Strung(3)

“You can thank your baby face for the job. Women go crazy for guys like you around here. We needed to replace our last baby-faced bartender. Now we just need to see if you can perform your job. That will determine whether or not we’ll need a replacement for a third time, so don’t mess up.”

“Got it . . . uh . . . Micah,” he stammers. “I won’t let you down.”

“Good to fucking hear.”

Once downstairs, I spot Colby sitting on his knees on the bar, while some chick shoves money into the front of his jeans. “Are you a stripper or a bartender?” I question, causing him to cuss under his breath at being caught. “I can send your ass to Walk of Shame if you’d like, but you’d have to be willing to move to Chicago. I’m sure my cousin Slade could get you in.”

“My bad. She asked for it.” He smirks, while jumping behind the bar and looking Gavin over. “Our baby face replacement?”

I nod. “Have him ready to be on his own by five and don’t teach him any of your half-assed shit. Train him by the book.”

He looks him over once again. “I’ll do my best, Boss.”

I’m about to walk back up to my office when I spot Sebastian sitting at one of the tables drinking.

“That little shit . . .”

Angry, I throw my arm around Ryan and point at the kid. “Did you serve him again, Ry?”

Ryan swallows hard, while looking over to see who I’m pointing at. “Yeah. He had an ID. I checked—”

“Go home,” I say firmly.

“But . . . how was I supposed to know it was a fake?”

Pissed off, I get in his face, causing him to back up a step. “Because it’s the third fucking time you’ve been told not to serve him. Now get your shit and go home.”

Walking away from Ryan before I lose my shit over his stupidity, I make my way toward Sebastian and drag him to his feet. “What the hell did I tell you about coming here, Sebastian?”

“Micah,” he groans. “Come on, Man. I’m almost eighteen. Stop treating me like a child.”

“You are a child,” I spit out. “You should be worried about surfing and girls, not how many damn beers you can finish before I spot your ass in the crowd.”

He attempts to reach for his beer as I drag him away from the table and out the door, but just ends up knocking it off the table instead.

Once outside, I drag him over to the sand and toss him down.

“Dammit, Sebastian.” I grip my hair in frustration, while looking down at him. “I’ve been trying my best to keep my patience with you, but you keep testing my ass. Get your shit together, because I won’t always be here to bail your ass out of everything. Got it?”

“Yeah . . .” He jumps to his feet and wipes the back of his shorts off. “I never asked you to bail me out of anything, and I definitely never asked you to act like you’re my damn dad.”

My eyes meet his as I step closer to him. “You want me to stop? Because I guarantee with the life you’ve been living that your ass would be dead in less than two weeks.” I fix his shirt for him. “Now get your shit together, Sebastian. Get out of here.”

“Whatever, Dude,” he mumbles. “I’ll see you later.”

Worried about the kid, I watch as he runs through the sand and over to his little group of friends who high-five him and toss him something to drink. Most likely a beer.

“Fuuuuck. This kid never stops.”

I really need to get him away from those little low-lives. They’re no good for him, but they’re all that he’s had his whole life, since his parents have never given a shit about what he does.

I’ve been dealing with him sneaking into Vortex for two years now and I’ve been doing my best to help him get his head on straight.

The kid thinks I’ll give up on him just like his parents did. He’s wrong.

“Oh look. You do own clothing after all,” a sarcastic voice says from behind me.

I’d know that sweet voice from anywhere, and I have to admit that I spent most of the night imagining what she’d sound like screaming from below me. Or on top . . . whatever she’s in the mood for.

“I wasn’t lying, babe.” Smirking, I turn around to find Tegan sitting at one of the outdoor tables with her laptop. “This is just the only place I wear them. They’re sort of required here.” I tilt my head and watch as her eyes wander over my body. She’s trying to play it off, as if it’s not obvious she’s picturing me naked, but the quiver of her bottom lip gives her away. “So, I don’t own many.”

“I’m sure that seems to work for you,” she mumbles.

“It does; although, I usually get asked to take my clothes off here as well.” I walk over to the table and peer over her shoulder, curious. “Still Breathing . . .” I smile as she stiffens. “Are you writing a book?”

Clearing her throat, she turns around and palms my face, pushing it back. “Do you mind? I can’t think with you so close.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad thing,” I tease.

Grunting, she closes her laptop. “Yes.”

“Yes?” I question. “That it’s a bad thing?”

“That I’m writing a book.” Her eyes wander over my body again, stopping on my chest. “Why are you wearing a shirt?”

“Would you prefer I take it off for you?”

She laughs sarcastically. “I think I saw enough of your body last night to keep my mind busy for a while, thank you.” She smiles up at Gavin and thanks him as he drops a drink off at her table. “I asked because every guy here is shirtless, with the exception of you. Is that a thing here? My brother left that juicy little detail out. Shirtless, sexy bartender heaven. I have a feeling I’m going to like it here.”

“All the bartenders are required to be shirtless, yes, but I’m not bartending or playing right now.”

“Playing?” she questions. “Your guitar?”

“You can come watch me tonight if you want to know. I’m pretty sure that isn’t against the rules.”

Opening her laptop again, she looks up at me and laughs. “Rules?”

Letting out a small breath, I give her a serious look and pull my shit together, before I somehow manage to break these damn rules. “Your brother’s,” I say firmly. “Should you need me if my boys don’t attend to you and take care of you like you deserve, I’ll be upstairs in my office. Don’t be afraid to tell me if they slack.”

“My brother is funny,” she says softly, watching me as I back away from her and turn around to leave.

Her words stop me. “How so?”

“For thinking he can control me while I’m here. Last time I checked I was a grown woman who makes her own decisions.”

“Yeah,” I mumble. “Well, good luck telling your brother that.”

With that, I walk away, leaving her outside, alone, to work on her book. Something about leaving her alone here with shirtless men is bothering me. Maybe it’s the fact that I know she likes it. Or the fact that I know they’ll want her, and unlike me, they might have a chance of touching her.

Out of nowhere, a pair of hands press against my chest and begin feeling me up. “You’re wearing too much clothing, Micah,” Gwen says against my ear, as she trails her hand down to grab my junk.

Growling, I grip her hand, making her grab it tighter.

“Mmmm . . .” she moans. “Is somebody ready to play?”

“No,” I whisper, just below her ear. “I’m reminding you of what you’ll never feel in your mouth again.” I push her hand away. “Now keep your hands to yourself or I’ll have you escorted out.”

“Micah,” she huffs. “Don’t act like you don’t miss me. No one else will ever do the things that I do.”

“Then they’ll probably last longer,” I say stiffly. “Now, I’ve got shit to do.”

“Fuck off, Micah.” She straightens out her skirt, seeming embarrassed. “You’ll be back.”

“Nope. I won’t,” I say, keeping my cool. “I’m needed in my office. Go cling to Colby. He actually enjoys it.”

Without giving her a chance to respond I walk away, jogging up the steps to my office.

One time, over a year ago, and Gwen keeps coming back for more, thinking that I’ll give her what she wants. She wants a man she can control.

That’s not me.

Just as I’m opening my office door, Alexander walks out of his, closing the door behind him.

“Dude, have you been here all morning?” I question, looking his tired ass over.

He runs a hand through his messy, dark hair and yawns. “Yeah, got here bright and early to take care of some shit.”

Opening my office, I enter, knowing that Xan will follow.

“Well, you look like hell.”

Alexander smiles. “Thanks for the obvious, Asshole.” He closes the door behind him and takes a seat in the chair across from me. “I saw my sister walk in. Will you keep your eye on her, Man? I need to get some sleep before tonight.”

“You’re trusting me to keep an eye on her?” I laugh and place my hands behind my head, lifting a brow to him.

“Fuck no,” he grumbles. “But what other choice do I have? There’s a lot of assholes around here that will try to pick her up. At least make me feel somewhat better that you’ll be here.”