Page 20 of The Barkeep and the Bro

Did Mitch’s dick brush against me?

I wondered if Mitch felt anything, but he was inscrutable as always, laughing with his friend.

“This is Leo McCaslin, Mayor of Sourwood and my old high school buddy. Leo, Charlie is a new resident, first day on the job.”

“Great to meet you.” Leo shook my hand and gave me an aggressively pleasant smile. “Don’t let Mitch wear you down too much. He’s a big old softie at heart.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” I hadn’t experienced the softie part yet, so I’d have to go on faith. “Sounds like you’ve had a rough morning. What can I get you, Mr. Mayor?”

“I’ll take a dirty Martini.”

Mitch stepped in before I could bullshit my way through. “I’ll handle this.”

He grabbed a bottle of vermouth from the shelf and spun it in his hand like a master, giving me a wink. Tom Cruise could never. He put together the drink with a grace I could only aspire to.

“You like your Martinis stirred, not shaken?” I asked Leo.

“I do what he tells me.” Leo pointed at Mitch.

“James Bond was a weakling. Shaking a Martini melts the ice and waters it down.” Mitch dipped a long spoon into the martini shaker and gave it a half-moon stir. He put on the cap, and the clear liquid flowed into the martini glass. “And a dirty Martini means pouring in some of the olive juice.”

He tipped the olive juice from the garnish tray, then finished off the drink with two olives perfectly speared. It was as if I watched a maestro conduct a symphony.

“Cheers to your first day,” Leo said to me. “Hopefully, the first of many.”

“That’s up to Mitch.”

“You’re on your way, Charlie.” Mitch laughed heartily and squeezed my shoulder, sending another bolt of heat coursing through my body. And this bolt settled in my balls.

What in the actual fuck?

My shift ended a few hours later, and I left Stone’s Throw Tavern excited about my new career but confused about my physical reaction to Mitch, my boss. And my ex-girlfriend’s dad. He used to scare me a little in college. Now I was scared for a whole new and confusing reason.

“How was your first day?” Amos asked when I returned home. He was grading papers at the breakfast nook. The red pen was out in full force.

“Dude, it was awesome. I think I’m a born bartender.”

“Great. Can you make me a drink? My adult glass of wine isn’t cutting it.” His face crinkled in a tight ball of stress. I’d probably be the same way if I had to deal with hormonal teens all day.

“My pleasure.” I slapped theGuide of Mixologybook on the kitchen counter. It’d be the perfect opportunity to practice. I really wanted to get good at this. Better tips…and to show Mitch.

We settled on Sex on the Beach. I mixed together the orange and cranberry juices with vodka and peach schnapps while Amos recounted his very long day. Unfortunately, his students did not study for their test, and it turned out teachers did not enjoy failing students.

The glowing amber of the drink reminded me of epic summer sunsets. I decided to make myself one as well.

“So what’d you do today? Did you serve customers?” Amos moaned in pleasure when the drink hit his lips. “That is good. You have a gift, Charlie.”

“I served a few. Mostly I trained with Mitch.” I also moaned at the sweet, tropical taste. Sex on the Beach was almost as good as the real thing.

“Did he ride you hard?”

My delicious Sex on the Beach shot out of my mouth, and all over the below-average tests Amos was grading. He lurched back to avoid the spray. I coughed and coughed until my throat was clear. My mind was a different story.

“Dang, Amos. Why does everything have to be about sex with you?” Anger tinged my voice.

“That one wasn’t. I swear. It’s just an expression.” He unspooled paper towels to wipe down the student tests.

“How do I know? You’re always talking about how hot Mitch is.” I could feel my head turning the same shade as my drink.

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