I toss Jimmy the keys and point my finger at him. “Not a scratch. You hear me?”
Jimmy nods and I pat him on the back as he gets in the car.
Dave grabs my leather jacket out of my hands so I can get myself together. He knows me.
“I told you to fly. I had an hour and a half flight and a nap.” Dave sniffs me. “And a shower.”
“Are you insinuating I stink because I drove? I did stop for the night. I showered.”
Dave sniffs me again.
“Get the fuck away from me.” I laugh as I push him away.
“You still smell like money. You just can’t wash that shit off.”
I snicker as I scrub my fingers over the too-long stubble on my face. “Always have, always will.”
We slowly walk toward the bar and I tuck in my t-shirt.
“I spoke to Nadia. We have your table all set up in your corner upstairs and there’s a bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey waiting for you.”
I run my fingers through my hair. He hands me my jacket as I adjust the rings on my fingers. I slide it over my arms and push up the sleeves. “How do I look?”
“Do you want me to pretend I’m gay to answer that?”
“Yeah. If you were gay, Dave, how would I look?”
“You look like every girl’s wet dream. I’m sure you’ll have your pick of women as usual.”
I smirk. There are many perks to being a famous rock-star, but the casual sex is by far one of my favorites.
There’s a crowd outside the bar. My two biggest bouncers are there to make a path for me. The cameras flash. Cards, t-shirts, and magazines are shoved at me from every direction. I sign a couple of things and pose for a quick photo before stepping inside.
I can’t help but smile when I enter. I used to attend church here when my parents forced me as a little kid. As attendance dwindled over the years so did the structure. It was all but condemned when I purchased it and had it restored. It’s always felt like home to me in a twisted way. I liked the idea of making something that used to be good into something so bad. It was a metaphor for who I’d become.
People stare as I enter, but no one approaches me. It’s a known rule. While I like attention, I also want to be free to drink and enjoy myself without signing my life away. I always leave time for that before the evening ends.
“It’s about time you showed up.”
I hear her before I see her.
“Hey babe. How are you?” I say as I meet her gaze. Her hair is longer and a different color, but the scowl on her face is exactly the same.
She lightly kisses my cheek. “First of all, I haven’t been your babe in over a year and secondly, do you not know how to respond to texts?”
I take a deep breath and blow it out my nostrils to calm myself. Dating the manager of my bar was a big mistake. If Nadia wasn’t so damn efficient, I might have fired her after we ended things. But she knows me and what I want in every area except relationships, so I keep her around.
“I’m here now. What do you need?”
“Are you doing a set tonight?”
“Nope.”
“Why the fuck not? Do you know how many people came to hear you?”
Dave steps in between us. “I’m doing fine, Nadia. How are you?”
“Not now, Dave. I asked him a question.”
“And you seem to forget who owns this bar. I said I’m not singing tonight and that’s final. I drove and I’m tired. I want a steak and a drink. I’ll sign shit and take photos for an extra hour.”
She sighs loudly. “Fine. I’ll take you upstairs to your table.”
“Umm Nadia?” A busboy taps her on the shoulder. “One of the cooks burned their finger. Patti told me to get you. What should we do?”
“Oh for fuck’s sake. I’ll be right back to take you upstairs. Just give me a minute.”
“I can find my way. Go,” I say, motioning to her.
“Suit yourself.”
“She’s a damn viper. Why do you keep her around?” Dave asks as she struts away.
She turns and walks backward. “I can still hear you.”
Dave shrugs apologetically and I laugh. I know he meant every word.
“Should we head upstairs?”
A loud noise draws my attention to the far side of the bar. There are shattered glasses on the floor. A tray rolls toward the wall. A young waitress with her hair in a tight bun attempts to chase the rolling tray and it makes me snicker. She pulls at the hem of her schoolgirl uniform as she tries to bend to get it without exposing herself. I didn’t design those uniforms to encourage modesty, so I find myself watching her struggle and enjoying every second of it. She’s clearly uncomfortable.
Geoff rushes to her rescue and she stands, allowing him to pick up the tray and the broken glass. I’m irritated. I was enjoying myself. She turns her head to face him and I catch my breath. Her big eyes are soft and expressive. Her lips are plump and wet. Did she just lick them? I can almost see them glisten from here. Is she a model? She definitely has the legs for it. She places an angelic hand on Geoff’s arm to thank him and blows a loose strand of hair away from her face.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her here before. I think I’d remember her if I had. She steps into the shadows where she’s working, and I can’t see her as well. There’s an empty table in her section and I move as I speak.
“Small detour.” I amble toward her, assuming Dave is close behind. I slide into the empty booth, unable to take my eyes off of her. She speaks to the couple at the table.
“I’m so sorry. Let me get you two new beers.”
She hurries off toward the bar without even noticing me. She’s careful as she tries to avoid bumping into anyone. Standing patiently behind a group of men at the bar, she waits to order. Does she not know where the staff goes to get drinks?
“Why are we sitting here?” Dave asks. “I thought you hated booths.”
“Shh.” I wave him away. His words are making it harder for me to see her clearly. She must be new. I mean, I haven’t been here in months, but still. She looks like she’s never waitressed before. Who the hell hired her? Better yet, did anyone train her?
One of the guys at the bar starts to fan her skirt and she spins to regard him, clearly uneasy. I bolt from my seat and hurry toward him.
She turns back to the bar to get the drinks. I grab the guy by the back of the neck, leading him away from her as I push his head toward the floor. My bouncer, Tyrus, sees the commotion and joins us.
“Hey. You’re Lucian Kane.” The speaking friend is apparently not as drunk as the others. It’s only eight-thirty. What kind of imbeciles get trashed this early? The one who can still talk, follows us.
“Yeah, I am.” I return my attention to the man in my grasp. “Who the fuck do you think you are disrespecting one of my girls that way?”
“Who me? I wasn’t disrespecting nothin’. I was just admirin’ the sway of her skimpy sssskirt. You make them wear that so we look, right?”
“You can look, but you never ever fucking touch. Do you understand me? You’re going to apologize to her or you’re going home. Capeesh?”
I feel him nod under my grasp, so I let go. He straightens his shirt as I point to Tyrus. “Make sure he says he’s sorry to the new girl or he’s out of here.”