Stevie wiped down the bar, her restocking the napkin holders. Her eyes were rolling constantly, Robin trailing behind her each step, bragging on about the upcoming break from school.
"You have to come with me Stevie. Aspen is beautiful this time
of year!"
"I don't have the extra money right now Robin." Stevie walked around the diner with a coffee pot, giving refills as needed. She made her way to behind the bar, Robin sitting on a stool on the opposite side.
"Come on Stevie!"
"Robin I said no!" The bell attached to the front door went off, Stevie glancing at it. Her eyes went wide, her heart stopping. Without thinking she dropped to her knees behind the counter.
Robin frowned, glancing over her shoulder. She stood on the stool, leaning over the counter. "Stevie?"
"Shh!" Stevie shushed her, making a cut throat gesture. Robin rolled her eyes.
Stevie crawled to the kitchen, trying not to focus on how dirty the floor she was crawling on was. Making it beyond the swinging doors, she scrambled to her feet, thankful to see one of her coworkers.
"Loretta!" Stevie clutched on to the older woman's arm. "You have to take this last table, please. I am begging you."
Loretta gave Stevie a sympathetic smile, squeezing the younger woman's arm. She was middle-aged, a few wrinkles littering her face. Her long dark hair was always piled in to a loose bun on the top of her head; her brown eyes always warm and inviting.
"No can do sugar pie." She was untying her apron as she spoke. "I've got to pick up Jimmy. Tammy should be here in five minutes."
Stevie nearly died right then and there, fighting the urge to scream. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to go back through the double doors. She grabbed her pen and a note pad; Robin squeezing her arm as she walked by her.
She tried to ignore her thudding pulse, clearing her throat as she approached the booth. "Hi, can I get you anything to drink?"
Lindsey's eyes shot up, meeting hers. Stevie briefly made eye contact, tearing her eyes away instantly. She took their drink orders, scurrying away from the table. She didn't say a word to Robin as she got their drinks, quickly dropping them off then returning back to the counter.
It wasn't that big of a restaurant, their conversation easily heard as Stevie busied herself restocking cups and silverware.
"Dude, isn't that the chick you banged?"
Stevie felt all the blood rush to her cheek, looking up and instantly wishing she hadn't. They were all starring at her, Lindsey looking apologetic.
Stevie grabbed the pack of cigarettes that was resting on top of the paper towel dispenser, pulling a lighter out of her pocket. "Get me if a customer comes in." Stevie instructed Robin.
Robin nodded, watching as Stevie slipped out the back door.
As soon as she was outside she had the cigarette lit, taking a huge inhale. She paced back and forth, biting her thumb nail. She felt hot tears rolling down her face, shaking her head.
She heard the crunch of gravel beneath someone's shoe, glancing over her shoulder. She quickly looked away, taking another drag.
He cleared his throat behind her, Stevie quickly wiping her face. She turned to face him, arms crossed. "Hi."
"Hey. Look, Stevie don't listen
to them."
"No it's true." She shrugged through her tears, taking another drag. "I'm just some chick you banged after your show, and I'm sure I'm not the first one."
Lindsey sighed, shaking his head. "That's not how I think of you."
Stevie let out a near hysterical laugh, shaking her head. She puffed on her cigarette. Lindsey snatched it from her, taking a drag of his own.
"Why are you so against me?" He asked her.
"You're a fantasy Lindsey."
Lindsey's forehead scrunched up, his eyes squinting. "What?"
Stevie shook her head, laughing. She snatched her cigarette back, inhaling deeply. "You live this glamours rock life where you have girls falling at your feet, the whole world caters to you. That's your reality. My reality is student debts up to my neck and a shitty job where I make shitty tips."
Lindsey shook his head, reaching for her. "Why are you being like this?"
Stevie stepped away, tossing her cigarette down and stubbing it out with her heel. "I'm not equipped to deal with your reality Lindsey, just forget it."
She went to go back inside, gasping when she felt herself being whirled around. Lindsey pushed her up against the brick wall, pinning her there with his own weight. He kissed her, his hands sliding from the sides of her face and in to her hair.
Stevie weakly tried to push him away, loosing all resolve when his tongue slipped in to her mouth. Her arms fell limply at her sides, nearly stumbling when he let her go. He trapped her between him and the building, breathing heavily in to her ear.
"We're still going out tonight." He nipped at her neck, his hand cradling her lower back. He pulled away, his eyes boring in to hers.
Stevie couldn't breath, feeling her heart about to explode. "I never said yes."
"Well I'm not asking you this time. I'm telling you."
"And where do you plan on taking me?"
A wicked grin grew on Lindsey's face, leaning down to kiss her again.
"The underground."
