Chapter 5

“I seriously doubt it. He’s had girlfriends.”

“He didn’t try anything at all?”

“Oh, for pity’s sake, Shelly! He walked me to my door, hugged me, and kinda kissed me on the cheek, all right?”

“Kinda?”

“Kinda, as in light. More of a caress of the lips than a pucker.”

“Ooh! Nice! But that’s it?”

“He called earlier. He’s renting a bicycle built for two on Sunday.”

“Kinda old-school, but that’s cool!”

“Charming, really,” Kay said.

On Friday, Kay debated about stopping at the bar after work, but instead went home to eat and curl up with a book. She was in her pajamas. pouring cereal in a bowl for dinner, when the phone rang.

“Hey, it’s Jim. When are you coming for your discount drink?”

“I’m beat from trying to stay awake at work today. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Great! The bar down the street is doing their monthly beer special tomorrow, so we won’t be that busy. We should be able to get some time to chat.”

She kept herself busy on Saturday, cleaning, doing laundry, and shopping for the week. She didn’t want to show up too early, so she purposely dawdled. It took her forty-five minutes to dress. She settled on a long spaghetti-strap top with a fitted bodice that highlighted her modest bosom without being too slutty, pants that fit her slender legs well, and high-heeled sandals. She thought about straightening her hair but left it in its natural slightly wild state, the way Sid hated it. He always liked her to wear a lot of make-up, so she wore only a hint of shadow and her favorite cologne.

Jim had his back to the door when she walked into the lounge and sat on a stool near the beer taps. When he saw her, he motioned her toward the darker, quieter end of the bar. “Wow!”

“What?” she blushed.

“You look amazing. Wondered what you’d wear tonight. Hope you don’t mind me asking you to move down here. When it gets busy there’s a crowd at the taps anyway. If you sat there looking like that it would be mayhem.”

“Oh, you’re on your game tonight!” she smiled.

“Kay, I admit I’m not above telling a girl what she wants to hear to get a good tip. That’s not why I said what I did. Black Russian?”

“Yes, please.”

He played with his imaginary mustache again. “Don’t you fret none, Miss. I have to deal with them cowpokes what just come in, but I’ll be back with your refreshment in two shakes of a prairie dog’s tail.” Away he went.

They chatted as much as they could between customers. Eventually, her glass was empty.

“Do you want another?” he asked.

“Not sure I should. I have to drive.”

“Not if I ask the waitress to take you home. She passes your place on the way to hers. I’ll be back.”

Before Kay could say anything, he was gone, but he returned in a moment. “It’s all set, and before you say no, I bought the drink, so now you have to stay.” He set the fresh glass in front of her and hurried away to serve another customer.

“Kay?” a voice behind her called. Shelly strutted across the barroom in dangerous heels and a mini-skirt that threatened to burst. “I don’t have to ask what you’re doing here, do I?” She plopped on the stool next to her friend.

“Are you following me?”

“Hello to you too. You went for the quiet sexy look tonight. I like. Hey, Jim!” she greeted the bartender when he arrived.

He made a showy bow. “A pleasant eve to you, milady. Your usual libation?”

She giggled. “My date’s getting it, thanks.”

Jim turned away to wait on others.

“Your date?” Kate asked.

“Now that I have you fixed up, I need some dick myself, you know. See him over there? The tall one with the tattoos. He calls himself Blade.”

Kay did a double-take. “He’s wearing a shirt that says ‘porn star’ with an arrow pointing down! You’re on a date with ... him?”

“Don’t judge. Bad boys can be fun.” She adjusted her boobs in her top and wiggled away.

Jim came by a few seconds later. “Your friend Shelly,...”

“She’s a big girl.”

“That guy’s trouble. My bouncer gave me the sign the minute he walked in. We’ve both been doing this job long enough to spot a bad one. Some of those are prison tats. Shelly seems like a nice girl. She could do better.”

“You said it yourself,” Kay reminded him. “She’s a party girl.”

“It’s all fun and games till someone gets hurt,” he replied.

The two talked when they could. If Jim was busy, Kay amused herself watching Shelly and her thug. She saw the bouncer and Jim looking at them too.

“I’m about ready to tell those two to get a room,” Jim said at one point. “This isn’t that kind of bar.”

Kay was nursing her second drink when Shelly and Blade came over to her.

“Kay, meet Blade.”

Kay attempted a smile until he leered at her.

“Ain’t you a sexy thing?” he said. “Tits ain’t as big as Shelly’s, but you’ll do. Me and Shelly was gonna have a party for two, but I got enough for you, too, babe.” He draped his arm over Kay’s shoulder and rested his hand on her boob.

She sloughed his arm away. “Get off me!”

“Ooh, feisty! I like that. A little rape play would probably make you nice and wet.”

“Blade, honey, she’s not that kind,” Shelly said.

“No?” He stroked Kay’s long hair. “We’ll see.”

“Take your fuckin’ paws of my girl before I break them,” Jim commanded. He wasn’t loud. No one but the four of them could hear.