We were still walking and getting close to the townhouse, but I was really enjoying our conversation and wanted to continue getting to know him a little more, so I walked past my townhouse.
“So, do you train daily?” I asked.
“Yes, every day but Sunday. I like to try to give myself a rest, but there are times when I want to push a bit farther, so I run on the occasional Sunday. Do you belong to a gym?” He asked, glancing over to me again.
I never want to belong to a gym again or ever have a personal trainer. “No, I don’t. I prefer to just run outdoors.”
He seemed a bit eager and excited as he told me, “I usually lift weights at Fitness 1010 over on 100th. It’s a great club, if you ever want to check it out. I know the owner.”
I nodded, but didn’t give him a direct answer. I wanted to change the subject, but instead of a talking point, I seemed to blurt out, “I’m a bartender over at Allure. Not that you probably go out to bars much since you’re training.” Why did I just tell him where I worked? That was stupid. Bad Izzy. Bad!
“Actually, I do give myself a break every now and then. I’ll have to stop by sometime.” His eyes seemed to sparkle as he smiled at me.
I bit my lip and grinned as my heart started beating faster at the thought of seeing him again. “Great. That’d be great.” I was suddenly nervous, as if we were on a date or something, as we continued walking.
“So where’d you move from?” he asked.
“Umm, a couple towns over. I moved for a different job.” I stammered not knowing what else to say. I didn’t really want to say from where I lived, nor did I want to explain anything that might have to do with HIM.
“Oh really? I thought you said you bartend over at Allure?” He asked with his brows pulled together.
“Yeah, my friend owns the bar and he asked me if I’d help him out since he was short staffed.” Quick thinking Izzy, good girl! He seemed satisfied with my answer. “So Ironman, huh?” I asked, wanting to change the subject yet again. That really requires intense training, I thought to myself.
“Yeah, it’s my fourth one. I really love doing them. And traveling to different cities is pretty fun and exciting too.”
Interesting. I bet the Ironman website will have a picture of him somewhere on there. I can check on Melanie’s computer to make sure he’s legit. The feeling that HE might have someone spy on me continued to lurk in the back of my mind and perhaps this little amount of investigation might ease my discomfort.
“I’m sure it does. I can’t imagine the perseverance that must require.” I wanted to know more about his personal life. I glanced quickly at his left hand. No ring. “So, I bet that takes you away from your girlfriend?”
He smiled knowing what I was really asking. “Nope, doesn’t take me away from one since I don’t have one.” He had such a cute smile which also reached his eyes. I bit my lip and smiled. This flirtation we were having was fun and exciting.
“How about you? I bet tending bar late at night would be tough on a relationship?”
I giggled and brushed back the strand of hair that had come out of my ponytail on my run. “Nope, no relationship here either.”
We continued to chat about different things. We were walking for a while and I realized we were a couple of blocks away from my townhouse. “Well, I really should get going before I start my shift. I’ll see you around on the trails?” I asked, hopeful.
He smiled so sweet. “Yeah, that’ll be great. It was nice talking to you Izzy. I look forward to it again.”
“Me too.” I bit my lip again, smiling. Reluctantly, I turned towards the townhouse. I glanced back and he turned his head to see if I was looking too. I waved, smiling again and I knew I had a silly grin on my face.
I rounded the corner and looked again just to see if he was following me. I hated feeling that way, but I still wasn’t sure if HE was having me followed. But if HE is, I was just an idiot for telling Mark where I worked. I felt like I was okay. I hoped I was. Mark was so very sweet, cute and I really enjoyed talking with him. I turned another corner and was home. I couldn’t stop smiling. I really hoped I would run into him again very soon.
I went inside to find everyone on the couch watching TV. Z was on the chaise still passed out. I laughed, shaking my head and ran upstairs to take my shower.
Chapter 8
Z
“Uh.” Fuck, my head was pounding. Again. I really needed to stop doing this. I slowly opened my eyes and three pairs were staring back at me. All with some goofy smirk. What the fuck? Where am I? Ugh. I must have passed out on the chaise? “How much did I drink?” I was really asking anyone who would answer me.
Flynn piped up, “a shit load and then some – of Jack.” Well thank you; that explains it all. Asshole. It would take too much effort to say that so I just nodded my head…slightly because it hurt like hell to move anything. “What time is it?” And why did my mouth taste like shit?
“It’s almost five. You’ve been asleep for a very long time, my friend,” Flynn added.
Oh shit. I’d have to get to the club soon. I tried to move, but my head was still throbbing. I managed to stand up and get some water from the kitchen. Everyone was so quiet. They must be hung over too. I grabbed some Advil from the cabinet and took a couple.
“Did everyone drink just as much? Why are you guys all sitting around quietly?” It was just so odd; I had to know why.
Flynn chuckled. “Nope, we were just waiting for you to wake up and see how you’re feeling.”
Clark chimed in, “Yeah, we wanted to see how you made out last night!” They all busted out laughing. What was that supposed to mean? I remember throwing up. Aw, shit. I vaguely remember Izzy on the couch. Is Izzy pissed because she had to babysit me last night?
“Is Izzy mad?” I asked, trying to keep my head from pounding when I spoke.
They all turned around to watch me. “Why would Izzy be pissed, Z?” Mel asked with a weird smirk.
“I don’t know. ‘Cause she had to babysit me last night? I think I remember her sitting with me while I puked my guts out at some point during the night.”
“That’s what you remember?” Flynn asked with his brows pulled together as if he were confused.
“Well, yeah….why? Something else happen?” I was trying to remember anything, but I couldn’t.
Just then Izzy called from the top of the stairs, “hey Mel, can I use your laptop?”
Mel yelled back, which hurt the fuck out of my brain, “Yeah, it’s on my bed.”
“Thanks,” Izzy called back down.
Clark started in while laughing, “That’s all you remember? Puking?” What was that supposed to mean?
Fuck, what did I do? “Come on you guys….what else did I do?” There’s obviously something else that happened. They just started laughing again and started to stand up.
“Nothing. Nothing else happened besides you being totally drunk last night,” Mel said smirking. “I’m gonna go get ready.”
Flynn looked at her quizzically and asked, “ready for what?”
Clark snickered. “Her date, dude. Guy at the bar last night was hitting on her while you and Z were becoming friends with Jack.”
Mel looked uncomfortable, but still kind of happy. “He called me today and wanted to take me out to dinner. He seems like a nice guy.” She said slowly while looking at the floor.
Flynn didn’t look happy at all. Shit, his nose was flaring like a bull. I was waiting for him to charge. He surprised me, and I think Mel too, by saying, “good, have a great time.” His voice was tight as he said that.
Mel looked away and whispered, “thanks.”
Clark just shook his head as he stood up. “I’m going to get ready for work.”
Mel started running up the stairs, screeching out, “I called the bathroom first!” Clark ran too, trying to beat her to the staircase. They were like brother and sister fighting over the bathroom racing up the stairs. I think Mel won because I heard her gig
gling after a door slammed.
Clark banged on the door yelling, “Hey, I gotta get to work! You’re just getting ready to tease some dick!”
Izzy came down dressed and ready for work. Her hair was down again, all wavy and shit. She looked like she was wearing more makeup than she usually wore. She looked smokin’. Just…perfect. She was laughing about the whole Clark/Mel competition for the bathroom. God, she has a beautiful smile. Her lips…something about them. I kept staring and couldn’t stop. I didn’t know why. I think I remember staring at them last night and then, just like that, the memory slipped away.
Flynn moaned from the couch, “Fuck. What the fuck?” He was putting his hands over his face as if he were exhausted.
“What’s wrong?” Izzy asked as she applied lip gloss to her gorgeous plump lips. I think I was staring too long because she caught my stare, smiled and winked. “How ya feeling, Z?”
I gulped, “fine, thanks” and turned to Flynn, who started answering Izzy.
“Mel’s got a date tonight.” I turned back to watch Izzy get excited, her eyes lit up and she did that bounce thing that made her tits jiggle. I felt my cock twitch just watching her jump.
“Ohhh! Did that guy actually call her? Wow, he’s quick! He was very sweet…” and she trailed off probably realizing who she was speaking to. She stopped smiling immediately. “Uhh, sorry,” she added, as if that would help out.
He let out a breath and asked, “Does he seem like a good guy or was he just a drunk idiot?”
She glanced at me as if she was wondering how to respond. “Umm, he seemed like a nice guy. He didn’t seem like he was just out for a lay, if that’s what you mean? I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have said anything.” She felt bad, you could tell. “Look, I’m going to head over to the club and start getting things ready.” Then she looked at me, “I’ll see you over there? Or are you gonna to flake out tonight?” She chuckled at her last question. Smart ass.
“Nah, I’ll be over there later. You go on ahead.” She smiled and grabbed her stuff. “I’ll see you guys!” She called as she walked out the door.
“What is she so fucking happy about?” I asked Flynn, who was still holding his head in his hands.
“You don’t remember anything at all about last night?” He grumbled as he stood up and walked to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, opened it and took a swig.
“Not much. Am I supposed to? Why do you guys keep asking that? What did I do?” I was serious and getting pissed that no one was answering me.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it, man. You got your bike or truck over at the bar?” He took another long drink from his beer.
“Truck, I had to pick up some stuff yesterday morning,” I replied, watching him down the rest of the beer. Shit. Guess he’s hurting pretty bad.
“Come on, I’ll walk over with you and hang out at your house while you get ready. I can’t be here when the douche picks her up. I might beat the shit out of him.” Flynn growled and looked pretty pissed. I laughed at the picture in my head. Poor guy comes to pick up a hot date and gets punched in the jaw.
We started walking back towards the bar and I kept having flashes of last night’s walk home. “Was I hanging all over Iz?” I asked.
“Yeah, pretty much. You were talking about her tits a lot too.” It was coming back to me after Flynn said that.
“Uhh.” I put my hands over my face as I started to remember more. “I was talking to her tits all night, wasn’t I? Didn’t I yell at some guy about her tits too? Remind me to stop drinking around her.” Then I thought about it some more. “Why wasn’t she pissed at me just now?” She looked so happy bounding down the steps and smiling, even winking at me. I stopped and glared at Flynn. “Did I fuck her last night?” I honestly couldn’t remember.
Flynn busted out laughing, “I don’t think so dude, but Clark said you guys were making out when he walked in. She told us not to tell you. But, it’s too funny watching you try to remember!”
“I kissed her? Shit and I don’t even remember that. That sucks. What is wrong with me?” I stopped again and asked, “Wait. Did I kiss her before or after I puked?” I seriously hope it wasn’t after. That’s just wrong.
“Before, man, before. Look, I wouldn’t worry about it. She doesn’t seem pissed about it and didn’t want us to say anything. Not sure if she’s embarrassed or what. Or she wasn’t sure if you wouldn’t remember, so just don’t tell her I told you.” Flynn pleaded.
“Yeah. Okay, I won’t mention it. Especially since I can’t remember and she doesn’t want me to. It must have really sucked.” I really felt bad now. Poor girl has a psycho ex and her boss kisses her when he’s trashed. Nice Z, really nice.
We got to my truck, jumped in and headed to my house. Flynn grabbed a beer out of the fridge and I went up to shower and change.
I came back down and Flynn was sitting on the couch watching TV, drinking another beer.
“You just gonna get drunk again tonight? You coming to the club or hanging out here?” I didn’t care either way. I got it that he didn’t want to be near the townhouse when Mel got back from her date. Just hope she was smart enough not to come into the club if he was there.
“Nah, I’ll come to the bar with you. I can at least walk home from there.” He stood up and we left in my truck, heading back to the bar.
“Hey, you know you missed her cooking again. She cooked us all breakfast, including Bloody Marys. She’s really good in the kitchen.” Flynn said as we got out of the truck and headed into the bar.
“Crap. I missed another meal,” I said laughing. “I should probably stop drinking so I’d actually be sober enough to be there for once.”
We strolled into Allure. Flynn kept walking to the bar and I went to my office. I noticed my desk was clean and orderly. Funny, I didn’t think I would have cleaned up while I was drunk last night. I shrugged and went to go check on my staff and to see how the bar was doing tonight. You know, try to be responsible, considering this past week I had flaked out almost every night.
Clark came running in, almost out of breath. “Sorry man! Mel was in the bathroom forever. Pissed me off.”
“No worries,” I said as I chuckled.
The bar started getting busy and I was talking to several patrons, mostly hot chicks that Clark was kind enough to make sure there were plenty of. One in particular kept putting her hand on my chest, smiling and flirting brazenly. She had a friend, so I thought I would bring them over to the bar near Flynn, since he looked like he could use a pick me up.
We were chatting, but I kept eyeing Izzy. She seemed to be in a really good mood. Her, Sandy and Mark were having a great time behind the bar bantering with customers, but I noticed she kept lingering at the other end of the bar. Her eyes were shining really bright and wow, her smile was just incredible. They were all dancing to the music behind the bar in between serving customers. Well, good. Glad my staff could enjoy their jobs so much.
I decided to glance down to where Izzy seemed to be hovering and noticed two guys were really chatty with her. Nothing out of the norm, I guess, except that she was smiling more than usual to a customer. Her and Sandy kept whispering to each other each time they went to the register and giggling like school girls. What the…?
“Did you hear what I said?” asked the chick as she fondled the lapel on my jacket.
“I’m sorry…what did you say?” I tore my gaze from Izzy back to the hot chick flirting with me.
“I said this is my favorite bar. You really out did yourself with the décor.” She bit her lip, smiling and then ran her tongue along her lip.
Normally that would turn me on, but I kept thinking about Izzy. “Ohh yeah, thanks.” I gave her a half smile then looked back to Izzy behind the bar.
Flynn elbowed me at that point and yelled above the music, “Z, Roxanne here just said that we should all hit the dance floor. You wanna go?”
“What?” I asked glancing briefly back at him. I was trying to figure o
ut what he was saying because I really wasn’t listening. I wanted to see what was going behind the bar with Izzy.
“Dance, silly!” the chick said, pulling on my arm and leading me out onto the dance area. I reluctantly followed her and started dancing, but maneuvered myself to where I could see what was going on at the bar.
I watched Izzy leaning over the bar looking “dreamy” at one of the guys. Why did this bother me so much? She was patting the guy’s hand and then flipping her hair. She made sure to continue tending bar though. She made drinks in between talking to the guys. She was flirting. Like really flirting. Who was this guy? I mean, I’ve watched her talk to customers, but this one, she was making sure he was very well attended to and flirting blatantly with him. She kept licking her lips and a couple times bit her full, luscious bottom lip. Fuck. Who was this fucking guy? This wasn’t her ex, was it? We agreed she’d come tell me.
Flynn leaned in and yelled into my ear so that the girls couldn’t hear. “What’s up with you, man?”
“I think Izzy is flirting with those two guys!” I exclaimed to him.
He smirked knowingly and chided, “Welcome to my fucking world, buddy, Welcome to my world!”
I looked back at him and gave him a look. “Nah, man, it’s not the same with Izzy and me.” Is it? Shit, was he right? Was I really that into her and didn’t realize it. Man, I can be such a dumbass.
I watched one of the guys take out his phone from his pocket and leaned forward listening to what she was saying, grinning eagerly. Was she giving out her number? Why? What the fuck was she giving him her number for?
At that point I stopped dancing, put my hand over my face and started rubbing my chin, annoyed as hell at Izzy for flirting – and more annoyed at myself for caring about it.
Flynn noticed my expression and yelled in my ear over the music, “Ya gotta let it go, man. This is what was happening to me last night with Mel. And now the fucker is on a date with her.”
Promises, Promises Page 9
