Page 10 of Filthy Hot

Moving toward the front office, I let myself inside of the room and smile at the sight of Ophelia, one of the owners, sitting behind the desk. She lifts her head from her sudoku book that she’s working on and grins as soon as her eyes find mine.

“How can I help you, Kyle?” she asks.

I want to hug her. She’s got short light brown hair with long gray roots. It’s clear that she’s trying to grow it all out. And when it does become one color, it’s going to be beautiful.

“I was wondering if there was a taxi or an Uber here. I need a ride to Sal’s Bar,” I say.

Her brow arches, and she seems almost suspicious. “What exactly are you doing at Sal’s Bar?” she asks.

I hum, unsure of why she’s asking the way that she is, but I answer her anyway. “I’m going to start waitressing there tonight.”

Ophelia sets her sudoku down. Then she leans over the counter before she whispers, “Is that all you’re going to be doing there?”

“As far as I know…” I reply, my words trailing off because I’m not sure what she’s implying, but I assume it has to do with the mystery women, like Bren, who are there somewhere in the building. “Why?” I ask.

Maybe if I can get her to tell me, it will assuage my curiosity to snoop.

Doubtful, but maybe.

“There are other positions down there. I didn’t think you would want to do them, but I never know these days.”

Smiling, I shake my head a few times. “Just serving beers to people in the bar,” I say.

“I can take you down there.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” I say. “I have to get a gas can, too, and go to my car. It’s too many errands to impose on you.”

She laughs softly, though it’s not super soft. There is a rasp to it, like she’s smoked half a pack a day since she was a teenager. She probably has. I watch as she reaches for her purse beneath the counter, then stands and heads toward the door.

“But doesn’t someone have to man the counter?” I ask.

She snorts. “Honey, you’re the only one here right now. C’mon.”

I follow behind her. She locks the office door as soon as I step out onto the sidewalk and makes her way to the only car in the parking lot. It’s a big old Pontiac, gold. It’s freaking perfect.

Opening the passenger door with a loud creak, I can’t help but smile as I sink down in the front seat. This car is amazing, and it fits her to a T.

“I kept it long enough that it’s vintage now,” Ophelia announces as she starts the engine with a roar.

And then we’re off.

For a moment, I wonder what it would have been like to have someone like Ophelia in my life as a teenager. I don’t even know her that well, but I can tell without a doubt that she’s good people. Maybe they just make people here inherently good.

I’ve never been anywhere before where everyone seems to be as amazing as these people, but maybe I’ve just found my place. I just hope that Xavier never finds me. If I can have just one simple wish, it’s that that man disappears forever. However that looks, at this point, I don’t think I care.

Thankfully, Ophelia doesn’t ask me any questions and lets me be alone with my thoughts as she drives me to the gasstation. She assures me there will be a gas can, and there is. It’s also a take, fill up, and return… on the honor system.

This whole town is amazing. Pineville, Texas, is everything I’ve ever wanted.

GNAW

Atomic climbsonto the back of his bike. Lifting my hand, I motion to go forward. We’re heading to Sal’s Bar this afternoon. A one o’clock meeting to talk about his club, his ideas, and our participation in it.

And, of course, a contract to sign.

It doesn’t take us long to ride to Sal’s. The parking lot isn’t as empty as I thought it would have been. Sure, his car is there, but there is another one as well. I don’t recognize it as one of his men’s, but then again, I don’t know half of the people’s cars here in town anyway.

I’m sure it’s no big deal, but as I park next to the beat-up car, I can’t help but shake the feeling that this isn’t just one of his men’s cars. I don’t know why. I shouldn’t give a fuck about a car. That feeling of something big happening consumes me yet again.

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