“No fucking wonder you would never allow any of us around her. Fuck she has a banging body!” Ghost whistles.
“You know what you go ahead and shoot your best fucking shot. I’m going to order our first round from the bar,” I tell him, patting his shoulder as I walk away.
I make it to the bar and wave down the bartender that we met a couple of nights ago trying with everything I have not to look over at her. I order a beer for myself and one for Ghost. I turn, scanning the room, not for her–nope– but for Ghost to see if my sister had kicked his ass yet. Shocked to find that asshole sitting at her table and them laughing. Should have fucking known that asshole would be able to talk his way into a seat at her table.
“Didn’t take you long to find yourself a seat,” I say, sliding in next to Ghost.
“When a beauty like the one across from me offers me a seat you can’t say no. Now, can you?”
“Or you know when he tells you that he is the infamous Ghost. You have him sit so he can tell you all about the dumb shit your brother has done.” Trixie winks.
Five
Lucky
I watch Troy cover the length of the bar drawing the attention of everyone. Time has been so incredibly good to this man. I watch as he takes a seat at the booth with his sister and some guy I’ve never seen before. Fuck, this isn’t good at all. Not only am I fixing to face the only man that ever meant anything to me but also his sister who has a take no prisoner attitude.
“You can’t hide here all night; you are going to have to go check your tables. Before you ask, the answer is no, I will not take that table for you!” Khloi smirks as she makes her way behind the bar.
She’s right, if we are both going to be in this town then I have to pull my big girl thong up and take care of a customer. They are just customers, not some kind of monster.
No, you are just hiding from your monster.
I shake my head to rid myself from those thoughts. I pick up a tray, add three glasses of water, and head for the table. I get to the table, and no one stops talking as if I’m not even there.
“Hey, y’all. My name is Lucky, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight,” I say with the brightest smile and set the waters on the table.
Trixie stops mid-sentence and slowly turns to me, her eyes going wide, “Lucky?”
“Hi, Trix. How are you?” I ask, dipping my head shyly.
“Holy shit. It’s you.” She bounces up and pulls me into a tight hug.
“Where the fuck have you been? You just disappeared,” she says holding me at arm’s length. “You are still as hot as ever. Troy, it’s Lucky!”
Troy gives me a head nod.
“It’s good to see you, Lucky. How are you?” he asks with no emotion of any kind. His lack of emotion is like a stab to the heart. I swallow back the pain and continue.
“I’m doing well. What can I get you guys? Would you like some more beer or food?” I ask.
“Yes, we would. Could we get a pitcher of beer and some wings and potato skins, to start?” the other guy at the table replies like there wasn’t anything going on between Troy and me.
“Sounds perfect. I'll get your food in and get the pitcher over shortly.” I force a smile.
“Don’t hold your breath, this one likes to disappear without a word,” Troy says snidely under his breath.
The dagger is like no pain I’ve ever felt. I know I have tears running down my face when I make it to the back of the house. Sucking in as much air as humanly possible, I work to calm my nerves. I have to get my shit together because I cannot afford to take any time off and tips on Saturday night are not something I can forfeit. I clean my face up and touch up my makeup, go back out on the floor, and do my part.
I take care of Troy’s table and do it with a smile while Troy makes one comment after the other. I never give in or snap back. At last call, Troy and Trixie pay their tab before heading for the door. For the very first time since they walked in, some of the stress rolls off my back. Well, our first run-in wasn't the worst. Now I know to avoid him and know that I can handle being in the same room with him.
“Hey,” Trixie says behind me making me jump so bad I knock a glass to the floor. A sigh of relief escapes me, when it doesn’t shatter all over the floor.
“Shit, Lucky, I never meant to scare you. I was just wondering if you would like to grab drinks and hang out sometime?” She smiles shyly.
“Trix, I really don’t know. I have so much going on that I just don’t know that I can.”
“Well, here's my number if you decide you want to. I would love for us to get together. I’ve missed you.” she replies sadly, handing me a piece of paper with her number on it.
