Page 300 of Bad for Me

“Kyna, wait up! I just want to talk,” Braxton taunts, making me shudder. He’s hotter than sin, six-foot-four, and has tattoos for days. Holy shit, the things he could do to my body.

I’m forbidden fruit so it’ll never happen.

“Fuck off, Braxton!” I yell over my shoulder as I yank open my car door and jump inside. I slam my hand down on the lock as I hit the start button, ignoring the big lug as I make sure my headlights are on. If he gets in my way, I plan to run him over.

I’m frustrated, hurt, and my breath is getting shorter with each passing minute. Tears finally start to fall, making me snarl as I throw the car into reverse.

“Goddamn it. Kyna! There are a million reasons why you shouldn’t be driving right now,” he complains.

Bullshit. I don’t typically drink, and tonight wasn’t the exception. I’m a bartender who likes to keep her wits about her, so I rarely indulge. I like to be in control. None of Braxton’s reasons hold any water.

I just need to leave.

As soon as I’m on the road, I don’t look back as I drive to work, insistent on getting as far away as possible. If I had any friends, I’d sleep on their couch, but these stupid men scare everyone away.

My only saving grace is that they’re banned from my place of business. Thank God for Miguel and Bear. I’m headed to the only place I’m actually safe.

1

KYNA

6 months later

I’ma prisoner in my own home. The only time I get the freedom to be myself is when I’m behind the bar, teasing my regulars, and refusing to take Miguel’s little sister’s money. At this point, it’s just fun.

The boss told us she drinks for free but not to tell her that. I don’t have much fun in my life, so I enjoy the small enjoyment this allows me. I know the second I get home, my stepbrother will interrogate me about everyone I saw and spoke to at work. He honestly thinks that I’m fucking my boss.

The truth is I’m a virgin, and I may actually die as one. I apparently woke up dramatic today and can’t shake it. Oh well, may as well just lean into it.

“Tesa, you made it out tonight,” I call with a grin as I walk over to chat before I have to move on. It’s a busy night at Club Rodriguez, and I popped in to help. Miguel has begun to side eye me about why I’m working so much, and the reality is that I would rather not be home.

My mom is always working, my stepfather is a creep, and my stepbrother enjoys torturing me. There always seems to be a party, and when there isn’t, he’s giving me the third degree or encouraging the guys to shove me in my room to hold me prisoner.

I can’t always escape in time to be able to make it to work, so I have had to climb down the side of the house by way of the window.

Work is my salvation right now, which is incredibly sad.

Tesa gives me an answering grin, and I wonder if she’s here with someone. She looks incredible tonight.

“Hey, Kyna,” she says, leaning against the bar.

“What can I get you tonight?” I ask. My wavy dark hair is braided off of my face, and the rest I let do whatever it wants. It’s an easy way for me to keep it back when I’m climbing in and out of my bedroom window.

I should have enough money to be able to leave at the end of the month. I’ve been saving for over six months, but sometimes I have car emergencies I need to take care of. My mom and stepfather refuse to give me any money, so any expenses are my own to take care of.

I want to be certain I have enough money to disappear, so I refuse to spend money on anything extra, squirreling every penny away. I currently have about a grand in my savings. I’ve been hiding it all in my mattress because I’m terrified something will happen to it at the bank.

Jameson is a bit of a computer nerd.

Though, I’m really going to miss this club. The people here have become like a second family to me.

“Can I get a shot of tequila, please?” Tesa asks. She has this excited energy about her, and I for sure think she’s meeting someone tonight. I would ask her if we were closer, but I’m just the bartender.

“You’ve got it, gorgeous,” I tell her as I serve her the shot. Placing it down on the bar, I wink and move on before she can pay me. I know it bothers her, but I also don’t think she knows that her brother insists that she drink for free.

We just log her drinks and comp them.

“Kyna!” Tesa yells as I walk away to serve another drink, giggling wildly. It’s the little things that make me happy. I may seem as if I always have a smile on my face, but lately it’s been harder and harder to find my inner joy.

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