Page 97 of Five Summers

Oh my God! I can’t believe what I just did. What’s wrong with me? One moment, I was serving customers at the bar, and the next, I’m standing in front of Xander, desperately trying to calm him down. Maybe I should have just stayed out of it, but I couldn’t ignore the protective instinct that surged through my body when I thought his father had returned to belittle him.

I’m not sure as to why I did it -perhaps it’s because Xander has been through so much with his dad, or maybe it’s because he looks so much like my son, and I would do anything to protect him from assholes like that in this messed up world.

I knew that as soon as Xander's dad approached him, his reaction would be explosive. I'm certain that what just occurred is already circulating on multiple social media platforms.Xander shouldn't face unjust criticism for circumstances beyond his control. He can’t help it if he has an asshole for a father. Despite Xander breaking my heart, he is still the father of my child, even if he doesn’t care about our sweet little boy.

Once I'm back behind the bar, my boss, Nicole, comes over and stands next to me. I brace myself for her harsh words, expecting her to tell me I should've stayed behind the bar, but what she says catches me off guard.

“I had no idea you knew Xander Williams. How exactly do you know him?”’

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I tell her.

I can't go back to my previous spot at the end of the bar because Sienna is now serving there. I reluctantly walk to the other end of the bar, only to see Xander and the rest of the band huddled together a few feet away, having a serious talk. No matter how hard I try to calm my racing heart, it’s useless. Being in close proximity to him triggers a rush of memories that I’d rather not revisit. I refuse to go through that pain again.

“I want you to introduce me to him,” Nicole says, as she follows me. I groan inwardly as I notice the stuffy-suited asshole who asked for my number earlier is now sitting in my section. When I turn my head, I see all the members of Broken Oasis looking at me. I curse silently, wondering what he’s saying about me. Is he spreading rumors that I’m easy? That he used me and left me like I meant nothing? I resist the urge to give Xander Williams the finger and tell him to fuck off. Instead, I just focus on my job.

The uptight, suited asshole beckons me over, and I reluctantly make my way towards him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Theo, the bass guitarist, making his way towards the bar. I feel a sense of relief knowing that Nicole is the one who goes over to serve him, as I had nointention of answering any of her questions about Xander. It’s quite surprising to see how she is around them.

“What can I get you?” I ask abruptly, recalling the unpleasant memory of asking the same question to this jerk who responded with something inappropriate and sexual.

“Just your phone number, sweetheart.”

Rolling my eyes, I refuse to tolerate this drunken idiot. I wait, impatiently tapping my nails on the bar. All I want is for this night to end, so I don’t have to put up with these assholes or face the man who broke my heart and took a piece of it with him when he left.

“What would you like?” I ask again, my tone harsher than before.

He smirks mischievously and replies, “How about you sit on my face, beautiful?”

This guy is so full of himself, thinking he can say whatever he wants to women. I refuse to tolerate this disrespectful behavior.

“Why is your nose bigger than your dick?” I retort, moving across to serve the next patron, fed up with these assholes who think they can say whatever they damn well please. All I want is to work and not be subjected to this kind of crap.

Theo cracks up and snatches the drink Nicole sets down on the bar. I don't know if he's laughing at me or something she said.

I move to the next customer, and I immediately recognize him as the older man who was with Xander when I tried to help calm him down earlier. I think he has something to do with the band.

“What can I get you?” I inquire.

"I'll have a Jack and coke," he says, perched on the bar stool.

I grab a glass, fill it, and bring it back to the customer.

"It's Poppy, right?" he says, reaching his hand out to me.

I place the glass down in front of him and reach out to shake his hand.

“I’m Reg,” he says. “The manager of Broken Oasis.”

I let go of his hand, questioning why the hell he feels the need to disclose that to me. My gaze swiftly shifts to Ace, who slides into the neighboring seat at the bar.

“Hey Poppy, long time no see,” Ace says.

“Hi Ace,” I say, my confusion growing at this unexpected interaction. I can’t help but wonder what on earth is happening. Ace has never spoken to me before, let alone acknowledged my existence at school. What in the world has Xander said about me? And why are they both here, staring at me?

“Do you want anything from the bar?” I ask Ace, eager to escape the intense scrutiny of their watchful gazes.

“Yeah, a beer, thanks Poppy,” Ace replies.

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