Broken Souls

Chapter 5 - Bailey

The week was fantastic, if I do say so myself. Shaun and I work well together, and the locals are very friendly. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed, (Don’t get too comfortable,) I remind myself as I know I can’t stay here for long if I want to stay ahead of him.

I can hardly believe it’s already Friday, and the place is so crowded. Fortunately, we have four students helping with the rounds at the tables, which means customers don’t have to struggle at the bar to get their drinks. Meanwhile, Jeremy was stationed in the corner behind the bar, absorbed in his phone, while Shaun and I attended to the customers.

The left side of the bar was growing less crowded, so I decided to go assist Shaun on the other side. As I made my way over I felt this presence. I can't explain it, as I looked up I locked eyes with the attractive guy from the gas station with the ice-blue eyes, and damn, it felt like he could see all my secrets.

We stared at each other for a while until Shaun placed his drinks in front of him, he paid and walked back to his table and f**k he looks hot as hell. He has on a tight jeans and black T-shirt that shows off his arms and holy of all Mary’s those tattoos make my knees buckle. choosing to dismiss that thought since it's inappropriate and I need to concentrate on serving the customers rather than fixating on someone I don’t know.

The night was winding down, with just a few people left in the bar; my eyes were drawn to him over at the pool table. I know it's inappropriate, he could easily have a girlfriend—there’s no way a man with a physique like that is single. As two of the students left, I decided to assist with the remaining tables, helping with serving, cleaning, and wiping them down. I was cleaning tables and heading back to the bar when someone yanked me from behind. The glasses I was holding crashed to the floor, and before I knew it, I was sitting on some guy's lap. I quickly pushed myself up, intending to clean up the broken glass, but this dumbass just wouldn't stop. "Hey babe, want to take this party somewhere else?” I was baffled, unable to believe how stupid people could be. "No thank you. I need to clean the floor,” irritation in my voice as I turned to get the broom, he grabbed my wrist and pressed his chest against mine. He was tall and reeked of beer. "Let me go," irritated by his smug expression and Ignoring my better judgment, I shifted my body just enough to hit him in the groin. He bent over, but still clung to my wrist, and I realized I had just made a big mistake.

“You b***h, I’ll teach you some f*****g manners,” as I struggled to free my wrist from his grip, knowing it would most likely leave bruises.

“If I were you, I’d let go of her hand,” I turned my head quickly to see him standing there, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with his dark, murderous eyes.

“Or what,?” twisting my arm slightly causing me to wince from his grip. “I’ll count to three if your hands are still on her; I’m going to break it. One………Two……..Three”

The next thing I knew, the asshole with the death grip on my wrist shoved me backward, causing me to land on the broken glass. I heard him emitting a high-pitched scream and then dragged out the door. Glancing down, I saw the blood from the cuts of the glass, images of my parents flashed through my mind, overtaking me as it always does when I see a lot of blood. I closed my eyes, trying to fend off the panic attack, but it overwhelmed me. I’m not sure how long I sat there, but I could hear someone talking as if their voice was coming from a distance. "Come back to me. I need you to calm your breathing, open your eyes, Angel." I heard a concerned voice. I opened my eyes slowly to find him kneeling in front of me, his hands gently cradling my face. “I need to get you off the floor and get you clean so I can see how bad this is. Can I pick you up?” All I could manage was a nod. Tears continued to stream down my cheeks