“I’m not a fucking sell out. I know who I am. I’m Xavier fucking Steel. No different than I was before the hurricane man. Stop your shit talk or you can walk.”
“You fucking kidding me man?” Ricco laughed.
I cleared my throat and held up the card. “Maybe the Irish in me but this O almost looks like a clover.”
Ricco started rolling and Xavier stormed over to me and took the card. “You’re fucking crazy. Ricco I’m out, meet me at the bar when you lock up. I need to get fucking laid tonight.”
I felt my purse vibrate and pulled my phone out.
“Daniel.” I whispered.
“Dr. …”
“Yes.” I nudged him. “He said he’d see me tomorrow.” I held up the phone so he could see the picture of Daniel.
“Jewish?” Xavier asked as he rushed me out the door.
“Yes why?”
“You Catholic?”
“I’m Irish, of course I’m catholic.” He opened the SUV door for me and I got in.
“It’ll never work out.” He slammed the door and I laughed.
He walked back in the building and was gone for a couple minutes before he returned.
“I’ll take you home.”
“Two and a half more hours of work Mr. Steel.” I reminded him.
“I’m going to the bar. I’m gonna get loaded and I’m gonna go home and fuck the luckiest girl in that place until she can’t speak. Then I’m gonna fuck her again.”
I laughed. “Good, I wanna go so I can tell you why she’d be all wrong for you.”
“Why would you want to do that? You’re going to get laid tomorrow. We’ve been working late every night this week and I need to get laid. You’re killing my game Taelyn.”
“Oh come on, it’ll be fun. I go out with my brothers sometimes. I’ve even given them thumbs up and thumbs down signals based on the vibe I’m getting. I can help you out.”
He laughed a dark malicious laugh.
“Your Mom did hire me to keep you …”
“Fine. Fine. I can have James come get you at midnight.”
“Perfect.”
~
We walked into a packed club and he grabbed my hand, “Stay close. Its ladies night, all the freaks are out.”
“I’ve never been here before. The music’s good.”
“Average,” He leaned in and yelled over the crowd. “Just a DJ. There are cooler places to go. Next week we’ll check some out.”
“Sounds good. You feeling alright? You seem tense.”
“Just ready for the weekend that’s all.”
“Am I that hard to deal with?” I joked.
“Huge pain in the ass.” He squeezed my hand and only then did I realize he was still holding it. I gave it a tug. “Um Xavier?”
“Just till we get through the crowd to the bar. Wouldn’t want you to get lost or hurt while you’re still on the clock.”
He pulled me behind him and grabbed my other hand and pulled me tight against him as he plowed through the people. Once at the bar he turned around, letting go of one hand. Someone bumped into me and pushed me into him.
“Watch it asshole!” He said as he pulled me against him and looked down as I was looking up. “You alright?”
I nodded. We were crammed against each other and it seemed a little weird. A little, but not completely.
He turned us and pushed me back. “Have a seat.”
I turned towards the bar and he set both hands on opposite sides of me caging me as he leaned over. “Two shots of tequila, a Johnny Walker on the rocks, double and?” He looked at me waiting for my reply.
“Vodka and cranberry please.” I yelled to the bartender.
“Keep a tab Tom?”
“Sure thing.” The bartender walked away.