Page 84 of The House Beyond the Dunes

He holds up his glass filled with melting ice cubes. “You’re one of the few people that understands me.”

Dave, as with most of the guys, likes it when I call himbaby. I pour the gin in the glass and wave tonic over it. A couple of these, and then I’ll cut him back until his sixth or seventh glass is pure tonic. “Baby, you know Stevie loves you.”

Placing a fresh napkin and his new drink in front of him, I grin and lean a little forward so he gets a better glimpse of the girls. I’ve got nice tits and am not afraid to use them for tips. I swipe away the old glass and damp napkin.

“I wish all women were like you,” Dave says.

“They broke the mold with me, baby. Broke the mold.”

When I turn around, Joey has vanished into the kitchen, likely to deal with another issue. That’s the thing about a place like this. There’s always a problem, whether it’s the plumbing, a customer, or an employee. But Joey knows that, at least for tonight, he doesn’t have to worry about the bar. Stevie is in charge.

The night falls into a regular routine. It fills with the usual suspects who look ready to escape the heat and whatever holiday/vacation disappointments trouble them. Within the hour, Dave is pleasantly drunk, and I help him call an Uber so he can get home to the wife and kids. As I return to my post behind the bar, I see Bourbon step up to the end. I’m a little stunned. Did Jeanne call him? She said she didn’t know hislast name, and I thought I covered with her well, but maybe I’m losing my touch.

Bourbon stands in the same spot each night. We all tend to have a familiar chair or spot and without realizing it stake our claim.

I set a clean glass in front of Bourbon and pour in two fingers of top-shelf bourbon.

A grin tips the edges of his lips. “You know me too well, Stevie.”

“I do try.” I meet his gaze. “Glad to have you back.”

“Whenever I get the chance to talk to my favorite bartender, I take it.”

“You’re a real charmer.”

His grin is very engaging. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I’m immediately distracted by a waitress who orders five beers. Her name is Brenda, and she’s in her late twenties, tall, thin, and for the most part quick on her feet. I fill the iced mugs and set them on her tray.

“Stevie, glad to have you at the helm,” Brenda says. “My tips are always better when you’re here. Tell me you’re going to make this a permanent gig.”

“Can’t make any promises, but I do love it here.” Brenda has worked at the bar for a year and knows the politics of the place. “Have you heard from Nikki? I’ve been trying to catch her.”

“Haven’t seen her for a bit. I thought she quit.”

No, she didn’t quit. Her trailer is splashed in blood, and she’s vanished. And the more I think about that kid, the more I question if she’s still alive. Maybe Joey is right. You can’t save them all.

“Everything okay with Nikki?” Brenda asks.

I’ve been here six days. I’m not in the inner circle, but the waitresses know I work my ass off when I’m here, and that helps their tips. There’s now a begrudging respect. “I hope so. Did you see her hanging out with anyone in particular?”

“She flirted with everyone,” Brenda said. “She liked to tease the guys. No sense of boundaries or filters. A magnet for the bad ones.”

And Nikki had a body to die for.

Brenda settles fresh napkins on her tray. “Not saying she can’t do what she wants, but a girl has to be smart.”

“Any guys that struck you as odd?”

Brenda laughs as she hoists the tray. “Easier to point out the ones that don’t have major issues.” She catches the gaze of a waiting customer and without a word walks toward him.

I move down the bar, check the beer for a couple of guys, and finally make my way to Bourbon. His glass is half-full. Not enough for a top off, but I still reach for the bourbon bottle to refill his glass.

“You’re spoiling me,” Bourbon says.

“You deserve to be spoiled.” I almost call himbabybut sense he won’t like that. He likes power.

“Do I?” He’s intrigued by the comment.

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