Page 6 of Stroked
The bartender straightened. “Gorgeous, you must be new around here, so I will give you some advice.” She gave a tight-lipped smile. “If you’re looking for a quick hookup, she’s your girl. But if you are looking for apartner, you probably need to pass on that one.”
A snicker came from a few seats down. “Sweetie, don’t bother. She’s a hoe and doesn’t hide it. You are way too beautiful and put together for the likes of Amy.”
“You’re just still bitter she didn’t hook up with you again,” another woman on the other side of her chimed in. “Listen, Amy is just Amy. Everyone here knows her. She doesn’t do relationships and is very private. Period. But she has notoncepromised anything more. She’s very upfront. Some girls just think they can break her and get pissed when they don’t.”
“Why don’t you mind your fucking business,” the original woman said as the other laughed, before hopping off her stool and walking away. “Anyway, she’s a player. So, do what you want with that info. Now, if you aren’t in the business of having your heart broken, maybe I can buy you a drink? I’d love to know more about where that accent is from.”
I smiled. She was a striking woman, but not one I found physically attractive. “That is very kind, but I must get back home. It has been a long day. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I grabbed my clutch and headed to my car. I spent the ride home pondering the quick conversation at the bar. Amy was not into relationships. So, she probably didn’t feel the need to go out on dates. I wouldn’t be doing business in town often, but it would be nice to have a fling with a beautiful woman, from time to time, knowing I couldn’t be seen. Perhaps a quick trip back to the dive bar soon wouldn’t hurt.
Chapter 5
Amy
The sunlight peeked through the curtains and my eyes cracked open. I laid in the bed listening for sounds. Nothing.
I stretched my arms over my head and sat up. It was almost nine. It was well into the morning on a Sunday and no sounds. I let out a huge sigh and threw my legs over the side of the bed, slipped my feet into my slippers, and then shuffled out of my room.
I stood in the kitchen after I got a cup of coffee.Gotta love a timer on a coffee pot. I always made a full pot when I came in at night, so we’d have fresh coffee and no wait in the morning.
I leaned against the counter and looked around the apartment. Lucy still had some things in her room. She was going to be back to get them today. I pushed off the counter and walked to take a look into the nearly empty room.
The bed was stripped, the nightstands were bare, except for the lamps, and only a few boxes stacked in the corner were left to pick up. I could see into the bathroom, and it was cleared out, but the cute shower curtain with mascara wands and lipstick tubes still hung. My chest was getting tight as I stood there, looking over her room, so I went back to the living room to watch my Sunday morning trash television.
As I reached for the remote, I was again reminded of her leaving as the coffee and side tables were practically bare now. I sighed again but decided to stay on the couch.
I was almost done with my first cup of coffee when I heard the doorknob jiggling.
“Amy, are you decent?” Lucy asked from the other side of the door.
“Nope, enter at your own risk,” I replied sarcastically.
The door swung open, and Jason and Lucy came in; he dragged a dolly behind him.
“We didn’t have much left, so I figured I’d let you sleep in today. Late night?” she asked with a grin.
“Not too late, but I was out.”
Jason waved and nodded as he walked into the room. Lucy came and plopped down on the sofa with me.
“So, was everything okay last night? You left in a hurry, sort of early for The Lounge.” Lucy stared with her big, sparkly blue eyes.
“Yeah, I just had to meet this girl early. No biggie. How did your night go? The club was hopping.” I stood to go refill my cup and she followed me.
“It was a great night for us. And Val was so great. That band may be back soon.”
I sipped my coffee as the vision of the beauty in the red suit came flooding back to me. My mug was slipping; I realized my hand had gotten clammy again. I put the mug on the counter and brushed my palms on my pajama shirt.
Lucy asked, “Hey, seriously, what’s up with you?” I turned to see her just standing there, staring at me. She shrugged and her brows shot up. I let out another huge sigh; this time, someone was here to listen.
“I dunno. It’s dumb. I just hate all this change. And I know yesterday we hugged it out and I said it was fine. And I really want it to be.” I grabbed Lucy by the shoulders. “I really do want it to be. I am so happy for you. But I’m also not.”
Lucy’s face was harder than yesterday, but she grabbed my arms gently and squeezed.
“Amy, I love you. And this is hard for me, too. It’s been you and me for ten years.” She paused and gave me a light shake. “Tenyears! But Jason makes me happy. I’m happy. And I have to live my life. Maybe you should start living yours, too.”
I pulled my arms away from her.
