Fire

“Hey Emma” Ciara said as she clocked in. Her long legs toned and showing off in her mini skirt and heels. Her long black hair tied up in a high pony and lips painted a deep red. She snuck a tanned arm around my waist for a quick hug before grabbing a beer out of the cooler, sliding to the closest patron. Tonight is going to be a good night in tips with her in the outside bar with me. “Hey hun, watch out for the Eric. He’s in a mood tonight.” I warn. “Tell me something new. The new lady already leave him?” She laughs and winks. Dave is the manager on duty most nights at the Blue Moon. “You say lady like that’s what he likes.” Eric likes them fast. Likes it better when they’re gone by morning. ‘No repeats’ is his motto, and he’s never had a hard time keeping it. She laughs as she heads down to the other end of the bar. It was slow for a Friday night, but still early. The night had a promise to it. The sky was clear, the warmth slowly waning with the setting sun. The smell of alcohol and sweat was in the air, intermixed with various perfumes and floral around the bar. A few ladies were gathered in the corner on the deck in deep conversation, a crowd of men nearby checking them out. The night picks up around 10, and the alcohol is flying as the inhibitions are lowering. There are people pairing all around. A group of guys comes to the bar to the right and hang out in conversation. “What can I get ya?” “Tequila. 6 shots. Top shelf please” he orders. His voice was smooth like velvet. His honey eyes smiling. The dimple in his cheek made my heart skip a beat. I poured the shots and handed them over with the saltshaker and limes to match. “Can I get assistance?” his eyes are glimmering at me. “With?” “I need somewhere to put the salt.” “Body shots are extra.” What did I just say?! I’m never this forward, and I’m not one to offer. “Deal.” He helps me on the bar. He licks my neck as I’m overcome with goosebumps. I pour some salt on the slick trail. I grip the lime in my mouth and place the shot between my breasts. He looks me over appreciatively. I see that glint in his eye. This man is used to getting what he wants, and I fell right into his trap. He leans in and runs his tongue along the same path as before, much slower. He’s taking his time swirling his tongue in a seductive manner. He works his way down slowly along my collarbone. This is affecting me way more than I want to admit. His tongue doesn’t leave my body as he trails it along the rim of the glass. He finally puts his mouth around the shot and expertly throws it back. He looks straight into my eyes, every move tantalizing and slow, as he takes the lime from my mouth. Once he sets it down, his lips are on mine in a chaste kiss. Just a quick meeting of lips. I am dazed. “Does this mean you want a repeat?” He grins mischievously. I take one of the other poured shots and pound it quick. “In your dreams sweetheart” I wink and jump back behind the bar. He and his 3 friends take the remaining shots. He slips a $20 under his glass as he places it behind the bar line. “Names Dean. Put the shots on my tab.” He says as he walks away. It won’t be hard to find. We keep all ID’s with their credit cards. I’m a little foggy, and not from the shot. Ciara wriggles her eyebrows at me as I roll my eyes, cheeks flushed. The rest of the night flies by without event. I didn’t see Dean the rest of the night, not that I was looking. Finishing up the nightly duties and counting down tips we were all able to sit around and relax. I’m sitting at the bar with a beer in my hand waiting for Ciara to finish dividing the back-bar tips between us. She’s just about done when Eric makes his way toward us. “Hey! Figured you would’ve headed out by now, no fish caught today?” she says slyly. He glances at her. She doesn’t notice the look he’s giving her, like a man dying of thirst and she’s the only one to quench it. I’ve known for a while now that he is head over heels for her. He’s been a bachelor for so long, he doesn’t know anything other than a one nighter. “Wasn’t feeling it tonight.” He hasn’t been ‘feeling it’ for a while now, not that Ciara noticed. He was our boss and she always kept her work life separate from her personal life. She’s broken a barback’s nose before for coming on too strong. I think that was when he fell for her. Ciara is a strong woman, and not afraid to show you how independent she is. “Tomorrow is another day, don’t take it too hard” she giggles. “Are you almost finished?” he asks. “Just counting the last of it” she replies handing me my half. It’s always like this on the weekends. They leave the two of us to our own, able to handle the busy and rowdy crowd. I place my now empty beer bottle in the recycling and place my cut in my backpack. “On that note, I’ll be taking my leave. My Uber is just about here. Night loves.” I said and head out the gate. Eric always makes sure Ciara makes it home, but I live on the other side of town, often having to find my own way home. I step out just as my ride pulls up. Hopping in the Jeep, I place my headphones in listening to the latest podcast. It wasn’t long before I was home. As I exit the vehicle, I thank them for their time and enter the tip amount into the app. The night was beautiful. The skies were clear, stars shining through the treetops. A faint breeze rustling the leaves. The scent of rain and roses teasing in the air. It’s times like these I miss. The simplicity of life. But I’ve been in hiding for almost a year now. I changed my name and cut all ties from my old life. It’s not easy going from small town living to a big city, but I had to get out of there. I needed a fresh start. I unlock the door to my one-bedroom house, a rental on the outskirts of town I was able to find that didn’t run a background check. The place itself is nice, I just don’t have the means to fill it up and make it look like a home. I place my things on the kitchen table and kick off my shoes, heading towards my bedroom to crash for the night. I drank just enough that the dreams shouldn’t come, but not enough to regret tomorrow. As sleep starts to lay its claim, I hear the countryside come alive. Owls looking for prey. Wolves singing to their moon. Crickets looking for their mates.