Live Me Read online

  Rick looked up, and a friendly smile spread across his face. “Well, hello there. I got a head start prepping stuff for you.”

  “Great. Thanks.” I smiled back.

  “Not a problem. So how’d you like your first real day? The chatter hasn’t stopped about the gorgeous new bartender.”

  “Oh boy.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, it’ll keep the tips flowing nicely,” I joked.

  “You’re right about that, darlin’. They all fell in love with you. And that voice . . . whew, girl. You’ve got some set of lungs on you.” His eyebrows lifted in appreciation. “I think I’m gonna have to make that a new requirement when you’re working. You had the place jacked up. We made a killing.” The excitement in his voice was palpable.

  I twirled a long lock of hair between my fingers. “I don’t normally sing. That was my friends doing. He’s a pain in the ass, but I can’t say no to him. Usually I get all shaky and sweaty and dry mouthed.”

  “Hog wash. You’re singing.”

  “Hog wash?” I laughed.

  “Yes, hog wash,” he repeated with a good natured grin. “I don’t wanna hear it. A person can’t have a gift like that and keep it to themselves.”

  “But—”

  “Singing,” he demanded.

  “We’ll see.” A nervous laugh escaped my lips. I tried to think of a way to ease into my next topic and get away from this me-singing business. “So Jessie might stop in again later.”

  “Really? That’s cool. I guess I’ll be seeing a lot more of her now that you’re here,” he said nonchalantly as he counted the opening register.

  “Yeah, probably.” I grabbed the cutting board and dug into some lemons. Forging on, I asked, “That’s a good thing, right? You guys seemed pretty, um . . . friendly the other night.”

  He looked at me briefly, and I thought I saw adoration flash across his eyes, but he quickly replaced it with something noncommittal. “Yeah, they don’t come any sweeter than Jessie girl. That girl can have whatever she wants from me.”

  “Were you guys ever an item?”

  “Nah, we’re just friends.” He acted like none of it mattered to him, but I could tell by the nervous tic in his neck I had touched a nerve.

  I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “That’s a shame. I’m pretty sure she likes you, and you guys would probably be good together.”

  “Oh, yeah, well, I uh . . . like her, too. But I don’t date my friends.” He pushed the drawer in and walked away, dismissing the conversation.

  A short while later, random bar-goers were scattered on stools, playing pool and throwing darts. I dragged a damp rag along the bar and glanced over at the door, wondering if Blake would show again. I shouldn’t care . . .

  But I did.

  Shortly after, Jessie and Sandra, toting a guy who must have been Jeremy, strutted in. “Hey, chickadee.” Sandra beamed, gesturing toward her new man. “This is Jeremy. Jeremy, this is Eva.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jeremy,” I yelled over the music, extending my hand over the bar.

  “Likewise.” He smiled a friendly smile that made his eyes shine. He was on the shorter side, five-nine possibly, with choppy, sandy brown hair, and hazel eyes.

  “You’ve got a gem on your hands. Take care of her so I don’t have to hunt your ass down,” I warned playfully.

  “Duly noted. No worries. Your girl is safe with me.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side while she stared at him in awe.

  “So, where’s Rick?” Jessie cut in, her eyes searching the area.

  “He stepped away for a sec. He’ll be right back.” I eyed her warily, unsure whether or not I should broach the conversation we needed to have. “Hey, Jes?”

  “Yeah,” she said, still not focusing her eyes on me. The girl had it bad.

  “Does he know how you feel? I mean, have you ever told him?”

  Jessie looked at me. “No, not directly, but the signs are all there. I know he knows.”

  “Okay, because I kind of asked about you guys in passing, and he says he would do anything for you, but that he doesn’t date his friends. He seemed pretty adamant about it, Jes.” I reached out a sympathetic hand and covered hers. “I know you two would probably make a cute couple, but maybe it’s not in the cards. I mean, Rick’s an awesome guy, don’t get me wrong, but I can tell you really like him and I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “I know. I get that.” Her lips dipped in a frown and she looked away. “I just can’t get him out of my head and he always acts like he feels the same way. Just when I think I can move past it, I see him again and it starts all over. I just don’t see what the big deal is.” Her gaze scudded to the right as Rick resumed his place behind the bar. Conversation over.

  “Hey, Princess,” he called over to Jessie, a huge smile on his face.

  “Hi,” she answered, giving him a shy smile.

  Princess? Really? I wondered if he had lovie names for all of his so-called friends. No wonder she thought she had a chance. He stretched across the bar and placed his lips flush against her cheek, making her blush.

  Friend my ass.

  He wanted her as bad as she wanted him, and he was messing with her head, acting like he didn’t. I tapped my fingers on the bar and made a mental note to get to the bottom of that.

  After a couple hours spent laughing and playing pool, Sandra and Jeremy remained lip-locked in a corner. He caressed her face and played with her hair. She had such a big heart and a lot of love to share. I was glad she had found someone, but I couldn’t help the pang of jealousy.

  My eyes sought out the door for the umpteenth time at the very moment a familiar silhouette filled its frame. A slow smile spread across my lips as I let out a huge breath of air. My body relaxed and a sense of comfort encased me like a warm blanket. It was as though I’d been walking around without a limb all night. I sprung to life in that instant, feeling my missing piece return.

  Blake’s eyes locked on mine and we stilled at the sight of one another. We drifted toward each other like magnets drawn to an opposite pole. He sauntered over to the end of the bar and took his standard post, where I knew he’d be keeping his eye on me for the remainder of the night. I wasn’t going to admit to anyone how much I liked that—feeling his eyes on me, his sights seeming as though they were lying on my skin, touching me. Feeling protected—safe.

  Clad in faded denim jeans and a baby blue button down that accentuated his eyes, the top two buttons were left open, exposing a slice of his perfectly smooth, tanned chest and the v-shape it created right below his neck. I wanted to explore that whole valley with my tongue. Dip in and out of it and swipe across the broad spectrum, nibbling the bones that housed it. On its own accord, my tongue flicked out to wet my lips.

  He seemed to be evaluating me and my response as he took the seat I now thought of as his.

  “Hey,” I breathed, my cheeks warm from my inappropriate thoughts. We didn’t leave on the best of terms to say the least, so I knew this would be a bit awkward.

  “Hi,” he responded. Curt, and unsure of me, but still polite.

  “Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.” I scratched my nail along the smooth surface of the bar.

  “Glad you liked them.” His smile didn’t quite touch his eyes, but I could tell he was beginning to soften.

  I rubbed my palms up and down my thighs to rid them of the sweat lining them, and bit my lower lip. I needed this off my chest. “Blake, listen, I’m sorry about the way I reacted last night. You didn’t do anything wrong—”

  He put a hand up, halting me. “Not the time. You can tell me all about it later.” Good to see we were still tossing that bone back and forth.

  “Fair enough. So, what can I get you?” I reached between the bottles and grabbed the Stoli Razz and Seven I’d hidden there earlier. I took a sip, trying to quench the dry mouth my nerves had created.

  The corner of Blake’s mouth twitched as he tried to keep his expre
ssion serious. “A blow job please.”

  A gush of liquid flew out of my mouth, my hand rushing up to try to catch it. The stream narrowly escaped hitting a patron in the face, who looked at me in horror and decided to vacate his seat.

  Son of a bitch. I forgot how loaded of a question that was for his smart mouth.

  “Excuse me?” I croaked, the vodka burning the inside of my nose and the back of my throat, causing my eyes to glaze over.

  “A blow job. Shot glass . . . Baileys . . . amaretto . . .” he dragged out as if he was stating the obvious.

  “Oh,” I coughed out.

  “Call your friends over. I’ll buy a round. It’s time I get to know them a little better.”

  “Hey, Jes,” I choke-shouted. “Grab Sandra and lover boy and come on over with Rick. Blake here wants to buy you guys a shot.”

  Still leaning all the way over the bar, she tore her gaze away from Rick, but left her hands clasped in his. “’Kay.”

  “What’s up, bro?” Eric slipped into the seat beside Blake, slapping him on the back. I hadn’t seen him come in.

  “Just in time.” Blake beamed. “You in the mood for a blow job?”

  “Music to my ears. It’s been a while since I had a good blow job, and if it’s coming from this fine lady,” he gestured to me with a smirk, “I’m sure it’s going to be good enough to make my knees weak.” Eric winked.

  I looked at him with disgust. “Don’t get cute.”

  “Too late, sweetheart. I’m as cute as a button, wouldn’t you agree?” His eyes twinkled with amusement. I needed to learn how to put up with him if I was planning on keeping Blake around. Awesome.

  Squinting my eyes, I pointed my finger at him, opening my mouth to spit out a witty comeback when Blake sent his palm into Eric’s chest. “Back off this one.” He wasn’t kidding and his face held no room for misinterpretation.

  “Take it down a notch, bro,” Eric defended himself. “I was only joking. I know this one’s yours. She’s just so easy to mess with.” He turned his mint green eyes back on me. “You forgive me, don’t you, sweetheart?” He smiled his flashy smile.

  “Only if you stop calling me sweetheart.” I flashed a set of sarcastic pearly whites.

  “Sure thing, Angel.” His eyes glowed with excitement at his goading.

  “Don’t push me, dude.” Blake’s face turned red, the veins in his neck visible.

  He raised his palms. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Eva. That good?”

  “There you go.” I patted Eric’s forearm, condescending, and got back to business. By the time I returned, all was well, and Blake and Eric were laughing like nothing had ever transpired between them.

  I poured the liquid that made up the dirty shot, topped it off with some whipped cream, and lined them across the bar. Jessie came bouncing over with Sandra and Jeremy, and Rick stood next to me behind the bar.

  “Ah, ah, ah. Don’t forget yours now.” Blake winked a beautifully mischievous eye.

  I rolled my eyes and turned to grab the bottles again but was handed a shot overflowing with whipped cream. Rick was far ahead of me.

  “Thanks,” I said unenthusiastically, turning back around. “Okay, guys. Who’d like a blow job?” I teased.

  “A what?” Jessie cried. Her hand came up to cover her chest, shocked at my audacity. “Eva!”

  “What?” I laughed. “Blake here wants a blow job and thinks you would all like one too, so drink up.” I raised the glass to my lips when Blake’s hand shot out to cover the glass before I could guzzle it.

  “Oh, no you don’t, babe. Not so fast.” The corner of his mouth tilted up. “I told you, there’s certain ways you have to go about consuming things.”

  My cheeks caught fire as I remembered the last thing he showed me how to consume. I didn’t want to do it again in front of an audience. He applied pressure to my hand, forcing the glass back down.

  “Everybody ready?” Blake looked around.

  Seeming to know more than the rest of us, Rick’s face split into an enormous grin.

  I hated them both.

  “Everyone put your hands behind your back.” He moved his arms behind himself and looked around, waiting for everyone to follow. Rick and Eric, enjoying every second of Blake’s show, were next to join in.

  Jessie, then Jeremy, then finally Sandra, followed suit. I looked around at them in amazement as they all stared at me, waiting for me to comply.

  “Oh, hell,” I threw my arms behind my back and stuck my tongue in my teeth, giving Blake a look that said you happy now.

  His smile told me he was delighted. “Now, lean forward and put your mouth around the glass. Pick it up, drop your head back, and swallow. On the count of three. One . . .” His eyes locked with mine. “Two . . .” I looked around at everyone gearing up to dip their heads. Were we really doing this? “Three!”

  Everyone’s heads leaned forward, and their mouths circled around their glasses.

  We were really doing this.

  Blake lifted his eyes to me, keeping his head low.

  “We’re waiting.”

  With a scowl, I lowered my head to the fluffy-filled glass and encased it with my mouth. One by one, each of us shot up, drinking down our share. White froth lined all of our mouths. I rushed to wipe mine away with the back of my hand, feeling dirty, and like everyone was seeing something private, even though in reality it was just whipped cream.

  Washing his away, Blake licked the full circle of his lips, his tongue leaving a glistening trail in its wake. Reaching across the bar, he wiped a stray piece of cream from the corner of my lips, and then stuck his finger in his mouth, licking it off. He closed his eyes as my taste invaded his senses. My belly clenched at the intimateness of the gesture.

  “Oh my god, that was so good.” Jessie fanned herself. “I think I’m turned on.”

  “Jessie!” Sandra nudged her.

  “Now there’ll be none of that talk.” The humor was gone in Rick’s voice as he leveled his gaze at her.

  “Why?” Her eyes challenged him. “It’s not like you’re interested anyway. I’m not dead. I can get turned on, and I can find a guy to take care of it for me if I want to.” Jessie puffed out her chest. “As a matter of fact,” she slipped her arm around Eric’s middle, “there seems to be quite the delicious selection tonight. What do you say, cute stuff? Wanna show me a good time?”

  “Jessie,” Rick warned, narrowing his eyes.

  “Rick,” she shot back in the same warning tone.

  Oh boy. She wasn’t playing. And she wasn’t backing down, either. Good for her. Maybe this needed to come to a head.

  Eric put his hands up. “You’re cute, sweetie, but something tells me I should stay out of this one.” Slipping out from under Jessie’s arm, he said, “Oh, would you look at that, I think I see an old girlfriend of mine. Catch you guys later.”

  Still noticeably livid, Rick glowered at Jessie. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  “Maybe we will, maybe we won’t.” She glanced in my direction, hands crossed over her chest. “Eva, I’d like another one of those please.”

  I looked over at Rick for a cue. It was his bar, after all, and he was my boss.

  With his disapproving glare pinned on her, his voice could cut ice. “Go ahead. Give it to her. Let her have her fun.”

  “Thank you.” She stuck out her chin like a rebellious child.

  He looked like he wanted to say something, but then a look of disappointment washed over him, and he turned and walked away.

  She kept her tough stance, not budging as I made her drink, but her eyes betrayed her. I knew that took more out of her than she let on.

  I slid the glass to her and leaned forward, talking as low as the atmosphere would allow to retain some form of privacy. “You okay, sweets?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Jessie took a steadying breath, waved her hand in a dismissive fashion, then spit out, “Fuck ’em. I’m gonna have a good time. It’s his loss.” She tossed her he
ad back, downing the shot. Then she looked to the end of the bar and made eye contact with Rick as her tongue darted out to lick the cream from her lips.

  Well, this was a whole different kind of Jessie.

  “Come on, Eva,” she said, still looking at him. “Give us all one more round—on me.”

  Rick shook his head and turned his back to pay attention to the other customers.

  Before I knew it, the place was clearing out and it was time to wind down. Jessie left without saying goodbye to Rick, and Sandra and Jeremy followed behind her to make sure she got home safely. I hadn’t kept tabs on Eric, but my guess was he hadn’t left empty-handed.

  Blake tossed a twenty dollar bill on the bar. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

  I nodded and made quick work of cleaning up and counting the drawer.

  I eyed Rick. “I don’t know what that was all about, but she really likes you, ya know? It would be a shame to let a good thing slip away. I can tell you’re a decent guy, and I’m sure you could do far worse.”

  Rick looked over at me as if I’d broken him out of a trance. I put up my hands. “Just an observation.” With that, I slung my bag over my shoulder. “Night, Rick.”

  “Night, Eva. Get home safe,” he replied catatonically. “Oh, and Eva . . .”

  I twirled around. “Yeah?”

  “I could say the same to you.” He cocked an eyebrow at me.

  I paused, briefly taken aback. Not knowing how to answer, I simply nodded, ducked my head, and walked out of the bar. Shaking that off, I smiled up at Blake and slipped my hand into his. “Come on, Romeo. Walk me home.”

  “If you insist.” His dimple smiled down at me, and I wondered for the hundredth time what that divot would feel like beneath my fingertips.

  I looked down at my feet, biting my lip and trying to figure out how to start the conversation, planning out the words in my head before I lost the nerve. “About last night . . . It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known what you did. I thought about what you said and it made sense. If we’re going to be spending time together—and based on the fact you just won’t go away, I suspect we will—then you’re going to have to be aware of some of my,” I gulped, “triggers.”