Page 21 of Bony Bony
Novapulled out her phone, punched something in, and showed it toGianna. “Hereare the lyrics.”
Giannapursed her lips, but a smile broke through. “Greatleaping frogs, my interpretation is way better.Imean, seriously.”
Novachuckled and clapped her hands together. “Thisis the best misheard lyric yet!Weneed a jar to collect them.Idon’t want to forget any of them, ever.”
Giannatossed her hair over her shoulder. “Ishould be charging you for each one.Entertainmentcover charge.”
Nova’seyes shined with tears from laughing. “I’dgleefully pay for the honor.”
Giannatapped her chin and smiled.
“What’sthat look for?”Novaasked.
Giannasnapped and raised her index finger. “Ijust thought of a costume for the party.”
CHAPTER8
GIANNA
WhenIwent into theDangerZonethe next day,Iwas still on a high from last night.Notonly was game night with my friends a blast, butSebastianandIhad even more fun with role play after all the talk about dressing up.
Iwas the first one to arrive at the club and put the lights on.Thespace was so strange when it was empty during the day.Sodifferent from the liveliness when the music played, the lights shone down, the drinks flowed, and the conversations bubbled.
AsIheaded into my office,Ialmost tripped on an empty bottle of tequila near the bar.Thatwas odd.Someonemust have dropped it while bringing it out back.Ipicked it up and walked behind the bar to drop it in a recycling bin.ThenIgasped and jumped backward.
Theskeleton was lying across the floor, its bony limbs spread as if it had passed out cold.Istared at it.Whatthe hell?
ThenIchuckled.Ah, a good prank.Mystaff got me good.
“Someonethinks they’re funny,”Isaid asIliftedMr.Bonesup and carried him back to the seat near the cemetery wall whereI’dpropped him last night. “Stayput,”Iadmonished with a raised index finger. “Ineed to get some work done.”
Ifilled a glass with water and lemon and entered my office.Ineeded to promote the upcoming party, and that meant creating graphics to post on social media and on the website, share in our newsletter, and hang on flyers throughout the club, including the restrooms.Funnyhow effective those flyers were for getting attention while people waited in line to do their business.
OnceIhad a basic idea of whatIwanted,Isent them toKylieto spruce them up.Shehad a good eye for graphics, andI’doften ask her to polish up some of my designs to make them more professional.Ihad enough to do with managing the club, so whateverIcould hire out to better manage my time,I’ddo.
Whenshe came into the club for her shift a couple of hours later, she showed me her updated designs with our club branding on her phone. “Whatdo you think?”
“They’reperfect!”Iclasped my hands together. “I’llupdate the site and post on social media.”
Kyliestepped behind the bar and stashed her bag below.Thedoor opened andBruno, one of our newer and popular bartenders, walked in with dark sunglasses on.
“I’mback!”Hewore a black shirt promotingSanMiguelbeer, tattoos extending down his arm.Thebrawny guy with psychic abilities pushed his sunglasses up onto his head, pushing his black hair back behind his ears. “Didyou miss me?”
“Absolutely.”Imotioned around us and teased, “Webarely kept the club running without you.”
“Ha,” he responded with a chuckle. “Idoubt that.”
“Gladyou’re back,”Isaid. “Howwas your vacation?”
Brunoraised his hands to his sides. “Ohmy god, it was so a-ma-zing.Thefood, the views, the people—everything was spectacular.”
“Tellus about it?”Kylieprompted while she prepped.
“Marcusbooked a two-dayJeeptour that took us all overSanMiguel.Itwas absolutely the highlight of the trip.Wedrove up into the mountains, visited hot springs, ate all kinds of food thatIdidn’t even recognize.”Brunobarely took a breath as he gushed about the trip with his husband.Hegestured towardKylieand me. “You’vegot to go visit one day.It’sso close.”
“Really?”Kylieasked with a hint of skepticism.
“Yes.”Brunoheaded behind the bar and washed his hands.Ashe dried them, he continued, “Theflight was shorter than flying cross-country.Andit was like being a million miles away.”
