Broken

Chapter Two

My alarm goes off and I drag myself out of bed, heading into the bathroom to start my day. I drag myself into the shower and let the water run down my body as I wash my hair and body. Today I need to do a little shopping to have food in my room. After a while I get out and dry off heading back into the bedroom to get dressed. I hear my phone ping as I am getting ready and I see a text from Amber.

Text- Hey, girl. Just wanted to let you know to come around two o'clock. Jack should be here around then. I will be there too. Come find me and I will introduce you to him.

Text- Thanks, I will make sure I am there then. Send me the address.

Text- Okay babes, see you then.

I finish getting ready and head out to the store. I pull in and head inside grabbing a basket as I do. Grabbing a few essentials I am heading down an aisle when I look over and think I see Scott walking past the end of it. I have to grab onto a shelf as I feel the blood drain from my face and my breathing becomes eradice. I soon can't catch my breath and I start to panic. I feel a hand touch my shoulder.

"Miss, are you okay?" I turn to see a handsome man in a ball cap and sunglasses staring back at me with a worried look.

"Yes....I.....will....be..."

"Okay, I will stay here with you. Do you need me to call anybody?"

"No...there's no....noone."

"Okay, just look at me." He turns me to face him and grabs my hand and places it over his heart. "Close your eyes. Feel my heartbeat. Now breathe with me. Okay doll, that's it. In and out. In and out." I breathe slowly like he tells me. I can feel his heart beating under my hand and I concentrate on it. Slowly my breathing goes back to normal and my heart rate slows. I look up into his eyes and he smiles down at me.

"Thank you" I whisper.

"No problem, doll. Are you okay now?"

"Yes, I will be. Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome. I guess I need to get back to my shopping. Are you sure you will be okay?"

Yes, I just need to check out and get back to my room. Thanks again." I quickly pick up my basket and head to the cashier as I look around for Scott, hoping I was just seeing things. After paying I quickly grab my bags and head out to my car trying to avoid anybody. Once I arrive home, I take my bags in and put away my meager purchases. Realizing what time it was, I headed over to the Crystal Palace and hopefully got a job. I try to push the thoughts of the handsome stranger away as I finish and head over to the bar. It wasn't too busy when I pulled up and parked. I slowly walk in and look around. Fear creeps up on me as I walk towards the bar and feel several eyes on me. I start to wonder why I am here. Would I be able to do this job anyway? My confidence had been broken by Scott. As I approach the bar, Amber comes running out and wraps me in a hug. My body tenses and I freeze. She feels me tense up and quickly lets go.

"Sorry about that. I am a hugger and I am so excited that you came. I told Jack and Jim about you and that you would be by."

"That's okay. I'm a little jumpy lately. Don't worry it's not you."

"Come on then, let me introduce you to the guys."

She leads me into the back and knocks on a door. I hear a gruff voice through the door.

"Yeah, come in."

She walks through the door and I see two men sitting at the desk. They both turn and look at us.

"I brought Daisy back. She was the one I told you about. She is here for the waitress position." She says with a smile as she bounces on her toes.

"Thank you Amber. Hello, Daisy. Come in, have a seat. My name is Jack. I own this bar and this is my manager, Jim."

"Nice to meet you." I say with a smile.

Amber leaves and I take a seat next to the one who hasn't spoken yet. I sit down and start fiddling with my fingers. With my eyes in my lap.

"So, Amber told us a little about you. Why do you want to work here?" Jim asks after a few moments of silence.

"I...I need a job. I am a hard worker. I hope you will give me a chance."

"Sweetheart, can you look at me?"I pick up my head slowly and I see Jack smile at me. "So where do you come from?"

"I am from Virginia."

"What made you want to come to Nashville?"

"I don't know. I got in my car one day and drove till I needed to stop. I needed to lose myself and figured in a big city I could do that. I am originally from a small town. Everybody knew your business and I wanted to get away from that."

"You definitely could get lost here or get found. We get pretty busy here on the weekends. Do you think you could handle that?" Jack asks.

"I will give it my best shot. Please just give me a shot and if you don't think i can manage. I will go."

"What do you think Jim? Should we give her a chance?"

"I think so. How about a week, if she does great then she can stay."

"Thank you so much."

"When can you start?" Jim asks.

"When do you need me?"

"How about you follow Amber around for a couple hours, while it is slow. Get a feel for how things go? Then you can start tomorrow, get a few days under your belt before the weekend." Jim says.

"Sounds good to me. Have Amber come back." Jack adds.

They call for Amber and she soon walks back in."

"Yay, come on Daisy. I will show you where everything is."

She takes hold of my hand and leads me around showing me the staff area, storage area and a few other places. She also introduced me to everyone that was working today. I stick with her for several hours learning where everything is, the menu, and where to put orders. She even started teaching me some drinks. I think I am going to like it here.

"I think this is going to be good for me."

"I am so glad. You know Jack is part of Smash?"

"I have never heard of them."

"Really, where have you been?"

"I was not allowed to listen to any music he didn't like."

"Who is he?"

"I really don't want to talk about it."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

As we were talking, Jim walked over to us.

"So what do you think? Do you think it's something you could handle?"

"I think I can. It seems like a really good place to work. Thank you for this opportunity."

"You are welcome. You start tomorrow at eight. There is no uniform, but be tasteful. I will see you tomorrow." Jim says and then leaves.

"Congrats girl, this Saturday will be a treat. Since Jack owns the bar, Smash will sometimes play here and this weekend is one of those times."

"Great, I'm looking forward to it."

"Alright girl, I will see you tomorrow. We will continue your training then."

"Okay, I will see you tomorrow." I head out and bump into someone as I leave. I feel electricity as our skin touches.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" He asks as he holds me steady for a moment.

"Yes, thank you." I say as I quickly pull away and run out of the bar and climb into my car. I sit and try to calm my breathing as I sit with my hands on the wheel and just try to breathe. What was that reaction, and who was that man? He seemed familiar but I'm not sure. I remember those piercing green eyes as dark as an emerald. Not all men are like Scott, but I can't let myself get tied to another one. I don't think I will ever let another guy get near me again. I quickly head back to my room, and lock the door behind me. I change into my pajamas and climb under the blanket and curl up trying to get some sleep. Thankful that I have a job and hope I will be able to handle the crowds.