Page 6 of Barker

“Why not? I mean, look at this face,” I tell him, holding Augustus up in his face while I pout.

He drops his head back and curses. “Okay, okay we’ll try it.”

I knew I’d win.I mean, honestly, how can you not love Augustus? “So how was your day?” I ask, now that Talon’s playing with him.

“Good, but super busy. Hey, I found an interesting fact today that you might be interested in.”

“What’s that?” I ask him.

“Sinner’s Den, the Sons of Sin bar, is looking for waitresses. You could apply,” he tells me.

I shake my head. “I think us working that close together and sharing an apartment would be too much.”

Talon looks disappointed. “Okay, I won’t push it, but please know that it’s a possibility and you should consider it. It’ll get you out of that sleazy club.”

“I’ll think about it.” I go to bed thinking about it. I do my homework thinking about it, and I go to visit my dad the next day, thinking about it with every intention of applying for the job. Sinner’s Den is so busy, I’m sure I’d make great tips. I could request to work any weeknight and any time on the weekends so it’d still work with my classes and visiting dad. This is going to be great.

Six

Barker

There’s no way I’ve been asleep for more than an hour, shit, that’s barely a nap. Work was crazy busy, but Talon mentioned that Annistyn was interested in applying for a waitress position and asked if I’d be okay with it. Inside I was way too excited, but I kept my body and response calm. However, the rest of the night I had messed up more than I should have because my mind was elsewhere. She was distracting and I needed to get my shit together, because if I didn’t, I’d end up closing the bar with all my little mistakes. I’d end up costing us more money than we were making because of my distraction. If I was this distracted by just hearing she was interested in working here, then how was I going to stay focused on my job if she’s working beside me?

I’m wide awake now and my stomach grumbles in hunger. There’s one little truck stop diner heading out of town that is open twenty-four seven, and it looks like that’s where I’m going. I don’t pay much attention to what I grab before heading out to my bike. For some reason, it’s calling to me tonight. The idea of the open road, the wind whipping past me, the freedom that the bike allows me. I start to climb on when the sky rumbles above me.

Of course, there’s a storm trying to move in. I place my helmet back and walk over to my car. I should see if Gunner is awake and wants to grab some food. I sit there, my phone in my hand, and debate on whether or not I want company. In the end, I toss my phone aside and start my car and make my way through town.

I’m halfway to the diner when I spot her. Half her hair is pinned back, her face clean of all makeup, and she’s dressed in sweats and a large t-shirt with a pair of flip flops. I scan the area trying to figure out what in the world she’s doing out here by herself this time of night.

I pull up beside her and she goes into high alert and I notice her gripping something in her hand. When she recognizes the car, her entire demeanor changes; her shoulders relax and she smirks. I roll my window down. “Well, well, if it isn’t the speed princess.”

“Romeo,” she says, with a roll of her eyes.

I chuckle. “What are you doing out here so late at night?”

She squares her shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing. Looking for your next harlot?” Now, it’s my turn to smirk. Clearly, she knows my reputation, but I can tell she doesn’t like it. Right now, I don’t like it. “I suggest you look somewhere else.”

“Harlot?” I ask. I hadn’t heard that term since my granddaddy passed away.

She raises her eyebrows. “It’s another term for hooker.”

I laugh. “Well, I certainly didn’t think you were trying to be a harlot dressed like that.” She scoffs, and for a moment I think I’ve offended her. She’s one tough cookie to figure out. A bark comes from the darkness followed by a puppy. I put the car in park while Annistyn bends down to grab the dog. As I get out, I say, “Who is this cutie?” I reach out and pet his head.

“This is Augustus.” She watches as I stroke the dog. “I didn’t know you were a dog person.”

“Oh Annistyn, there’s a lot you don’t know about me,” I tell her with a wink.

“Ugh! You just had to go and ruin the moment, didn’t you?” she teases me, and I like it. No girl ever teases me, they all just fall to my beck and call but this… it’s different.

I shrug while I tuck my hands inside my front pockets. “What can I say, I have a talent for it.”

“I’d say,” she snips back.

“So, you never answered my question.”

Annistyn laughs and I watch as her eyes crinkle. “I thought that’d be obvious,” she says, holding up Augustus. “What about you, Romeo? Or are you, in fact, looking for a harlot?”

“Hell no,” I laugh. “Woke up, couldn’t get back to sleep, so I decided to go grab some food.”

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