House Rules(31)

I needed to get home and start making the few trips back and forth to get everything moved. The sun had started to dip on the horizon and seeing as no part of me wanted to stay at the old apartment tonight, I needed to move everything before the sun set. My shift at the clothing store was short tomorrow. I could unpack and finish all of my homework before my first shift at Rock Bottom.

Things were falling into place. I just hoped this would be the last upheaval for a while. My bank balance, nor my sanity would be able to cope with much more.





CHAPTER 10





Theresa


I knew my ass was on display as soon as the cold air hit my cheeks. It had been two weeks since I threw Ray out. For the past week the tips had been great and if things stayed that way, I might even be able to say that the skimpy outfit—little black boy shorts that didn’t even attempt to cover my entire butt—was worth it. With a small, ocean blue top that tied in the front, right at the valley of my breasts, my midriff completely exposed, I probably had more coverage with my bikini in summer.

In the last week of working here I’d made enough money to not only pay the security deposit, but the rent as well. More than once when I went home and counted my tips, I considered staying on after graduation. I’d still get a job nursing, but working in the bar on my days off could help pay off my student loans in the blink of an eye. With money that good, I would even be able to start paying them now.

So I worked any shift I could get my hands on. The more shifts, the easier it would be for me to climb out of the mountain of debt I’d created over the last six years.

Not for the first time, I was a little thankful that Ray had bet me that night.

“Hey, sexy.”

I flipped around. “Me?”

“Yeah you. Shake that fine ass over here and take my order.”

The guy seemed like the ultimate sleazeball. Hair so greasy it looked like he dipped it in a vat of kitchen grease. And the way he leered at me . . . it made my skin craw. The suit he wore hung loosely around his shoulders. He was definitely not part of the normal clientele at Rock Bottom. Mainly I dealt with rabid sports fans. They could be a little grabby, but they always tipped well.

I walked up to the table and did my best to keep my distance, out of the reach of his grabby hands. No way did I want him touching me.

“What can I get you?”

“You can come a little closer.” He reached behind me and squeezed my ass, pulling me closer.

“I don’t fucking think so,” a voice snarled.

That voice.

I knew that voice. And it wasn’t one I expected to hear again. I spun around so fast, I almost lost my balance.

Shit.

Miller stood a few feet behind me, arms crossed over his chest, the vein throbbing in his temple telling me he was anything but calm. This was not good. My stomach clenched. I never expected to see him in a place like this. That man was made for fancy restaurants and exclusive clubs. Right then he oozed power, wealth, and money. His three piece, most likely tailor-made suit fit him perfectly. He was all business; except his face. Jaw clenched, hands fisted, he had murder in his eyes.

His gaze slid over to the customer behind me. “In my establishment, the customers keep their hands to themselves.”

In my establishment . . .

Shit. Shit. Shit. Rock Bottom was the sports bar Miller had told me about the night we met. There were so many sports bars in town, but since Ray had taken me there I should have put two and two together. This was likely why the tips were so good. There was way more than drinking and sports watching going on. Probably sports betting. Jason took care of specific customers, always giving them a different menu, telling me they were special clients. I guess they were.

Greaseball held up his hands. “Sorry, man. It’s hard to resist an outfit like that.”

“It’s to look, not touch,” Miller bit out from between clenched teeth.

Relieved that was the end of it, I went back to my job. “What can I—” A hand clamped around my upper arm.

“Excuse us. I need to speak with Miss Carner for a minute.”

Before I had a chance to say anything, I was being led toward the back of the bar, where the offices were located. I tried to pull free of Miller’s hold, but his grip tightened.

“Don’t even think about it, Tess,” he snarled and continued to pull me forward.

What an asshole. What gave him the right to drag me where he wanted me to go? I wasn’t starting a battle with him in the middle of the bar. I needed the job, yes, but what I really wanted to do was turn around and slap him for his behavior.

The hall passed by in a blur until we reached a door near the end. His momentum propelled me across the room as he tossed me inside, letting go of my arm to shut us inside. I whirled around, ready to pounce.