Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
It’s bad enough I probably pissed him off by calling him Will when I arrived. I think that’s when I fucked up. He’s not going to hire me. I see it in his eyes.
“Listen, I agreed to interview you because Blake asked me to. I’m going to be real. Your big ass don’t belong behind my bar and I’ve hired all the bouncers I need.
“You tell Blake I said thanks,” Pit says and turns from me to look out into the crowd that has grown on the dance floor since we came out of his back room.
I sit trying to figure out how to fix this interview. A short brown-skinned chick catches my attention, she seems to be who Pit has homed in on too. As he saunters over to her, a fight breaks out around her.
Pit rushes toward them, pulling the girl out of the way and pushing her behind him. The four dudes are brawling at this point. When Pit goes to break them apart, one of the guys swings and catches him with his sloppy punch.
I jump into action as Pit starts swinging. The girl goes to jump in, catching one guy with a nice right hook. Pit knocks out the guy who hit him and looks at the other two still fighting with annoyance.
I kiss my fist before knocking out the one the girl punched as he looks as if his drunk ass is considering punching her back. Before Pit knows what’s going on, I have the other two dangling by their collars.
My chest is heaving only slightly. “Some bouncers,” I snort. “It’s always good to have a bartender who can control the floor if needed. I’m a master mixologist, by the way.”
Pit snorts. “What did you say your name was again?”
“Anthony.”
“Yeah, okay, Ox. You’re hired.”
I sigh in relief and laugh. I didn’t know how much I wanted the job until this very moment. He can call me Ox as long as I have it.
“I’m Skittles, it’s nice to meet you,” the girl says with a smile on her face.
“Rule number one. She’s always safe when here. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew when they come in. Only other rule I have is no fucking the staff. I don’t need any in-house drama. Keep your dick out of my waitresses and bartenders.”
“You’ve got it. I’m here to work.”
He grunts and nods. “You can toss their asses outside,” he says, nodding to the guys I’m still holding up.
“Got you.”
“Damn, that’s one big motherfucker,” Skittles says as I go to walk away.
“Yeah, you keep your hands off my staff too,” Pit grumbles in response.
“Bite me, Will,” she tosses back at him tauntingly.
For the first time in a long time, I get the feeling that I might belong somewhere. I think that was Uncle Blake’s point. I’ve been distancing myself from everyone to mask my real feelings.
My rage is growing and I don’t think I’m hiding it as well as I think I am. Being around my brother might be what I need.
* * *
Alexis
I look around this studio and wonder how this became my life. I love writing music and have penned some hits, but this isn’t how I saw things working out.
I miss my husband. It’s been two years, and nothing has changed. I can’t go back, and I keep my distance as much as I can.
Kid is my only connection to Vander, who I keep in touch with. I still hold my breath whenever I see her number on my phone.
The first year was rough. First, there was her call to tell me my ex was murdered. Then she called to tell me when Ven’s mom died.
From what she knows, Ant hasn’t been happy. It makes me sick to my stomach. Every day I ask myself if I’m doing the right thing.
When my aunt died, I wanted so badly to go home and be there for Ven. I lied and told her I was in Paris writing and couldn’t get back because of a deadline for the album I was working on. I was away working, but I could have made the trip if not for the threat.
The sorrow in her voice was so thick as she asked if I ever thought about coming back to open that bike and car shop we used to dream about. I do, I do all the time, but there’s no way.
“Hey, gorgeous. How’s this one coming along?” I look up to find Eric standing over me.
He works for one of the labels. This guy doesn’t understand the word no. I’m not interested, but he hasn’t given up. These industry guys aren’t my type. Most of them are always kissing ass for the next come up.
I’m not kissing anyone’s butt for anything. Either you want to work with me, or you can kick rocks. I know my talent and I know my worth.