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IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT, and the bar will be packed. We have sports on the televisions, music playing from the jukebox, and the best two fucking bartenders working. After a nap on my couch and a long hot shower. I'm feeling pretty good. Ridding my body of whoever was all over me, what a mistake.
After waitressing for about a year, I finally wore down Mr. Sanford into letting me bartend. He is the nicest guy, always telling people to “take it easy.” But he is old school and believes only men belong behind the bar. After months and months of me hounding him, I finally took it upon myself to bartend and proved guys would spend more money with a woman behind the bar. Jack still wasn’t happy with having a woman behind the bar, but he dealt with it as long as Diesel vouched for me and had my back.
The only bad thing that could happen tonight is if “Mr. I don’t know who I slept with last night” comes in and hands me my bra. I try to disregard the regret of making yet another mistake with a shake of my head.
I know, I know, I do it a lot, but it’s scary to not recall who you sleep with. I guess he wasn’t good or worth remembering.
Hmm... I wonder if this is what Jacob went through after his cousin’s wedding. He couldn’t remember a night with Dani. Poor girl, she was devastated. Hopefully, whoever I was with knows it was only a one-time thing. There are no commitments coming from this girl, no way.
“Did you have fun last night?” Diesel asks as he places a case of beer on the counter to stock. “What do you mean?” I reply, playing along with his game. He was here. He knows I left with someone.
“Nicki, you were completely out of control. It was like a light switch. One minute you were fine, and, in the next, that ass-hat, Charlie, escorted you out the door. You left me to tend the bar, clean and close all by myself.”
So, it was Charlie...who the fuck is Charlie? My stomach turns, and when I glance up to see Diesel's face, guilt tightens my throat.
“Sorry, D. I won’t let it happen again.” With my hand placed on his shoulder, I give him a gentle squeeze. Turning, I grab the box and move down to the other end of the bar to fill the fridge. Stockpiling the bottles one by one, I try to recall the prior night's events. Charlie? Which one was Charlie? I try to remember the tattooed arm.
Then it hits me... Oh my god, Yuck! He is the biggest, loudest, rudest drunk who thinks he’s God’s gift to all women and men, for that matter. No wonder the shirt I used had something about being conceded because he is. I can’t stand people who think they are better than everyone else, and he...Fuck!
A few regulars come in, drawing my attention away from the bottle I seem to be strangling. Ashamed, I stooped so low to have slept with Charlie that I went into robot mode. Smile, flirt, serve drinks and move on. The bar is getting louder as it fills.
An hour later, people are playing darts and dancing on the small dance floor. Diesel and I are hustling. Sweat beads around my hairline, and I need some fresh air. I fan my face and signal to Diesel I’m stepping out back for a minute.
“I got this one,” I didn’t even realize another customer approached when Diesel’s face was drained of color. I watch as he grabs a Bud from the fridge and walks past briskly as I head toward the back door.
Curious, I glance over my shoulder to see him pick something up from the bar counter and replace it with the bottle. Shoving whatever it is into his back pocket. Diesel leans over, so I can’t see or hear what is said. Not that I would be able to because the music is so loud, anyway.
“Can I get a Corona?” a cute guy wearing a button-up shirt and tie asks when I reach the end of the countertop. I guess my little break will have to wait. “Lime?” I offer. He nods, reaches into his pocket, and then places cash on the bar. He has his sleeves rolled up, and there is something sexy about it.
“Hey Nicki, put this one on my tab?” Kendra says, walking up, and I can’t get used to her being old enough to drink legally. “You got it!” I tap the bar in front of the cutie, nodding toward Kendra.
“Enjoy it, Professor Manning, cheers,” she says with a wink and walks away. Wow, now that was bold.
“Professor, huh?” I ask the gentleman, whose face quickly turns red.
“Yes, um...Kendra, I mean Miss Johnson is in my class. How do you two know each other?” he tries to change the subject, and I laugh, “I’m her sister,” I stick out my hand in greeting. “Nicki. I know she is excited the semester is almost over.” He turns and looks around to find where she went, “Aren’t we all,” he agrees, tips his glass as a thank you, and walks away.
Hmm...interesting. I’ll have to ask Keni about this guy. Looks kind of young to be a college professor. I watch while he walks toward the back tables, and I appreciate his broad shoulders and fitted jeans.
A commotion grabs my attention to the left, and Diesel is up and over the bar. Fuck! I run down, grab the bat from behind the bar, and climb to stand on top. It’s too late, Diesel is outside, and a few of his buddies, Mitch and Jay, follow. At least I know he has back-up, not that he needs it.
He may not be bulky, but I've seen him in action, and he’s got plenty of muscle. The man has skills. He knows how to handle himself and when to fight dirty. Especially between the sheets, I don’t know how, but he knows how to play my body like a fine-tuned instrument. No one else makes me cum the way he does. Maybe it’s why I’m not looking to settle down with anyone.
Diesel pushes the curtain to the side and walks back in. His eyes burn holes through me. Mitch and Jay shimmy through and saddle up on the two stools they had left vacant. “You’re in trouble,” Jay mumbles, and I start to panic.
Diesel pushes the white sleeves of his shirt up to his forearms and, with tight lips, nods toward the kitchen. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I glance at the length of the bar and make sure everyone’s drinks are full before I make my way toward him.
Somehow, I’m involved in what transpired, and I don’t think this will go over very well. Especially after seeing him in Rambo mode, he’s got me all hot and bothered. When I reach the kitchen swivel doors, I call out, “I’ll be right back.” With a turn on my heels, I push them open. Before they even stop swinging, I go into attack mode.
“What the fuck is going on?” I ask Diesel, slamming my palms down on the metal table, mirroring his stance.
He reaches into his pocket and, without a word, tosses my bra on the table. Hiding my embarrassment by playing stupid sounds like a good plan.
“What’s that?” I try to play dumb, pick it up and continue, “Oh, it’s a bra, nice, who's it?”
“Give me a break Nicki. It’s yours. I’ve seen it,” he snaps and pushes off the table. I can feel the anger rolling off of him.
“I can’t be the only one who owns a bra like this,” I defend myself. His arms flex, and he pulls his sleeves higher, the anger pouring off of him. I have never seen him this mad. Yet, I still want to jump up into his arms and wrap my legs around him.
“Nicki, I’m done. That asshole came in here and had been talking all this shit about you and what the two of you did last night, with this out on display. Is this how you want to be known?” Anger and guilt fill my chest. I don’t care what people think of me, but to see the disappointment in his eyes is killing me. This is all new. I swallow hard. It physically hurts.
The thought of jumping his bones was gone just like that. What a way to kill a mood.
“No, it’s...I don’t know. Maybe it’s a phase?” I lean back, cross my arms and rest my ass against the sink, with no excuse for why I sleep around. Nor do I need one, but the look on his face: the disappointment, regret, the sad eyes have my mind going haywire.
He sighs, “You’re better than they are. You are a beautiful woman, a hard worker, and deserve someone who will love and respect you.”
This is the second person to preach to me today, and I know I’m a fuck up. I screw everything up, school, work, relationships. You name it, and I’ve probably messed it up, if not for me, then for someone else. I can’t stand it anymore, so I let the guilt bubble and let it settle on being angry and burst.
“I know, for fucks sake, Diesel. I didn’t even remember who it was, so he couldn’t have been any good!” I throw my hands up in the air, annoyed, not with him for pointing shit out, more with myself.
I appreciate him, our friendship, and our bonus time. He has always looked out for me anytime I need anything, and with the realization that I am taking it out on the wrong person, I step in front of him and place my arms around his neck.
“Diesel, I’m sorry. Thank you for always having my back.” He leans in and kisses my forehead, resting his lips longer than normal. When I pull back, he spins me around and pushes me toward the door, “Get to work!” He sighs and stays behind to take a minute for himself.
*.*.*
Diesel
She may think she has it together, but Nicki is a complete mess. When we met over two years ago, she was smart, independent, and didn’t rely on anyone. In fact, I think she is one of the strongest women I know. But she is a wild one, partying, drinking, fucking- you name it, she does it.
Not that I have a problem with any of it. I just wish she would calm down a little and see what’s right in front of her. How I wish I could control just the smallest part of her.
I step out of the kitchen, look around the bar, and glance at my cell phone to check the time. “Last call!” I reach up and ring the bell. The disappointed moans echo around the bar as they all rush over for one last drink.
After about an hour, the only ones left are my buddies, Jay and Mitch. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate you having my back.” I lean down on one elbow to have my conversation quietly and still have Nicki in my line of sight.
“Not that you need it,” Jay pat’s my shoulder, stands, and throws a couple of bills down. “I’m out of here.” He takes a step toward the door and looks in Nicki’s direction, “Night, sweetheart,” he calls out with a wave. Nicki waves back, grabs another glass, and lowers it to the running water below, “Night, Jay! Thank you.”
He taps Mitch on the back, who lifts his head and mumbles his goodbyes. Another hard night for Mitch. Since his girl took off, he’s been drinking until he passes out. Luckily, the Uber driver is here, “Time to go, dude,” I climb over the bar, help pull him from the barstool, and walk him to the door.
“Be safe, guys.” I wave, close the door and lock it behind me.
