by Claire Angel
“Will you get there safely?” Celia asked as I smiled.
“I’ll take the bus places and ask Amy for a ride tomorrow. Does that work?” I asked, and she laughed as she parked in front of my building.
“It does. Want me to come in?” I gazed at her, knowing that the latest guy she liked was supposed to be over tonight for a small party.
“No. I’ll be busy. Go, have some fun.” I leaned in to hug her, and Celia held me close. “Thanks for the ride. I love you.”
“I love you and feel like I’m abandoning you,” Celia told me, and I pulled away to shake my head.
“You’re not. I just have a crazy busy life and need to get to work. It’s not going to last forever, Celia.” I smiled as she nodded. “Dinner soon?”
“Yes. Stop by the restaurant!” I agreed and got out, walking to the door and securing it behind me. Celia drove away, but I knew that she would want me to text her, so she knew I got home safely. I wandered upstairs to my faded white door, unlocking it before I entered my studio. I locked it and walked over to the table, setting down my purse and reaching for my phone. I told my sister I locked up tight and then plugged the phone into the charger.
I went to the fridge for a much-needed bottle of red wine, taking the bottle to my bed in the corner. It was piled with pillows to make it comfortable, and my textbooks spread out over the soft green comforter. I sank on the bed and found a comfortable position before taking a long draw of wine from the bottle. I turned on the bright lamp and some classical music, drinking and studying until I set my alarm and passed out.
I wasn’t too hungover the following morning as I showered and dressed in the old-fashioned blue dress for the diner. This was a good enough job not to make some cash, and I wouldn’t deny that. It was comfortable with the same customers popping in for the same meals. I loved some of them. I just couldn’t stop thinking about Ripple and the possibilities at that job. I needed to make money to live on and go to school. That was my primary need, and I’d find a way to do it that was as easy as possible.
I took a chance and called over there after my shift, relived when Chris told me to come in the following day. I raised my hand into the air as I walked towards the bus stop to get home. I had the next morning off and could take some time to get ready. I saw a coffee shop a few blocks away from where I caught the bus and figured I’d treat myself for good luck.
I studied and slept that night as much as I could. In the morning, I picked out some loose black slacks with a ruffled white blouse and a black cardigan over that. I slipped my feet into some heels that Celia loaned me for things like this. I knew she felt bad for how I lived in this tiny place, struggling to make ends meet, but I chose it. I could stay with her at the apartment and share a room, but I was always more introverted than my sister.
I straightened my hair and shook it, watching the layers of bright red fall under the brown. That was something I let my sister talk me into for a gift. I had enough makeup on to bring out my dark eyes and a bright red stain to add some color to my lips. I pressed them together and watched as they plumped with the color.
I grabbed my purse and headed out to get to the coffee shop with plenty of time to make it to the bus stop. I needed a boost before talking to my potential new boss. I wanted to remind him that it wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t get to work and ensure that he knew what a pain in the ass the accident made my entire life. I reminded myself that a bar job wasn’t extraordinary, and any pretty face could replace me. I needed to show that I was remorseful about not getting there.
I walked into the small coffee shop, looking around at the large counter and ten or so tables that filled the room. It was cute, and upbeat eighties music played as I approached the register. I read through the menu in line and asked for a cold brew once I reached the guy, and he smiled and took my money. I watched as the ten-dollar bill crossed the wood, hoping I got the job so that wouldn’t seem like a lot.
I took my drink and sipped it, loving the intense flavor with a slight hint of chocolate. I breathed in and headed towards the door, planning to go to the bus stop. I was walking out and turning right when something hard hit me, and cool liquid spilled over my shirt.
Chapter 4
Kellen
I woke up to my phone going off, blinking as I looked around. I was in Jack’s living room, alone on the couch. “Shit. Work.” I rose and glanced through the dark windows. I was twenty minutes away from home and looked around for my keys. I sent a message to Yuri that I was on my way and to be on time. He was always late, so one time shouldn’t matter for me.
I cursed the fact that I worked a lot of nights and mornings on the drive. The streets were empty, and I made it there quickly, running up to the apartment to change into a clean shirt. I was surprised to see Yuri getting ready to open, yawning as he moved through the building. “Thanks, man. I was across town at my brother’s place.”
“It’s cool.” I raised a brow at him and went to get the coffee pots ready. I needed something strong and fast, and we worked together as a strong smell filled the room. I loved it, and once I had a few sips of espresso, I was feeling good.
I unlocked the front door and smiled at the regulars that bought their coffee before work. I headed over to help Yuri with the steady line, finding that the time passed quickly for me. We were going to have a band practice tonight and had a small show tomorrow evening. It was a smaller club than Ripple, but we needed all of them. I didn’t mind intimate shows and connecting with the audience, seeing the reactions on their faces. It was fun to flirt with the girls too. I didn’t usually take it past that with everything going on in my life that I preferred not to share with others.
After work, I went up to take a nap before practice. We’d often have dinner together afterward and just hang out, just as old friends as bandmates. We met when we were in high school and instantly connected. Their stories were variations of ours, and we worked through everything through music. I think it caught us all off guard that we were talented at it. It made us want to move forward.
I shut my phone off when it chimed through the room, stretching for a moment afterward. I needed a shower and then to head out to Liam’s house. We used his garage for practice since it was out in the country and didn’t disturb anyone. I made the shower fast and dressed in clean clothes, locking my door, and jogging down the stairs. I jumped to the ground and turned right to go to my car when I crashed into something, falling to the ground. I rolled away once the shock wore off, apologizing as I sat up and looked around. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
“I hope so,” a girl said beside me, and I glanced over to see the one from the initial car accident. She was staring down at her soaked shirt, and my eyes moved to the cup in her hand.
Chapter 5
Marisol
I saw the person fall to the ground and somehow managed to keep my balance. He moved to sit up, and I sucked in my breath. The guy was gorgeous, and his eyes widened as he looked at me. That was when I chose to look at my coffee-stained shirt as disappointment flooded me.
“Are you okay? Did you get burned?” he asked as he moved beside me. He smelled amazing, but I went with a glare since he just ruined my shirt, and my coffee was gone.
“It wasn’t hot. I’m fine apart from needing this.” I held my empty cup and tossed it into the trash.
“I’ll get you another one. I work there.” He pointed to the shop, and I wondered if I shouldn’t stop in more often. He was tall and rugged with bright green eyes and a sexy charisma about him. “What was it?”
“A cold brew. Large.” My stance was stiff, and I knew that I must be glaring at him. Emotions hit me all at once.
I felt anger at my shirt, as it was possibly ruined. I felt a sudden attraction for this stranger and anxiety about begging for my job.
I watched as he jogged inside to the coffee shop, leaning against a pole as I breathed slowly. It took a couple of minutes for him to pop out with two more drinks, handing me one.
/> “Here. A replacement.” I nodded, unable to speak as I took the cup with an abrupt nod.
“I’m Kellen James.” He even had a hot name to match that face.
“I’m Marisol.” I extended my hand, and he shook it with a warm, tight grip that sent sparks over my skin. “Thanks for the drink. I’m headed to try and save my job.” His expression expressed sympathy for a moment.
“Ah. That sounds fun. Do you need a ride or anything” Kellen asked as I quickly shook my head.
“It’s not too far. Thanks, though.” I tugged my hand away and began to walk to the bus station. It wasn’t as close as I played it out to be, and I did need a ride, but I wasn’t going to be driving anywhere with Kellen. I’d do myself a favor if I stayed far away from him.
This coffee was good. It would be hard to stay away from it, but I leaned against the glass as I set the cup on the bench. I glanced down at my shirt, seeing the drops of coffee that somehow fell just below my breasts. I didn’t have time to go home to change, so I managed to button the sweater in a way that covered the stains and still looked stylish.
I glanced up and down to see if the bus was almost here, noticing Kellen heading towards a car. He looked at me before sliding in to start it, pulling towards me. There was an awkward moment as he drove past and waved while I offered him a small smile.
I made it to Ripple and met with Chris in a booth in the back of the room. He seemed to be in good spirits as we chatted, and I explained in detail what happened the night I was supposed to start the job. He agreed that it wasn’t my fault and offered for me to start working the following night on a closing shift. I’d shadow someone until I was comfortable and then work on my own.
I accepted with a smile, and we had a quick tour of the place before he handed me a packet of papers to fill out to bring in with me the following day. I thanked him and watched as he dashed over to the bar before turning to leave.
I called my sister to share the good news, and she offered to take me to dinner to celebrate. I told her all I knew about the job, and Celia seemed genuinely happy for me.
I hoped that she was right, and it would turn out fine.
Chapter 6
Kellen
Marisol pulled her hand away and started to walk away as I frowned. Her shirt was covered with coffee. I watched as she made her way to the bus stop, the same one as before.
Does she live here?
Marisol pulled the sweater that she was wearing forward, buttoning it as she looked up and down the street for the bus. She looked annoyed from here, and I shook my head before walking to my car. I knew I should offer her a ride, but she made it clear that she didn’t want it.
I turned to go to practice, glancing at her as she sipped her coffee. She looked at me, and I waved as I drove past.
We had a great practice and even went over a new song that we were working on. Liam offered to grill dinner, and we all accepted, continuing to work.
I sat on the deck to eat, looking over the trees behind his house as I thought about the girl from earlier. She was gorgeous with dark eyes and pale skin and an attitude that was bigger than her petite frame. “Kellen?” Liam asked beside me, and I blinked.
“Yeah?” I sipped my water and acted casual.
“That song is great. I’d like to sing it at Ripple next week.” I grinned and nodded at him. “Do you think we could work on that?”
“Sure.”
“I know you’re working a lot to help out Jack. I hate to ask you for anything more,” Liam explained in an apologetic voice, and I shrugged.
“I’m up a lot anyway. Writing is something I love to do.” Liam smiled and looked down, and I knew they felt the heaviness of the situation.
“He’s into this, isn’t he?” Liam asked, and I nodded.
“It helps him to play, Liam.” Jack left right after practice to get home as usual.
I left after dinner and headed home to work on the words to the song. I relaxed on my bed and strummed my guitar, as I wrote. I had the following day off from the coffee shop but was helping a friend with some renovations that he was doing to his bathroom. He was going to pay me for the work because he knew about my situation. Every bit of money helped me right now, and I took everything.
*
Time flew by until I arrived at Ripple the following week. It was well-publicized, and there should be a good crowd. I was fucking exhausted from covering a shift for someone, but I could get through the night.
There was no accident tonight, and I made it with a few minutes to spare. I went through the back and greeted the guys before we headed out to set up our equipment. I looked over the room and took in the growing crowd as I helped with instruments, telling myself to wake up. Once we were ready to go, the owner introduced us, and I thought he was cool. They said he was pissed off last time, but I didn’t see him enough to recognize that.
We decided last week to switch up the setlist since we were playing bigger crowds to more than usual . We started with a different song that had the same effect on the crowd, making me smile. This was the part where the adrenaline flooded me, and I soaked it in as I sang the first line. People danced and filled the spot in front of the stage, moving to the hard beat of the music. I looked over the crowd and took in the back of the room, seeing people at tables and waitresses moving from one to the next.
I paused when I took in red and brown hair pulled back with a clip. I knew that wasn’t entirely uncommon, but what were the chances of Marisol working here? I kept an eye on her as we performed, only seeing her glance back a few times as she worked. She didn’t look happy, and I wondered if this girl was ever in a good mood.
We finished our set and wandered to the bar to interact with fans and order some beers. We didn’t drink heavily, but it was nice to relax after a set. The people enjoyed having access, and it seemed to grow our fan base. I leaned against the bar to look around, seeing Marisol making her way around the room.
Chapter 7
Marisol
I picked up the bar job quickly. I was familiar with the work, and the staff was helpful. Still, I was quiet and focused the first few nights as I got used to the routine.
It was a dance club, and they also offered a sports night and ladies' night. Ripple seemed to be popular with the local bands, and that drew in a lot of people and money.
That night, a band called Pitchfork was set to play. Everyone seemed to be caught up in the excitement of it. I didn’t know people well yet, but from what I gathered, the girls loved the guys in the band. The singer seemed especially popular, and I rolled my eyes as I took a drink to a table where an older couple was dining.
This was going to be an interesting job, as most bar gigs were.
I heard the voices rise and looked towards the stage to see some guys setting up. They looked like they might be hot, but I was a distance away. Still, the girls in the room were excitedly talking as they pressed together like a bunch of high school girls. I headed towards the bar to get another drink order, and one of the waitresses was punching something into her phone before she slipped it into the pocket of her skintight jeans.
“That’s the band?” I asked, and she nodded. “They must be good.”
“They’re easy on the eyes, and the music is amazing. I’m so glad they’re signed on as a regular band now. Your tips will be incredible.” Her blue eyes twinkled, and I smiled as the bartender leaned forward.
“Have an order?” he asked as I smiled. Ray seemed like a big brother to me and watched out for me as I worked these late nights.
“I do. Three long islands.” I laughed as he shook his head. “First stop of a group of bridesmaids and the woman of the hour. I think they’re looking to get wasted.”
“I can do that. Why don’t we give them some shots on the house as well?” He grinned wickedly, and I laughed as the sound of a guitar filled the room. I looked over to see someone approach the microphone and froze as I saw Kellen there.
“Ah! That’s every wom
an’s first reaction to that guy. He’s cool, so I don’t hate him, but I sure could.”
“It’s not that. I know him, kind of. We’ve met.” I stumbled over my words as he made the drinks and set them on my tray.
“Watch out. I don’t think he’s a man whore, but you never know.”
“I’m good.” I took the tray to the girls and handed out their drinks as they thanked me. The bride stood out with pink hair and a ribbon that identified herself, and she leaned into her friend. “It’s a shame I can’t enjoy Kellen in my last week of being single.”
“I’ll be by in a bit. Wave if you need anything.” I smiled, and they agreed, holding up the shots for a toast. I hoped the wedding wasn’t in the next couple of days, before my thoughts turned to her words about Kellen.
I looked at the stage and wondered how a man could ooze more sex appeal singing than he did talking on a sidewalk. He moved to a slow, sexy beat wearing a fitted black t-shirt and black jeans. Simple but hot.
