Page 16 of SnapShot

Charlie: So tonight then?

Haedyn: Tonight. I get off at 8.

The nerves flying around in my stomach are overwhelming. I don’t know why though. He’s already seen all the goods, including the forever embarrassing loss of consciousness, and he still wants to see me. That’s got to stand for something, right?

“Earth to Haedyn. Table six has been waiting for ten minutes to give you their drink order.” David’s voice sounds more clipped and demanding than usual. I don’t think the man even has a temper, but this must be as close as it gets.

“Shit. Okay. I’m going.”

“Make it quick,” he snaps.

“Okay, David. I got it.” What crawled up his ass this morning? Geez. Maybe he needs to get laid. I make a mental note to ask Kate about it later.

“Hey guys, my name is Haedyn, and I’ll be your server tonight. What is everybody drinking?”

After I returned to the table with the drinks, I think they were happy and not contemplating burning the place down. Usually my customers never wait on me that long. What has gotten into me? I’ve got to get a handle on this whole Charlie situation before I lose my job and get into even more money trouble.

Speaking of money, I need to check on my clients on SnapShot. Repeat clients are always a reliable source for extra cash. Maybe Rick will be interested, but I told Charlie that I get off at 8. Hopefully he won’t get to my house until after I get some pictures posted. He said he didn’t mind me having the account, but I still don’t want to make him uncomfortable by him having to watch me take the pictures.

I open the app to send a quick message to Rick. He’s always more than ready for new content.

Haedyn: Miss me yet, big guy?

Rick: Always. When can I get some new pictures?

Haedyn: I’m at work right now, but I can send some when I get home if you tell me what you want.

Rick: You know what I like. Revealing and red.

Perfect. I’m already wearing a red thong and bra. I’m sure they will do.

***

The rest of the shift was more of the same. David being somewhat of a dick, and the patio staying packed all night. Sure, the work isn’t hard, but after being on my feet for ten hours, I’m beat. Mentally and physically. Driving home only takes about fifteen minutes, yet the need for some music to reset my brain is more than necessary. Behind the wheel with no one else in the car is the time I give myself to let everything out. I can scream, cry, swerve, hit the dash, whatever I need to do for however long it takes to get it all out.

Talking about my feelings has never been my strong suit. When my parents bailed, Grams put me in therapy to try to keep me from closing in on myself, but all that did was make me shut all the way down. I sat in that office once a week for two months, refusing to talk until finally, she gave up on me just like my parents. It was fine, though, because I much preferred to keep all that ugly shit buried, anyway. Kate and Grams became my only people after that. Everyone else just pegged me as a cold-hearted bitch, and that was fine with me, so long as they left me the fuck alone. Just how I like to be. Alone. Until now, it seems.

I’ve never had a guy spend the night at my place before, especially after only one date. But fuck it. I’m doing it. It’s time that I get to do what I want without apologizing for it. Welcome to the villain era.

Rock music mixed in with some punk and emo feeds the bad bitch mentality. When that drop hits, I can’t help but sling my hair around and smile without restraint. Turning onto the gravel road that is my driveway, I can’t for the life of me remember the actual drive home. The only way I know the time passed is based on the number of songs that played on the way, but I can’t remember stopping at the lights or anything else. Autopilot was working overtime to get me here safely. Shrugging it off, I delay killing the engine so I can hear the last note of one of my favorite songs.

My plan to send Rick some pictures is ruined when I step into the glow of headlights behind me as Charlie pulls in. But I have an idea to save it, depending on how Charlie feels about it.

I hear the truck door shut and a cat call whistle come from his driver’s side as he makes his way to me. Within seconds of being in his reach, I’m caged against the frame of my 1995 Ford Bronco. The predatory look in his eyes promises a good time, but before I let this get too far, he needs to know that I have some work to do.

Seeing Red

nine

Seeing Red

Haedyn

“So, what do you think?” I cover my eyes in an attempt to avoid his reaction and hide my fear of an embarrassing rejection.

“I’m in,” is all he says as holds open the front door for me, but I’m rooted to the spot like that dog from the movie who gets his nuts frozen to the porch. “Well are you going to stand there gawking at me, or are we going to get to work, slacker?”

This jolts me back to the present as I show him the way to my room. “Okay, I guess you can hang out in here while I get ready.”

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