Page 58 of Shifting Sands
“Some drunk asshole got handsy with Avie,” Tabby says.
“Really?”
Eden nods. “Lennon, Sebastian, Parker, and Anson had gone upstairs to play a game of pool. We were all dancing when he approached her from behind on the dance floor. She kept trying to move away, but he became aggressive. Wade had gone to the restroom, so I ran upstairs to find Sebastian.”
“Apparently, he’s been a problem before because Audrey went ballistic,” Tabby says.
“Where did she go?” I ask.
“I think they’re in Brew’s office,” Eden says as she spots Wade. “I’ll be right back.”
“Brew’s office?” I repeat.
Tabby looks at me with wide eyes. “I think she meant Audrey’s office. It’s down that hallway. She runs this place.”
“She does?”
“Yeah, she’s the general manager,” Tabby replies.
Anson joins us while Parker goes in search of Audrey and Brew. Tabby, Anson, and I take a seat at our table as we watchAvie fuss over Sebastian, who is holding a bag of ice on his left eye.
“Well, this evening took a turn real quick,” Anson says as he looks at us. “You two want another drink?”
I shake my head. “I think I’m done.”
“Me too,” Tabby agrees.
Brew
Damn it.
I should have had Dirk Tomberlin thrown out the moment I saw him sitting at the bar. He’s an asshole, even on his best days. Audrey mentioned they’d had issues with him before and she had to cut him off, so I told Leonard to be cautious about serving him too much. I also asked him to inform me if Dirk started causing trouble.
Whiskey Joe’s has a laid-back atmosphere most nights. We have a solid group of regular customers, but due to our location near the island, we also attract unpredictable tourists. Our staff is excellent at handling situations swiftly, but an occasional scuffle is bound to happen when you mix alcohol with testosterone.
Audrey enters my office and shuts the door behind her. “Fucking Dirk,” she says as she plops down in the seat across from my desk.
“He’s done. Inform the bouncer at the front and the cashiers. I can overlook someone getting drunk and rowdy now and then,but I won’t tolerate anyone assaulting women in here,” I respond as I take a seat.
“Already on it. I sent a message on the employee app.”
“I’m sorry your party got ruined,” I tell her.
She shrugs. “It didn’t. I mean, what’s a little bar fight? I’m used to it.”
I chuckle.
“I like Brandee,” she says after a few moments.
I bring my eyes to hers. “Yeah, I like her too.”
“I noticed.”
I sit back and fold my arms over my chest.
“Oh, don’t give me that look. She’s the first woman I’ve seen you this into in a long time. So, of course I’m going to befriend her.”
“Don’t get too attached. She’s only here for a little while longer, and then she’ll be going home,” I say.
