Undercover Barmaid Page 4

  As God is my witness, I will burn every woman who tries to take my heart from my chest. Just like I did with Felicity. She got too close, so I squashed that nonsense. Now she can pick up the pieces of her heart and mend them slowly, the same way I had to.

  Love... fuck love.

  I shake off the unwanted feelings and readjust my focus. Friday night. If everything doesn’t go as planned then I’ll lose the one thing that harbors any positivity in my life. On top of that, Ava could be out of a job and she’s just started to get her life back on track. I need this. We need this.

  I head back inside and make a beeline to The Den. I flip on the lights and sit down to rummage through the VIP guest list. Some of the richest, dirtiest bastards in the city will be in attendance. Exactly as I planned. Our top security is in place, our best croupier on schedule. Lance has handled it all, as I knew he would.

  I glance up at the surveillance monitor and see he has arrived. Speak of the devil.

  “Well, how's it look?” Lance says as he takes a seat next to me and begins looking through the paperwork.

  “Looks like payday.” I chuckle before my tone turns serious, “One time, Lance. One time only. I’m not proud of what we are about to do. It’s not me. It’s not us. Up until now, The Den has been built on honesty and respect for the game.

  “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  “And no one can ever find out about this, especially Ava.”

  “Only the Rebel Runners, man.” We knock knuckles and both nod in agreement.

  Lance and I gave ourselves that name back in high school when we started our small poker games in the basement of his gran’s house, and it’s stuck with our group ever since. The Rebel Runners consist of a small group: me, Lance, Tripp, and Tia. We’ve been tight since grade school and I would trust these fuckers with my life.

  “These four.” Lance slaps a couple papers down in front of me. “These are the ones.”

  “Four? Woah, wait a minute.” I shuffle through them in search of my main target. “Lou Hancock isn’t in here?”

  “Bro, we can’t. We’d be asking for a shitload of trouble. These four will give us what we need. We hit the goal and we shut it down. No more, no less.”

  I’m not satisfied with this list but I suppose he has a point. We’re already in deep with one of the top dogs as it is. The last thing we need is Lou’s tribe on our asses. We may all end up in a pool of blood on top of the black and white checkered floor.

  “If you’re sure, I trust you.”

  “Shouldn’t take more than a couple hours. We’re golden, man. Quit getting your panties in a bunch. You’ll get the money to give Big John, and Ava will be none the wiser.”

  I let out a sigh and nod.

  Three months ago, Ava got herself into a world of trouble when she messed with the wrong man. The game got the best of her when she started playing with Big John’s boys and it ended up costing her big—almost her life. I shot a deal with Big John and agreed to pay her tab but had to put up the club as collateral. I have until Saturday morning or it’s all gone. Everything Dad busted his ass for, his pride and joy, the club he entrusted in my hands, will no longer be mine.

  Guys like Big John play dirty, and he knows it. The problem is, he won’t ever admit it and he won’t ever change. The thing with this asshole is, he’s a cheater—Ava didn’t just work for him, she played for him and it’s because she was good—until she wasn’t good enough. She lost one big game that he had wagered six figures on for his clients and he’s never let it go. When she didn’t pay up, he came to make sure she did. Hence, me having to put up the club until I had the money, which I will get, one way or another.

  Ava doesn’t know. She thinks I paid him off and she’s been paying me little by little to work off what she thinks she owes. I’ve been adding it to the stash that I intend to hand over, which isn’t nearly enough—yet.

  Our agreement for my supposed payoff, was that she give up the game. She was in too deep, losing everything she loved, herself included, in the process. She doesn’t even step foot in The Den anymore.

  “Saturday, we start fresh with a nice clean game and put this all behind us.” Lance says trying to assure me, again.

  “I hope you’re right.”

  I do hope he’s right, but I feel like he’s dead wrong.

  Seven

  SADIE

  The dark sky threatens rain and that can only mean one thing, dinner is going to be a disaster. Anytime it rains, it means that something destructive is headed my way. It’s sort of a pattern I’ve noticed my whole life.

  The day I found out the Easter Bunny wasn’t real: rain. The day I got in my first and only car accident: rain. The day my Grammy passed away: rain. Amongst many others, the incident that stands out the most is when I caught my former best friend in bed with my ex-boyfriend. It was the middle of a thunderstorm and I was taking cover with a jacket over my head and running down the road. He lived two houses down, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to show up at each other’s houses unannounced. He had graduated a year prior to me, and Ruby and I were both seniors in high school. Seth was my high school sweetheart, we dated for three years. I thought for sure I’d marry him, but boy was I wrong. I ran right into his house, directly into his room, and bam. There they were, butt ass naked on his bedroom floor. Not even a blanket nearby for them to grab and shield themselves with some lame excuse.

  That was the last day I ever spoke to Ruby or Seth. I’ve always been told that I need to work on giving others forgiveness, but I strongly believe that not many people who have done me wrong are worth my forgiveness. It took me a very long time to trust men and people in general. When I met Neil, he showed me that not all men are assholes. Unfortunately, trust wasn’t enough to build a foundation on—we lacked in other important areas.

  I step out of my car and pop open my umbrella as I make my way into Carmine’s. Fortunately, I had time to go home and change. I’m not sure how mom would react if I showed up in my interview attire. Carmine’s is on the fancier side, so I paired my solid cream-colored dress with a pair of basic black pumps.

  I’m greeted by the chipper hostess and after I give her the reservation name, she escorts me to the table that seats Mom, Dad, and, “Neil?” I gasp.

  “Sadie, it’s so good to see you.” He stands up and pulls me in for a hug.

  “You, too. I wasn’t expecting you.” I reciprocate and give him a friendly pat to the back.

  I shouldn’t be surprised that my parents are pulling this tactic.

  I give my mom a look and I know she can see that my eyes are loaded with questions, demanding answers.

  “The reservation was for four and when your sister said she couldn’t make it, I figured I’d ask Neil to join us.” She looks over to him with a pleased smile.

  Neil has always been a huge kiss ass with my parents. Always wanting to be in their good graces, and he always is because he’s constantly doing and saying all the right things. I wouldn’t call it an act, but I would call it unnecessary.

  “I see.” I nod and return my focus to Neil; I don’t want him to think I’m disappointed to see him. “I’m glad you could make the drive.”

  We take our seats and the small talk between Neil and Mom is nauseating. Dad remains silent, as usual. Our food arrives and I dig in, hoping to get this awkward evening over with quickly.

  Sometimes I swear Mom is more in love with Neil than I ever was. Hopefully after this meal she finally realizes that Neil and I will never be more than friends.

  “Have you seen the renovations being done at Cozy Cup?” I ask my parents, glancing back and forth between them.

  “We haven’t,” Mom dabs at the corner of her mouth, “We came straight here and with an early morning tomorrow, we’ll have to head straight back.”

  A three-hour drive and my parents can’t even take ten minutes to go and see their first-born daughter’s dream business taking afloat. Once again, not surprised.

>   “How’s the new promotion going?” Dad finally speaks.

  “Amazing. I got my first assignment but mums the word.” I zip my fingers across my lips.

  “That’s great, Sadie.” Neil places his hand on top of mine.

  My eyes focus on our hands and his soft gentle touch, just when I lift my eyes, I look over and see the barmaid from The Square walking in our direction. I believe her name was Ava. My heart drops. Without thinking, I do the only thing I can think of to hide my face before she recognizes me or even worse, approaches me. I pull Neil’s face forcefully against mine, closing my eyes in hopes of her vanishing before I open them.

  Our lips are still connected and my hand holding his head in place. I don’t open my mouth or move at all, although Neil tries slipping his tongue in between my tightly closed lips. I can only imagine what my parents are thinking right now. The public display of affection is undoubtedly embarrassing for them.

  After what feels like minutes, but was more like thirty seconds, I release my grip and pull away.

  She’s gone.

  “How about dessert?” I speak casually as I place my napkin on my empty plate.

  I turn my head and Mom and Dad are both staring at me. I don’t dare look at Neil. I know I just gave him an array of mixed signals that I’ll have to answer to later.

  It was wrong on so many levels. I’m well aware of Neil’s lingering feelings for me. The day I called off our engagement, I not only told him I’d never marry him, I also told him that I couldn’t be with him. We tried to remain friends, but I’d hardly call us that. He’s more of my parents’ friend than he is mine. I still see him around when I visit Saratoga Springs, which is usually just for holidays. Of course, there is the charity gala that’s held every year, here in Manhattan, that my parents attend alongside Neil’s family. When I was fourteen years old, I had attended my first Lyme Light Gala and that’s when I knew that I wanted to live here someday. I was captivated by the idea that a large population meant not everyone knew your business and didn’t meddle in your life.

  “Shall we?” Neil stands and extends his hand.

  I place mine in his and silently shriek. I know I need to speak with him before they head home. I can’t lead him on like this.

  “Mom, Dad, can you give us a few minutes before you leave?”

  “Of course, sweetie, take all the time you need.” Mom beams with delight.

  I lead Neil out of the restaurant with our fingers still intertwined. When we reach the parking lot I let go of his hand.

  “Neil, we need to talk.”

  “I agree.” Neil pulls me into him but senses my hesitation.

  I put my hands on his chest and gently push myself back. Taking his two arms in my hands and dropping them to his side. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. It was… it was an accident.”

  A wave of confusion floods his face. “An accident? How do you accidentally kiss someone?”

  Honesty, Sadie. Just be honest. He deserves that much.

  “I recognized someone in the restaurant and I was worried that if she saw me then she would have come over. I didn’t want Mom and Dad, or you for that matter, to blow my cover for my job.”

  “Why would we blow your cover? We don’t even know what your assignment is.”

  “Exactly.” I think for a moment and I know that I can trust Neil. He’s one of the few people that I can trust. “My story requires me to go undercover at The Square. It’s a nightclub. She’s a bartender... barmaid.” I correct myself, I’m still not sure why they can’t just call us all bartenders, “Anyway, I haven’t talked to her since I was hired and I just freaked out. She probably wouldn’t have even said anything, but I couldn’t take a chance.”

  “I see. So, I was just a distraction?”

  I can feel the sadness in his question. I know he wants me to tell him that he wasn’t just a distraction, that I wanted to kiss him. But I can’t. I can’t do this to him again.

  “Yes.” I take his hand in mine

  “I get it,” he pulls away, “No need to explain further. I’ll see you at the gala next month.”

  And just like that, he turns and walks to Dad’s BMW.

  I probably should go after him but there isn’t any more to say. Instead, I wait on the sidewalk with my head hung low until my parents come out.

  “Where is Neil?” Mom asks as she peers around the small crowd in the parking lot of Carmine’s.

  “Over there.” I gesture with my head towards Dad’s car. Mom looks disappointed and I use this as an opportunity to finally set her straight—so that she will stop with this nonsense. She should’ve never brought him here in the first place. It’s not fair to me, or to Neil. “Mom, you need to let this go. Neil and I are over. We are never getting back together.”

  “Sadie, sweetie, if you truly meant that you wouldn’t have kissed him. I was there and I saw the way you two connected.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened, but that’s between us. Please, just stop meddling in my life.” I shout, much louder than I realized. People turn and stare and I know that the public attention has made Mom uneasy. She’s always been one to worry about what the whole world thought of her.

  “Do not talk to your mother like that, young lady. If this is what New York is doing to you, maybe it’s time to come home.”

  “This is my home, Dad. If the city has changed me in any way, it’s for the better. I just wish for once you both would be on my side. Be happy for me—for Stella.”

  “We are always on your side, cupcake.” Dad hooks his arm around me, “We just want what’s best for you.”

  “Then please stop treating me like you know what that is. It’s my choice to make. You both act like Stella and I are out here living on the streets.”

  “We know that you and your sister are doing well. But, don’t you want more? To do better? To settle down with a good man and have a career?” Mom speaks calmly.

  “I have a career, a successful one at that. Someday, maybe I will settle down, but when I do it’s going to be with someone I love. Not someone that you chose for me. Not Neil.” Before I can stop the words from coming out I realize that Neil is now standing behind Dad. I close my eyes and open them slowly, praying that he isn’t there.

  He is.

  “Neil, I didn’t mean it like that”

  “I know what you meant. As I said before, I get it. I shouldn’t have come.”

  Mom shakes her head and follows after Neil as if he’s some lost puppy who was just shoved in a doghouse.

  “Love you, too, Mom.” I mumble under my breath.

  “She means well, cupcake.” Dad pulls me in for a hug and kisses the top of my head, “Do me a favor? Call her tomorrow?”

  “I love you, Dad. Thanks for dinner.” I kiss his cheek and turn to walk towards my car, wishing I’d just taken a taxi so I can sulk in the backseat and avoid the packed city streets.

  I quickly send Neil a text to apologize for what he heard. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that—as if I never loved him and that he was chosen by my parents. That’s not the case at all. I did love him, just not the way I will love my future husband.

  “I’m sorry for the way the night ended. You’re a good friend, Neil. I don’t want to lose that.”

  I toss my phone into the passenger seat. I don’t expect him to respond; I surely wouldn’t.

  The three-mile drive ended up taking me twenty minutes to get home, which is exactly why I hate city driving.

  After a quick shower, I send Mrs. Hallston an email to update her on my progress and make sure that she’s finalized all of my paperwork. Since I’m working tomorrow evening at The Square, I’m not obligated to go into the office.

  A morning of sleeping in and some shopping for new work clothes sounds like exactly what the boss ordered.

  Eight

  REED

  When I see Ava’s little neon bug in the parking lot, I know that I’m going to be the guest of honor in a shit show. I can see it
now; she’s pacing behind the bar with her arms crossed and smoke coming out of her ears. I let Lance fill her in on the hire of our new barmaid; that way she would have a little bit of time to digest the news before I see her.

  I decide to go with the, act like nothing is going on, approach. “Hey there, sis. Don’t you look dashing today.” Not exactly what I was going for. Any compliment coming from me is generally a red flag to Ava.

  “Don’t you try to butter me up, mister.” She pokes her finger into my chest and I fake a shriek of agony. “I know what you did. You know what you did and it’s not ok.”

  “She needed a job. What’s the big deal?”

  “You do this all the time, Reed. We are over staffed as it is. You meet a girl that you think you can get into bed and then you hire her, fuck her, and toss her out like she’s last night’s garbage.”

  “That’s not even remotely true.”

  “It’s not? What about Amy?” Ava places her hands on her hips in a stance as she waits for my pathetic response.

  “Amy called in twice in one week. She’s been sloppy with the customers and just last week she broke an unopened bottle of bourbon. Blanton’s Bourbon, Ava. Do you know how expensive that stuff is?”

  “Excuses, Reed. Well, Amy is still working here. In fact, she’s on Friday night. So, while you’re training your next lay, we’ll be up here...doing our jobs. I think you need to pull your head out of your ass and start treating these women with a little more respect.”

  “Don’t be a dick, Av.” I tease as she’s fuming. “Besides, I treat all women with respect, until they give me a reason not to.”

  “It’s going to blow up in your face one day. Wait and see. One day you are going to meet the one and you'll be too stuck in the past to even realize it as she slips right through your fingers.”

  “There isn’t a one for me. I could never refuse all the women of the world this body.” I puff out my chest.

  “Get over yourself.” Ava swats the back of my head as she walks to the end of the bar. “And next time, consult the head Barmaid before hiring anyone else. Better yet, let me choose from now on.”