AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tart might be quiet now, but the echoes of the rush still hum beneath the surface.
“Place looks good. Kelsey will be elated when she comes in tomorrow morning,” Tara says, wiping her hands on a dishrag and tossing it onto the counter. She arches a brow, a silent question hanging between us.
I pretend not to notice, focusing on dumping the dustpan into the trash.
“Yeah, she will. Thanks.” My voice is flat, trying to steer away from whatever it is she’s itching to ask.
“When you were on break, Blake called,” she says casually, too casually. “I didn’t answer, but I recognized his number.”
“Don’t answer if he calls again,” I reply, more bite in my tone than intended. Blake. Just his name sets my teeth on edge. “He’s a real piece of shit.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Tara laughs a short, sharp sound. “Pompous asshole. Are you done with him?”
“Oh yeah. I don’t have the best taste in men, so,” I admit, leaning against the counter, feeling the coolness through my shirt.
“Everyone picks a bad one now and then,” she says, brushing off my self-criticism. “Not all of them will be like Blake. I’m sure someone is going to pop into your life, and that is amazing.”
“Hope so.” I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.
I do like Bama, and I have such a strong physical attraction toward him.
He’s a good guy, but I don’t want to jump into anything serious.
I know I could tell her that I was with Bama last night, but I don’t want anything getting back to my mom or my dads.
“Let’s call it a night,” Tara suggests, grabbing her keys. “You still need me to take you to get your car, right?”
“Yes, please,” I say, exhaustion creeping into my bones.
I cannot wait to hit the hay tonight. Bama and I barely slept last night for obvious reasons.
We lock up Tart, the click of the deadbolt echoing in the empty street.
Tara’s SUV is parked nearby, and I slide into the passenger seat, grateful for the break from the chilly evening air.
I give Tara instructions and she drops me off on Maple Drive. I tell her my car is parked at my friend’s house in the back part of the driveway.
Tara insists on staying until she sees me get in my car, but I tell her to go ahead and that I’m okay.
Tara drives off, and I act like I’m heading down the driveway until she’s out of view.
When I can’t see her anymore, I walk across the street and head straight for about a block. I’m right up by my car, so I unlock it and get in my car.
It doesn’t take long until I’m back at the clubhouse. I park my car on the side of the building like a lot of the other ladies do.
Walking into the clubhouse feels like coming home and stepping into a minefield all at once.
The noise, the laughter, the clinking of beer bottles—it’s sensory overload after the quiet of Tart.
I spot Bama behind the bar, the sight of him sending a jolt through me.
He’s alone, polishing glasses with a practiced ease.
“Hey, can you get me a drink?” I ask, strutting up to the bar with more confidence than I feel.
“Sure thing. The usual?” he says, a slow smile spreading across his face.
I lean against the bar and give him a nod, letting the tension of the day melt away.
