Somewhere, Australia //A.I

Chapter 31: You've Had Enough

I just wanted to let you guys know that it's currently September 20, 2014 in the book. ENJOY LOVELIES!

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Sydney's POV

"So what's the occasion?" I ask, setting four beers on the counter.

"We got a gig at an event for Universal Music!!" Michael cheers, next to him August's smile explodes, her eyes aimed directly at his face. She quickly reddens once she realizes her reaction showed.

"What?! Are serious, that's amazing!" I say dumbfounded, aiming my smile directly at Ashton.

At the mention of the good news, rounds of high-fives, awkward across the bar hugs, and 'bro hugs' begin. In the midst of all this, Ashton leans across the bar and kisses me on the cheek, and I whisper my individual congratulations in his ear. I can't believe they're getting an opportunity to preform at a record label's event!? If that ever happened to me I'd probably shit myself. Slowly the excitement dies down.

"It is my official duty as a bartender to make sure one of you stays sober, there'll be no drinking and driving on my watch."

"That'd be me." Ashton says, placing his head in his hand and smiling widely.

Sure that seems fair, I think to myself. Everyone else can get as drunk as they please, but I have to have an extremely sober Ashton just inches away. No doubt he'll be making comments that I swear he only says to make me flustered, as he always does.

Never underestimate flattering.

{}{} Two Hours Later {}{}

As Michael -once again- steps up for another round of drunk karaoke, this time I see he's dragged Calum with him. Three more customers walk in through the door, and I glance to my coworker, Penny, only to find her swamped, the usual Saturday night rush has turned into chaos. In the midst of making eight dirty martinis for a group of older ladies, I haul ass over to where the men are standing, waiting to be seated.

On some nights, we leave the customers free to seat themselves, but on nights like tonight we have them wait to sit anywhere except at the bar. It helps us keep track of drink orders and open tabs when there's so many people here.

After seating the trio at a round table close to the bathrooms, then apologizing for the 'unfortunate location', one of the men questions me. "I notice your accent, where are from?"

"Oh, I'm from the states. Can I get you gentlemen anything to drink?"

"We'll take a round of beers, and two straight shots of tequila. Oh, and leave the tab open." One of the others says, and I reply with the standard 'Coming right up'.

Just as I lift the bar counter and pick up where I left off with the martini's I hear Penny say quite loudly, "Sir, I think you've had enough, let me call you a cab." Followed by some drunk slurs. "Sir, please take your hands off me. Let me call you a cab." She repeats, as the scene starts to draw attention.

I duck back under the bar and come to her rescue. She's right, this man's had quite enough, in fact, he should've been cut off sooner. Every once in a while guys try to make passes at us, and every time we approach it the same. Offer to call them a cab, be very polite, gradually be a little more firm, then, if things get too far out of hand, call out our manager.