My arms were shaking.
The look on his face, how he hated me.
“Get out!”
I left, not waiting for Monty to escort me down.
I was sick to my stomach. I couldn’t—no. No! I would not cry, not over that asshole. Such a dick.
Fuck him. Fuck his friend. Fuck everything.
The elevator got to my floor, and I pushed past whoever was there. I didn’t know who it was. I didn’t care. I didn’t even know where to go. Locker room? Leave? Back to my station.
Okay, calm down, Jess. You have people who curse at you all the time. One guy is nothing.
Right.
I was at work. He didn’t want me, fine. I went back to my old station.
Justin saw me coming, and his eyes widened, but he moved aside, going back to his station.
I’d poured one beer before Anthony was at my station. “What the fuck did you do?”
I stilled myself, making sure I didn’t throw the beer I just poured at him. Setting it down, giving the customer the price, I glared at Anthony. “I did nothing.”
“Well, what the fuck happened? Monty said the guys came in, saw you, and went ballistic.”
I winced, seeing the look of utter disdain on his face when he saw me and hearing it again. “I don’t know what to tell you, Anthony.” The customer paid, slipping an extra five for a tip, and I gave them a thankful smile because the customer was a female and she was glaring at Anthony for me. Girl power here. I took the money and began filling the second order. Anthony moved down, on the other side of my customer. He propped an arm on the counter. “I sent someone else up in your place, but I need to understand what happened or my ass is going to get reamed. It’s not just your job at stake here.”
I almost really did chuck my glass at him, but I tightened my grip, willed myself to think rationally before moving to grab the Captain. Pouring it, grabbing the mix for it, I said, “I know him.”
“Who?”
“The guy. The one who told me to get out. I know him.”
He was blinking, confused. “What?” He raked a hand through his hair. “You know him? Tristian West?!”
Tristian.
That was his name.
That was . . . Tristian . . . I liked his name.
That made it all the more horrifying.
Seriously.
I was stupid.
Mooning over his goddamn name? After what he just did to me? And now my job was in jeopardy?
“I guess.”
“You guess?!”
I shot Anthony a look. “Why are you worked up about this so much? It was a mistake. I didn’t know who was coming up there, and you didn’t know my history with him.”
“You don’t get it.” He cursed again, a second rake through his hair before he turned and went rigid. I caught the end of yet another curse before he straightened. “I have to fix this, somehow.” He twisted to me. “What’s your history with him?”
My entire body flooded with heat. “I am not telling you that.”
“Why?”
“Because. I’m not.”
He stilled before closing his eyes for a beat. “Jesus Christ. You fucked him?”
No way was I giving him that answer because it was none of his business. “It’s none of your business. I didn’t even know his name until you told me.”
His eyes bugged out. I realized what I said and now what he was thinking of me, but I knew that was a wasted fight. He’d believe what he wanted to believe.
I began doing another drink—or finishing up because that customer was still waiting for the rest of his drinks. “Just don’t send me up there again.”
“You don’t get it. But you’ll find out.” He tore off after that.
The customer watched him go before handing over his card for his payment. “Your boss is an ass.”
I snorted. “Tell me about it.”
Justin came over to check on me later.
I was fine, or that’s what I told him.
Kelly came over, too, getting her shots refilled.
I could feel her worry because she knew something had happened, but she just came in and gave me a hug.
I looked up, seeing Anthony glaring our way from where he was talking to another guy that I’d never seen before. Whoever he was, Anthony was getting an earful.
I nudged Kelly. “You should get going.”
She harrumphed, making it obvious her opinion on that matter, but picked up her tray and moved off.
I didn’t miss the little look she sent Justin’s way, or how he reciprocated.
The club closed. The lights went on. We needed to go through our inventory, close out our drawers, and I had cleaned my section when I made my way to the staff room.
Anthony stepped out of his office. “A word?”
His tone was nicer, but I saw the stress had taken a toll. His shirt was stretched out. Worry lines were sticking out around his eyes and mouth. He raised a hand, pinching his nose as I made my way to him and then past him inside.
He closed the door, but it was soft.
My stomach was in knots, and I didn’t even know why. I mean, I knew why, but I didn’t at the same time.
He motioned to the chair in front of me as he went to sit behind his desk. “Sit.”
“No.”
“Please.” He leaned back, pinching his nose a second time. “Just, please sit.”
He had a love seat in the corner, and I perched on the armrest, giving him a glare and then crossing my arms over my chest. “I did nothing wrong. If you’re firing me, then—”
“I’m not.” He held a hand up. “I’m sorry. I was further explained the situation, and the mess up wasn’t on my end or yours, but it’s been handled. I called you in because I wanted to apologize. Tristian West is a big deal here. The biggest that comes around, and I didn’t handle any of this the right way. I sincerely apologize to you.”
I was annoyed.
This wasn’t supposed to be my stressful job. I had a day job for that, and I didn’t need to put up with this bullshit.
“Get out!”
I flinched again, unable to not hear that or not see his face as he spewed that.
“I do need to ask.” Anthony’s eyes were heavy, resting on me. “What’s your relationship with him?”
“I don’t have one.”
“But you said—”
“It’s honestly nothing. We met a couple times, by accident, and the last time I told him to stay away from me. That’s it.”
His mouth dropped, and he jerked forward. “You told him to stay away from you?”
I rolled my eyes. It was close enough to what I said. “Why is that so shocking?”
“Because—” He shook his head. “Never mind. It’s obvious you actually don’t know him, and knowing that now, I think this will be fine. I’ll keep you on the floor in the future and send someone else up instead.”
Fine. Right.
I was still pissed by the whole experience.
I stood up. “Can I go? I’m tired, and I need to check on my roommate.”
“Oh yeah.”
I started for the door, but he called my name.
“What?” I asked.
“Kelly did really well tonight, but let her know that if she fucks the new bartender and it ends badly, I don’t tolerate drama. One of them will be kicked out.”
My lips thinned. I was guessing since I was getting this message at who would be getting the boot.
“You’re an imbecile. See you tomorrow.”
I left, not waiting around to see his reaction. I was one of his favorites because I didn’t take shit, and tonight he’d made me take his shit. I was heading to the staff room to see if Kelly was still there. I’d left my phone in my locker, and she was able to leave earlier than me. Shot girls got to leave as soon as the bar closed. They didn’t need to do the cleanup, and it took me a little longer to go through everything since Justin had been manning my section.
I wasn’t shocked to see the locker room was empty when I went inside.
I grabbed my purse and pulled my phone out.
I was heading for the back parking lot when I heard Anthony call my name.
I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.
Could this night get any worse?
“Jess.”
I pivoted, my head back and my chin up.
He had a hand on his doorway, half stepping out into the hallway with a funny look on his face. “You got someone waiting for you in the back.”
My nostrils flared. “The back where?”
“Out the back. The lot. The vehicle there is for you.”
I frowned.
He gave me a nod. “See you tomorrow,” he said before disappearing back in his office.
My phone buzzed, and I read the texts.
Kelly: Hey! Are you okay?
Kelly: I couldn’t find you and Justin offered to walk me home. You usually have your car. Do you want me to stay?
Kelly: Someone said Anthony is talking to you. I’ll wait.
Me: Are you still here?
Kelly: I’m with Justin. We’re at his apartment. He lives super close. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be. Hold on. I’m on my way back.
Me: No. It’s fine. I’m not up for conversation anyways.
Kelly: You sure?
Me: Yeah. You going to hang with Justin for a while?
Kelly: Is that okay? I’ve got my coat on. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be there.
Me: No. Stay. Hang with Justin. I’m heading home.
Kelly: Okay. By the way, I love this job!
My phone buzzed once more, but I was assuming it was Kelly saying goodbye or good night, so I put it back in my purse and pushed out the door. I’d taken one step, not sure how I felt knowing someone was waiting for me.
When the SUV door opened, I stopped because it was him.
Tristian West.
He nodded to the empty seat beside him. “Get in.”
