Page 70 of Everything I Crave

The bubbles of the soda hit my tongue and my stomach rumbles. I fold my legs up underneath me and dig into my meal.

“Howth Madawin?” I ask.

“Didn’t your mama ever teach you to keep your mouth closed while you eat?” Bennett laughs at my attempt of a question.

I swallow and wipe my mouth before answering him. “Probably. But I never was one to listen.”

We both laugh because he knows it’s true. I do not like to listen to even Gunnar when it comes to work. I always have a comeback ready.

“To answer your question, I haven’t seen her much. It was slammed and she got those golf guys from when you started.”

Ugh. I cringe. Now I actually feel bad for leaving her to work that group by herself.

“Don’t worry, your big bad bossman called Brad and they got kicked out permanently.”

He gets pulled away to a group of women at the end of the bar and I finish my meal, watching them attempt to flirt with him, too bad he’d prefer that group of guys two tables over.

My phone vibrates on the bar next to me.

Jake:Willow, listen, I think there’s been a little misunderstanding. Let’s talk.

Looks like my ex-manager got his letter from Donna.

Me:If you want to talk, do it through my lawyer.

Jake:No. I’m not doing that bullshit. Listen, come back. I got a huge gig for you. We can sign a new contract, forget this mess ever happened.

Me:1. Fuck no. 2.Go. Through. My. Lawyer.

I slam my phone face down, and go back to my food that was making me happy before he so rudely interrupted my night.

Lyrics come to me for the song that I’m writing just for Jake. I grab a bar napkin and lean over the bar to get a pen from Bennett’s stash. I write furiously before I forget them.

“Dayyyumm. Someone pissed you off,” Bennett says, reading my napkin upside down.

“Let it be a lesson to you.” I raise a brow.

We pass the last couple hours of his shift with me updating him on all things Jake, and legal battles.He shares some of the funny stories from the night and he told me he got a date tonight. One of the guys that works at the golf course has been coming by and very specifically choosing the same seat I’m in now to talk to our bartender.

I’m still writing at the end of the night when Gunnar loops his arms around me. “So what were you saying earlier about being hungry?”

The heat in his eyes has me instantly ready and remembering my fantasy about him throwing me against his office door.

“Mmm. I might have an idea.”

I spin in the chair and smirk at him.

My palms are sweating. My heart is racing. And I might just run out of here.

I make the mistake of peeking out at the makeshift stage in Rebels.

It’s so packed I’m surprised the fire marshall isn’t kicking people out. The video I posted went more viral than I thought it would.

Every single hotel room, inn room, and rental is booked within a twenty mile radius. All for a little bar show. I never had this kind of show in Nashville.

Further proof I should have taken control of my career a long time ago.

“Hey, darling.” Gunnar pulls me into his arms. “Do you mind delaying the show a few minutes?Roman is offering a round on the house, but we want to set up some live streaming TVs outside since inside is at capacity.”

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