Bethany Smith had her innocence stolen in the very town she once called home. The memories were too much to bear, so when her sister offered an escape-a trip around Australia with her boyfriend-Beth didn't think twice about leaving it all behind.
No...
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Dan's POV "I am so sorry man," Cameron croaks over the phone. "Fucking Freya got the flu from one of the kids at school and now the whole house is infected."
"Don't worry about it," I say. "I can handle a day by myself, you just worry about getting better."
"That's a big day on your feet," Cameron sighs. "You need to replace Beth."
"Trust me I have been trying," I mutter. "Anyway man, I will check up on you later."
"Sorry again," he says before hanging up.
I slump onto my couch and groan in frustration. Damnit now I have to open and close tomorrow.
I get up and head to my bedroom, stripping off my clothes to get ready for a good night's sleep. I can't sleep with clothes on, because I get very hot and clammy.
"Hmm is that all for me?"
I scream bloody murder and cover my junk with my pants. I spin to my bed and see Violet sprawled on it, in a sexy blue lingerie set. "What the fuck Violet?" I growl.
"I thought I would surprise you," she says. "Put myself out there."
Damn, and I thought the slutty dresses were putting it out there. "You can't just break into my apartment," I snap. "How the hell did you get in?"
She pouts. "Beth still has her key to the bar."
"Right," I mutter.
"So you have your nipples and your dick pierced you must be pretty good in bed," Violet says.
"No, I just lost a bet with Cole," I say. "Look Violet you need to leave."
She sits up and crosses her arms. "What's wrong with you? A beautiful woman in your bed and you won't even sleep with her."
"Because I'm not like that," I say. "Anymore," I correct.
"Is this because of Beth?" She asks. "Cause she's fine with us."
"No this isn't because of Beth," I answer, annoyed. "And why would you tell her there is an us?"
"Because I want you," Violet says. She makes the straps on her shoulders fall and I get a glimpse of her red nipples.
Fucking hell.
I chuck one of my jumpers at her. "You need to leave," I repeat.
She gets to her feet and angrily puts my jumper on. "You suck, Dan," she growls. "Once you grow a pair of balls, call me."
She storms out of my room and then I hear the front door slam.
* I regret not replacing Beth. I'm fucking exhausted. I need help.
"Jerry, why do I do this to myself?" I ask.
"Because you love owning a bar?" He says it like a question.
"I do," I sigh. "I was just stupid and didn't hire another bartender."
"You could ask Beth for help," Jerry says. "She is outside."
"She is?"
Jerry nods. "She sits out there every night."
"She does?"
Jerry nods again. "Beth said she can't get herself to come inside."
"Does anybody need a drink?" I yell out to the other three men in the bar. They all shake their head. "Jerry watch the bar, I will give you a four-pack for it."
"Done," he says.
"No serving," I growl. I jump over the bar and rush out of the building. I stop short when I see her sitting across the street on the curb, playing with her fingers.
She had looked up when the door opened and she smiled at me. "Hey Dan."
I run across the street and take her into my arms. She laughs and wraps her arms around me. "Fuck I've missed you," I murmur.
"I've missed you too," she whispers. I pull back and let go of her entirely. "What are you doing out here?" She asks.
"Jerry said you were out here,' I answer. "He's manning the bar."
"Your by yourself?" She questions. "I thought you had opened?"
"I did," I sigh. "Cam is sick."
"Oh Dan," she murmurs. "You need to replace me."
"You set the bar too high," I complain. "No one can compare to you."
She blushes. "You flatter me."
"How is the cafe?" I ask.
"I love it there," she states. "I've been cooking since I broke Georgie's hand."
"I'm glad you're happy," I say. "And I do sincerely mean that."
"I know," she says. "I could always tell when your lying."
"I also want to tell you that Violet and I aren't hooking up," I say. "I know she told you something."
"She did say you guys were," she admits. "I think it was more of a claim though. So I wouldn't go after you or something."
I laugh. "Me and you are friends."
"Right?" She laughs.
"So are you coming in?" I ask.
She releases a shaky breath. "I know it's a weird request,' she murmurs. "But can you hold my hand?"
I nod. "Of course." I hold my hand out to her and she takes it into a tight grip. I lead her towards the door and her body gets more tense. "You don't have to," I whisper.
