The Lonely Rogue

Chapter 14 Junie

"You did what?" I shouted at Cole.

"It's no big deal, Junie." Cole waved his hand dismissively.

"You're an idiot." I huffed in annoyance.

It was late Wednesday night when Cole came around telling me his news. I stomped down the hall and tore open the closet door, angrily yanking sheets and blankets down from the top shelf.

"What are you doing?" Cole asked. I threw the blankets in his face.

"You can sleep on my couch." I said and it wasn't a request.

"Junie...." He started to argue but my glare shut him up, thankfully.

That was four days ago and Cole hasn't left me alone since. I was starting to go stir crazy with my new roommate and was struggling to continue to come up with excuses to feed Vivian. I was running through my typical Sunday evening routine at the bar while Cole was flirting with the waitresses. He was such a staple around here now that I was about to start putting him to work.

"Cole! If you're so interested in what the waitresses are doing, why don't you help them?" I yelled, tossing him an apron and a rag so he could help wash down the tables.

"Whatever keeps me close to you, sweet thing." He winked at Sophie who was lapping it up.

"I like this one." Sophie giggled, not even bothering to blush, "You sure you don't want dibs?" She whispered loudly towards me.

"He's all yours, Soph." I shook my head at her and went back to counting the register.

Thankfully, Karly was back to work and I didn't have to worry about bartending. I'm pretty sure that if she was still sick, Jackson would find a way to have me fired and replaced by someone who could actually mix a drink.

"I don't know what you did to him, but thank you. He's never been this nice." Karly laughed, nodding towards Jackson who was busy kissing her ass.

"I told you, I suck at bartending." I told her for the fifth time since she came back to work on Wednesday, "Please, don't ever be sick again when Ellios is out." Ellios was our back up bartender. He was an older gentleman who was retired. He only came in when we were desperate.

"Where the hell are my bouncers?" I said as opening time approached, looking around the buzzing bar.

"Outside, I think." Gabi shrugged, leaning against one of the high top tables.

"Probably on another smoke break." Lainey added.

"They just had one ten minutes ago." I rolled my eyes and stomped towards the front door.

"We're about to open and you three are out here gossiping?" I snapped, pushing open the heavy door and glaring at Toonly, Clyde, and Buck who were hovered around one of the tall trash cans.

"Sorry, boss." Clyde smirked, flicking his cigarette and sulking back inside, "I'll take the back door." He added over his shoulder.

"Buck, you're on the front today." Toonly said, stomping out his cigarette.

"Great, thanks." Buck rolled his eyes and pulled out the velvet rope that kept the lines at bay.

I was just about to head back inside when a car came speeding up to the curb, screeching to a halt. The driver and passenger side doors were flung open and two, large men got out. I was stunned into silence, fear wrapping around me like a familiar blanket.

"Well, well, well. Long time, little sister." Reid's lips curled over his teeth.

"You really did it this time." My father clicked his tongue in disappointment.