JASON BRUSHED the strands of wavy, shoulder-length, dirty-blond hair into a tight ponytail as per the rule of the bar. He even went so far as to pull the ends into the abhorred man bun. That way the strands would stay in, and there’d be less of a chance he’d accidentally shed some in someone’s martini. Standing before the mirror, he twisted one way, then the next.
Satisfied with the way he looked, Jason inhaled deeply, counted to ten, exhaled, then made his way into the main area.
Warrior wouldn’t be open for another couple of hours. He would use the time before the other workers arrived to make sure everything was ready to go for the night. Thursday nights weren’t that busy—a few firefighters here, a paramedic or two there, a handful of cops here. Friday nights and Saturday nights were the major hauls—and of late, Wednesday nights. It was probably something to do with hump day or the fact that it was the middle of the week and people needed something to keep them going.
After checking all the glasses for spots and lipstick that hadn’t been washed off in the machine, he grabbed his clipboard, climbed onto the ladder, and took a look at all the bottles of liquor. He was about to switch his focus to lemons when someone knocked on the glass entrance. A couple of times, the offenders would be teenage girls Jason later found out thought he was hot. They would knock, become shy, and run away in a fit of giggles.
It took Molly to explain that to him.
But usually it was a customer who couldn’t wait until opening time. Jason looked up. Instead of teenage girls, two men peered back at him from the other side of the door. He quirked a brow, set the clipboard and pen down, then headed to the entrance.
“We don’t open for another—” He checked his watch. “—fifty minutes.”
“I know.” The tall African-American one grinned. “And we know you can’t serve alcohol until then, but we just came off shift and we’re starving.”
Jason looked to the other man who had contemplative brown eyes and dark hair styled back away from his forehead. “You two cops?”
“Yeah,” the dark-skinned man replied. “Help us out, here?”
“Just food for now,” Jason said.
Both men nodded, and Jason stepped out of the way so they could enter. Once they did, he locked the door and flicked on the house lights, so they wouldn’t trip over anything.
“Let me bring you a menu.” Jason turned to walk back to the bar.
“We—um—know what we want.”
Jason turned to see the dark-skinned man staring at his friend, a smirk tracing his dark lips. “Um—I’m Officer Malik Clemons—this here is my partner, Gabe Ford.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jason shook both their hands. Gabe’s shake was hard with work-roughened fingers. “Jason Tomlinson. So—what do you want?”
Gabe licked his lips and tilted his head. “The greasiest burger you have with french fries, mayo, and ketchup on the side.”
“So, you want a Big Daddy.” Jason ensured he kept his focus on Gabe’s face to see his reaction. “I can get you that.”
Gabe caught his bottom lip between his teeth, and that told Jason all he needed to know. With a smile he turned his attention to Malik.
“I’d like mine with onion rings,” Malik said.
Jason cleared his throat and nodded. “And to drink?”
“Coke,” Gabe said.
“Water for me.” Malik patted what no doubt was a six-pack. “I’m on a diet.”
Jason laughed and shook his head while walking away. He entered the kitchen and asked Molly—who was still prepping—to do him a solid and make the food early. Molly smiled at him before reaching across to pinch his cheeks.
“You’re so lucky you’re cute,” Molly said. “Even if you don’t swing my way.”
Jason winked at her, then hurried back to prepare the men’s drinks. He carried the soda, an empty glass, and a tall glass bottle filled with purified water back to the table and set it all down.
“I’ve had to call in a favor with my chef to make your food before she was finished prepping.” Jason leaned his back against a nearby column. “That was a little like playing with a shark.”
Gabe laughed. “She can’t be that bad.”
“Oh yeah? You wanna go in there and ask to change your order?” Jason asked with a wink.
Gabe laughed, and Jason found that made his spirits rise.
“I’ll bring out your meals once Molly has them finished.”
“Thanks,” Malik said.
Jason made his way back to the bar and started in on the lemons. A few minutes later, his head bartender, Fitz, showed up and dove into helping him finish, check the bathrooms, and clean out the coatroom. Malik’s and Gabe’s food arrived, and Jason walked the meals to the table.
All throughout the time they were there, Jason kept his eyes on Gabe, wondering if he’d read too much into what happened between them in those fleeting moments. Was Gabe flirting back? Or was it a case that Gabe was showing interest without even realizing he was doing it?
Either way, it was great to be flirted with. When it came time for Malik and Gabe to pay their bill, Jason wrote his number on the receipt and handed it to Gabe. Gabe read it, then quickly shoved it into his pocket.
“Thanks for doing this,” Malik said. “We really appreciate it.”
“No worries.” Jason kept his gaze on Gabe. “Maybe next time you come in, you can get a drink?”
“On you?” Gabe asked.
Jason smirked at him. “Sure—if that’s how you like it.”
Malik laughed out loud, but Gabe merely shook his head.
“In all seriousness,” Jason said, feeling he’d crossed a line with Gabe. “Drink’s on me.”
“I’m definitely going to take you up on that.” Malik extended a hand.
Jason shook it, but Gabe headed silently for the door. Fitz let the officers out, then turned the sign so the place was officially open for business. Jason went back to work for another few hours, then drifted into the kitchen where Molly was getting ready to take a break. Once she did, he accepted a burger and fries from her, and the two ventured into the back to eat.
“So, you hit on a cop,” Molly said. “It’s an everyday thing. Especially the ones in uniform—oh lawd!”
“Yeah, but I don’t think this one is gay. I gave him my number—omigawd! What was I thinking?”
“You’re thinking he was beautiful and you’d like to get to know him?”
Jason groaned.
“Okay, let me ask you this.” Molly chewed, then swallowed. “Did he complain when you flirted with him?”
“No.”
“Did he seem uncomfortable?”
“A little.”
“Did he—”
“Maybe he didn’t want to hurt my feelings,” Jason said. “He’s probably just a nice guy and is flattered, and all, but he doesn’t like the cock.”
Molly laughed. “You’re just too dramatic for me, man.”
With his mind on Gabe and the possible mistake he’d made, Jason finished his night early and left Warrior. He stopped at an all-night grocery store and picked up some food. Molly was always telling him that he lived like a starving man. There was no way he would be getting any sleep that night. He figured he wouldn’t waste time in bed trying—he’d use the night to pack out groceries, maybe do some dusting, pay a few bills, and if there was time left over, figure out the musical lineup for Warrior for the rest of the year.