Wrapped Up In You

Chapter 2

One year later...

"Grab the Lemons for table six and water for table three." I slammed the register as I yelled out to my coworker Bethany. She patted my back on her way to table three. The comforting gesture only brought a moment of peace. I frantically ring up more drinks at the bar I was tending and made them with hurried hands.

"Hey honey, can I have a rum and coke?" The bald man two seats down shouted, I smiled, trying to juggle the vodka I was pouring. I handed mr. baldy his drink and moved to the next person. I froze when I thought I saw Garrett from the corner of my eye.

It had been a year and I still swore I'd see him sometimes. After our kiss, I came into work that same night to find our manager there instead of him, saying Garrett had an emergency and wouldn't be coming back. I heard nothing since then. No call, no text, not even a random visit, it was almost as though he never existed.

I untied my apron to adjust it again. The stupid strings never stayed tied long enough. I ignored the pain in my feet and tried to refrain from reminding myself that I had to come back tomorrow. I filled up each cup on autopilot before a new face caught my eye.

He had blonde hair, one streak of blue ran through it front to back. That's not what caught my eye. It was the snake with the odd symbol on his right arm. The same snake and symbol Garrett had. "Busy honey?" I shoot him a dark look.

"Who are you?" I lean in closer to the bar. There's a girl shouting off somewhere, everyone chattering about the game on TV, and a few men who have money out for more drinks.

"Stephen Duetz." He extends a long hand towards me to shake.

"Chose your poison." I gesture at the bottles lined up behind me. He glances at the selection and looks let down.

"Gin and tonic will do." I nod and start making the clear liquid for him. He takes it and drinks it in one gulp. "Another please?" This man's crazy.

"What does your tattoo stand for?" He looks amused now. He slides the empty drink towards me and I feel my heart thud.

In a deep husky voice "fill up my cup and I'll tell you." His icy blue eyes never leave mine. I do as he says. His lopsided grin reveals one dimple on his right cheek "the snake and symbol represents a family clan. Google it, I'm sure you'll come across a few things." He babysits the drink and sloshes it around.

"Hey lady, I want a drink." A man slams money on the table. I reach for it and he pulls away. "I want my drink first bitch." I roll my eyes and mouth a quiet "sorry" to the blonde before I reach for the beer the man wants. "You have a nice ass." I sigh at the man's comment. If I had a dollar for every time some man made a dirty comment, I wouldn't even have to be stressing myself out with this job.

I look up to see Stephen standing. He goes over by the guy, grabs him by the wrist and bends his hand all the way back. A whimper from pain escapes his lips. His navy blue pants hit the ground with a thud as Stephen grabs him by his hair and forces him to face me. "Apologize." One simple request that leaves the man trembling. When there's no response Stephen loops his neck in for a headlock and brings a knife with him. "Don't make me repeat myself. I don't take to kindly to others that fail to listen."

"Sss-sorry." The man stammers. Stephen lets him him go and slips his knife back to the pocket it lived in before he brought it out. I wasn't sure if I should be thankful or terrified. I opened my mouth to speak and the words disappeared.

Stephen takes his now empty cup, lifts the glass and slides money under the bottom. "I'll tell Garett you said hi." His smirk turns devilish. My hearts thudding as he leaves.

"My god are you okay." Bethany is now in front of me hands feeling at both sides of my arms as of to make sure I'm still here.

"I'm okay." My voice feels lost at my response. Am I okay? Why would Garett's friend know where I worked? Wait did he know or was that an accident. How does he even know I know Garrett though? "Beth, can I take a break?" I already had my apron off, more so telling than asking.