Page 18 of Sinful
An older guy, maybe sixty, with a CAT Diesel hat and a limp that speaks to years of climbing in and out of rigs. "Sit anywhere, hon. I'll be right with you."
He nods, takes a stool at the bar.
When I bring him water and a menu, he orders a burger and a Bud Light without looking up.
The kind of customer I like—easy, straightforward, no conversation required.
My phone buzzes again. And again. And again.
"You gonna get that?" one of the truckers asks, nodding at my pocket.
"It's nothing. Just spam calls." The lie is smooth, practiced. "What can I get you boys?"
They order another round, and I busy myself with pulling beers.
The cooler door sticks like it always does, and I have to jerk it hard enough that bottles rattle.
When I turn back, the men from the corner booth are at the bar.
Right there. Close enough, I can smell their cologne—expensive, out of place in Cactus Jack's.
"Another round?" I ask, keeping my voice level.
"Sure thing, sweetheart." The one with the scar through his eyebrow smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Two more Modelos."
I pop the caps, slide the bottles across. "Eight bucks."
He lays down a twenty. "Keep it."
That's a twelve-dollar tip for two beers.
Too much. Deliberately too much.
"Thanks." I pocket it anyway because I need it, and refusing would be suspicious.
They don't move, just stand there drinking, studying me like I'm evidence in a case they're building.
"You work here long?" Scar asks.
"A few months."
"Like it?"
"It's a job." I wipe down the bar, giving my hands something to do. "Tips are good."
"I bet they are." His friend speaks for the first time, voice accented. "Pretty girl like you probably makes good money."
The way he says pretty makes my skin crawl.
Not sexual, exactly, more like he's describing merchandise.
"I do okay." I move down the bar, pretending to check on other customers, but they follow, Scar leaving a five on the bar for me to find later.
Another tip I don't want but can't refuse.
When I pick up the cash, there's a note underneath.
Written on a napkin in neat, careful handwriting:
