Page 2 of Served
“He’s always salty, don’t worry about him. Let’s finish these and go grab a bite to eat,” I said trying to ease the tension.
Rick took another big swig and looked at me without skipping a beat and said, “I thought you said you were going on some new diet.”
Amy choked on her beer, and some spilled out onto her shirt. She had a look in her eye that she was about to unleash the hounds of hell onto him. I caught her eye and lightly shook my head. He wasn’t worth her energy.
“Oh yeah, well ya know, you’re right. I shouldn’t be having these beers, either. In fact, maybe I need to cut down on the socializing altogether until I’m fit to be seen in public. Here,” I tossed a ten-dollar bill at him as my voice dripped with sarcasm, “thanks for the beer. Good night.” Amy and I got up and headed to the ladies’ room.
“What the hell, where do you even find these losers?” Amy asked as she stood at the sink and patted a wet paper towel on her shirt. I shrugged my shoulders. I certainly had a beacon that attracted jerks. I wasn’t looking for anything serious since I wanted to focus on my career in music. But was it so much to ask for a normal guy to casually date?
Rick didn’t have any issues with my weight when he had me bent over the edge of his bed. Before him there was John with his need to psychoanalyze everything and everyone. And I couldn’t forget Sam. Oh Sam. He was beautiful, but about as sharp as a tennis ball and a little too possessive. Total jock-on-steroid vibes, but so, so beautiful.
Rick did me a favor. He wasn’t ugly but not winning any “hottest men” contests and certainly no personality contests. He did have a great job, so he didn’t mind paying for things, but I didn’t need money. I had my own money and some serious dreams for my music. I really just needed a warm body from time to time, but even that always came at a cost.
“You don’t need to diet, why did he even say that?” Amy asked as she finished wiping her shirt.
“He’s an idiot. I mentioned a friend lost some weight on keto and she looked great. I guess he interpreted that as me wanting to do it, but girl I love me some Blue Moon and fries.”
We both laughed and looked at our phones for the time. We nodded in agreement that he should have gotten the hint by now and left so it would be safe to go back to the bar. Sure enough, when we walked out, Rick was out of sight.
“Hey, can we get two Blue Moons down here?” I yelled down the bar. Jaz was helping someone, so Jason came back, not as slow this time.
I pulled some bills out and passed them to Jason as he slid our bottles over. He pushed the cash back to me.
“Well, hell has frozen over ladies and gents, Jason just did a nice gesture! Are you ok, do you need to lay down?” Amy asked sarcastically.
“If you’re gonna be obnoxious I’ll take it. I saw you lose your beer and head to the bathroom and Jaz cleared off the bottles since you weren’t here, but whatever.”
I pushed the money back across, “I appreciate the free beer but at least take the tip.”
He waved his hand again without taking any cash and slinked away to the other side of the bar.
“My God he needs a doctor to pull the stick out of his ass, or a lady to ride his joystick. Or,” Amy said with a touch of sarcasm and pure curiosity, “maybe he enjoys a good stick in his ass?” We both laughed so hard the whole bar stopped and stared at us.
“Shhhh, oh my God let’s not piss him off! I don’t want him to ruin my shot with the band!”
Amy took another swig and leaned in and quietly spoke, “Okay, you’re right. But seriously, why is he always so, blah? And I never hear him talk about anyone or hit on girls at the bar. He’s a good-looking guy, just so damn uptight.”
I took a drink but turned my head to look down the end of the bar. Jason was a good-looking guy. He was really hot actually. He sported a thick but short beard over a square jaw and full lips that seemed soft, even though he never smiled. His hair was dirty blonde, and the cut was short, but enough I could grab a handful. Sometimes he wore a Braves hat, but plenty of nights he didn’t. His eyes were darker, depending on the lighting, and set under a prominent brow. Tall, surely over six feet as he towered over my five foot four inches. Wide shoulders and he had some massive muscles. He always wore jeans and a plain t-shirt. My favorite was the grey t-shirt. It hugged him just enough you could see his huge guns for arms and his rock-hard chest, but loose enough he didn’t look like a high school weightlifter, purposefully showing off his muscles. He was eye-candy, there was no denying that, but he was always so moody.
“Do you think maybe something made him that way?” I asked.
Amy put her bottle down and looked at me sideways. “Like, he had a hard life, or someone broke his heart?”
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t know what I meant. I just couldn’t imagine why he was always like that. It’s one thing to have a bad day, but he was like that every day.
“Girl, look at the time,” Amy said as she glanced at her phone. “I’m headed to The Lounge to meet this girl from Tinder. Don’t wait up but be ready tomorrow by ten am so we can go shopping,” Amy said as she finished her beer and pulled me in for a quick hug. She never had her dates meet here because she didn’t want stalkers showing up at our hangout spot if it didn’t end well.
I pulled the music for the audition from my bag and read over it. Jaz came and asked if I needed another beer, so I figured why not? I didn’t have station work tomorrow and it was still early. I asked for a basket of fries, too, because I sent the fat shamer home and still needed dinner.
It was a busy Friday night at the club, and I was eating fries and drinking alone thanks to that jerk of a date, Rick. I sat nibbling on the fries and having more beer than I should. I was so focused on reading the music between scrolling on my phone I didn’t realize how late it had become. Jaz came over and started wiping down the bar.
“Hey honey, we’re getting ready to close it down. Do you need me to call a cab or anything?”
I knew that’s how she told folks nicely you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here. I waved her off and pulled some cash out for her. I lived a short walk, and it was pretty well lit. Perks of living so close to campus.
I shoved the music sheets back in my bag and stood to go the ladies’ room before I left. That’s when the buzz really hit me. I stumbled a bit but quickly got my footing. Although, I heard some giggles from a couple of girls walking past.College girls.I straightened up and headed to the ladies’ room because as short as the walk was to my apartment, it would be no match for the full bladder I had.
I lingered for a few in the bathroom, looking at myself in the terrible mirrors and poor lighting. Maybe I did need to go on a diet? I stood sideways and brushed my hand down over my belly, then turned to face the mirror head on again, cocking my hip to the side. No.You’re fine, Lucy. Rick was an idiot. I shook off the momentary lapse in confidence, flipped my curls over my shoulder, and finally left the confines of the ladies’ room. But I was moving too fast as I came out the door.
