AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hang my coat up and pull down my tight black t-shirt. It’s short and rides up whenever I lift my arms, I hate it, but it’s uniform. I take a deep breath and push down the constant worry that lives in my gut. Plastering on a smile I walk into the bar and prepare to spend another five hours pretending I’m okay.
“Hey Daz, where do you want me?” My boss, who looks as old and run down as this place doesn’t bother to face me he just points upstairs with a grunt. I sigh and head towards the top bar, hoping Dale isn’t working. It’s amazing how many times one guy can “accidentally” touch your ass and breasts in one night.
As soon as I get up there my mood lifts when I see Lynsey’s bright pink hair.
“Oh thank god, I thought I would be working with that prick,” I exhale when I get within earshot of her. She turns and winks at me.
“Nope, it’s me and you tonight chick. Unless one of us gets dragged downstairs that is,” she smiles as she goes back to filling up the fridges. I love working with this woman, her personality is as bright as her hair. I always finish the shift feeling a lot better about things.
“Want me to stock up the top shelf?” I ask pointing to the bottles we have hanging up.
“Yeah, why not. Gets it done before the mad rush, it’s student night after all.”
“How could I forget,” I moan feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen. Jason is calling, again. I stare at it for a moment, before ending the call and pocketing my phone trying to ignore the growing guilt.
“So, it does work.”
My heart stops as I slowly turn around and come face to face with a pissed-off-looking Jason.
“Fuck,” I mumble under my breath. “Please don’t tell Christian.” I blurt out in a blind panic. Jason’s eyebrows disappear into his hairline as he looks at me. We stand staring at each other for a moment before he nods to the other side of the bar. I turn to find Lynsey watching us.
“Give me five,” I say as she frowns and watches me follow Jason.
As soon as we are away from listening ears Jason turns and stares at me as he crosses his arms over his broad chest.
“What are you doing here?” Jason asks.
“I could ask you the same thing!” I reply.
“Jasmine.” I hear the warning in his voice and sigh.
“Working,” I answer nervously.
“Why?”
“It’s a long story,” I reply as I wrap my arms around myself, feeling like a disobedient child being caught doing something they shouldn’t.
“If I told you to get your coat and leave with me now, would you?” he asks. I shake my head chewing on my bottom lip. “Then I’ll wait, and I will take you home after work so we can talk,” he demands. I quickly shake my head as my eyes bulge.
“You can’t,” I reply panicked.
“Why? Because you don’t want me to know you aren’t living at the house?” he declares. Fuck he knows.
“How?” I ask as my stomach tightens into a knot.
“I knew you were hiding something the other night, and when you wouldn’t take anyone’s calls, I offered to wait for you to get home from classes last night. To my surprise, I realise you aren’t going back there anymore. I spoke to a neighbour, and they said they haven’t seen you for months!”
“Oh.” I can’t think of what else to say, it’s like I’ve been rendered dumb.
“Yes‘oh’. So, I waited outside your rehearsal tonight and followed you home.”
“You followed me!” I yell in disbelief, what the fuck?
“Yes! Because if I hadn’t offered to do it, it would be Christian here right now. You know you wouldn’t have liked it if he found you here! You’ve been lying to us, why?” he growls through his teeth, obviously trying not to shout.
“I’m fine. I don’t need you guys worrying about me or following me!” I growl back. I instantly hate the way his face changes. It’s like I’ve slapped him, and I want to apologise.
“The fact that you still won’t tell me what the hell is going on tells me you are far from fine, Jazzy,” he sighs rubbing his face with his hand. “What time do you finish?” he asks his voice and face softening.
