club should have started fifteen minutes ago.
I frowned and answered her call with forced enthusiasm.
“Hey Jules, I just wanted to call and let you know I won’t be at work tonight. Becky wanted to trade shifts with me and even offered to throw in half the tips she makes. I couldn’t turn her down.” She sounded excited and disappointed all in one breath. “So, she’s working tonight and I will be working her shift on Wednesday.”
I rolled my eyes… Great. Now I had to put up with Becky all night. This day just kept getting better and better.
“Sidney Anne! I was really looking forward to catching up with you. I’ve had one hell of a day and could really use some vent time!” I was really just trying to make her feel a little guilty for leaving me stuck with Becky.
It’s not that Becky was a mean person or anything. She was just really clingy and constantly filled your ear with inane chatter. Always wanting to ‘chat-it-up’ in passing and constantly asking if we could hang out later after work.
I tried to hang out with her before, but she would never shut up. Once, she overheard me tell Sid something rather private and the next thing I knew, everyone at the club was informed of my personal business. So, it was best if I just tried to keep my distance before I ended up saying something to her I would regret.
“I’m sorry, Julia. You know we’ll see each other at home after your shift. Plus, you’ve got me on the phone now anyway. So spill.”
Could I tell her everything now? I was in a bit of a hurry if I wanted to get all this clay off and in my work clothes before I ended up getting docked a half hour for being late.
“Nah, Sid. It’s okay. I’m going to be home in a few and need to hurry. I have clay stuck in my hair and I have less than forty-five minutes to get to work before Lib docks my time. We’ll catch up after my shift. Are you home right now?” I had to ask because I could hear some rowdy shouting in the background.
“No, I’m at Sean’s. His buddies just walked in and it’s getting a bit loud. I’ll try to be home before you get off work though, okay?” I heard her giggle as Sean started mumbling something to her. “Love you, Jules!”
“Ditto, Sid. See ya.” We both hung up.
* * *
Dressed in my white, three-quarter sleeve, button-up blouse, a black skirt that fell to mid-thigh, and black, sheen pantyhose with black stilettos, I walked into work with two minutes to spare. I always had to pull my hair back for my sanity, so today I slicked it back in a braid while it was still wet. That should keep the curls under control… for now. I could already feel a few tendrils escaping around my temples and ears as my hair began to dry.
“Hey, Julia!” Uh, oh. Along came Bubbly Becky.
I smiled and secretly rolled my eyes as Becky ran to me and put her arm in mine. “Isn’t it great we get to work together tonight? We’re going to have so much fun! I had to practically beg Sid to switch shifts with me because I have a date on Wednesday night!”
“Yeah. What a pleasant surprise,” I said, feigning excitement.
The club was fairly empty. Only a few people scattered the bar and one guy waited at the door for someone. Dex wasn’t going to let him linger there for long.
Dex was the club’s bouncer. On busy nights, he had a full security team he managed. But on the slower weeknights, it was usually just him.
He was a very big, muscular man. I imagine he was a good foot taller than me, probably standing at about six-foot-four. With his height and muscular frame, intimidation emanated from him. He was definitely a good bouncer and security manager. He fit the bill perfectly.
I entered the employee lounge, put my purse and things away, and donned my apron. After grabbing my order pad, a few pens, and stocking my apron with straws, I walked over to the office and clocked in.
Libby, who usually goes by Lib, owned the club and was a damn good friend. She was very nice, but a stickler for the rules. She was tall and skinny with straight, blonde hair and continuously wore jeans, a tank, and a band of keys around her muscular arm. Carrying herself with extreme confidence, she always seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, but I knew it was a tough-chick act she portrayed well.
Lib looked up from her order sheets and gave me a small smile before I walked back behind the bar.
I took a deep breath through my nose and sighed. The club always put a smile on my face.
All the bars throughout the club were filled with water and built into aquariums. The countertops bubbled with backlit blue lights and the base of the bar was a beautiful, tropical paradise for several colorful fish. The main bar was elevated so people on the dance floor ended up face to face with the beautiful aquarium. The walls were also lined with pipes of flowing water. Bubbles danced around and reflected nicely in front of the deep blue lighting that gave the entire place an underwater feeling—hence the name, H20.
I enjoyed burying myself into work and would often forget about any other troubles until after my shift.
I could hear Becky cackling in the other room with the barbacks and rolled my eyes again at the thought of working with the bubbly blabbermouth all night. She wasn’t that bad, really. She and I were just different, which made conversation very uncomfortable for me.
As the night went on, I was surprised at how packed the club was. Monday nights were usually pretty dead, but I didn’t mind the abnormal busyness.
Tonight was Becky’s turn behind the bar with the senior bartender, Pete, and I was scheduled to be out on the floor, waiting tables and serving people standing around.
I flashed an apologetic smile to Pete and turned to walk to the VIP section where a group of college frat boys were getting situated and laughing it up before even having a sip of alcohol.
Oh, this group is going to be fun.
The guys seemed to be enjoying one another’s company as their arms draped carelessly around the shoulders of their groupies.
Since this job came easy to me, I let my mind wander.
I began to think about Mr. Stone and how ridiculous I must be for even thinking he had an interest in me. And, even if he did, what did it matter? It wasn’t like I could act upon the attraction I had for him. I knew that was a big no-no and I was sure he did too.
The way he called me Angel crept into my mind and made me smile. Of course, a few of my customers misinterpreted my smile, thinking it was intended for them. But that was okay. I didn’t mind a little flirting to make them happy, as long as it stayed innocent.
The rest of my shift went very quickly. We were so busy that I didn’t get out of there until after one in the morning.
I dragged my tired butt up to my apartment and couldn’t wait to be in my bed.
Just as I walked over the threshold, I noticed a sliver of paper under the heel of my shoe. Did it get stuck on there when I walked in?
Curious, I bent over and picked it up. Turning it over, I read the scribble that was sprawled across the blank paper.
Suddenly, everything around me began to plummet into darkness.
- Writer
