Page 44 of Tides and Tidings

My eyes scanned the area as we stepped closer. An older gentleman sat in a chair by the door, cloaked in the darkness. As we approached the man, I wrapped my arm tightly around Blythe’s waist.

“Howdy,” the man greeted. “Y’all lookin’ for the Waterin’ Hole?”

“Yes, sir. Are we in the right place?” I could hear the vague sound of music bumping behind the door.

“Sure are. Can I just see your IDs?”

I grabbed my driver’s license from my wallet and handed it to the guy to inspect as Blythe did the same.

The bouncer inspected them within an inch of their life—which was flattering—before handing them back to us.

“Have fun, kids!” The man opened the door for us and we were met with what I could best describe as a college bar.

It was damn near pitch black in there except for the occasional strobe light and neon signs on the walls. The small bar reeked of cheap beer and weed. I glanced over at Blythe, and her eyes were wide.

Blythe

“Are you okay?” Charlie yelled in my ear over the bumping music.

What a simple question with such a complex answer. It’s been a while since I had been in a bar like this, and ten years of memories came flooding back with the smell of beer and cheap whisky. Great times with my college best friends. Fun happy hours on Friday after work. Meeting my terrible ex…

I tried to push the memories of fuckin’ James—as Rose calls him—out of my head, but it was more complicated than I had anticipated. I looked around at the neon signs and beer signs plastered on the walls.

Charlie pulled me in close, “Bee, are you okay?”

I snapped back into the real world and nodded, adding a small, hopefully convincing smile, “Yeah. I just forgot how loud these places are.”

His mouth was hot on my ear, “We can leave if you want.”

I shook my head, “Let’s go find the bar.”

Charlie held my hand and pulled me close against his back as he wove through the crowd. He maneuvered himself behind me when we made it to a small opening at the bar. The bartender, wearing the smallest dress I had ever seen, approached us.

She didn’t even look at me; her eyes were glued to the behemoth standing behind me. “What can I get you?”

This is the second time tonight Charlie has gotten hit on. Good for him. I wasn’t jealous. Not one bit. Not at all. I would never. Ha…

Charlie directed his attention towards me, “She’ll have a vodka cranberry, and I’ll take a bourbon and Coke, please.”

The bartender bent over the bar, pushing her boobs up, “Wanna leave your tab open, love?”

Love? I could’ve punched her.

My body tensed. There was no way Charlie didn’t notice since his body was pressed against mine.

He shook his head. He yelled over the booming music, “I’ll close out.”

“Is she makin’ you leave after one drink?” The busty bartender batted her fake eyelashes right at Charlie, not even glancing in my direction.

My right hand balled at my side.

Charlie slid his hand into my back pocket, a sign of possession. “Fuck no.”

She moved back and rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She pressed a few buttons on the tablet and returned with our receipt. Charlie handed her his card and closed it out.

“Where do you want to go?” His raspy voice asked from behind me.

I turned to face him, “I’ll go anywhere with you, handsome.”