Chapter 7: Ice & Glass

Uncle Harris called from the stairs up to the apartment. “Esme, we’re pretty busy down here.”

“I’ll be right down.” It was noon, and we didn’t usually open until one on Sundays, even if there was a game. His customers didn’t think twice about intruding and making themselves at home. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with people today. I slept like shit. My mind kept wandering to Ghost-tall, handsome, with a chiseled jaw and cheekbones covered with a shadow beard. He moved so quickly, like smoke. Even though his emotions were seemingly full of disdain, he spent most of the night watching me. My brain couldn’t process his deal, but he was something. At least my lady parts thought so.

I piled my hair on top of my head and threw on a tank top and jeans. No amount of coffee was going to put me in a better mood.

“Esme, pour a tray of whiskey shots.”

“Yes, sir.” I mock-saluted my uncle. He wasn’t ready for the number of customers present.

“Funny, girly.” He winked at me, settling in our rhythm. Before the game started, everyone was served twice.

Most of the same people from last night were back again, including the group of women. Ninety percent of our customers were men. Women usually came in later at night to entice a man to go home with them, but they rarely hung out.

“Hey, Princess.”

“Hi, Magnus. What can I get you?” Magnus was tall, dark, and Hollywood handsome. He was a mass of testosterone that set my nerves on high alert. His muscles had muscles, and his confidence was super sexy. Besides Gunnar, he had talked to me the most. I thought he would ask me out, but he never did. He spent his time shooing everyone else away.

“Beer on tap and your number.”

“You know I don’t have a phone.”

“I think you’re just telling me you don’t have a phone.” Little did Magnus know that my phone was destroyed at the end of my last semester back in the city. I just hadn’t found the need or desire to buy a new one. I almost let myself dip into the depression I had walled up against, avoiding the memories. The last year had been one tragedy after another.

“When I get a new phone, yours will be the first number I add.”

“I’ll hold you to that pretty girl.” As Magnus leaned on the bar, waiting for his beer, one of the women from the group skipped the line and pressed her body beside him.

Daggers were thrown my way by the same blonde who was all over Ghost last night. Her friends paid little attention to her as she continued to watch me.

“Buy me a drink, Magnus.” She cooed to him.

“Not today, Sandra. I’m here to watch the game.”

“What about after the game?” She purred at him while stroking his neck, then took the liberty of dragging her hand lower.

“I’ve got work in the morning.” He grabbed her hand and put it on the bar before the move got indecent.

“I’ll make sure you’re up in time.” The look of disgust on my face could not be masked.

“What are you looking at, barmaid?” She snapped at me.

“Be nice, Sandra. Esme hasn’t done anything to you.”

“She’s looking at me like I’m a whore.”

“You’re making yourself look like a whore.”

“Magnus!”

“Listen, I’m not interested.” Her attention on Magnus was short-lived. 

The hum of his motorcycle was different than the others, alerting me to his arrival. My eyes shot to the door, and Sandra’s followed.

Ghost walked in looking extra sexy. His black motorcycle jacket molded to his body, showing off his muscular form. Dark jeans hung low on his hips but hugged his ass perfectly, and a tight black t-shirt teased us with what lay underneath. A drip of drool fell from my mouth.

He stalked towards me with a raised eyebrow. Oh God. Did he see? My favorite blonde severed our brief connection. She steeled her eyes at me while her hands folded around his waist as if they belonged there. I couldn’t watch their interaction and busied myself with filling orders. I had no right to feel slighted, but I did.

My mind was elsewhere as I took the empty glasses off the bar and lined them up to be washed. I kept my head down, not wanting to see Ghost and Sandra flirting. I haphazardly reached for the next glass when it slipped out of my hand. The glass shattered and fell into the ice bin below me. “Shit.” Ice and glass shards don’t mix. I reached in to pick out a piece of glass but got cut by another. Blood poured from my hand over the smooth ice cubes, coloring them red. Uncle was going to be pissed. The whole bin would have to be drained. “Shit. Shit.”

I looked up, and Ghost’s grey eyes were black as he vibrated with pure anger. Magnus, Cyrus, and a few others slowly backed away, speaking in a low, calm voice. I looked around the room, and all the bikers had stood looking as if they were sniffing the air. Panic froze me in place. This was going to end badly.