Bittersweet

~~Sorry, just don't cut it~~

~ ~ Gabriele ~~

I glanced at my phone.  It was pretty clear why Jake was trying to get hold of me...Alison.

Alison and I had been going around the relationship merry-go-round for the last five years on and off.  It was the last thing I needed today, or any day lately.

Tempted to drive off and head over to the bike shop instead, I sat behind the wheel of my truck with the engine running, still in gear. Goddamn this woman. My hands tightened on the steering wheel. Probably no point in hiding. She would only find me there later.

Just get it over with. I flipped the engine off, grabbed my phone and gritted my teeth before stepping out. My head was beginning the ache already.

Shoulders tensing, I shoved my phone in my pocket and grabbed my bag from the rear seat, slamming the door shut. Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I walked around the side door and headed inside. Jake was inside behind the bar doing his usual stock checks, counting and checking paperwork. "Hey."

Jake looked up and guested with his eyes towards our office. He didn't need to say a word. "I'll be back in five."

He grunted. "Yeah, sure. Good luck with that."

Pushing open the door of the office, I dropped my bag to the floor as I spotted the tiny figure lying on my couch—apparently sleeping. I coughed to clear my throat. "What do you want, Al?"

Her eyes popped open. No doubt been partying last night. She had on a small black leather skirt and a tiny vest top covered by a lace white see-through top. She yawned, stretching out her long slim legs to grab my attention, no doubt. "To see you obviously."

Oh boy. Surly, and mightily pissed off, I stomped towards my desk. The sooner she was out of here, the better. "Yeah, well, now you've seen me, how about to take yourself out of my office. I don't have time for your drama today. Some of us work for a living." Al hadn't had a job, well a steady one anyway for the past few months. She did some modelling on the side, along with a bit of acting here and there.

Alison huffed, sitting up straight before standing. "Someone's grouchy today." She fluffed her blonde hair, and I knew without a doubt she had been partying last night. Probably getting high too. Her hair messy, and her eyeliner was smudged. "Gabe, I said I was sorry. I want to come back home." She pulled at her top, pushing her chest out further as her leather skirt seemed to ride up on her thighs with no assistance.

It was always the same. She'd sweeten her girlie tone, her blue eyes sparkling with trouble, and tempt me with her feminine allures. I would freely admit to anyone, Alison was a striking woman with a body made for sin. And her routine had worked on me for more years than I cared to confess. But now I was just sick and tired of this... whatever it was. I wanted more than she could ever give me. "I told you Al, not this time. We're done—it's done. Finished."