Tryst - Forbidden Hearts Series

1| Little Dancer

"Give it to me!"

"No."

"Come on," Karma groan as she sagged against the bar. "Please, Jackson. I promise anyone won't tell me."

I slipped my hands into my pockets and arched a brow at her drunken words. This woman was going to get me into serious trouble with Nate if I wasn't careful. After she got the tragic news that her mom passed away a week ago, she hasn't been. . . right. I didn't blame her for the way she was acting. After all, I've been where she is. But on a night like tonight, I was worried about her safety.

Nate, Ayden, Ryan, and I took over the bar infamously known as Down the Rabbit Hole. We started getting the hang of it, and come to find out, I liked bartending. I liked the atmosphere and it didn't hurt that it kept my mind off of other things going on in my life right now.

But let's get back to tonight. It wasn't the first night that Karma came in here without Nate and got hammered. I didn't even hold that against her. Like I said, I've been there. She was mourning and sometimes alcohol helped. What scared me was the fact that, when she drank a lot, she liked to dance and chat up guys. She didn't try to go home with them or even show any real interest. I think she was just trying to get free drinks -- because I wouldn't give her a fucking bottle -- and she wanted company.

I completely understood that it took her mind off of the pain and the hurt. That shit could be fucking debilitating. But I've came to care about Karma like my own sister since I've met her, and that mean that if one of these assholes tried something with her, I was going to intervene.

Karma batted her lashed at me and stuck out her bottom lip. "Jackson, pretty please, give me the bottle."

I chuckled and tapped her nose with my index finger. "You think that's going to work on me, little dancer? I don't think so."

She huffed and turned towards the crowd. "Fine. I guess I just need to go and see if some of these men want to get me some drinks tonight."

"Bloody hell." I hissed. "You're worse than Lanie with that shite." I grabbed the bottle of tequila she wanted and didn't quite let it go when she tried to take it from me. "Listen to me, pet. It goes against my better judgement to give you this. Before you go twirling about out there with those men remember this: if one of them tries anything, I'm going to probably end up in jail. We wouldn't want that, would we?"

She shook her head. "No."

Yeah, because on nights like tonight, when I was working, she shouldn't be able to come in here and get shitfaced like this. I was hoping that was enough to make sure she behaved herself. I let go of the bottle and she leaned over the bar to kiss me on the cheek.

"Thank you!"

And just like that, she disappeared onto the dance floor. I've heard that dancing was good therapy, but damn. That was all Karma seemed to want to do lately. Dance and get drunk. As I watched her put the bottle to her mouth and take a drink, I pulled out my cell phone.

Me: She's here.

I waited patiently for a reply.

Nate: How bad?

I glanced over at Karma as she ran her hand through her long brown hair and swayed to the music. Well, so far so good.

Me: 5/10. Don't worry, mate. I'll take care of her.

Nate: Thanks. Let me know if you need anything.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket and grabbed the cup of coffee that I brought with me. Fuck, my life was a mess. I had my own issues at home. I'm trying to help manage a bar. I'm playing big brother/body guard to Karma. I need a fucking vacation.