Not Now

Part 19

Stevie's POV

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"That cute brunette over there is drooling over you." I whisper to Brandon, passing by him. "Can't take her eyes off you." I smirk and he just laughs.

"Well, I hope she drools some good tips into the jar." Brandon grins. He discreetly looks over at the woman, I know he's checking, what's she's drinking. He's good at his job like that. I watch him pour a glass of white wine, he then approaches her and places the drink in front of her. "On the house." I hear him say and I chuckle, shaking my head. Yup, she's leaving good tips, in hopes she will be leaving with Brandon. Not gonna happen.

I don't have a lot of time to relax, it's a busy Friday night. One of the bartenders' quite, so I've also left my job at the record store and I'm back to bartending full time. I hear someone call me over and I fake a smile, leaning over the bar closer to a customer. 

"I'd like a shot of tequila." He says then grins. "Pour one for yourselve as well." 

At least Brandon's brunette is pretty. Mine is a sleazy old man. I pour him that shot and bring the bottle lower to where he can no longer see and fill a shot glass up for myself too, except that I pick up another one with just water. He's none the wiser. 

"What are you doing later? Need a lift home maybe?" The guy asks and I'd like to puke all over him. 

"No, she doesn't." Brandon comes to my aid, wrapping his arm around my waist. "She's coming home with me." 

The man's expression changes instantly and he walks away. I thank Brandon and we separate again to tend to other customers. As I lift my eyes up, for a second I'm sure that I've spotted Lindsey. I frown, he'd rarely ever come here, when we were together, I can't think of a reason, why he would now. Probably just someone, who looks like him.

"What do you think I should do with this?" Brandon shows me a napkin with a number scribbled down on it. 

"Toss it in the pile with all the others?" I suggest and we laugh together.

"It's the brunette. Emily." He adds, still looking at her number. 

"Well, why don't you give her a call? You should have some fun. But if you decide to, please, go to her place. I still don't have a door." I joke, making him chuckle. 

"Who's gonna take you home if I go to hers?"

"I could." Anoter voice interjects, both Brandon and I turn to look. 

"Lindsey..." To say that I'm surprised to see him would be an understatement. So, it was him I saw. 

"Take a break." Brandon says to me and gives me a little nudge. 

I do without replying and go outside, Lindsey follows me from behind. It's so good to see him. After our phonecall, I wasn't sure if I was going to again.

"I half expected you to ask me to leave." Lindsey admits and I shake my head, taking a step closer to him, so we don't block the sidewalk.

"No, I'm just surprised to see you."

A group of young men passes us by and one, unintentionally I hope, bumps into me, pushing me right into Lindsey's awaiting arms. I step back after a moment too short and Lindsey looks away.

"Is everything okay?" I ask. 

"Yeah, yeah. I just... I was going to call, but knowing, how well that worked out the last time, I decided to come see you instead. I went to the record store, but didn't find you. Someone informed me that you're back here full-time." He scratches the back of his head, hesitating to speak. "Listen, I know you don't have a lot of time, so I'll make this short... maybe, after work, you'd like to come over?"

"I'd love to." I nod my head right away. The whole thing about us seeing each other being unhealthy just escapes my mind.

"Really?" Lindsey clearly expected me to say, no.

"Really." I give him a small smile and he does too. 

"Okay, great!" I see genuine excitement from Lindsey for the first time in a while. "So, should I wait for you or..."

"No, it's still gonna be a few hours." I say, quite disappointed. "I'll come to you myself."

"Alright." Lindsey smiles again and I probably shouldn't, but I give him a hug and he immediately wraps his arms around me tightly.

"I have to go back." I look at him apologetically, but he understands and let's me go.