Promises | ✔️

Chapter 4: Bartending

I woke up at 6 pm, washed my face, and went to my suitcases to find black clothes. I still needed to unpack my clothes and put them in my closet. I found black skinny jeans and a black button-up collared shirt. The shirt was wrinkled, but I didn't have an iron. The top two buttons of the shirt were missing, so I had to leave it open. 

I had about 20 minutes before needing to leave, so I decided to do the productive thing and start setting up my closet. While I started pulling out clothes, I realized I didn't have hangers. I groaned and threw everything back in the suitcase. There were a lot of normal house things I had on my shopping list, like dish soap and a vacuum and others.

At 6:50, I headed down to the bar. When I entered, I saw a lot more people than in the morning, but it still wasn't full. Wait 2 hours, though. The place would probably be packed.

I saw Vince, but he seemed busy with something, so I decided I would go up to him later. I went over to Ryder who was serving two girls. They were barely wearing anything, and it looked like they were flirting with Ryder. He didn't seem to realize and turned away, noticing me.

"Naya! Welcome!" He exclaimed. The two girls turned to me with annoyed looks on their faces. I ignored them, waved to Ryder, and went behind the counter.

"You know they were flirting with you, right?" I told him.

"Oh?" He looked over at them. "I'm not interested, anyway. So, today you are my little apprentice." He tried to pat my head, but I swatted him away, getting a laugh out of him.

Vince came up to us. "Remember to teach her all the regulars' orders." He started walking away but turned around. "Ryan, you're in section 1, Sam will be in section 2, and you will be in section 3." He pointed at me and walked away.

"Uh, it's Naya, by the way," I yelled, but he didn't turn around. "Why do you let him call you Ryan?"

"Vince...is not the calmest guy. He doesn't really like talking back. I just let him roll with it." Ryder told me.

"How long have you been working here?" I asked.

"About a year, I'd say."

"Wait, how old are you?"

"23. How about you?"

"I'm 21."

"Oh, so you haven't been around alcohol long I'm guessing." He asked with a smirk.

"Sure, we'll go with that." I grinned at him.

"So, are you new here? Or have I just never seen you before? I've been living in this area for 3 years."

"I actually just moved here."

"Did you go to college or...?" He asked, and I looked up at him. "Not trying to be nosy or anything, just want to get to know you."

"I moved away from some family issues," I told him and looked at the counter. I didn't really want to dive into my background.

"Oh, ok." It was as if Ryder understood that I didn't want to answer any questions about my past, so he dropped the topic.

"Ok. So first let me show you the stock. Liquors are there, beers there..." We spent about 20 minutes touring the counter space.

"The backroom has about everything. But make sure you log it when you take something out of here, so we can restock before we run out. At the end of every week, someone is assigned to count and order new shipments." Ryder continued on, showing me everything in the back.

It was 8 by the time we went back in the front, and more people were there. I saw another guy behind the counter. He had a sleeve of tattoos and black hair slicked back."That's Sam. He's a bit of a bitch once you get to know him." Ryder whispered down to me.

"I heard that, Jacobs," Sam said while preparing a drink for a customer. I laughed, while Ryder mumbled something under his breath.

"You really think-" Sam turned to us. "Well, hello there. I'm Sam. And you are?" He smirked and approached me. His eyes were staring at my chest since the two buttons on my shirt were missing.

Ryder intercepted and said. "Not your next hookup." Both boys were inches apart, staring at each other. Ryder was a little taller, but Sam had more muscle. 

I pushed Ryder to the side and smiled at Sam. "I'm Naya."

"Last name?" He asked.

I raised my eyebrows. "Gardner? Why?"

Ryder answered. "Sam calls everyone by their last names. It's like he has some last name kink or something." Sam glared at Ryder who just shined his pearly white at the man. "Anyway, before Sam rudely interrupted, I was going to teach you how to make a few drinks. But it looks like one of our regulars has arrived, so I'll show you his."

A middle-aged man in khaki pants and a powder blue button-down shirt came over. He looked very tired. "The usual." He waved to us, and Ryder bent down and got a beer. The man put his head in his arms and sat there.

"That's Steve. He's an accountant, but he honestly hates his job. He comes here every other day." Ryder whispered while preparing the drink.

A few hours later, I was getting the hang of this bartender thing. I still stayed by Ryder's side most of the time, but I knew how to make a few drinks. It was 10 pm and the place was packed. I was honestly surprised since it was a Monday night.

Ryder put some drinks on a tray and handed them to me. "Can you please take this to my section? There are so many people here. I-"

I cut him off. "Yeah, of course. What table?"

"It's at the corner. A booth. They're a group. You'll recognize." He pointed at the drinks. "This is a Bloody Mary, Tequila, Cosmopolitan, and Bourbon. Just say the names of the drinks, and they'll say whose is whose."

I took the tray and made my way toward Section 1. It was very crowded, and I had to make sure not to spill the drinks. I walked toward the corner booth, getting a few stares from people. The section was more closed off compared to the rest of the bar. I'm guessing they weren't expecting a new face in the area. I reached the booth and the group of 4 men turned to me. I looked at all of them with an awkward smile, and when my eyes reached the green eyes of one particular individual, my smile dropped.

It was the man who saved me at the grocery store.

***

Told you I would update twice today! After all, they have been short chapters. It seems like Naya and "the man with green eyes" just keep running into each other.

VOTE!
Next Chapter Teaser Line: "No. Just assholes like you."