Page 5 of A Biker for Noelle
I tap on the window to gain his attention. He looks up, flashes a smile, and then unlocks and opens the door.
“Hey, buddy,” I say as I squat down to his level. “You okay?”
“Yeah. How much longer will you be?” Zack asks.
“I got the job,” I say with a beaming smile. “They need help, so I’m starting tonight. Would you be okay with sitting here for a little bit while I make us some money?”
Zack shrugs. “I guess.”
Leaving him out here alone isn’t ideal, but neither is taking him into the bar. Plus, I haven’t informed my new boss about Zack. “I’ll be back to check on you really soon. Keep the doors locked, got it?”
Zack nods. “Got it.”
I give him a quick hug and then close the door and wait to hear the doors lock before heading back inside the bar.
When it comes to bars, I always picture the seedy, holes-in-the-wall type places Rob would frequent. Brewer’s is nothing like that. Sure, some of its patrons are a bit rough around the edges, but the bar itself has an easygoing feel about it. The soft glowing lights mixed with the rustic yet modern interior are impressive.
On one side of the bar, you have an array of chairs and sofas for lounging, along with several pool tables. On the opposite side is a stage for live music that’s surrounded by tables. By the looks of the place, there is no question the owner takes pride in his establishment.
I never thought I’d entertain the thought of working in a bar, considering my history with Zack’s dad and the fact I’ve been called more times than I can count to pick him up from whatever seedy joint he was being kicked out of, but at the end of the day, I’ll do anything for my brother.
I couldn’t believe my luck when Eazy offered me a job. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about serving drinks, but even though the crowd has a few rough-looking men, the patrons are kind and respectful. When a couple of guys were getting handsy or flirty, one look from my new boss and their attitude changed. I wasn’t lying when I said I had no experience but was willing to learn. I’m lucky someone was willing to take a chance on me.
First impressions of Eazy had me second-guessing my decision to walk into Brewer’s. The man is at least six-foot-four tall and has dark hair, broad shoulders, and ink-covered arms. Eazy has an air of authority about him. He’s gruff and speaks with a no-nonsense tone, but whenever he addresses me, his demeanor softens. And God, how he watches me with emerald green eyes that set my nerves on edge. Never in my life have I had a man look at me the way my new boss does, and I don’t know what to think of it. My lack of experience with men has me unable to make heads or tails of the pull between us. Then again, the tension could all be one-sided.
I glance over my shoulder at the bar to find Eazy pinning me with his heavy gaze. My stomach fills with butterflies.What kind of name is Eazy anyway?I’ve found myself wondering more than once about his peculiar name. Same with his friend, Brewer. My eyes drift across his face, then wander down, where his T-shirt stretches tight across his chest. I don’t miss the tattoos that peek out beneath the collar and travel upward against the column of his neck. I watch the muscles in his arms flex as he braces the weight of his body against the bar. Even from twenty feet away, I can see his knuckles turning white from his grip on the bar’s edge. That visual brings my attention back up to his face. My mouth parts slightly with a gasp, noting the feral expression pinning me in place. Suddenly, I can’t breathe, move or think.
“Excuse me, little lady.”
I’m shaken out of my trance when I feel a tap on my shoulder. “Yes?” I regard the older gentlemen sitting at a table to my left.
“One of those mine?” He jerks his chin to the tray.
“Oh, my goodness.” I rush to set his beer down in front of him. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
The old man chuckles. “No worries, young lady.” He takes a swig of his drink. “It’s your first night. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Is it that obvious?” I wince.
“Not at all. I’m here almost every night, and the first I’m seeing you. You’re doin’ a fine job, darlin’.” The old man pulls out his wallet and drops a few bills on my tray.
The man’s easygoing demeanor makes me smile, and I relax.
“Keep doin’ what you’re doin’, and bring me another one in about twenty minutes.”
“You got it.” I leave the old man to enjoy his beer in peace and go about delivering the rest of my orders.
Luckily, when I make my way back up front, Eazy is busy with a customer at the opposite end of the bar.
“I saw you chattin’ with Harold.” Charlie sidles in beside me and plops down on a stool.
“Harold?” I question.
Charlie nods toward the older man I was talking to a minute ago. “That’s Harold. He’s a sweetheart. He’s here almost every night.”
I smile. “Oh. He was nice to me after he caught me zoned out like a dufus.”
“Hmm…” Charlie smirks. “I saw.”
