Love to Hate You

Chapter 1

JASPER'S POV

Music was blaring and the crowd was buzzing with movement on the dance floor.
Alcohol encouraging strangers to meet. The night was young and full of endless possibilities. Women throwing themselves at anyone who offers a good time.
I downed way too many shots, my head was spinning but I was having a damn good time not giving a shit about anything.
"Hey, Handsome. Want to dance with me??" A seductive female voice asks.
I look over my shoulder. She's not my type but who gives a shit. Her blonde hair was loose around her shoulders and her short silver dress clinged tightly on her body. Showing off all of her curves.
"Yeah, I'll dance with you." I said with an inviting smile.
I downed two more shots and pushed through the crowd with the blonde.
Bumping and grinding, working up a sweat until we end up grabbing a cab to her place.
Stumbling through the door, kissing and groping. I don't even know her name. I don't care to ask for it either. She wants a good time and I'm here to oblige. I unzip my pants, bend her over and bang her. She seems into it.
That's until she pukes and stumbles away to the bathroom. I'm too drunk for this shit.
I staggered my way to the couch, swaying a little as the world spinned. Then it all goes black.
**********************************************
"Hey! Hey, you! Get out of my house!" A nagging voice woke me up. I try to open my eyes but the light bothers me. It's too bright in here. My head feels like it's been bashed in with a bat.
"Hello! Get out!" She nudges me aggressively.
"Alright. Alright. I'm leaving. Just stop yelling already." I groan, gathering all of my energy to stand up. I quickly notice that I'm indecent. I fix myself up and zip my pants. I leave whatever her name is place. Committing to my walk of shame, all the way home. Dragging my feet through my apartment, my first thought is how desperately I need water and ibuprofen for this hangover but first, I jump into the shower to wash off that blonde off of my skin. As the hot water trickles down my body, I can't help but think that I'm such a shitty guy. The typical dude that never stays in a relationship and only picks out girls that just wants sex. Why am I like that?? I don't want to be like that. I guess I just haven't found the right one or maybe I'm not looking in the right places. No, truth is that I'm not looking at all.
I finish up with my shower. Slicking my wet curly hair back. I wipe the foggy mirror with my hand and take a look at myself. I look like shit. I feel like shit. Like I've been hit by a bus. My blue eyes are slightly bloodshot and my skin looks sickly pale. At least, I don't work today. I wrap a towel around my waist and head over to the kitchen to make coffee. No sugar, no creamer and barely any coffee. Damn, I need to go to the market. I quickly toss on some sweatpants and a fitted tee shirt. Grab my keys and head to the coffee shop around the corner.
"Welcome. What can I get for you today??" The cashier was a cute brunette with green eyes. I smirk at her, ready to charm my way into her pants. I notice her name tag—Cindy.
"Cindy. That's a cute name. I'd like a large coffee with cream and sugar, Cindy."
She blushes and tries to hide a smile.
"That'll be five dollars."
From the corner of my eye I can see someone watching me. I turn to see who it is. A guy with black hair falling over his eyes and tattoos, smoking a cigarette. His face seemed amused.
I pay for my coffee and she writes her number on my cup. I wink at her and sit at a table to drink my coffee. I notice that the guy with the tattoos was still watching me. He bobbed his head to the side so his hair was out of his brown eyes. It was weird. So, I got up and left.
I needed to sleep off this hangover but I got a call.
"Marcus, what's up??" I answered my phone.
"Sorry, Jasper. I know it's your day off but boss is calling you in. Short on staff. So you have to train the new guy."
"Well, that's a fucking bummer. I'll be in shortly though."
********************************************
I work at a strip club as a bartender. The smell of alcohol right now is making me nauseous. I should have slept off my hangover but money was calling me. I never say no to making more money.
"Hey, Jasper. This is the new employee, Ezra." Marcus said.
I turn to face them and to my surprise, the guy from the coffee shop was standing before me.
He swooshed his hair to the side and extended his tattooed hand.
"Nice to meet you, Ezra. Welcome to the team." I say, shaking his hand.
"Thanks. I think I'm gonna like it here." Ezra smirked, still holding on to my hand.
I yank my hand out of his grip and gave him a weird look.
"I'll leave you guys to do training. I have boxes to unpack out back." Marcus excused himself.
Great.. now I'm alone with this emo weirdo.
"Have you been a bartender before??"
"I know my stuff but I won't refuse training." He says, looking straight into my eyes. What is with this guy??
"Um, ok. Let's get started then. It's going to be really busy in here soon." I say as I look away.
As the night went by, Ezra was actually really good at bartending. He made the drinks quick and even showed off a little. Women and men were flirting with him, trying to get his number but he refused everyone. He wouldn't even peek at the pole dancers. It was like he was completely uninterested or like he was too good for anyone here. I couldn't help my curiosity.
"You got a girlfriend or something??" I blurted out. Ezra raised an eyebrow and laughs.
"No. I don't have a girlfriend."
What was so funny about that?? I nodded my head and didn't say anything else. I could feel his eyes on me but I just ignored it. At least, I tried.