Page 31 of Game Changer
“That’s true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have people empathize with you. Lean on those you have in your circle, you know?”
She scoffs. “You’d be the first one to offer. Well, aside from my dad, but he doesn’t count. All my friends are off doing college things. As soon as I had a baby, they wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Well, I’ll gladly be part of your circle if you let me,” I say. “I happen tolovekids.”
A genuine smile falls onto her face. “Thanks, Maya. I needed to hear that tonight. It’s been a rough few days.”
“Anytime, I—” A tap on my shoulder interrupts me. When I turn around, a tall, muscular man is smirking at me in a creepy-ass way. I can tell by his outfit that he’s part of a frat—dockers, loafers, and a polo that’s a size too small. “Can I help you?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he shouts over the music. “My friend thinks you’re hot. I told him I’d ask you for your number.” He points behind him to a group of guys in almost identical outfits. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time I’ve been hit on since I started working here, and it won’t be the last either.
“I don’t date where I work,” I reply with a smile.
“Oh, come on. He’sreallyinto you. Give him a chance.” His hand lands on my elbow. “I’ll introduce you.”
“I’m working.” My voice carries more grit to it now, but the drunken idiot doesn’t get the hint. He’s swaying where he stands, his eyes dropping to my cleavage, which is exposed by the tight-ass tank top. I’m not exactly a fan of the uniform here, but I’ll put up with it for the good tips it brings.
“Just let—”
Tabi steps up to the guy and props one hand on her hip. She snaps her fingers at him with the other like he’s a dog and says, “Did you not hear her the first time? Need your ears checked? Go back to your trust fund table or I’ll call security.”
My jaw drops, but I snap it shut when the man rolls his eyes but does as he’s told. Not that I can blame him. With her fiery red hair and right arm covered by a full sleeve of tattoos, I wouldn’t mess with her either. She’s the kind of woman to walk a man on a leash and have him thank her for it.
When he returns to his friends, the bartender passes me the shots my table ordered. “You need to be more firm,” Tabi says. “Don’t let these idiots walk all over you. That’s what Doug is for.” She glances over her shoulder at where the hefty security guard stands at the entrance.
“Trust me, I have no problems putting douchebags in their place, but this is also where I work, and I have to be professional, so . . .”
“The owner doesn’t give a shit about professionalism when it comes to our safety. When we say no, and they don’t listen? All bets are off. Now, let’s finish this last hour and go the fuck home, yeah?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Please. My feet are killing me.”
~
After our shifts are over, Tabi and I finish wiping down the tables and flipping the chairs. It’s close to three in the morning, and honestly? All I want to do is go to sleep. My plans tomorrow include lying in bed for the entire day.
Knocks on the door make us jump, but when Tabi squints out the glass windows, she heaves an annoyed sigh and flips the lock. “What the fuck are you doing here, Mark?”
He ignores her and strides into the empty bar, irritation rolling off of him in thick waves. “Your dad mentioned you were picking up the night shift. You don’t work nights.”
“So? I do now.”
“Is this because ofAndrew?”
“What if it is? You aren’t my father, Mark. You don’t control what I do.” She plops the towel she was holding onto her shoulder. “What are you even doing here? It’s three in the morning.”
“I set an alarm so I could drive you home.”
My heart flutters for her, but Tabi doesn’t seem to be swooning like me. Instead, she throws her head back and laughs. “You’ve got to be kidding. I drove here! I’ll be just fine getting home.”
His nostrils flare in irritation. “You don’t know what creeps could be lingering outside of here at night. It’s not safe. Especially when you two are the only ones here. What would you do if—” He stops midsentence when his eyes drop to the Taser Tabi’s now holding against his stomach.
“I can handle myself,” she says sweetly—like she isn’t holding a weapon that could bring him down in seconds. “Take your big, doofus self out of this bar. I don’t need your protection. Never have, never will.”
“Tabi—”
“Or would you rather I pepper spray you? Pocketknife, maybe? Your choice. The options are endless.” She holds up her key ring, which houses an abundance of different threats, for emphasis. I make a mental note to buy some form of protection. I walk home at night, and although nothing has ever happened, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t.
Mark’s jaw ticks. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re stubborn as hell?”
