Page 38 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“Everything all right? You having a good time?” I asked the creepy customer. He was about my age and height, wearing a red t-shirt with a dribble of alcohol down the center.

“I’m doing great, man. Just chatting with your lovely bartender, Charlie.”

“About what?”

“Places to check out in New York City.” The stench of alcohol was strong with this one, but he could string together sentences and wasn’t falling off his seat, so I couldn’t cut him off, as much as I wanted to.

“It’s all good,” Charlie said with a plastered-on smile. He was handling this creep.

“I was telling Charlie about this bathhouse I love going to when I’m in the city. I should take him there one time. He’d really enjoy it.”

“I don’t know when I’m going back to the city next.”

“We’ll have an adventure.”

The hell you will.My blood boiled. I was ready to throw this guy into the river. Gay or straight, men could be real slimeballs.

“You have such a beautiful smile.” Mr. Horndog reached out a greasy hand to caress Charlie’s cheek. Charlie stepped back while keeping on his pleasant grin.

Me, not so much.

“Buddy, this isn’t a petting zoo. Charlie is here to work.” I clapped the guy on the shoulder extra hard, and he winced in pain.

His pissy eyes glared at me. “Can’t I have a conversation with the bartender?”

“It’s Musical Monday. You should be singing!” Bless Charlie for trying to keep things light. I did not have that tact.

“So sing,” I growled at the creep.

“You don’t have to be an asshole.” He grabbed his drink and sulked off.

Charlie exhaled a breath. “Now I know what it’s like to be a girl.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He shrugged off the incident, but remnants of panic flickered across his face. “I guess it’s a compliment.”

“That went way beyond compliment.” I looked down and found my fists balled, ready for action. I shook them out. “It’s a busy night. You don’t have time to be hit on by customers.”

“I guess that guy won’t be tipping.”

“You’ll make it up with this crowd.” I gazed at the sea of customers having a blast. “I can’t believe how busy we are on a Monday.”

“And all we had to do was play YouTube clips of old musicals.”

“You’re a genius.” I put a hand on his shoulder. He clocked it. I clocked it. His hot skin blazed through the thin layer of black.

I pulled my hand back.

Customers hailed Charlie from the other end. A crush of people without drinks in hand pushed up to the bar. It seemed we hadn’t hit the busy part of the night until now. Who knew Monday could be the new Friday?

I hopped behind the bar to help out Charlie. Though truth be told, he didn’t need much assistance. He took in orders and made drinks like he had two extra hands.

Someone ordered a rum and coke, and he swirled the rum bottle in his handCocktail-style.

“Have you been practicing?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

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