Page 6 of The Lost and the Found

Something like envy slithered in my chest. I looked away. It wasn’t that I was drawn to the expensive car, it was that I was drawn to any car. Any would do, even if it was older than me. As long as it ran, I would be happy. But cars required money and a good credit. Both of which I lacked.

What I wouldn’t give to not have to ride the bus or walk everywhere. Especially during Chicago winters.

* * *

I wasn’t botheredwhen I got to work an hour early. Sometimes, if it was busy, I would be asked to clock in early. That meant extra money. And if it wasn’t, I used the time to brush up on my reading.

I worked at Off The Grid, a small bar located conveniently just a few blocks away from both my apartment and the University of Chicago. The money was great on a busy night, but I loved it more for the fact that I could walk to and from work. Not having a car meant that I was pretty limited when it came to jobs, so I was glad I came across this place.

When I walked in, I could already tell it was going to be a slower night, which meant I wouldn’t need to clock in until my actual shift.I took a seat in an empty booth and pulled out my book. I could hear the soft music coming out of the speakers. Dave, the owner’s brother and manager, liked to play the music based on how many people we had in here. The more customers he had, the louder and more upbeat the music got.

I waved when I caught sight of him. It looked like he was going to be my bartending partner for the night. He was one of the nice ones, giving me the job when no one else would. He was probably the closest thing I had to a friend.

I was able to get some reading done for about forty-five minutes before all the noise started to get to me. It may have been slow, but it was still a bar. I closed my book and shoved it back into my bag. Then I headed to the back to get ready for my shift.

Some of the girls were getting ready in the staff room when I got there. They were all servers. And when they saw me, they all quieted down.

I smiled, showing teeth, and making sure to make eye contact with each and every one of them. They each gave me a small smile of their own, but it was all forced, making my smile widen a fraction.

“Ladies,” I said.

“Hayden,” Isabel said. She was at the center of the group, the so-called leader of the pack.

I met her eyes as I passed her on the way to my locker. I pulled out my uniform and stuck my bag in there, making sure to lock it. Then I walked to the bathroom to change for the night.

* * *

I waswrong about how tonight was going to go. Dead wrong.

At about a quarter past eight, we had a rush, and I hadn’t stopped working since. From making drinks for the many people crowding the bar, to making drinks for the customers at tables, it was hectic. And with only two bartenders, I was running all over the place.

“I need a gin and tonic,” Isabel said, coming up to the bar. I made a sign with my hand to show that I heard her and went back to making a martini for one of the patrons who had been shooting daggers at my back.

“Hayden, I need it now.”

“Hold on,” I said just as I grabbed some fresh olives.

“Now!”

I turned to her, my face, I was sure, showing the anger I felt building up. She took a timid step back, but it was too late. I was pissed and needed to take it out on someone. Luckily, Dave stepped in before I could say another word.

“I got it, Hayden. Why don’t you finish making that drink and help out the gentleman that just walked in?”

I let out a small sigh, trying to calm down, and nodded, turning my back on them to finish making the martini. I handed the glass to the lady. She took a sip and smiled at me.I guess alcohol had that effect on people.

I smiled back and searched for the man Dave was talking about, my steps faltering when I was met with familiar hazel eyes.

I slowly walked to him. “Are you following me?”

He frowned, like he was truly confused. But it couldn’t possibly be a coincidence that I’d run into him this manytimes in one day.

“No, I’m not. Although I am glad to see you here.” He smiled at me, and it was possibly the most beautiful smile I ever had directed at me.

I didn’t trust that smile one bit.

When I didn’t say anything, he sighed and motioned for me to come closer. I complied, only because it was hard to hear with the music blasting.

I could smell a faint hint of body wash, mint, coffee, and what I was sure was his natural scent. Surprisingly, I found it to be quite alluring. I unconsciously leaned in a little more before I realized what I was doing and paused. I looked up and met his eyes. He smiled at me, like he knew exactly what I was doing. I averted my gaze to the white button-up shirt he was wearing, his suit jacket and tie noticeably absent. He looked even bigger now with his tanned, thick forearms on display, along with a few veins bulging out from beneath the skin.

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