Page 4 of A Biker for Noelle
More people are filtering into the bar, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Shelly, the new girl we hired last week, is nowhere to be seen. I look at Charlie. “Where the fuck is Shelly?”
“Not here and not in Ember Falls.” Charlie starts clearing empty bottles from a nearby table. “From what Dave told Lisa, who told me, she has done up and left that piece of shit man of hers for a tall, dark-haired trucker who was passing through town.”
I shake my head. Living in a small town means you can bank on gossip spreading like wildfire, and secrets are hard to keep. Somewhere, someone is always watching.
It’s a good thing we never take the HELP WANTED sign down, not that it does us any good tonight.
As my attention shifts across the room, I notice a woman entering the bar. Her long, dark hair cascades down her back in waves, framing her face. Her gaze nervously surveys the room. I can’t tear my eyes away as she checks around, a slight frown on her face before momentarily, her eyes lock onto mine, sucking all the air out of the room and sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. The spell is broken the moment her gaze shifts toward the bar.What the fuck was that?
I watch as she makes her way to the bar. She leans against the counter and grabs Brewer’s attention. He leans close to her—too close for my liking—and smiles. I don’t like it.
I watch intently as Brewer points in my direction. She turns her head, and our eyes meet again. As she makes her way toward me, I can’t help but notice the way she fidgets and looks nervous, as if unsure of herself and her surroundings.
She hesitantly stops and stands before me, her eyes reflecting uncertainty. “I, um... spotted the HELP WANTED sign outside,” she murmurs softly. “The gentleman at the bar referred me to you.” Her gaze unwaveringly stays fixed on me.
Rooster chuckles. “Brewer, a gentleman?” He shakes his head and pushes off the wall. “Gotta drain the lizard.” He disappears down the nearby hallway.
I eye the hazel-eyed beauty. “How old are you, sweetheart? Can’t be hirin’ or entertainin’ no minors in this establishment.”
She holds my gaze with determination. “Old enough to walk in here and ask for a job.” Her bold yet nervous response further ignites my curiosity.
“Do you have any experience?”
“I’m a quick learner,” she promptly replies.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” I inquire.
“Noelle,” she says with a little twang.
Noelle.
“Where are you from, Noelle?” I strain to place her accent.
“Texas.”
“You’re a long way from home, sugar,” Poet adds as he stands with his guitar. “If it were up to me, I’d hire ya. We could use another pretty face around here.” He winks at Noelle, and it makes me want to put my size thirteen boot up his ass. And to make matters worse, Poet notices my slight irritation, which never happens, before he strolls off toward the stage, smirking.
“Come on, Eazy. I could use the help,” Charlie pleads as the band starts to play and the crowd grows louder. “Please,” she begs, drawing out the word.
I nod and lean back in my chair, studying Noelle carefully. I know nothing about this woman besides her name and where she is from, but I can see desperation in her eyes. “Can you start tonight?”
“Yes,” she says eagerly.
“We will discuss permanent employment tomorrow if you make it through the night. Charlie here…” I wave her forward, “… will show you the ropes.”
Charlie hands our new girl the cluster of empty beer bottles she had in her hands. “Don’t worry. You’ve got this. Oh, and fair warning… sometimes these men can get a little grabby, and if that happens, you just?—”
“You tell me,” I let out a possessive growl.
CHAPTER THREE
Noelle
After assisting Charlie for a brief moment, I briskly wipe my hands on my jeans and inform her, “I need to grab my phone. I left it in my car.” I use this excuse to check on Zack and update him on the situation.
“Sure thing, Babe. Come find me when you’re done, and I’ll finish showing you the ropes,” she says with a warm smile as she heads across the bar with a tray of beers.
I swiftly navigate through the lively crowd and step out of the bar, feeling the chilly night air envelop me, causing me to shiver. With quick steps, I hurry across the dimly lit parking lot to my car, where I find my brother engrossed in playing a game on his phone.
