More Than One Night

chapter one

Aurora

There's nothing better than the pure adrenaline I feel as my heart pounds in my ears when I run on the treadmill.

I don't know how long I've running for but it's the only thing that helps me. I've been doing this to myself since I found Jake, my now ex boyfriend, fucking some girl in his bed. I can't erase the image from my brain of those two together.

I'm still heartbroken at the fact we spent 2 years together and he just throws it away for a drunken one night stand.

I thought I had found my person during the hardest time of my life. After my parents died I was extremely lonely, I never wanted to be around anyone. I didn't have any friends I could talk to, all I had was my Aunt Nicola. She sweetly offered her home to me and has slowly over the last couple of years become my rock.

I never said those three little words to Jake, but I didn't deserve to be fucking cheated on. He blamed me, that it was my fault, I never wanted to go out or have sex all the time and that my hair was too short or too blonde.

You can only imagine what that does to a person. So now I don't want to be involved with anyone. I still have needs of course, but a one night stand is more than enough to fulfil that.

I glance at my watch for the time. I start my shift in a couple of hours so I need to finish up here soon. I work as a bartender at Lilac Lounge, a popular bar located in the city. The owners Carla and Tim have been so good to me with changing shifts and giving me time off when I needed it. I work full time there so I can offer Aunt Nicola some money for food and bills, not that she ever accepts it.

I usually spend my days working, running and reading books. I would love to find the one some day, but for now I'll leave it to the romance novels I read.

I spend the next hour showering and changing into my uniform for work. The dress code is black which suits me perfectly, I'm not one to wear bright colours anyway, not anymore.

I head into the bar with five minutes to spare. Enough time to put my things into a locker and grab a glass of water.

My best friend Gabby isn't working tonight, she is out celebrating her one year anniversary with her boyfriend.

I met her 4 years ago when I started working here and she kindly took me under her wing, showing me the ropes, training me and helping me deal with drunken advances that we get every night.

"Here she is, ready for tonight?" Carla swings her arm over my shoulder.

"Hey, yeah I guess." I half smile at her.

"Great, see you in a few." She taps the door frame before disappearing.

I give myself a quick once over in the mirror that hangs next to the lockers in the staff room. I run my fingers through my blonde hair, I choose to keep it shoulder length so the upkeep everyday is minimal. I don't ever wear too much make up, just a tiny amount of concealer and mascara. My black skinny jeans hugging my petite frame as my arms and stomach left uncovered by the black crop top I wore.

You can do this Rory. You can fucking do this.

I mentally psych myself up, praying that this shift I won't have any assholes trying to drunkenly come onto me. I hate talking to strangers. I honestly question my choice of work sometimes.

My mom's smile flashes through my mind as I stare at myself. I shake my head vigorously to rid the thoughts. I can't have a breakdown here, I'll save that for later in the comfort of my own bed.

◇◇◇

"There you go, thanks." I tell the customer at my side of the bar. I'm on the left side tonight, furthest from the entrance with Gavin on the right. Gavin is excellent at his job, he specialises in cocktail making so always helps me out when I have a customer order one.