Eureka

12

Working with Ray is a lot of fun. Becca is funny, but frustrating with her flirty antics and disappearing acts. Ray is downright goofy. He always has a snarky comeback and dishes out insults as well as he can take them. I didn't think it would be possible for me to feel so comfortable around other people so quickly. That rarely happens as I tend to not like people much in general. The last time I felt like this was when I was staying full time with The Family during my training as a child. Not even my time with Bradley back in Houston felt this natural. The thought puts me on edge emotionally, I can admit that much at least. Things don't just go this well for me. That's never been in the cards for me.

I'm deep in my thoughts and I'm pulled out abruptly by shouts and the sound of glass breaking on the floor. I whip around with the knife I was cutting lime wedges with, the blade tucked back against the inside of my wrist to keep it hidden but ready to use. I drop slightly into a more subtle defensive stance and survey the scene. 

Carson is already separating the small dispute that happened between an obviously drunk tourist judging by his clothing choice, and a very angry looking local who is now walking away from the scene with his arm around a very drunk and giggling woman. Carson escorts the sloppy tourist back to his friends and asks them to either keep him in line or leave. His body language is screaming anger and intimidation. One of the guy's friends comes to the bar to pay off the tab and they all quickly leave. Becca hustles over to clean up the mess on the floor and everything seems to go back to normal very quickly.

It felt like it never even happened.

I'm absentmindedly twirling the knife in my hand by the time Carson makes it back over to his stool. I relax my muscles and scan the room again as I begin to finish cutting the limes in front of me. I feel Carson's eyes on me as I turn to fill in another order. I turn to look at him and raise my brow. It's not my fist bar fight, and won't be the last. I don't know what his deal is.

I'm starting to feel twitchy since I'm being watched. I focus on the task at hand and give Becca her order to take to her table. Turning back to Carson, irritated that I can still feel him watching me. "Is anything wrong, boss? Can I get you anything?" I ask him. This is more like a polite way to get him to stop staring. He shakes his head with amusement in his eyes.

"I'm good. Just making sure you still know what you're doing," He says with a smirk. Not entirely satisfied with his response, I just nod and walk back over to my post. I give a broad smile to the familiar person who has appeared in front of me.

"Well, well, well. What'll it be, Wolfie?" I ask with a grin. I hear Ray start to chuckle next to me. I look over to see his back turned to me but I can tell he's shaking his head. Landon rolls his eyes and grumbles in response. I can see his cheeks start to tint pink.

"Oh, relax. Your super secret but totally weird pet name is safe with me and my buddy, Ray," I say and nudge into Ray with my shoulder and he turns around and flicks my nose gently. Landon orders a beer for himself and a cocktail for Kelsey. Before he can walk away with the drinks I ask him, "So should I see about crashing on Carson's couch again tonight? Or are you planning to test out how soundproof your walls are for your future tenants?"

I grin as Landon's eyes go wide and his face turns bright red. He turned on his heels and walked away without an answer. "I'll be sure to leave a long and detailed review on Google, Wolfie!" I call out to his retreating figure. His steps falter momentarily before he shakes his head and stomps away. He's no doubt cursing my very existence. I might be pushing it with him. But that nickname and his blush is just too cute. I cackle to myself as I get his tab started in the system.

After wiping down the back side of the counter, I turn and immediately make eye contact with a pair of dark chocolate colored eyes. I freeze and take in the face the eyes belong to. He is very handsome, maybe in his early to mid twenties. Dark brown curls hang over a heavy brow that is pulled into a small frown as he studies me. His tanned skin is perfectly clear with just a hint of stubble starting on his jaw. I look at his full lips and see them pull into a smirk. I blink. 

Ah, crap. He probably thinks I was checking him out.

I mean, I was.

"What can I get for you?" I look in his eyes and see the amusement dancing in them.

"I'll have whatever you got on tap," He says with a smirk. I nod and go to grab a pint glass. As I'm filling up the glass I hear him clear his throat and say, "Get you one, too. Have a drink with me." I glance up at him as I put the lever back in place and place a napkin on the bar in front of him before placing the glass on top.

"Sorry, no drinking on the clock. Wouldn't want to get fired on my first official day here," I give him a wink, "Maybe next time, though."

He smirks and nods. He takes a sip of his beer while keeping unnecessarily intense eye contact with me. "Next time for sure, sweetheart," His low voice echoes my statement. His smirk, which is becoming increasingly annoying, turns smug. 

I just stare in response. He's cocky and that takes major points away from his attractiveness. A lot of men think that sort of confidence makes them irresistible. To me, they just seem a little too desperate. And desperation is just not cute. I shuffle away from him with widened eyes after finally breaking the awkward staring contest he started. Awkward. I turn to the sink to finish washing the dishes.

"Scarlett."

I could tell it was Carson's voice, but when I glance over to Carson, he's frowning at the newcomer. Must be a local. Carson turns his attention back to me and I raise a confused brow at him. He jerks his head to the right, motioning for me to come over to him. I oblige.

"You're still staying at Landon and Millie's?" He asks.

"If you count me camping out on your couch last night as staying with them." The corner of his lips tug upwards and I continue, "I've only just got to town. It's walking distance to here and without my car it'll be a good option until I can get her fixed and find a place to stay long term."

Carson nods at me and responds, "I'll give you another ride tonight when we're done tonight. I don't want you walking at night." His eyes glance over to the guy behind me before returning to me. "Not that anything bad would happen, but still," He says with a shrug, adding a tight lip smile. "It would make me feel better knowing you're sleeping where you're meant to."

Yeah. Okay, Dad. I mentally roll my eyes. I know Carson isn't interested in that manner, he's my boss after all. I can tell he's a professional, so I'm ruling out jealousy on this one. I just think it's cute and slightly offensive for him to assume I'd swoon my way into bed with the first guy to insist on buying me a drink. I mean, sure, maybe if it's been a while...

I barely resist the urge to sass him about it. 

"Thanks, boss. Millie will appreciate that, too. I'm supposed to give her a quick review of my stay tomorrow morning," I chuckle to myself before continuing, "Hopefully my car will be fixed soon. I gotta call the garage and see what's going on with it and how much I'll owe." I know I can handle myself with just about anything that can approach me out there, but he doesn't. After working all night I imagine walking the rest of the way home will be torture so I am thankful for the offer.

"I'll come find you after we close. Ray leaves at 1 so you'll be on your own behind the bar after that. Unless you need me. Becca will be here to help clean up though," He tells me. I thank him for his offer to help and for the ride and turn back around when I hear more people come in the bar.