As The World Turns

Chapter 17

Friday Night

Jodie sighed as she placed another beer in front of Mitch. He'd been sat in the same spot since opening like he did every evening she worked. Jodie wondered if he sat at the bar every night at around the same time club stayed until it closed. It got her thinking about what he actually did for a living.

''Stressful week Jo?'' He questioned taking a sip of the beer she'd just set in front of him.

''The beginning was great the end not so good,'' she responded, recalling the evening and afternoon she'd spent with Marshall at the very beginning of the week.

Then after the lunch they'd had together on Tuesday she hadn't heard from him since, despite her text messages asking if he was free; judging by the lack of replies he hadn't been. Jodie found herself confused at his sudden lack of communication with her. Since they'd met at the bar and he'd contacted her through the dating app they'd both matched on, they hadn't stopped texting. So the fact they hadn't spoken since Tuesday worried her a bit.

There was also the trouble with Joey and the guy who'd given her his contact twice. He'd been showing up at the club most nights milling around not just the first floor where the strippers were, but also the ground floor where the main night club was. Jodie's father owned both but left the night club in the hands of his friend so he could focus on the strip club as it had been going not as long as the night club. Joey's presence had put a lot of people on edge especially if they knew who he was and if they didn't they still eyed him with caution anyway.

Although since Jodie didn't work during the week she hadn't seen him until he walked straight in through the door being escorted out the back by Davey. She decided to ignore his presence for the most part and went back to talking to Mitch, who she found out had taken his dog to the vets that morning; she had no idea he even owned a pet let alone a dog.

''Yo Jodie you're needed outback,'' Davey was lent across the bar intersecting the conversation between her and Mitch.

''I'll be there in a second,'' he nodded at that and wandered away, probably back out the front since the place was filling up a little bit now.

With a quick bye to Mitch for the time being Jodie made her way towards the back of the club, placing her card on the scanner to let her through the back she pushed the door open to be met with a blast of cold air. Someone had left the door the back open; at least it'd filter out the smoke that usually covered the corridor like a heavy blanket and nearly suffocated her every time.

Assuming it was her dad who'd asked for her Jodie made her way down towards his office. As to be expected the door was ajar and she could hear hushed voiced drifting through the gap. Much like last time she didn't bother knocking, instead she pushed the door open; it's squeak alerting those inside of her being there.

''Ah Jo, this is Joey,'' Joey nodded over at her and she returned the gesture. He father pointed to the empty chair opposite the desk and next to the one Joey was currently sat in, doing as she was told Jodie slumped down in the chair.

''I wanna start by saying sorry if Alvin scared you, he tends to have this intimidating look about him,'' Joey spoke and Jodie assumed he was one about the guy who'd given her his contact details for Taylor.

''Not gonna lie he creeped me out when he knocked on the door after I'd seen him two days before,'' Jodie mumbled in reply. Joey let out a little laugh as her father glared at her, she just shrugged at him.

''Joey wants us to keep an eye on the people that come in here. Of course, we don't allow the consumption of drugs of any kind and he knows that so if any drugs are being sold or taken in the strip or night club then we know it's these newbies,'' her dad explained looking between the two people in front of him.

''Wait you want us to help a drug dealer by handing over other drug dealers to him?'' Jodie questioned not grasping the moral concept within her dad's request.

''Actually, I don't give a fuck what you do with them. Call the police it'll get them off my turf,'' Joey shrugged.

''What if it turns out to be one of you're guys?'' she questioned raising an eyebrow at him.

''Still, call the Police because it means their stupid cause they should know the rules we have for this place,'' her father nodded along with every word that was said. Jodie just sighed having not more questions because she came to the conclusion that she'd get the same answer.

''Is that it?'' She asked instead. He nodded at her and she left going back to work. The moment she got out of the back corridor and onto the main floor she knew it was going to be a long night because of how packed the room was. Sighing she pushed her glasses further up her nose and got back to work.

+++

''You seeing Jodie tonight? You ain't seen her since the beginning of the week,'' Denaun questioned as he followed Marshall out of the foyer, they'd decided to call it a night and head home.

''I think she's working, plus I haven't spoken to her all week,'' Marshall shrugged in response as he made his way over to his car, only to be yanked back by his friend.

''You mean you haven't replied to her all week?'' Marshall glanced over at his friend-raising an eyebrow, ''I saw the texts flash up on your phone you know she probably thinks she's done something wrong for you to ignore her,'' he pointed out.

''I haven't been ignoring her I just haven't re... fuck I've been ignoring her,'' realisation crossed his mind, ''come with me to the club, I gotta explain to her.''

''Now?''

''Yes now cause if I text her she won't get it till tomorrow and that could be too late,'' Marshall exclaimed.

''Dude stop panicking Jodie ain't some psycho'' Denaun pointed out, but Marshall just ignored him.

''I don't care I really like Jo and I don't wanna fuck us up because I forgot about her texts,'' without waiting for Denaun to reply Marshall had already clambered into his car leaving his friend no choice put to get in his own car and follow.

So just to let you guys know I'll be away for a few weeks because i'm on holiday. So updates won't happen for a couple weeks😭
Anyway thanks for all the love as always💕