Sometimes

Sang

The drive in to work was beyond entertaining. 

Gabriel, on top of being a wizard with hair and makeup, the guy can sing. And not like a carry a tune type of singing either, he can sing-sing. I was left in awe the entire time as he belted out near every song coming through the radio. He encouraged me to join him, which I did - obviously. Who doesn't like to join in when someone else makes it so much fun! The ole' vocal cords were a little rusty, plus I can't hit those high notes anymore thanks to mommy dearest, and dammit it was fun. 

Gabriel dropped me off out front, making sure to give me his number before driving away, saying that he will pick me up later, saying something about how North would never let him live if he didn't - which I didn't quite understand. 

I couldn't thank him enough for transforming me into an honest to goodness Goddess. With Blossom and Mr. Lappy on the fritz and my need to get them fixed or replaced, well the tips that I will inevitably rake in tonight will be in large part thanks to him. 

Gabriel insisted that this look required something black, so once in the dressing room I grabbed a black, lace dress to cover the black underwear set that I had opted for. I'd honestly never looked this good and it did wonders for the old confidence. 

By the time I walked onto the floor, the place was crowded. Glancing over, Rocky and company had grown in numbers, which didn't bode well for the girls' and I. These guys were grabbier in bigger numbers and, honestly, the entire lot of them were just creepy. I walked over to the bar to clock in, a tall dark dude that I'd never seen before with long black hair was sitting at the bar talking to Raven, who for whatever reason found himself behind the bar. 

"What's up buttercup?" I asked, bumping my hip into Raven's as I walked by. Yes, I interrupted their conversation, but I'm nosey, what's a girl to do?

Raven barked a laugh, followed by "it's fruit cup, not butter cup." He sighs exasperatedly with a gesture toward his friend like he'll back him up. The 'he' in question, just stares instead. At me. Zero interaction. So, I pointedly ignore him while punching in. 

"What are you doing behind the bar?" I ask over the bustling music. 

"Mark has meeting to endure." which makes me laugh, from our few conversations since he's started, I've gathered that he's Russian and that his interpretation of the English language is... loose to say the least. 

"You mean attend." Replies the gruff voice of his seated friend. I smirk, Raven waves him off, "Same thing." and honestly, I think he actually meant endured because meetings are horrible, but whatever. 

"Well, I'll be bugging you later!" I call, before heading toward my section, which just so happens to include Rocky and his henchmen. Perfect. Although, with Raven close by, maybe it won't be so awful. 

***

I lied. 

I'm used to handsy. Part of the job, but this is next level. 

I'm going to wind up with bruises in the most random of places because I keep being grabbed - Need another drink? Grab my arm for attention. Walk by? Palm my ass with a squeeze for good measure, over, and over again. 

Rocky seemed to be overly occupied, for some reason I don't think it would have gone on as much if he weren't trying to - I think impress - this grimy looking dude who just leered at any woman within proximity. Which was mostly me. He hasn't spoken a word or grabbed at me,  just leered. 

There was also a constant flow of people joining them for brief periods, with a not so subtle exchange of cash between hands and then they'd mostly leave after one single drink. Some shady shit was happening but I couldn't figure out exactly what. It was just clear that they were responsible and tonight they weren't being all that subtle about it.