The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 11

Olivia's POV

Sophie arrived back home the following morning, waking me up from the sofa where I'd fallen asleep. She was beyond pissed and worried that I hadn't called her last night after my shift as I'd said.

"I thought you'd had an accident or been murdered or something when I didn't hear from you and then your phone was off."

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and yawned.

"I'm really sorry, it wasn't deliberate, I fell asleep on the sofa as soon as I got home and my phone must have died. It was a long and busy, and the s**t with Charlie on the way home. I was just exhausted. And I have another shift tonight", I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.

"Woah back up, what s**t with Charlie at the end of the night?"

"Well, I need to back up a bit further first." I sat and told both Sophie and Owen the whole story of my first shift. Owen's jaw hung open.

"The dude has some serious balls. I don't know them but I've heard the stories. The pair of them are legendary in guy circles for the girls they pull. But taking people on a date isn't something I've heard of them doing before. They're not the take you on a date first kind of dudes and, honestly, in all the times I've seen them do their thing, I've never seen Charlie kiss anyone. Sure, girls hang off him and I know he's taken them home or done things in clubs, but I've never actually seen him kiss any of them. Always thought it was a bit ironic that he wouldn't kiss them but would go further than that and that the girls would just accept it."

"Are you going to go out with Noah?"

"I don't know. I can't decide if I like him or not. Yeah he's hot, like really hot and he seems nice, but I don't know, I can't describe it."

"I can, Charlie, got into your head," Owen said casually.

"Erugh I wanted a nice easy and simple life when I moved here, and I've got another shift again tonight. Apparently, it's karaoke night tonight, which is the busiest night of the month. Shoot me now."

"We'll come tonight for moral support, won't we Owen, and it's a good excuse for me to use for telling dad you need to stay over." Sophie winked.

"I'll let you two work that one out before your dad gets back. I need a shower and to eat before my shift rolls around in no time."

Hours later, my shift began, with the promise that Sophie and Owen would be along later.

For the first three hours, the bar was almost empty and the shift went slowly. By the time food had stopped, the place was packed with people signing up for karaoke. Sophie arrived with Owen, taking a seat at the bar, and waving enthusiastically at me. I gave a slight wave of my fingers in return as I made my way to another table. Not long after, Noah and Charlie arrived, without Sara from last night. Noah waved upon seeing me, Charlie turned his head away, which made my blood boil. How dare he think he can just talk to me when he feels like it and pretend like I don't exist. I shot him a look when he stole a quick look in my direction before he lowered his gaze. Well, tonight was going to be just swell. Charlie made his way over to Sophie and Owen, shaking Owen’s hand and then engaging him in conversation. I saw Sophie raise her eyebrows towards me, prompting me to shrug my shoulders in return. I saw Noah make his way through the crowds towards me as yet another karaoke hopeful took to the stage to sing another out-of-tune power ballad. I wasn’t in general a karaoke fan, but tonight reminded me why. The more drunk people became, the more awful the singing. I hadn’t made my mind up about Noah yet, so I was keen to avoid the conversation I thought he might be about to have with me.

“Hey Noah,” I said cheerfully.

“You look good tonight” he replied, as slick as I’d ever heard.

“Um thanks, I made an extra effort tonight, selecting just the right uniform” I replied sarcastically, then immediately felt bad that I had. He was trying to be nice.

He laughed, “If we weren’t already in a bar with you serving, I’d offer to buy you a drink.”

“I don’t think anyone’s offered to buy me a drink before.”

“Really?” he replied with wide eyes, “I find that hard to believe.”

I shrugged my shoulders and laughed, “It’s true, I wasn’t popular and kind of a loner before I moved here. In fact, I’d never really been on a night out that wasn’t a school thing.” I laughed again, throwing my head back, “I realise how sad that makes me sound.”

“Well, how about you let me take you on a date and be the first to buy you a drink?”

Oh god, there it was. The conversation that I hadn’t wanted to get into and I’d walked right into it, not only that I’d opened the door for it. I am the worst at talking to males.

“I don’t know what my shifts are at the moment, second night and all the jazz, Carmella hasn’t told me what the schedule will be yet.” That wasn’t a lie, but it was utterly lame.

Undeterred, Noah carried on. “Well, how about I take you for lunch or dinner? I can work it around your shifts, being your own boss has those perks.”

I knew now was the time I had to say yes or no. I sucked in a breath and prepared myself to shoot him down as gently as I could when Carmella appeared with a smirk on her face.

“Hey new girl”

“Me?” I was surprised that she hadn’t called me by my name.

“I’ll catch you later,” Noah said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before sauntering off towards Charlie who was still talking to Owen, correction, he had now taken up residence sitting next to him and Sophie. Great.

The older waitress whose name I kept forgetting stopped dead behind her.

“Yeah, we have a tradition here, all the new staff need to take their turn at karaoke, two songs, you’re up in 10 minutes, so best get selecting your songs,” Carmella smirked and walked away as quickly as she arrived.

I could feel the panic rise from my feet and engulf me. I was more of an introvert, karaoke was not my thing and I certainly didn’t sing it. In fact, I didn’t sing in front of anyone. I didn’t think I was bad at singing, it was just I didn’t like the attention on me.

“b***h!” the other waitress said, “We’ve never had that tradition, she must be jealous of the attention you’re getting.”

“Attention? I haven’t been getting any.”

She leaned her head towards Noah. Oh.

“Don’t worry about it, Carmella likes to be the centre of attention, especially when it comes to men, and she’s never been able to hold that pair's attention for more than a night, and certainly neither have asked her on a date.”

Shit. Now I was pissing off my boss without even trying.

“I….I didn’t know. I….I can’t do karaoke.”

“You’ll be fine sweetheart, just go up and act confident, that will drive her even more insane, she’s trying to put you in your place, and embarrass you. Don’t let her do it. She’s a b***h and she knows it. Just pretend like you’re enjoying it. And it’s Sadie, by the way.”

“Thanks, Sadie, I appreciate the heads up. The ironic thing is, I don’t even know if I want to go on a date with him.”

“Girl, are you feeling alright? He is hot and if I were a few years younger and a few pounds lighter I’d be all over that like a rash” she laughed. “Oh and here comes the other one, man, I’d like to be in the middle of a sandwich with those two.”

I nearly choked with her last sentence and snorted whilst laughing as I turned to see Charlie coming over. Oh, here we go.

“So you’re doing karaoke, I hear,” he said.

“Sorry? Are you talking to me because I'm pretty sure you looked right through me before.”

Why did he have to look so good in a black button-down shirt and tan chinos? Oh, I was close enough to smell him, and yeah, he really smelled good too, whatever aftershave he had on was divine.

“Well, we’re friends, aren’t we? New friends?” he replied.

“Yea…h, no I don’t think so, I don’t play games and you play too many. I’m not interested.”

“I think you’re interested,” he smirked.

“You don’t impress me much. Anyway, I’ve got karaoke to sing” I said, brushing past him. Damn, there was that feeling, like electricity coursing through my veins.

Charlie jumped to the side, and I looked at him, whilst willing my mouth not to drop open. He must have felt that too. I didn’t imagine that. What did I care? It changed nothing, I wasn’t down for his games or his behaviour. I made my way to where the karaoke was being organised. Carmella stood nearby smirking to herself. I pondered over Sadie’s words and knew she was right. This was payback for Noah asking me out. I’d done nothing wrong. Then there was this whole game with Charlie and I immediately knew what songs I would sing. I’d let them know I wasn’t to be messed with and that I wasn’t a pushover. I could do this.