Charlie
It was Friday night, and the bar was packed. The crowds were rowdy, and the music blasted like one of those college parties' fraternities throw. I was getting a customer an Old Fashioned when four guys came in. One of them was my ex, Dom.
Fuck.
I kept my head down, trying to finish making the drink with shaky hands, giving it to a 20-something college girl.
"Here you go," I said, placing one of our napkins underneath it. She thanked me, getting back to her date, and my manager came around, behind the bar. Ricky was an older guy, with kind eyes and his hair was starting to grey. He was one of her close friends at the restaurant, mainly because of the crazy ex-situation. His friends didn't really get it, possibly because they have never had to get a restraining order against them.
"I'm so ready to open a glass of scotch and watch the bachelorette." He said, pinching the bridge of his nose, sighing in agitation. I chuckled, rinsing the stirrer. "How's Sal?" He stopped typing in the cash register and looked up, face brightening. "She's gotten so much bigger, here let me show you." He pulled out his phone, and a picture of a black lab puppy was staring up at me. "Oh my god, she's precious," I said, and my least favorite person came up.
"I'd like a sidecar babe if you aren't too busy." Dom. The nuisance of my existence, yet everyone loved him.
"And who's this?" Ricky asked, oblivious to my sudden indignation. Dom ran his hand through his sandy brown hair, blue eyes piercing as I made his drink. I told Ricky about Dom but had not shown him any pictures, so he was clueless of course, bless him.
If I was anywhere else, I would've walked away, or punched Dom in the face, but alas, getting a paycheck was more important than instant gratification. Still, they can't fire me for violent fantasies, so that's something at least.
"No one," I said, the same time Dom said, "Her boyfriend." I rolled my eyes at him. "He's confused. We used to date but he started fucking his trainer on the side. This is Dom, and he's leaving."
I said, slamming his drink down, turning to go to the kitchen. Break time, finally. I was working a double shift and I had been on my feet for the past 7 hours. I was ready to eat something other than a protein bar I had at 6 this morning.
He cleared his throat, trying to get my attention. "Can I help you?" I asked, forcing a smile.
Keep it professional, don't get fired by doing something stupid.
"You forgot the lemon." I stared at him, imagining my fist colliding with that stupidly perfect nose. "You're kidding right?" Looking at the drink, I made it with an orange twist, still adding in the perfect amount of lemon juice, in under three minutes.
"Abby knows how to make a sidecar right at least." He said, chuckling to his airhead of a friend, Zach. My face burned, and Ricky gave me a sympathetic smile. "Is there an app I can download for you to go away?" I asked, trying to get back a little bit of my dignity back.
My break was getting eaten up by his antics again and I was not having it. I turned to Ricky, told him I was going to the kitchen and ordered a po boy with sweet potato fries.
I went to the backroom, finally escaping the craziness of the Blue Night Dive Bar. Propping up my feet on the seat across from me, I pulled out my phone, looking through the texts I missed.
Text Message. 7:20 PM
Mom: Happy birthday sweetie, hope you aren't working too hard xoxo
Dad: If you need a designated driver, just call me sweetie. you're 21 now, so drink responsibly, love you kid.
Blair: When do you get off? Cause we're going drinking; Jeff broke up with me again......... Plus your first legal shots 😊
I groaned at Blair's message, mainly because they had been in this vicious cycle of fights, breakups, and makeups for the past five years. Hopefully this time, they will remain broken up. I've always hated Jeff, but Blair had been adamant about him being the love of her life.
Text Message: 7:35 PM
Charlie: Love you too momma
Charlie: Thanks dad, I got it covered. Working a double tonight so B and I might stay home and watch a show.
Charlie: B, that sounds awful. wine and bachelorette?
The door opened and I looked up. A man walked in, and my heart stopped. Dark brown hair, beautiful, mismatched eyes, muscled physique, and a few tattoos on his biceps.
Holy fu--
"Oh sorry, didn't realize this area was blocked off." Even his voice was sexy, the deep, gravely sound, made my skin crawl.
In the best way.
"You're fine, I was just going to the kitchen, can I help you?" He scratched the back of his head, being adorably awkward.
"Um, yeah, my friends wanted me to get your number, is that okay?" Even though it was probably for a dare, the way he asked was cute, so I thought what the hell. "Yeah, here if you give me your phone, I'll punch it in."
"I'm Jace, by the way," The handsome stranger said, making his way out the door. "I hope to hear from you soon." He added with a wink.
Eight hours later, my shift was done, and I wanted to put on sweats and relax. Possibly watch the bachelorette with Blair if she was still up.
Text Message; 2:30 AM
Charlie: hey B, you still up for wine and tv?
Blair: yeah, sausage, and jalapeños on the pizza, right?
Charlie: what are we animals? of course, lol, I'll see you in ten
Author's Note:
Does anyone have an ex like that? I know I have..... Above is a picture of Jace as Dominic Sherwood, because he's just so damn fineeeeeeee.
I hope y'all stick with me on this one, in the past I always seem to start something and then end up not finishing it because of school or work or I just get discouraged and lose any and all interest in it....
Well don't forget to comment, vote or follow for more
Always,
Bethany :)
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