CEO's Bartender

Chapter Two

"Sebastian Nikolas Peterson! You'd better have a good fuckin' explanation!" Avery says the minute she picks up the phone. I wince and hold the phone away from my ear. I fumble with my keys for a few seconds before getting it into the lock and opening the door.

I drop my keys in the tray by the door and close it before walking into the kitchen. Rummaging through the drawers reveals an almost empty bottle of painkillers and I take two with a glass of water from the sink. I lean against the counter and bring my hand to my temple.

Avery has been rambling on about how scared she was when I wasn't home when she came over last night and how I didn't answer any of her calls or texts. "I was out last night, I woke up at a stranger's house this morning and I just got home." I explain quickly.

The line goes silent before a loud ear splitting scream makes me drop the phone altogether. "You slept with someone! I'm so happy! You're not a lonely hermit anymore!" Avery says. I scowl, "I was never a lonely hermit. Why are you happy that I slept around?" I state.

"You haven't had a relationship in over a year!" Avery reasons. "I still haven't had a relationship! It was a one night stand!" I exclaim. "But it's better than spending all hours of the day holed up in your apartment." Avery says in a duh tone.

"Okay fess up, you're obviously planning something and I can tell by the tone of your voice." I state. "I'm not planning anything my dear young grasshopper." Avery responds. I roll my eyes, "I'll find out eventually you know, there's no use in hiding it." I retort.

Avery laughs maniacally on the other end, "Yeah no. That'll never happen...Anyway, I have things to do and places to be so I'll call you later; and you'd better pray on your life that you'll answer." Avery says the last part seriously before hanging up.

I groan and set my phone on the coffee table as I've wandered into the living room. I still really sticky and gross from last night and I thank any gods above that no one on the bus noticed. I walk briskly down the hall to the bathroom and close the door behind me.

I strip out of my clothes and welcome the steaming hot water, living how it relaxes all the muscles in my body. I thoroughly wash my body until I'm sure I've scrubbed every trace of last night from it. As I get out my hair flops forward and I think about getting a hair cut.

I use my hand to push it out of the way and glance at my reflection in the mirror. Flashes of childhood taunts make me shake my head. I go through the sink drawer for a toothbrush, my hands brushing against a razor blade that makes me stop cold.

I clench my first and back away from the drawer, sliding down the wall as tears leak from my eyes. "What have I done?" I ask hoarsely. The only response is the echoing silence of my apartment. Phantom hands rest on the skin of my shoulders gently.

Warm breath fans my ear and I lean my head instinctively to the side. When I open my eyes I see Theo standing before me, a gentle smile he only ever showed to me on his face. "You're not real." I tell him quietly. He wears his hair in the usual mane of dreadlocks.

He moves his arm so that his hand is gently resting against my cheek, I lean into it as more tears slip down my cheeks. I close my eyes and savor the moment before uttering the words that bring me back, "I killed you. It's all my fault." I say weakly.

I open my eyes and the bathroom is empty, the phantom of his touch lingers. I shakily stand to my feet and grab hold of the sink for support, the razor glints tauntingly in the drawer. I feel myself crumbling slowly and quickly close the drawer, exiting the bathroom quickly...

*** *** ***

My phone rings and I check called ID to see it's Avery, "What?" I ask. "You'd better wear something nice cause we're going partying!" she yells back excitedly. I sigh heavily, "Ave I have to work tonight." I say. "So? You work at a bar, I can party while you work." she responds.

I roll my eyes, "I'm not driving you and you're not going to drive me. If you come to the bar I have to treat you like a costumer. That means no free drinks." I say. "Fine. But I'm still going." Avery says. Before I can comment she hangs up, I drop my phone on my bed.

I pull out a pair of black pants and a black matching vest along with a matching black bow tie and a white dress shirt. I use concealer to cover the hickies visible above my shirt collar, a hand through my hair to make it stand up and I'm out the door with my keys and jacket.

I pull my jacket on and fasten the first few buttons and slip my keys into my pocket. I find my car easily, having backtracked earlier this morning to get it from the club I was at. The drive to the bar I work at is a little under ten minutes long.

I'm a few minutes early for my shift so I go out and decide to mingle with the crowds. For being only seven at night it's surprisingly packed. I find Avery dancing with a stranger on the dance floor. I decide not to disturb her and make my way to the bar.

Garret and Mia are just finishing up their shifts and I slip behind the bar to take Garret's place. The first person to hale me is a woman in her mid twenties, she's failing to being seductive as she orders her drink and I fix it quickly. She screws her face into a frown as she walks away.

I let the music and smell of alcohol deep into my senses, allowing myself to relax into the feel of the night. Soon I'm taking order after order and my shift's almost over. Avery has come to the bar plenty of times, each with a different stranger watching her every move.

My shift ends at 3am and Avery went home with someone an hour ago so I'm left to my own  walking devices at the bar. A man I've never seen here before sits at the far end of the bar, I take my chances in asking him if he wants anything. "I'll have a rum and coke." he says.

I give him his drink just as Justin walks in to take over my shift. I bid my farewell and grab my coat from the rack in the break room, pocketing my tips for the night. The drive back to my house is silent and I park behind the building before walking up the stairs.

I unlock my door and walk inside my apartment yelling and dropping the keys at the sight before me...