Whiskey Tender Book Review Novels & Stories

DERRICK I leaned back against the couch, the leather cool against my skin, the weight of the day finally settling in. The glass of whiskey in my hand felt like a trophy, the amber liquid catching the dim light of the room. I swirled it slowly, observing the way it clung to the sides of the glass before sliding back down. The taste was sharp, sooty, and perfect. Just like tonight. Just like everything I’d been working toward. Everything was working perfectly as planned and that gave me a sense of joy.

My friends nodded enthusiastically, although I remained silent and still as a statue in my chair. Edwin poured small amounts for each of us. I hesitated, shooting him a wary look as he handed me my glass, but my friends’ murmurs of pleasure as they tried the whiskey made my resolve crumble. I took a tentative sip, savoring the sensation of it burning a warm path down my throat. It was the same whiskey that Edwin had been so casually drinking earlier.

“Idiot, he is still my brother, now shut up and give me that bottle of whiskey we carried “she directed as Enzo started to search his pockets. Alexis snatched the whiskey and sipped on it, she closed her eyes as the bitter taste entered her throat” Ughrr…….this is so disgusting” she curved her mouth in to a sneer. She didn’t understand what people enjoyed by drinking the whiskey as it was her first time tasting it. She liked to indulge herself, yes. But just a simple red or white wine will be enough for her , no strong garbage like this” I need this to calm my nerves. “She added.

I ordered for a whiskey. Everywhere is Loud. Hot. Filthy. A sea of strangers moving like their bodies had all the answers mine didn’t. I shoved through the crowd and let the bass crawl up my spine. Let the sweat and lights swallow me whole. Let the vodka keep my mouth full of anything but truth. This? This was better than the silence Bram wrapped around me like a noose back at the estate. Another drink slid into my hand. I didn’t ask for it. Didn’t care who bought it. I downed it in one go, throat burning, vision tilting slightly. Better.

"Some say he is dangerous, but I think Lucian wins the sit." I smiled as I head over to the counter, where a blonde female waiter was cleaning up the glasses. "Sad day huh?" She asked as I take my sit. "Yea?" I said looking at her with confusion in my eyes. "Don't worry, I know the perfect drink." She said and head to the counter and to my surprise, she brings out a whiskey bottle. "How do you know my favourite?" I asked as she poured the whiskey into the cup. "Every alpha male would settle for whiskey because it burns the throat but the feeling will always be pure bliss." She said and winked at me.

“Six bucks.” I fished a crumpled ten from my pocket, and laid it down. He took it, gave me four ones and two quarters without comment, then moved down the bar to wipe a spill. I wrapped both hands around the glass and watched as the whiskey caught the red light and glowed amber, it was… almost pretty. I lifted it, inhaled and took a long drink. It burned down my throat, pooling in my stomach like a small sun and I closed my eyes for a second, letting the burn settle.

The call ends a minute later with professional words, practical details, nothing dramatic enough to justify the way my hand remains closed around the phone long after the line goes dead. The kitchen is still here. The chicken, the rice, the scale. The clean, disciplined life that I understand and fully control. I look at the meal that I prepared with such care and feel a sudden, irrational revulsion. Then I open the cabinet above the refrigerator and take down the whiskey. I almost never drink before evening. I almost never drink alone. I almost never drink when I’m training. Today, the word almost becomes irrelevant. The first swallow burns hard enough to make my eyes close, and I welcome i

The aroma of the whiskey wafted up to greet me, and I took a slow, deliberate sip, relishing the familiar burn. As I swirled the whiskey in my glass, I couldn't help but think about the mess I had gotten myself into. The lies, the secrets, and the dangerous path I was treading weighed heavily on my conscience. But for now, all I could do was drown my doubts in the comforting embrace of alcohol. The bar's muted atmosphere, the low hum of conversation, and the occasional clink of glasses provided a temporary respite from the chaos of my life. I took another sip, the warmth of the whiskey spreading through my veins, momentarily numbing the guilt and fear that threatened to consume me.

He handed me a whiskey tumbler as he lifted the other to his lips while he grabbed one of the folders I wasn’t reviewing. “Fūck,” He muttered, making me look up at him. I shook my head at the face he made as I tried the whiskey myself. As soon as the dark liquid touched my tongue, I almost spat it right back out. “That’s not the limited-edition whiskey. No wonder numbers were low.” I scowled, throwing my glass cup against the wall. “Is that your thing now?” Edgardo chuckled as he scanned through the pages. “Throwing glass against the wall and shīt?”

With a trembling voice, I asked him, “Was it fun, fooling me all this while? Your bet with your buddies cost me five years of my life. To pay off your so-called debts, I gave up my kidney. Is this what you wanted to see?” “Babe…” Francis’ expression soured in an instant. Whitney, who realized how things were developing, came over to distract him. For the first time, Francis rejected her advance. “Go away, let her finish speaking.” “I have nothing more to say, Francis. Return my driver license, and let’s break up.” This seemed to have caught Francis by surprise. However, with so many people around, he still kept his composure well enough. I met his gaze, except this time, there was no love in