As if my search summons them, a group of women enter the club, gaining catcalls from some of the guys. I wonder why they weren’t around the past few nights. They’re all dressed differently. I’m not sure what I expected. Matching uniforms? A blonde and a woman with bright blue hair make their way to the bar, eyes set on me. I stand a bit taller and smile.
“Hi. What can I get you?”
The blonde says, “I’ll take a shot of tequila.”
“Straight or with a lime?”
She smiles. “Straight.”
I grab a shot glass and fill it before sliding it toward her. She downs it, leaving her red lipstick on the glass.
“I’m Foxy, by the way. This is Claws.”
Claws? Well, the blue headed woman is aptly named, and not just because of her long, blue, acrylic fingernails that match her blue hair.
I smile back. “I’m Olivia. Nice to meet you.”
Foxy lets out a cute little laugh. “You haven’t been named yet?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Claws turns to Foxy and says, “See? I told you it wasn’t serious.”
Foxy replies, “Don’t be a bitch, Claws.” To me, she says, “I hope they pick a name that’s just as darling as you are.”
“Uh, thanks?”
She winks and then goes to a table where a man pulls her into his lap, kissing her. Claws stands there, staring at me.
“Would you like something to drink?”
She opens her mouth and then snaps it shut as Saint and King come up to the bar.
King gives me a megawatt smile. “Ms. Mayhem.”
I swear to god, my knees go a little weak. Maybe it’s the way he lowers his already gravelly voice, or maybe it’s the look in his eyes, but, for the first time in my life, I don’t hate hearing my last name.
A nervous giggle escapes my lips. “Uh, hi. Can I get you a drink?”
Claws lets out a loud huff and takes off. If King and Saint notice, they don’t let it show.
Saint answers, “Two shots of tequila, please.”
King snorts. “Better give us the whole bottle.”
I grab two shot glasses and a bottle of the top-shelf tequila. King salutes me, picking up the items and heading toward the office. Saint stays back, watching me.
“Everything going okay?”
I’m not sure if he’s asking about the club or me personally, so I say, “Yeah. It’s kind of slow tonight.”
“A lot of the guys left town, but they’ll be back next week.”
“Why will they be back?”
He makes a face, and I think I’ve made a mistake.
“I’m sorry. It’s not my business.”
Grabbing a towel, I walk to the other end of the bar and wipe a water ring left from a bottle of beer. Saint follows me.
“They’ll be back because we’re having Church next week.” He gives me a smile. “And it’s okay to ask questions. Just know that not everything can be answered.”
I nod. “Thanks for that. And thanks for having Bash give me a ride. Eventually I’ll save enough money to get a car, but for now I’m at the mercy of rideshares or my bike.”
His eyebrows lift in surprise. “You ride?”
“Ah, no. I meant my bicycle.”
He throws his head back, laughing loudly. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“It’s useful for getting around the campus.”
“Such a baby.”
But, his eyes are dancing and my stomach is fluttering.
“I better go. King has a short attention span.”
I grin like a fool as he walks away. Enough so that several of the guys comment on how happy I look. And then I think of Agent Hill and his threats. Just like that, my good mood is gone and I remember why I’m here.
10
Olivia
Agent Hill blows up my phone over the next few days, but I ignore him. Well, mostly. I do send him a text on Sunday, telling him the club is having Church later in the week. He gets pissy when he asks when, and I say I don’t know. Because I don’t. But, if I were to guess, I’d say it’s going to be Thursday or Friday. Jas texted me on Tuesday, asking me to come in today to help unload an alcohol shipment. I didn’t tell Agent Hill this.
In the meantime, I pick up a few extra shifts on the app, earning a grand and two return customers. Maybe I can earn enough to pay back Agent Hill with interest. I’m not holding my breath, but it won’t hurt to try. Plus, the extra shifts have taken the edge off my mood.
Bash sends me a text, letting me know he’s downstairs. I’m not going to lie – I’m really enjoying spending time with him. He’s doesn’t intimidate me like Saint and King, and we have a lot in common. Plus, he’s super cute. Today, he’s wearing a black Henley with his cut over it. His jeans are faded, but look so good on him. His black boots finish off his outfit.
He grins when he sees me and tosses me my helmet.
“Hope you’re ready to work. Jas went crazy ordering booze in. There’s got to be a hundred boxes to unload.”
“Maybe she’s thirsty?”
He laughs. “That’s probably the truth.”
I climb on the bike, wrapping my arms around his waist. As we drive through the parking lot, I can’t help but notice how empty it is. I’m running out of time to find a place to stay and I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do. One of the places I looked at is in my price range, but I just can’t get over the roaches that openly roamed the countertops in broad daylight. I shudder just thinking about it.
“Cold?” Bash calls over his shoulder.
“I’m good,” I call back.
We pull up to the clubhouse. Seeing it in the daytime is always weird. It’s such an ordinary building with beige brick. Bash said it used to be the headquarters for fishing company based out of the gulf, but the owners realized they were too far from the water and sold their lot. It also explains the kitchen inside, where they used to have seafood cookouts for the employees.
There are two flowerbeds that flank each side of the walkway that look sad and pitiful. I’ve never lived anywhere that I could have my own flowerbed, and seeing this one just breaks my heart. When I mentioned this to Bash, he said a flowerbed wouldn’t last long with the guys and their boots. He’s probably right.
Jas is leaning against the bar, talking to Grizzly. She’s wearing short shorts – I’m talking I can almost see her cootchie - and a bikini top, which she manages to make look cute. I suspect she and Grizzly are getting serious, if the hickeys on her neck are any indication. They kiss, loudly, and he takes off, slapping Bash on the back as he passes.
Bash says to me, “Text when you’re ready to go.”
I nod and he winks at me before following after Grizzly.
Jas says, “It’s still strange to see Bash with someone. He’s been single so long that we were starting to wonder…”
I don’t reply and follow her out the side door. Bash wasn’t kidding when he said there was a hundred boxes out here.
“Dang Jas. How much did you order?”
“It’s not all booze. There’s going to be a huge cook-out Sunday night. The first of many to come this summer.” She grins at me. “Summertime is the best.”