Happy Endings Don't Exist

Chapter 1

               “That’ll be $3.50 sweet cheeks,” I say as I finish filling the cup up. “Keep the change,” he says sliding me a five and winking. “Thanks,” I say, passing him his beer and putting the five in my apron. “Joint’s hoppin tonight ain’t it Hoss,” I say in passing to my boss. “It sure is sweetie,” he says, as we hear a loud clatter come from the opposite corner. “No rough housein ya hear,” I yell in that general direction receiving an embarrassed wave. “Don’t know what I would do without you,” he comments, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and giving me a squeeze. “You would go off the deep-end and start an all-out bar brawl old man,” I giggle leaning into him. “You know me so well,” he chuckles as yet another loud clatter comes from the same table. “God Damnit, I was hopin’ to get out of here fight free, be right back Gramps,” I growl, pulling away from Hoss and walking around from behind the bar. “Rip’em a new one darlin,” I hear him call after me.

                “What in the hell do ya’ll think no rough housein means,” I snap as I get over to the table, my hands resting on my hips with my feet shoulder width apart glaring at the six guys sitting there. “Well now ther darling I don think we was been that loud now. What do ya’ll think,” One of the men, obviously intoxicated way beyond common sense, replies. My eyes narrow as I take him, and his infuriatingly condescending words, in. A knit beanie with brown hair poking out the bottom, blood shot hazel eyes, typical skater clothes. I feel my lips peel back in a snarl. “I think yur right in yur think there Raab, we ain’t doin nothin wrong lil miss but we could do with a few more beers o’er h’re,” one of the men answer. I cut my gaze to him getting more furious by the second. He had on a black HIM beanie with, dark brown almost black hair curling around his ears piercing blue eyes, same skater clothes as the other though he did fill his out a bit more. “Really now? Cause I think ya’ll need to leave . . . now,” I snap making eye contact with blue eyes. “And I think you should just get us another round of beer and go play bartender,” he retaliates. “You need to learn some manners young man and get the hell outta this bar,” I growl back making him stiffen. “Do you know who the hell I am,” he says a little too loud attracting some attention. “I don’t give a damn you the hell you are but it’s time for ya’ll to leave my bar this instant,” I say, matching his tone. “You don’t own this joint so go back to the kitchen and do what women are meant to,” he spits, standing up, receiving a few smirks and chuckles from the regulars. “What did you say to me,” I hiss. “I said go back to the kitchen and,” he started but never got to finish as I punch him square in the jaw. All five of the other men jump out of their seats. I look down at the unconscious man at my feet for a few seconds before a low moan escapes his mouth. “Now I will say this one more time before I get real violent. Get the hell outta my bar and don’t come back till ya’ll learn some damn manners,” I announce as the other men help their friend up and stumble out of the bar.

                The door swings shut to hoots and hollers from the regulars as I wipe my fist across my apron and go back behind the bar. “Sorry bout that Hoss but I couldn’t let them ignorant gits hurt your bar,” I tell him. “Don’t worry your pretty little head bout it darlin. I would have done it if you hadn’t, just saved me the trouble,” he chuckles. “I always do old man,” I sigh, seeing a customer signal for a re-fill. I nod at him so he knows I have seen him and he nods back. “Well gotta make sure the customer’s stay happy,” I tell Hoss, hip bumping him and moving down the bar. “No one messes with my girl,” he loudly announces to which everyone agrees. Just your typical night at Lone Wolf Bar, I think sighing and shaking my head.