Darkest Desires [Joel Miller]

3

Next Friday I find myself working at Vasanta's bar, serving drinks to the men at the bar in a skimpy outfit. I constantly felt the gaze of the men but I tried not to let it bother me. Last week I called in, asking about the bartender job and the owner offered me a rehearsal day at the bar. Friday night, the busiest night. Sarah did not like this idea one bit and when Joel found out, he didn't like it either. But I need the money...

As I was walking back to the counter, I noticed a familiar face walking into the bar. Tommy Miller, Joel's brother. And next to him standing was Joel, looking around the bar. His eyes met mine, scanning over my skimpy outfit in a judging way. Tommy notices me too and he smiles, walking over to me.

"Daisy, I haven't seen you in ages!"he greets me, hugging me.

"Hey, Tommy!"I hug him back, smiling. "It's good to see you too."

He took a seat behind the bar counter, motioning Joel to sit next to him. Tommy was a lot friendlier than Joel and I felt free in his company. Whereas Joel... was grumpy most of his time and didn't even bother to say simple "hello" to me. I had absolutely no idea how my dad has been friends with him since high school but who knows, maybe he was different back then.

"What can I get to you?"I ask them, leaning on the bar counter with my elbows.

"Whiskey sounds good,"Tommy said, looking back at Joel.

Joel nodded. "Yeah, same for me."

As I pour the whiskey to their glasses, I can feel Joel's intense gaze on me. I knew he wasn't happy with the fact that I might start working here and he gave me a lecture on how I could find a better job if I was willing to wait. Joel was mad at Sarah for even pointing out the job offer but I didn't listen to him.

I placed the whiskey glasses in front of Joel and Tommy, smiling at them. "Your drinks, gentlemen."

"Thanks,"Tommy smiled. "How have you been? I haven't seen you since your parents moved away."

"I've been... Good. I wanted to move back here because this place felt more like... home to me,"I cleaned the counter, keeping my eyes on Tommy. "I was living with my boyfriend but things got complicated and... I moved in with Sarah and Joel now."

Tommy gave Joel a confused look. "Wait, you didn't mention that Daisy moved in."

Joel shrugged. "It wasn't something worth mentioning."

Tommy raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything back. I watched as Joel poured his entire whiskey glass down his throat and I rolled my eyes. He wasn't happy about the fact that I moved in with him and Sarah. A part of me understood him - he was used to living with Sarah only and I was the one who barged in, ruining his privacy.

Tommy left us alone as he headed over to the toilets. Joel looked at me as if he wanted to say something but he wasn't sure how to word it. Joel asked to fill his whiskey glass and as I did so, he coughed.

"Daisy... You don't have to take this job. Like I told you, I'm not gonna take rent from you."

I placed his glass in front of him, not sure how to answer. "Even if you don't take rent from me, I still need the money to start looking for my own place."

Joel frowned. "Would you feel comfortable working here?"

"It's not about my comfort,"I crossed my arms. "Why are you lecturing me again?"

"I'm not lecturing,"Joel sighed, taking a sip of his whiskey. "I'm looking out for you."

"Well... I'm an adult. I can look out for myself."

Joel rolled his eyes. "Really? Taking this job is not exactly looking out for yourself."

"You're not my dad, Joel."

"I'm not, you're right,"he chuckled. "But your dad would agree with me."

"I don't even know if they would hire me and you're already lecturing me,"I said, crossing my arms.

"Would you like that these creepy old men are gonna look at your ass all night?"

"Creepy old men like you?"I asked, smirking. "Don't tell me you haven't come here before for this exact reason."

Joel poured the last sip of whiskey down his throat, looking at me annoyingly. He didn't say a word to me but I knew he was holding himself back. When Tommy came back, he stood up, leaving money on the counter.

"We're leaving,"Joel said to Tommy, using his tough tone.

"What? Why?"Tommy asked, confused by his mood change. "I just saw some friends over there..."

Joel gave me a one glance before leaving, completely ignoring Tommy's questions. Tommy sighed, leaving money on the counter too. He put 50$ in my hands, smiling at me.

"Keep it."

"Tommy, that's too much..."

Tommy shaked his head. "I'm not gonna argue with you, Daisy."

I put the money away, smiling. "Thanks."

Tommy gave me a slight nod before leaving the bar. At least one of the Miller's brothers was nice with me...