Switchblade

Chapter 24: Age

Tati got dressed for work as Killian waited in the hall.

She chose black this time and put her pants and hoodie over it.

Killian popped back in and saw her standing by the door.
"I'm ready," she stated.
He held the door wider for her to leave first like usual and the two headed towards the elevator.

"You still hate the job too?" Killian asked.
"It's not as bad as I thought it would be," she replied. "I still don't fucking approve of the uniform, you fucking pervert," she said and punched his arm.
The elevator opened and they walked in.
"But it's easier than my other bartending job serving like 100 people a night that sometimes have complicated ass drinks. All you guys order is brown liquor but I know you only drink the expensive stuff, I've seen the bottles." she stated as the elevator went down. "Plus I don't get hit on as much."
"As much?"
"Don't act like you're not always in my face trying to get me to kiss you," she said with crossed arms.
"I wasn't. But how often were you getting hit on at the other job?"
"Like...four or five guys a night. Maybe a girl. Helps with tips though."
"So if I tip you, you'll give me a kiss?" he teased without a smile.
"I'm not a prostitute." The elevator opened.
"Oh, so you'll do it for free." Killian said as they walked out.
"I won't do it at all."
"Mhm."
"I'm serious."
"I didn't say anything," he chuckled.
She rolled her eyes.

~•~

Tati walked into the locker room and was immediately bombarded.

"Oh my god, I heard you kicked Chelsey's ass!" Taylor said immediately.
"Chelsey was literally missing like three clumps of hair and had like four face bruises." Suki added.
"What made you snap?" Mariah asked as they followed Tati to grab her shoes.
"She spilled a drink on me on purpose then mocked me for telling her Killian kidnapped me."
Tati started getting undressed.
"Well she got the rest of the week off for it but I don't think she's coming back."
"Smart." Tati replied as she grabbed a pair of black heels.
"I saw Killian pull you into the bathroom and never saw you leave. What did you guys do in there?" Suki asked way too happily.
Taylor gasped. "Did you fuck him in the bathroom?" she asked quietly.
"Give me every detail NOW!" Mariah stated and sat next to Tati.
"I didn't fuck him in the bathroom." Tati scoffed. "We just talked and I told him why I did what I did. I know he only kept me in there to get me away from her while they probably escorted her out."
"Honestly, you guys are hot." Suki said and crossed her arms.
"Literally." Mariah agreed.
"What?" Tati asked as she laced up her heels.
"Like you just give secret office romance. Even though this is a club. Like you're closer to him than the rest of us are."
"Because he kidnapped me, Suki."
"Okay, but you don't seem *that* upset by it." she stated.
Tati's brows furrowed.
"You said he doesn't hurt you." Taylor added.
"He hurt me once."
"Oh my god really?!" they asked. "What'd he do?" asked Mariah.
"He cut my face with a knife."
"Was that when you had that bandaid on your face two days ago?" Suki asked.
"Yea."
"Oh my god..." Mariah sighed and placed a hand on Tati's shoulder.
"I mean it's fine."
"Are you sure?" Suki asked.
"Yea. It was a small cut and it's already healed. You can't even see it anymore." She turned her head to show them.
"Hm."
"But that's like...abusive..." Taylor stated.
"It was abusive when he kidnapped me. So..."
"Should we call the police? What if it gets worse?" Suki asked.
"No!" Tati yelled.
They looked at her.
"My mom would be in danger if you did that. Do not call the police. I mean it."
Suki nodded.

Tati stood up after she'd finished getting dressed in her shoes.
"Do you want me to do your makeup again?" Taylor asked.
"No, I'm okay. They didn't care when it wasn't done the last time."
"That's just because you're really pretty already." Mariah stated.
Tati snickered. "Thank you."

She headed towards the exit and walked out.

Killian stood in his usual spot, watching his customers enjoy themselves.

Tati turned the corner and walked in front of him towards the vip lounge. Killian's eyes caught her and watched.
He sighed as he saw her strut towards the room.
Virgin or not...
He followed behind and slipped inside the room after her.

Tati walked over to the bar and Killian walked to the table where the rest of the men were playing poker.

"She good to work here after what happened the other day?" Kolson asked.
"That other girl isn't here." Killian answered. "She'll be alright."
"And why would he skip out on the chance to see her like that?" Dominic asked.
The men looked over at Tati as she grabbed a liquor off of the shelves, dressed in her black lingerie.

"You make a good point." Silas said and placed down his cards.
The men groaned as he chuckled and took the money.

They handed out new cards and looked when a tray was set on the table.
Eight glasses of liquor that she began placing onto the table. Some with ice, some without.

"Worked here two days and you already remember our starting orders?" Soren asked.
"That's right. Some of you only order the same thing over and over again. Should really broaden your horizons." Tati said and grabbed the tray.
"You drink?" Dominic asked.
"A bit. Hard to be a bartender and not. You gotta know the liquor to fix it right."
"So you lied to me." Killian realized.
"You've still done worse than I have," she argued.
Kolson looked at Killian. "Come on let the girl have a drink."
Tati snickered. "No, I'm okay. I'm working."
"It's just nine of us once Niko gets back. Don't worry."
"What, you think somethin's gonna happen? He'd kill us." Silas stated and gestured at Killian.
"Have a shot or two."
"Bring a round." Kolson instructed.
They looked at Killian.
"I don't care. Just keep your hands to yourself," he replied.
"I'll be back." Tati stated and walked off. The men cheered.

~•~

The bottles sat on the table as everyone took shots or had glasses of whiskey or bourbon.

Tati sat between Soren and Killian as the men taught her how to play poker.
"Who you have your money on?" Kolson asked.
Tati looked at all of the men.
Mikel
Silas
Soren
Niko
Dominic
Kanan
Kolson
Tharen
And Killian.

"Kolson," she stated.
"Why's that?" Dominic asked.
"He's awfully calm. Too quiet."
She poured more shots to pass to them.
Kolson placed his cards down. Full house.
He and Tati laughed and high fived while the rest of the men groaned and cursed.
Kolson took the money, and out of the large stack of hundreds and fifties, he took out 250, folded it, and handed it to Tati.
"Thaaaank you," she smiled and put it in her bra.
They could tell she was tipsy just from how happy and at ease she was.

"You guys ever do mouth shots or are you too high class?" she wondered.
"What is that?" Kanan asked.
"Exactly how it sounds. I pour a shot of liquor directly into your mouth and you swallow it."
"You do that?" Dominic asked. He swung his arm over the back of his chair to hang.
"I did it at my old bar. Are you guys old or something?"
"It's a mix." Kolson stated.
"How old are you?"
"39." said Kolson.
"30. said Dominic.
"29." Kanan answered.
"36." said Niko.
"33." said Soren.
"30." said Silas.
"37." said Mikel.
"37." said Tharen.

She looked at Killian.
"What?" he answered.
"How old are you?"
"I'm not answerin' that."
"Why not?"
The men chuckled around the table.
"What's wrong with his age?" she asked them.
"He's just mad 'cause he's the baby at the table."
"You're younger than me?" she asked.
"No, he's younger than us. You're...21 right?" Kanan asked.
"Yea."
"Yea, he's older than you."
"Aww, I wanna know how old the baby is." Tati teased and squeezed Killian's cheeks in her hand.
He just stared up at her, unamused, while she giggled.

"He's 26." Mikel answered.
"But he likes to pretend he's 30." Kolson chuckled and the rest of the men did the same.
"Awwww..." Tati giggled.
Killian ignored them and took out a cigarette.

"So mouthshots?" Tati asked and lightly shook the bottle.
"You'll need more than one bottle."
"Oh, you guys are feeling cocky?" Tati laughed.
"It's been a while since I got too drunk to walk." Dominic stated.
"I'll fix that, don't worry." Tati said and walked back to the bar.
Killian watched her walk over as he smoked his cigarette.

"Tati," he called.
"Yea?!" she answered.

The men stared in shock and looked at her.
She was trying to find what liquors she wanted to bring to the table.

Killian chuckled. "Nothin'."