Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Rolling my eyes, I tapped my fist against his only because he’d reached the point of wasted and probably wouldn’t remember the encounter in the morning. “You shouldn’t be back here. This is the staff area.”
He listed to the side, toppling into the wall. “I gotta take a leak. Got lost looking for the bathroom.”
Great. Now, he was my problem. “Yes. The neon sign that says restroom is tough to find.”
“Don’t be mean, FL.”
I grunted as my blood heated, and not because he smelled like the expensive cologne a saleswoman sprayed on me at the department store one time but because Ryder seemed to be the same ass he’d always been.
That fucking nickname.
He wore a goofy grin on his stupid, drunk face, completely oblivious to how ridiculous it was to call me a freeloader while at my place of employment.
“Oh, I love this song.” He began to sing along in a slurred, off-key rendition that would make anyone’s ears bleed.
Rude, oblivious, and drunk. Fantastic combination.
I huffed out my annoyance. “Come on, I’ll show you where the restroom is.”
“Thanks, FL.”
“Fuck it,” I muttered.
“You say sompin’?” He tried to step away from the wall, stumbled, and crashed into the opposite wall, where he stayed and laughed as though it was actually funny.
I watched him for a moment as my anger mounted. Who the hell did he think he was coming into my place of business, getting up in my face, and fucking insulting me? I’d taken so much shit from him over the years without a word to anyone. My tongue itched to unload all the hatred I’d stored up.
Maybe this was my chance. He was wasted and would probably miss by a mile if he tried to punch me.
“You know what? I did say something.” I folded my hands across my chest and stretched the inch or two I had on him. “How fucking rude are you to be calling me freeloader when I’m here busting my ass, serving you and your drunk-ass friends for hours while you use Daddy’s money to fucking pay for it?”
He blinked.
There went my tip. Way to go, Alex.
He stared at me wide-eyed for a moment as my stomach clenched, then he burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you’re so funny. Busting your ass. This job is awesome. You can drink, dance, and stare at hot men all night. I would love this job.”
“Sure, you would.” I turned him and nudged him down the hallway. “I bet you’ve never gotten your own glass of water, let alone served somebody else. You’d quit before you finished one shift.”
His face screwed up in drunken indignation. “Nuh-uh. I’d rock this shit. Easy as pie.”
Irritation simmered beneath the surface of my skin, bubbling at a low rate but dying to surge to a full boil. Letting it out now would be a waste of my time and energy. He was smashed and had the boozy confidence only someone who’d been pickling their organs could pull off. Nonsense fell out of his mouth at this point. Getting pissed would only waste what little energy I had left. So instead of cussing him out, I shook my head and chuckled. “Say that to my face tomorrow.”
“You’ll see. I’m gonna come back t’morrow and apply for a job.”
“You do that.” Top Shelf didn’t open on Sundays. I pushed him down the hall, maybe a little harder than necessary.
He’d better forget this damn conversation in the morning. How dare he threaten to home in on my territory?
“And you know what?”
I sighed. Who knew he’d be such a chatty drunk? “What?”
“I’m gonna work here, and Imma do a better job than you.” He stumbled left, then chuckled as he tried to steady himself. “I’ll get more tips.”
Don’t punch him. Don’t punch him.
“The only thing you’re gonna get is a killer hangover.”
“I’m serious! First night, I’ll get more tips than you.”
The sad thing was, he probably would earn more in tips than I did. Ryder was the kind of guy who went around turning everything in his life to gold with one touch. The thought of him, a rich jackass who didn’t need the money earning more than I did, was enough to have me clenching my fists at my sides. “Bathroom’s over there,” I said through clenched teeth as I pointed across the dance floor. “Go before you piss yourself.”
“Aww, don’t be grumpy, Alex.” He did something that was probably supposed to be a dance move but looked more like a spasm. On anyone else, I’d be teasing them about their boozy state, but I just wanted him to get the hell out of my face before I did something to risk not only my tip but my whole job.
“I’m not grumpy. Just don’t want to get stuck cleaning your piss off the floor.”
“This is why I’ll earn more in tips. I’m charming, and you’re a grump.” He tried to bump my shoulder with his but missed and nearly fell on his face, which set off his hysterical laughter. It only lasted a few seconds before panic crossed his face. “Oh shit, I really gotta take a leak.”