Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 79020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
"I don't give a shit what she said. The money is still due. I'm not running a fucking camp for orphaned girls here, Carl."
A shiver runs up my spine, very similar to the one I've been getting when I think about the redhead he had in his office earlier in the week. I'm not one to kink shame anyone, but there just seemed to be something off about that entire situation, namely the age gap between her and Tommy.
When the man on the other side of the door releases a long line of curse words, I knock.
"What?" he growls, making my hackles go up.
I shove the door open, wondering just how fake this man has been to me with the smiles each time he sees me because he doesn't even try to hide his snarl. It doesn't have the same effect on me that Owen's angry scowl does.
"Something wrong?" I ask, knowing the man isn't going to tell me his problems. Hell, I pray that he doesn't. I don't want to know shit about what he's up to, although I can't help but feel guilty for not speaking up right now. For not questioning why a young girl would be on her knees, sucking his dick the other day and why another one, no doubt fresh from a fucking farm in Minnesota, is sitting at the bar waiting for him.
"Nothing you need to worry about. What do you need?"
An internal battle rages inside of me as I try to decide if I should tell him never mind and go tell that girl to get as far away from this place as possible or if I should mind my own damn business.
As he glares at me, I opt for the latter. It's not my place to get in the middle of anyone else's shit. That girl walked into this bar of her own free will, and I don't get a say in how she lives her life.
I wouldn't want people getting in the middle of mine. I know that for a fact because Jersey has no shortage of advice each time Owen walks up to the bar.
"There's a girl waiting in the bar for you," I say, hitching my thumb over my shoulder. "Do you want me to send her back?"
"I have a call to make. Give me five minutes then you can send her back."
I nod and back out of the doorway quickly, pulling it closed behind me.
Teena, as her license said her name was, is still sitting at the bar, but she's leaning away from Carlen who seems to be laying it on really thick. It's still two hours until the countdown, but from the looks of it, Edith will be calling him an Uber before the ball drops.
"Leave the girl alone, Carlen," I tell him as I approach. "Tommy is on the phone, said to give him a couple of minutes. Can I get you a drink?"
"A soda would be nice," she says, looking relieved that I stepped up and interrupted Carlen's pickup game.
I make her a drink, watching with a grin as she covers it with her hands when she senses someone coming close to her. Maybe she isn't as innocent and inexperienced as I initially thought.
"How long have you worked here?" she asks a few minutes later after I serve a few more drinks and make my way to her.
"A couple of months," I tell her with a shrug.
"Seems less busy than you'd think for New Year's."
"We usually only get locals around here. It's very seldom we get a stranger."
"Do you do the modeling too?" she asks, her eyes skating down my body. I can see the judgment in her gaze as if she's locating and cataloging every imperfection.
"I just serve the drinks," I tell her, wondering if that's the line Tommy is using. I had almost convinced myself that she was possibly going to be a new bartender, maybe a floater that would cover shifts so the burden didn't always rest on my and Edith's shoulders. "I bet Tommy is ready for you. Follow me."
I walk to the end of the bar and wait for her to join me, once again trying to decide if I should tell her that she should get far, far away from this place.
But I don't. I tap on Tommy's door, noticing the change in his demeanor from a couple of minutes ago when I came back here by myself.
He no longer looks pissed. His smile is wide and welcoming when I open the door and announce Teena.
I leave Tommy to whatever he plans to do with the girl, guilt chewing away at me as I make my way back behind the bar.
I had planned to leave over an hour ago, but the guilt of leaving Edith and now the guilt about that girl in the back room keeps me here.