Page 24 of Darlin'

"Ooof." Poe smiles, licking his chapped lips. "Say it again."

"Drink your fucking bourdon and shut up," Marlow says, scowling as she grabs my wrist and drags me back behind the bar. "Ignore those idiots. They're regulars. Wannabe bikers. Harmless but annoying as fuck. If you keep pouring, they'll be happy. Just make sure that"—she raises her voice, yelling at drunk and drunker—"they pay!"

"Does that happen often?" I ask, swallowing. "Them not paying?"

"Less now since JP put up that sign." Marlow points to a handwritten note above the cash register. "Pay or die."

I blink. "That's a joke, right? He wouldn't actually kill someone over ten bucks, would he?"

Marlow shrugs. "Don't know. Everyone's been paying lately."

"Oh, well, that's good." I swallow, my gaze bouncing across the hips of all the patrons scattered in the bar. Holy Moses, I feel like I'm in Texas right now. There are enough guns in here to start a small militia. "So, um...what do I do?"

"Bartend," Marlow says with aduhexpression. "I'll be on the floor. You stay behind the bar. I'll leave the orders over here." She taps the rubber place mat. "Try to be fast, okay? You don't wanna keep these guys waiting." She nods at the register. "It's cash only. Prices are on theboard." She clicks her tongue as a group of bikers enters the bar. "Get ready. These fuckers look thirsty."

They aren't thirsty.

They areparched.

Never in my life have I seen so much alcohol consumed in such a short period of time. Jager bombs. Beer. Shots. Heck, one 'em even ordered a tequila sunrise. I had to look up the recipe, but I'm fairly certain I could've given the man a glass of orange juice, and he wouldn't have noticed the difference.

With a sheen of sweat on my forehead, I yawn as I pour the umpteenth pint of lager and set it on the mat.

"Damn, princess." Jesse thumps down on the bar stool in front of me, grinning as he scans my exhausted face. "You look rough."

"I amsotired," I whine, wiggling my toes for pain relief. "And my feet hurt."

"Nuh-uh." He lets out a smug chuckle. "You're not allowed to complain. I warned you, didn't I?"

"I think I can literally hear my feet screaming at me.” I rest my elbows on the counter, dropping my head into my palms. "Is it time to go home yet? I want a nice, long bubble bath."

"Soon—"

Jesse's cut off by a feminine scoff. "'Sup, Paxton. Here for a drink?"

I lift my head up to find a stunning black-haired woman standing beside him.

"Andy," Jesse grunts, sucking in a sharp breath of air. "You're late."

"Whoops," she says, slamming her purse on thecounter. "Won't happen again.So sorry." Her jaw locks as she looks over the bar at me. "Who's this?"

"That's Savannah. Rad's sister," Jesse explains curtly, standing up and creating space between him and Andy. "She's working days while she waits for the boys to come back."

"Oh," Andy hums, unimpressed, as she flips her long hair over her shoulder. Ignoring my presence, she bats her lashes. "You got plans later tonight?" She cocks her head. "I'm off at midnight."

"Busy," Jesse says, clearing his throat. He nods at me. "Babysitting duties."

Andy blanches. "What do you mean by that?"

"Let's go home," Jesse states, much to my relief. He holds his arm out, gesturing to the exit as I circle the bar. "After you."

"JP!" Andy calls out as I lethargically follow Jesse out of the bar. Holy moly, I am more beat than a lumpy mattress. "Jesse!"

"You're being a tad rude, aren't you?" I mumble, suppressing a yawn. "Clearly, she wants to chat with you."

"Tough shit," Jesse says dryly. "Chick needs to learn the word 'no.'"

"Jesse!" Andy hollers in a frustrated tone. "Are you fucking kidding me? Fine! Leave! Fuck if I care! Have fun withthat."

---