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“I’m guessing that her scumbag boyfriend doesn’t pay rent or utilities,” Chains said.
“Nope, and she defends him at every turn. I really need to move out of there, but I’m not ready to do that just yet—you know, financially. Although my mom packed up most of my stuff and helped me load it into my car. I’ve been sleeping in it for the past two nights, with all my shit.”
“You’ve been sleeping in your car for the past two nights?” he asked.
“Yep,” Sprite said, “I parked it out back and Savage has been kind enough to let me use his personal bathroom back in his office. It has a shower and that’s all I really need.”
“What about the rooms that he rents out upstairs?” Chains asked. He knew that a couple of the guys stayed up there from time to time.
“They are all full and although he offered, I couldn’t let him kick someone out for me. I’d feel awful about that.”
“Did you call the cops on your mom’s boyfriend,” Chains asked.
“I didn’t get the chance. My mom said that he took off after he did this to me, and she said he hasn’t been back since. I called to check in on her, and she was pretty pissed off at me. She even went as far as to say that I was to blame for him leaving,” Sprite said.
“That’s bullshit,” Chains growled, “it’s not your fault that her boyfriend is an asshole. If you ask me, your mother is better off without him.”
“Agreed, but I can’t go back there until I’m sure that he’s gone for good. Plus, my mother told me not to bother coming back anytime soon. She said that she needs time to cool down.”
“How long will that take?” Chains asked.
“The last time this happened, I had to sleep at a friend’s place for three weeks,” Sprite admitted.
“Wait, this has happened before?” Chains asked.
“Yes, but with a different boyfriend. My mother has a knack for picking only the biggest assholes to date. It’s a gift, really,” Sprite grumbled. “Listen, it’s been nice chatting, but I need to get back to work. Thanks for listening, Chains.”
“Anytime,” he said. He watched her walk to the other end of the bar and worried that he had just blown his chance, but hesuddenly cared less about getting Sprite’s number and instead felt an overwhelming urge to take care of her. He stood from the barstool that he had occupied for way too long over the past two nights while waiting for Sprite to come into work. He never dreamed that she was hurt and sleeping in her car. That was something he planned to change.
Chains waited patiently for Sprite to finish serving a group of guys' beer and quickly got her attention. “You need another beer already?” she asked.
“Um, no,” Chains said, holding up his glass that was still half full. “I’m good on the beer front. I wanted to offer you a place to stay.”
“Oh, no,” Sprite said, “that’s not really a good idea. I’ll be fine. I’m sure this will all blow over in a few days.”
“And then what?” Chains asked. “You’ll go back home and let that asshole hit you again? You can sleep in my room, and I’ll take the couch,” he assured.
“I don’t think that will work out, Chains, but I really appreciate the offer,” Sprite said.
“Why the hell won’t it work out?” Chains asked.
“Because you asked me out,” she reminded.
“No, I didn’t ask you out,” he insisted. “I asked you for your phone number. Listen, I promise that we can keep this completely platonic,” he assured. “No strings attached. You’ll have a safe place to stay, and I’ll feel good about helping out a friend. It will be a win-win for us both.” He took it as a good sign when Sprite giggled. He wasn’t sure how in the hell he was going to keep his promise when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and seal his mouth over hers, but he’d give it his best shot. It was the only way to keep Sprite safe from her mom’s asshole boyfriend.
“Fine,” Sprite said after what felt like an eternity. “I’ll take you up on your offer, but I’ll take the couch. I don’t want to putyou out or be any trouble. And this is totally platonic—no funny business,” she insisted, pointing her finger at him.
He couldn’t help his smile, “No funny business,” he said, holding up his right hand as though he was swearing in. “I promise.”
“I get off at midnight. You want to give me your address and I’ll be there shortly after I close the bar down?” she asked.
“I have to stick around for church,” he said, “so, I’ll be here until midnight. You can follow me back to my place.”
She nodded, “Thanks, Chains. This means a lot. You’re a good friend.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about her calling him her friend, but for now, he’d take it. He had his foot in the door and if push came to shove, he’d kick it down if necessary.
Sprite
Sprite wasn’t sure that agreeing to go home with Chains was the best idea. She didn’t know the guy, and going home with a stranger wasn’t her scene. Savage walked in through the back door and called her to the kitchen. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but he didn’t look very happy.
