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Nicki
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THE BAR IS HOPPING. It's been three weeks of avoiding each other, and I don’t know what to do or say. I don’t even know why we got mad at each other. We had an awkward night out, and what? Now one-night ruins everything we’ve been working toward?
I’ve called my sisters, and they have been hounding me to explain what took place between Diesel and me, so at least I will have some support on my side tonight.
“We know something happened. You guys have been giving each other the cold shoulder for weeks now,” Dani says as I place their order down on the table.
“I have to tell you. But I do not want to do it here.” I glance over my shoulder and watch Virginia Carey, the town floozy, saddle up onto a stool right in front of Diesel. This bitch has balls, and here I thought I was the slut of the town. She’ll fuck anything, married or not, as long as it has a pulse. At least I had standards, no married men for me. She reaches out and playfully rubs Diesel’s arm, laughing. This hoochie has been coming in and throwing herself at him all week. I swear to God if she starts roaming her hand any further...ugh!
I reach down and grab Keni’s shot, and toss it back. “Hey, that was mine,” she says and bites into a French fry.
I sigh, turn on my heels and get the bottle of fireball from behind the bar. I refill her glass and drink again, then leave the bottle to help themselves.
“I’ll be back.” I excuse myself to allow them time to eat. Jay and Mitch come in and plop down on the last two open stools. When Jay looks up, he nods, slightly uncomfortable seeing me behind the bar. I guess I would be, too, after Jay served us at the club. I grab two beers and put them on the coasters in front of them, “These are on me.” Jay winks and adds a sly little smirk. Oh god, please do not bring up me being at the club. I just want to forget it ever happened. It’s the night Diesel changed, the night I fucked up and went too far.
Hours pass, and I watch as my internal temperature boils. Virginia, the town hoochie, has her hands on his arms, following his every move. Hanging on to his every word, her laugh echoes as her head falls back.
“If eyes could shoot lasers, she’d be dead three times over.” Dani takes claim of a stool on my side of the bar, “yeah, I’m done.” I throw down the rag, beyond annoyed at this point. If he is going to ignore me and start talking to other women, then maybe he needs to be reminded of something first.
I rush around the bar and stop behind Virginia as I overhear her say, “Virginia is my name, and playing your virgin is my game.” Diesel notices I’m behind her and steps back with his arms up as if surrendering.
I tap her on the shoulder, but she doesn’t respond. I do it again with a little more force.
“What the fuck?” She spins with her drink in hand, spilling it all over me. Jealous, pissed, and now angry, I let the rage explode.
I grab her by her hair, pulling her right off the stool. “Nicki!” Diesel yells. My neck pivots as I give him the death glare and say, “stay out of it.”
“A virgin you are not, not by a long shot. I’ve had enough of you flirting with my husband. It’s time for you to go.” I yank her toward the curtain and out the door by her hair, only releasing my grip when she reaches the sidewalk.
Hearing the door, I glance back to see my sisters. “I’m good. I got this,” I tell them and notice Mitch, Jay, and Diesel all glaring from the window. Pissed off more than ever, I turn, get right in Virginia’s face, backing her up to the telephone pole, and point my finger, ”You stay the fuck away from my man. We may be going through a rough time now, but he is mine!”
She stood silent, dumbfounded. Not knowing what to say. I spit on the ground before her feet, “I just took out the trash. You’re not worth it.” I turn around, walk past my sisters, and back inside, letting the door slam behind me.
I straighten my shirt, run my hands through my hair and slide the curtain to the side. All eyes are on me as I walk toward the kitchen as if nothing happened. The doors swing closed behind me, and I stop by placing my palms face down on the cold metal table and take a few deep breaths. The swooshing of the kitchen doors has my head turning slightly while I catch my breath.
“Your husband?” comes in unison from my sisters.
Oh fuck, I did.
I said it out loud.
I keep still and nod as Diesel steps through, “Yes, I am her husband and unless you want to watch me claim her right here on this table, get out,” his voice sends chills down my spine. There’s the man I’ve been missing. Dani and Keni run from the closed-off area.
He lifts me onto the tabletop, spreading my legs and filling the space. “That was hot as fuck,” he leans in and kisses the tip of my nose. “God, I’ve missed you,” I admit and wrap my arms and legs around him, never wanting to let him go.
“I’m so sorry, D.” I squeeze tighter, and a tear escapes as I look up into his beautiful eyes.
“Nicki, we have a lot of things we need to work through. It’s not always going to be easy, and you need to be able to talk to me.” He says, placing his palms on both my cheeks, “and I’m sorry too.”
“You have thirsty customers out here!” Shouts come from the other side of the door. But we ignore them for the moment. We need this connection right now.
I nod in agreement and lift my chin for a kiss. We let it escalate, only to break free breathlessly. Making so many apologies and promises without even saying a word. Hand in hand, through the kitchen door, we walk and shout, “Last call!” The groans from the small crowd get loud and obnoxious, causing me to laugh.
“We still need to talk, clear some things up,” Diesel releases my hand, and I nod, “we will,” I agree and reach into my front pocket. I pull my ring out, sliding it onto my finger where it belongs. A smile spreads across his face, “okay.”
I turn and serve a few customers with a wink and then walk over to where my sisters are patiently waiting. “I can’t go into detail, not right now. But we will. I’ll catch you all up this weekend. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.”
“No wonder you guys have been keeping your distance. I take it Mom and Dad don’t know yet?” Dani asks, and I shake my head. “Okay, so I’ll bring the booze, dinner Sunday?” Keni asks.
“Family dinner, Sunday afternoon is as good a time as any.” I shrug and wipe down their table. They both take turns giving me a kiss on the cheek and a hug. I turn to see Diesel watching me from the bar, and, once again, everything feels right in the world.
