Page 44 of Framed

He didn’t, though, because he suddenly realized that there was a long line ahead of him. Instead, he turned to me, and his hot foul-smelling breath fanned over my face as he said, “You’re hot.” Was this guy serious?

“And you’re drunk,” I deadpanned, scooting further back in my chair in an attempt to put some distance between the two of us.

It didn’t work. If anything the drunk guy saw it as a challenge. “Oh come on, don’t be like that,” Drunk Guy slurred, slightly wobbling on his feet, and reaching out to grab hold of my forearm. But because of how drunk he was, he grabbed the air instead.

“You need to back up,” I said, my voice firm and commanding. I was slowly losing my patience with the guy. The only reason I hadn’t laid him out was because I was here for an interview. I’d fought women bigger and stronger than him during my fighting phase in juvie. I had no doubt in my mind that I could take him.

I’d probably enjoy it.

“Ooh dark and feisty. Just how I like em’,” he slurred, reaching his hand down to grab his junk, accentuating just how much.

Gross.

Reid walked away from his spot on the other side of the bar, leaving an empty seat with my name on it. “Not interested.” I went to move but Drunk Guy’s hand reached out to grip my wrist.

He didn’t get the chance because I grabbed him instead and twisted. Hard.

He winced, a snarl formed at his lips. “You fucking b—” His words were cut off as I twisted his wrist harder.

“What part ofnot interesteddidn’t you understand?” His face went pale, almost stark white. For good measure, I twisted his wrist harder, reveling in the sound of agony he made. I was dangerously close to snapping his bony wrist. I wanted to. But then I remembered why I was here.

An interview.

“Consider yourself cutoff, drink some water, and leave.” I didn’t have the authority to order him or anyone else around. I wasn’t even sure if I would make it past speaking with the boss, but it felt good to put this drunk asshole in his place.

I could only imagine what would’ve happened to a girl who couldn’t defend or stand up for herself.

Sobering quickly, he nodded, and I let him go. He stumbled away quickly, clutching the wrist I nearly snapped in half as he scrambled towards the door.

I hadn’t realized we had a crowd. Impressed and interested looks were plastered on many of the patrons in the bar. Ethel being one of them. “Can you start now?”

I opened my mouth in surprise. “What about speaking with the boss?”

“Oh, don’t worry about him. He’ll hire you if he knows what’s good for him. I’ll have a word with him after you meet him.” She waved of her hand. “Now, I can’t let you bartend until I run your paperwork; you do have an ID, right?” I nodded and she continued, “Good. I could really use your help serving a few tables. You can keep all of the tips you make.” Ethel didn’t strike me as the type of woman who begged and I thought that for her, this was as close as she got to it.

It could be worse.“Do I need to change?”

A smile graced Ethel’s red lips and it was then I felt as if I made the right choice.

I just hoped I didn’t come to regret it.

* * *

I’d never served drinks or had any job for that matter before, but I caught on quickly. The night was pretty hectic and there were times I felt a bit overwhelmed but overall, I was sure enough to say Ethel and I were in sync. If every night was like this, I had no doubt I could last here for a while. I was on cloud nine even though I knew it wouldn’t last because of what I had to do when I left here.

As I was wiping down the last table, I heard footsteps approach from behind me. Figuring it was Ethel returning with my work schedule, I went to turn but halted as soon as I smelled it. A gasp fell through my lips and a strong and familiar scent of amberwood tickled my nose. It was subtle and musky, like he had just run a mile, but it was there just as it had been a few nights ago. It had to behim.

His looming presence made him feel like a giant behind me. I could feel it in my gut when he was near. I always could, even when we were younger. It was like we had a magnetic pull toward one another.

Neither one of us said a word or moved. Not like I could anyway. I was frozen in place and it felt like his hands had my heart clenched in a tight fist, guiding every beat to match the rhythm of his. Seconds that felt like long minutes passed, and neither one of us moved an inch. I held my breath as I waited for him to say something, to do something,anythingbut it never came. All I could hear were the loud sounds of his breathing, inhaling and exhaling as if he was still running that mile.

What was he doing here? I could’ve sworn I saw Briggs earlier, but it was dark, and I figured it was just my imagination. I wasn’t so sure now, but I figured if my being here was a problem, he would’ve at the very least said something.

Was that why Xavier was here now? To tell me I couldn’t get a job? Briggs didn’t necessarily say I couldn’t, just that I had to lie low. I intended on doing that. I doubted anyone would recognize me with my now black hair and contacts.

“So, what do you think? I think she’ll fit in well here.” I exhaled the breath I’d been holding and silently thanked whoever was on shift up top. Spinning, I spotted Ethel a few steps behind Xavier. “Here, give me that, it’s getting pretty late. Let me let you go.” Ethel stepped around him and reached her hand out for the rag. With a grateful nod, I handed it to her.

“No,” I heard Xavier say, his tone so harsh I had to resist the urge to flinch. I didn’t dare look at him. I kept my gaze focused on the digital clock on the other side of him.

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