Mended(25)

Mark jumps up on the counter and bites an apple. The guy never stops eating; it’s amazing. “Yup, as to when you’d all get back together.” He snaps the twenty in the air.

“I’m getting that money back,” Keith informs him as he heads out of the room.

“Whatever, dude!” Mark calls out, then looks back over at us. “Well, I’m out. See ya later, Savi.”



***



“You look happy,” Jake says as he pours a beer from the tap. Our shift is going by fast. We barely have a moment to think, it’s been so busy. It’s eleven, and only now is it dying down enough that we can talk in a normal voice. “Does this have anything to do with a sexy Army man?”

“Perhaps.” I bump his hip with mine to move him over. “And Graham?”

“Oh, it’s all good.” He winks. “He’s one dirty bird.”

I laugh, but stop when I see his face light up when he looks at someone over my shoulder. I turn to find Cole making his way through the crowd.

It’s been four days since I left the house. He whispers something in a girl’s ear. She looks at me, then nods as she gets up and frees him an open seat. He removes his jacket and places it over the back, then undoes a few buttons on his dress shirt. Poor guy hates dress shirts. I feel his discomfort. He really is an army pants and t-shirt kinda guy.

I finished with my customer and head over. “Welcome to Zack’s,” I joke. “What can I get you this evening?”

He smirks. “Brandy, neat.”

I nod, then look over at the guy next to him. “And you?”

“Mmm…” he glances at the menu, “Fat Tire.”

I place Cole’s drink in front of him while Jake grabs the beer for me. “You from around here?” I play with Cole, who grants me one of his sexy smiles.

“You could say that.” He takes a sip of his drink. “You have plans later on tonight?”

The guy next to him snickers. “Good luck, dude. No one has gotten into her pants. Believe me, my buddy has tried many times.”

Cole actually laughs, which totally throws me for a loop. Jake looks at me, confused. I just shake my head. “Well, that’s good to know.” Cole takes another sip of his brandy. “I wouldn’t want to have to kill someone.”

I chuck my rag at Cole, knowing he isn’t joking. He catches it and holds it out at each end. “This reminds me of last weekend.”

I grin and shake my head. He’s so playful right now, and it’s fun. “Where were you?” I ask, tugging at my shirt and nodding at him.

“Meeting,” he answers, finishing off his drink. I reach down to make another, and when I look up, the bottle nearly slips out of my hand.

“You!” she screams, pointing a finger at me. “I’m going to kill you!”

“What?” I gasp, trying to play catch-up with the crazy charging my way. “What are you talking about?”

She picks up a salt shaker and chucks it at me. I manage to move, and it flies past me. Cole is on his feet, holding a hand up to her.

“Don’t act innocent, you bitch.” She glances at Cole. “Your whore gave out my apartment number to Don, and he showed up on my doorstep, handing me a stack of cash and wanting me to screw him.”

I move to Cole’s side. “Christina, I never gave your address to Don! I don’t even know where you live.”

Jake bursts out laughing. “Maybe he knew your address because you screw every customer we get, Chris.”

“Fuck you, Jake.”

“No, thanks,” he chuckles.

She suddenly charges me, but Cole blocks her path. Grabbing her arms, he waits until she cries out because of his grip. “You ever touch Savannah, and I’ll make sure it’s someone looking to do more than have a shitty fuck with you at your door, Christina. Leave my family alone. This is your only warning.”

Christina is still heaving with anger when he lets her go, tossing her forward. She spits at my feet, and then Zack appears out of nowhere and kicks her out the door.

Cole ducks down so he’s eye level with me. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” I look around at a few stragglers, embarrassed, though I shouldn’t be. She was the one who looked like a fool. “Can you drive me back to my place?”

“Of course.” He takes my bag from Jake and offers him a ride, but he has plans with Graham.

Cole parks the car and walks me to my apartment, but stops in the doorway. “I can’t stay, baby. I have an early meeting.” I feel my disappointment hit hard but push it aside. It was my choice to live here in town. “Hey,” he brushes my hair out of my face, “you okay?”