Page 21 of Barker

“Oh well then, by all means,” Vienna replies. I start to place the drinks in front of the girls, but I never move from Annistyn’s side. When I lean over her to pass a drink, I brush against Annistyn. The slight intake of breath doesn’t go unnoticed by me. All I can do is think to myself, ‘Yes, just what I needed. There’s still a chance.’

After I leave the table, I can hear the girls whispering and I know I hear my name. I smirk to myself, but it’s short-lived. When I step back behind the bar, my eyes fall on the table and I see the preppy guys now standing around the table. That little green monster starts to rear its ugly head. You’ve got to be kidding me?

My mood has plummeted throughout the night. The guys have taken up seats at the table with the girls. I’ve watched them from the corner of my eye, and every time Annistyn laughs, it carries to me and makes my heart squeeze a little tighter. Halfway through the shift, Talon plays a song on the jukebox,Jealousby Nick Jonas. I glare at him and he chuckles and says, “Seemed to fit.” He shrugs his shoulders as he chuckles to himself. Mentally, I make a note that maybe the prospect doesn’t deserve a patch, then I shake it off. That’s not true or fair. Talon will be one of us soon enough.

I roll my eyes and continue making drinks. All the girls except Annistyn have been up and dancing, even though Sinner’s Den doesn’t really have a dance floor, but for whatever reason, she just sits in her chair and watches them with a smile on her face. God, she’s gorgeous. I’d give anything to walk over there right now and pull her into my arms and claim those lips. The music changes and the girls on the makeshift dance floor all clap with glee. I have to laugh at them.Sweet Little Somethin’byJason Aldeanstarts up and I watch as Vienna rushes over and drags Annistyn with her to the middle of the floor.

I watch as all the girls line up and start to line dance. Now, I’ll admit I used to live in the country basically, I like country music, but never once have I thought line dancing was sexy. But watching Annistyn. Damn! I think it just became my new favorite dance. By the middle of the song, she’s let loose and is really enjoying herself. Her cheeks are flushed from the dancing, her smile is wide and genuine. I can’t take my eyes off her. My mind wanders to where she learned to do that in Los Angeles?

After the line dance, I watch as Annistyn slips away to the restroom. I give it some time before I call for a short break. I’m standing in the hallway when Annistyn opens the door. She clutches her chest. “Goodness, you scared the hell out of me, Barker.”

I step toward her, eliminating the space between us. “Did I?” She just nods. “Well, I’m sorry, darlin’ it wasn’t my intention. I just wanted a moment alone with you.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she says quietly.

I slip my fingers under her chin and tilt her chin up so that her eyes have to meet mine. “Why is that?” Her chest rises and falls a little faster than a moment before. Heat fills her cheeks and her eyes search mine but I’m not sure what they’re searching for.

“Because of the wannabe porn star that you left with five days ago,” she lashes out. I see the jealousy dancing in her eyes. She squares her shoulders and stands a little taller. Those walls she keeps around herself in a form of protection are fully in place now.

“You should really get the facts before you assume something, darlin’.”

Annistyn rolls her eyes. “Oh really? Well, you left with her… five days ago, so what was I supposed to think?”

“Fact one, she is a porn star. Fact two, I escorted her out of my bar, but I didn’t leave with her,” I tell her.

“Okay, yeah, sure. I totally believe that Barker Tobin, bad boyextraordinaire,left out of a bar with a porn star, but he didn’t leave with her. What do you think I am? Dumb?” she says sarcastically. Her head slightly shakes in disgust.

Each sarcastic word is like a punch to the gut. I mean, I know that my reputation isn’t the best. I know most people would think the exact same thing that she is saying, but to hear her tell me that—I step back. “No, I never thought you were dumb, but I did think you wouldn’t be so quick to judge. I thought you’d be different.” I turn away and walk away from her.

“Barker,” Annistyn calls after me.

I shake my head but I stop. I can hear the guilt in her voice. “Don’t worry about it. See you later.” I return to the bar, but I don’t have a hard time keeping my eyes to myself anymore. My reputation will precede me regardless, and I was stupid to think I could have a girl like Annistyn.

****

Annistyn

I stand in the hallway much longer than I had intended, but the hurt that flashed through Barker’s eyes and the way his words were laced with regret and disappointment, made me question things. Maybe, Barker wasn’t always the bad boy I believed. Maybe, it was an act to keep people away or to keep him from getting hurt. I’m still standing there when Vienna heads down the hall toward me. “Hey, is everything okay? I saw Barker come down this way and he came back out, but you didn’t.”

I shrug. “I’m fine.”

Vienna cocks her head to the side and glares at me. “Don’t lie to me.”

“It’s your birthday. Let’s just go have some fun.”

I turn to walk away, but she grabs my arm. “Nope, not happening. It is my birthday and what I want is for you to talk to me. Besides, we’ve had fun all night long.”

“Vienna…” I whine.

She holds her hand up to silence me. “Talk or we can’t leave.” I give in, like I always do, and explain what happened between Barker and me. “Well, that explains why he looks like a sad puppy right now.”

“What?” I ask.

“Look, I know Barker has a reputation, but that doesn’t mean he is his reputation. Lots of people have reputations for other reasons. Here’s the thing, you two have mad chemistry and I know y’all are into each other, but one of y’all are always fighting it. I know your past, but you can’t judge Barker based on what’s happened with other people. From the way he was acting tonight, I’m thinking he is probably ready to give this a try, but the question is—are you?” Vienna gives me a questioning look. Was I ready to give Barker a chance?

Twenty

Annistyn

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