Page 12 of Tastes Like Misery

“Yep. That’s my terms. Take it or leave it. But I can tell you right now I will walk my ass out of here and leave this job if you dare bring her in without my terms being met.”

“Fine,” Dane agreed, trying to act like he didn’t care. “She’s a great fuck, and I doubt you can keep up with her, anyway. She knows who throws it well around here.”

I studied him for a moment, checking for any signs he would not stick to the deal. A tick of the jaw, gripping his bottle tighter, flaring nostrils - but none were present. “There will be no fighting over her. Either we all get to fuck her or none of us do. That’s how this is going to work,” I reiterated, making sure they both understood. “It’s only fair since we will be on the run and Finn and I won’t have time to pick up some pussy for ourselves. Entertainment is the least she can provide.”

It was Finn who had a conscience, the man rarely completely giving into his darker side. “You are making her sound like she’s going to be our prostitute, Ollie. It’s wrong.”

“No one will force her. She can agree to it or leave. That’s it. It isn’t like we aren’t all good-looking men. Dick isn’t a hardship for a woman like her,” Dane took my side, which was shocking. I thought for sure he’d be the one to fight me on this.

The man stared with arched brows at our friend until he finally threw up his hands, and agreed, “Fine. But you all better treat her well. She’s a damn good woman and will be a great asset if you two can be decent to her.” He walked to Dane and took the bottle of whiskey from him, taking a long swig. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he added, “I hope you know what you’re doing, Ollie.”

Chapter 8

Vivian

It was Monday morning at some god-awful time when I entered the bank. I tried to deliver my rent to the landlord, but the cranky old woman she was, she insisted I go put it in the bank for her. Some crap about her being sick. I wasn’t completely heartless. I just didn’t think it was my responsibility to do all the work for her. I could understand if I was late again, but this time I actually had it on time.

I figured if I did this for her, she would give me a little break in the next month when I didn’t have cash from Dane and his friends in my hands. Despite what he put me through, he at least made up for it with money. Something I desperately needed.

After my run in with Reginald, though, I wasn’t sure if I could practice my art in the most profitable area. At least not for a while. I had plenty of wigs and makeup to change up my identity, but the hotel manager had seen my face pretty damn up close and personal, along with everything else. Like my naked ass hanging out. I doubted he’d forget anything about me for a while, and I really had no idea if he told the other hotel managers to be on the lookout for me. It just wasn’t safe if I wanted to keep my ass out of jail.

It was probably time for me to find another job. If only I hadn’t burned bridges at every single little place this tiny town had. As shitty as it was, the bar was my last option. I hated the thought of going to another town and trying to waitress again. Serving all those picky ass mother fuckers food they thought was too hot, too cold, or tasted wrong. I hated serving people more than I hated dealing with people in general.

But what other choice did I have? It wasn’t like a degree was going to drop out of the sky to make me the boss lady of some hot nightclub in the city, a dream job, in my opinion. I imagined drinking and dancing, schmoozing it up with all the “it” people. That would be quite a life to live.

The line to the teller was long, typical for a Monday morning. It was the day all the ranchers had their loads of cattle picked up and received checks. Others got ready to drive into another town to find bargains on horses or whatever other animals they needed. For those auction sales, it was cash only. I should’ve waited till later in the day, but my landlord insisted I do it first thing, when the bank opened up. She had bills to pay, and unlike me, wanted to be on time with them.

Despite knowing everyone inside, I ignored them, staring at my phone with my sunglasses still on despite the sign on the door saying not to. It wasn’t like they’d call the sheriff on me for something so simple. I’d had enough times handcuffed in the back of his car when I was younger.

High-pitched laughter rang out, and I knew exactly who it was without even looking. I rolled my eyes and hoped like hell I didn’t get stuck going into her line. Of course I wasn’t that lucky, the asshole behind me saying, “Excuse me, miss, it’s your turn.”

I thought about letting him go first, but I wanted to be done and go back to bed. Saying nothing, I shuffled up to the teller, Heidi. She greeted me with her bright red lips upturned in a fake smile, showing off her bleached white teeth. I nearly choked when I saw the big dab of lipstick on her front tooth. A better person would have mentioned it to her, but that wasn’t me.

“Good morning, Vivian. How can I help you today?” The phony cheer almost gave me a headache.

Setting my cash on the counter, I blandly responded, “I need to deposit this into Mrs. Conner’s account.”

Her annoying smile never left her face, but I noticed the corner of her eye twitching, something she did every single time she saw me. “Oh? Let me just make sure you have permission,” she said as she typed on the keyboard. I had a notion this wasn’t going to work out so well for me.

Heidi held a grudge since high school when she caught me fucking her boyfriend under the bleachers. I didn’t know why she still hated me, considering she married the douche. It wasn’t my fault he never was accepted to a college team and was stuck working at one of the local ranches for shit money. Honestly, he was a shitty player and an even worse fuck. If the rumors were true, he also shot duds, the reason they didn’t have kids yet. Not my fault Heidi couldn’t see it.

“Ma’am,” she spoke condescendingly. “It looks like you’re not on the account. I won’t be able to help you with your transaction.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m putting money in, not taking it out.”

“It’s our policy. Customers entrust us with their financial matters. I can’t, in good conscience, break that trust.”

I slid my sunglasses down my nose and peered at her, “A policy no one in this little bank ever abides by. Really, Heidi, you can take your attitude and shove it up your twat. Though I’m sure you’ll get more satisfaction from that compared to Johnny with his tiny little prick. Bet you wish now that you would’ve listened to me when I told you he was a nobody and not worth getting pissed off over. “

Her eyes narrowed, her smile faltering for just a moment before she plastered it back on, “Miss Parker, do you need to be escorted out? “

“Aww, did I hit a sore spot for you? Don’t you worry Heidi, I’m happy to escort myself out.” Grabbing my cash, I shoved it in my pocket, only slightly irritated that the bitch had inconvenienced me. I’d have to wait until she went on her lunch hour when the creepy guy who had a crush on me was on duty by himself. I wouldn’t have any problems with him, despite the way he made me feel like he wanted to sniff my panties.

I took a shortcut through the park. Even though it was early, it was already hot. At least the park offered some shade with the few trees around it, unlike the sidewalks that seem to just radiate even more heat. I didn’t really know why they spent so much money on the park when no one used it for more than a shortcut. It could have easily remained just an empty lot of land with a sidewalk.

Today was an exception to the normal emptiness of the park, and I spotted Ollie, of all people, sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree and scribbling in a notepad. Focused on his work, he wasn’t paying attention to me, so I took the time to take him in a little more. In the bright light of the sun, he was even more handsome than when I first met him. Still clothed to perfection in a crisp shirt and jeans that shouted “I am an arrogant asshole,” surprisingly, his hair was just a little mussed, as if he hadn’t taken the time to slick it back with gel.

Actually, he looked sexier, with locks of his blonde hair falling around his face. It made him younger looking, more relaxed, and what I inadvertently imagined him looking like after some blissful, wild sex. I pictured riding him, his words of pleasure as prim and proper as he carried himself, and it caused me to laugh out loud.

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