Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
He flipped me off and blew me a kiss at the same time while I walked away laughing.
Much better. I owed them a thank you for keeping me from spiraling into a shitty mood after my interaction with Ryder.
“Yo! Alex, my man!” One of my VIPs slung an arm across my shoulder as their group returned to their table from the dance floor. “Shots! We need shots. At least three rounds, right now.”
Christ. They were already shitfaced. Three more rounds of shots might make them comatose. “You got it,” I said, despite my stomach roiling at the thought. “What are you up for this round?”
“Surprise us.”
“Yes! I love surprises.” They all started cheering and chanting, “Surprise us,” as I shook my head. “Be right back, gentlemen.”
One of the most challenging aspects of the job was determining how much was too much. Parker was adamant about not overserving, but the line could be as thin as a strand of hair. Many of the guys who partied at Top Shelf could drink me under the table a dozen times over. They were practically professional partiers who could suck back more alcohol than should be possible on a Wednesday night and get up for work on Thursday. Cutting them off too early could result in an angry review or a bad tip. Letting them drink to excess could result in a fight, vomit, or alcohol poisoning.
Thankfully, Parker was always willing to be the bad guy if we needed to tell a customer he’d no longer be served alcohol.
These guys seemed to be handling the high volume of alcohol well, even if half of what they’d drunk would have put me under.
As I returned with two dozen shots on my tray, I saw Ryder frowning at his table. It looked like his night wasn’t getting any better anytime soon.
Whatever. Not my problem, as he so clearly stated.
Unfortunately, that sentiment didn’t last as long as I’d hoped. Trying to ignore him and let him choke on his failure, I couldn’t stop casting concerned glances his way. A few times, I even helped him out by grabbing empties off his table or wiping a spill, all without his knowledge, of course.
“Hey, Alex?” Parker’s voice had me whipping around where I stood near the bar, waiting on Dom to fill my table’s order. “Can I ask you a favor?”
Oh shit. Was he about to ask for a report on Ryder’s performance tonight?
“Of course, boss. What can I do for you?”
Don’t ask it. Don’t ask it.
“Would you be able to lock up for me tonight?” He rubbed at his temples. “I think I’ve got a migraine brewing, and I’d like to head home early.”
Relief hit me. Closing, I could do. “Yeah, of course.” I’d closed several times, and aside from having to be the last one to leave, it wasn’t a big deal. The task involved a final sweep of the club, locking the external doors, and setting the security system. Nothing to it.
“Thank you, Alex. I appreciate it.”
“No worries, boss.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Parker muttered. “What is going on with him tonight?”
My stomach sank as I followed his gaze to Ryder’s table, where one of his VIPs was shouting and waving his arms while Ryder stood with a drink in hand. Most likely he’d fucked up another order.
Parker huffed in annoyance and took a step in Ryder’s direction.
“Um, Parker?” I caught my boss’ arm before he could go and rip Ryder a new one. “Is it okay if I handle this one? He’s having an off night, but he’s still new. We can probably cut him a little slack.”
“Fine. My head aches too much to deal with it anyway. But if I end up having to handle a table demanding a refund, it’s on you.”
Yikes. Why the hell did Trevor like it when Parker got mad?
“It won’t come to that.”
“Better not,” he muttered as he turned his back on me and started for his office.
Sighing, I made my way to Ryder’s table. He’d probably be pissed I was intervening, but something had to give. There had to be some way to pull him out of his funk tonight.
I stopped halfway to his table as heat flashed through me. Of course, there was a way to fix his shitty night. And Parker had handed me the perfect opportunity for it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
RYDER
This day could go fuck right off.
I only made it through my shift without getting fired because Parker left early with a migraine. Who knew what would happen next time I saw him? I’d fucked up everything I touched tonight, including myself, having spilled three, count it, three drinks on my bare torso.
Part of me couldn’t wait to get home and slide between my soft sheets. To crawl into bed and let sleep claim me so I could finally stop obsessing about the earlier conversation with my father and dreading the upcoming one. The other part of me couldn’t fathom sleeping under his roof tonight.