Beautiful Misery bs-2 Read online

  Once she was getting close I slid off the trunk of my car. Something was pulling me to her. I took one step before I retreated in the opposite direction.

  I was disgusting.

  I walked around the edge of my bar and looked up at the full deck. All the people carrying on lives like there isn’t a care in the world. Those who will probably go home with a random girl or guy tonight and regret it tomorrow. Not thinking tonight what could possibly result in that heat of the moment choice.

  Slowly I walked up the steps to the throng of people drinking on the deck. Hoping no one would notice me and I could slip inside without a problem

  No such luck. I had been spotted. And queue the giggly girls offering me drinks and their bodies.

  No thanks. I warned off person after person and made my way inside to the bar. I just wanted a beer and to hide in my office until I could go home to my daughter.

  14

  Annie

  Yawning, I walked up the steps and into the bar. Stopping just before going in I looked at the setting sun. This wasn’t supposed to be my life. I wasn’t supposed to be a single mom working at a bar. I had a plan. A plan that included being married to Derek and raising our son together. Nowhere in the plan did it say he was supposed to die and leave me to raise our son alone.

  Pushing my hair back, I took a deep breath of the warm, salty air and opened the door. Being a bartender at Wet Spot wasn’t ideal but the money was good and I had a son to raise.

  “Hey, bitch. Where the hell you been? Palmer has been looking for you.” My best friend squealed as soon as I was through the door. I loved Leigha but damn the girl needed to tone it down.

  Smacking her away I said, “Palmer can fuck himself. I have told him I’m not interested. Not my fault the dumbass can’t take the hint. Tonight is not a night to mess with me. I’m on my period and I just had a run in with Tristan when your brother picked up Gabe.”

  Leigha’s smile slipped a little. “Take some Midol and tell Tristan to go to hell. As for Parker, You can’t blame him for finding you so damn sexy. Momma’s got it goin’ on.”

  Glaring at her I turned on my heel to face her. “Shouldn’t you be going and asking if somebody needs a refill? Hell, see if Palmer wants to fill you up just so he leaves me alone.”

  She frowned before pouting, “He doesn’t like me. I tried.”

  I still couldn’t figure out why Palmer wasn’t interested in her. She was smart, witty, funny, and gorgeous as hell. She was that all American natural beauty. She had long, wavy chestnut brown hair. Her tan skin made her greyish blue eyes stand out.

  Leigha flipped her long hair over her shoulder and scrunched her face. “I’ll tell Palmer to get lost. Besides I heard Mr. Owner man is coming in tonight. You need to be on your game, not worried about some beach bum.” She may be a pain in my ass and a little too happy sometimes but God, I love her. I know I could always count on her and she always has my back. Through everything she has been the only person in my life that hasn’t left.

  “Isn’t the owner some big time soccer player or something?” I asked.

  Leigha laughed and shook her head before bouncing off to the table. I shrugged, and made my way to the employee room. It was only eight at night but this place was already filled. Being mid-August I wasn’t surprised, but I also knew that meant another late night.

  Looking down I noticed something on the floor. Bending over I saw it was a beer bottle. I grabbed it and before looking up started to take a step and ran into something solid, falling flat on my ass.

  Not thinking I yelled out, “What the hell?” Thinking some drunk vacationer knocked me over, I was irate.

  Before lifting my head, there was a large hand being shoved in front of my face. Staring at the fingertips I scanned my eyes over the hand and onto the muscular, tattooed arm and straight into the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. Swallowing hard, I stared into those clear blue eyes. I felt as if they could see into my soul.

  “You okay?” A deep voice with a slight southern accent asked.

  Without speaking I nodded my head. Taking his hand I allowed him to help me up. “Um. Thanks.” I dropped the guys hand and darted around him without looking back.

  My hand was still tingling from the feeling of his touch. I hadn’t felt that way since before Derek died. Wiggling my fingers and making a fist I tried to force the feeling out. Flinging the employee door open I threw my purse into a locker and rested my head against the cool metal. After taking a few deep breaths I gathered myself enough to go back out, hopefully not running into mystery man again.

  Once I was behind the bar I had order after order being yelled at me. Making a few drinks helped to clear my head. Then, I turned to see Palmer sitting on the barstool right in front of me. His silver eyes sparkling from the overhead lighting, he ran a hand through his buzzed red hair. That damn knowing smile on his face. The guy was a relentless creep.

  Rolling my eyes, I curled my lip in disgust. “What the hell do you want, Palmer?”

  Palmer slid a twenty dollar bill across the bar and waggled his eyebrows. “You know, Annie, I think I could make you very happy.”

  Keeping my head up, I dropped my eyes to look at the money on the bar before bringing them back up to look at Palmer. “How? Are you leaving?”

  Palmer didn’t take the hint. Instead he tried again. “Can I buy you a drink?”

  Looking behind me, to my left and to my right I raised an eyebrow. “No, but I’ll take the money. Thanks.” Snatching the twenty dollars off the bar I shoved it into my shorts pocket. Smirking I walked to the opposite end of the bar to wait on another group of people.

  I was busy making a huge order of mixed drinks when I heard that cat- scratch voice again. “Annie, why don’t you go ahead and ask me out. I know you want to, I can see it in your eyes. You can stop your little game now.”

  With my back to him I squeezed my eyes shut. Turning until I was facing Palmer I slowly opened my eyes and slammed my palms onto the bar. “You know what, Palmer, you’re right. I would love to ask you out. Why don’t you go out and play in the damn traffic or go out and play in shark infested water?”

  Palmer narrowed his eyes. “You can keep up with this little act but eventually you’re going to break down and give into me. You can’t hide behind that wall forever, baby.”

  Scooting both my hands across the bar I leaned close to Palmer and said, “I will never give into a guy like you. So why don’t you take the hint and back the fuck off?”

  Palmer’s lip twitched before he grabbed my hands. Yanking my hands away I took a step back as Palmer said, “I would love to fuck you off, baby. Just give me one time…”

  Before Palmer could finish he was being yanked off the barstool. Widening my eyes I saw the mystery man from earlier shoving Palmer into the wall, placing his forearm across Palmer’s throat.

  “I do believe the lady told you to fuck off. I think it’s time you left.” Mystery man spat out.

  Palmer attempted a laugh, trying to seem unaffected. “I’ll leave when I’m good and ready, and I ain’t ready yet.”

  I could see the vain in mystery man’s neck ticking with each heartbeat. He looked murderous.

  “Well see buddy, here’s the thing. I’m the fuckin’ owner. And, I think I will decide when it’s time for you to go. That time was about five fuckin’ minutes ago. You have two options. Number one, walk the hell outta here on your own with a little dignity and respect or two, I can have my men carry you out like the fuckin’ piece of shit you are. Your choice.” He loosened his hold on Palmer, letting him go.

  What the hell? Mystery man was the owner? Damn. He was hot.

  Palmer rubbed his hand over his throat before staring mystery owner man down. It really was a funny match up. Palmer was around five feet six inches with bright red hair, freckles, gray/ silver eyes, and absolutely zero muscle. He was the epitome of creepy dork. Then you look at mystery owner and all I can think is badass. He was well over six foot with amazing
blue eyes, light brown hair, and tons of tattoos.

  “What’s it going to be?”

  Palmer squinted his eyes before saying, “Fuck off. You ain’t the owner and you ain’t doin’ shit to me.”

  Mystery owner man smirked as the amusement washed over his face. “You’re right, I won’t do shit. I pay people to deal with little fuckin’ scums like you.” He jerked his head in my direction before saying, “You step in my bar again and I will make sure you will never ‘fuck off’ as you put it, again. And harass her or another of my employees and I will personally castrate you myself. Got it, buddy?”

  I let my eyes drift from Palmer and mystery owner to see two very large men in tight black shirts and dress pants walking in our direction. As the two men approached Palmer I could see his body getting tense. The two large men picked Palmer up and made their way back through the crowd, and out the front door.

  Closing my mouth I blinked a few times. Holy shit!

  I shook my head trying to once again clear my thoughts of mystery owner. I turned back around to finish the order I was making before the Palmer drama interrupted me.

  “You ok?” That deep, husky voice sent chills down my body.

  Looking over my shoulder, I smiled and nodded. Turning back to the drinks, I hoped he would leave. After making a few more drinks I turned back to face the bar and found that sexy man meat sitting on the stool Palmer had been occupying.

  Plastering on a smile I asked, “Need a drink?”

  Smirking, mystery owner shook his head. “Nah. I don’t think it would look to good if the owner was drinking.”

  “You’re really the owner?” I asked, fully curious.

  Looking confused mystery owner looked around. “Why would I lie about being the owner? And why the hell would I have two random bodyguards with me? I’m the one and only Gage Tucker.”

  “But, I thought the owner was some big shot soccer player or something. Shouldn’t you be like, I don’t know practicing or something?”

  Gage pursed his lips before saying, “I sure as hell don’t kick balls for a living. I’m the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.”

  “Well either way you play with balls to get your money. Not much difference.” I smiled before bending over to pick up a bottle of tequila.

  I needed a shot.

  Slamming the bottle on the bar, I grabbed a shot glass and poured. Throwing the alcohol back, I welcomed the warming in my throat. Setting the glass on the bar I looked at Gage, who was smiling.

  “Better now?” Gage grabbed the shot glass and poured another, sliding it across the bar towards me. “One more.”

  I slowly blinked and looked down at the full shot glass. Was he testing me? Did he want to see if I would get drunk on the job?

  Bringing my eyes back up to meet his I shook my head one time. “I have drinks to make. Maybe some other time.”

  Gage picked up the glass and wrapped his lips around the brim, letting the alcohol drain into his mouth. He could even make taking a shot look sexy.

  Fuck. I was in trouble. I didn’t know this man from a hole in the wall but hot damn I was attracted to him.

  Gage wiped the corner of his mouth before setting the glass down. Looking from the empty glass to Gage’s ocean blue eyes he winked before hopping off the stool. “Have a good night, Annie.” He turned and strutted away.

  How did he know my name? My name tag, duh dumbass. I smacked my forehead and sighed. I didn’t do this. Men didn’t make me go stupid. What the hell was going on? I didn’t do that whole alpha male swooping in to save the damsel in distress shit.

  Gage Tucker made my brain turn to mush. I was screwed. The two times we had been around each other and I felt shit I hadn’t felt in years. No love at first site but serious sexual tension.

  Totally. Fuckin’. Screwed.

  15

  Gage

  It had been five months since Cobie died. The first night I go to my bar and I literally run into the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. The way my dick responded to her wasn’t okay. I was attracted to her, just my luck.

  Sitting at my desk, I dropped my head into my hands. Running my fingers through my hair I squeezed my eyes shut as my head slid down and rested on my desk. It had only been five months, I couldn’t be having these feelings. What kind of person was I? My wife, the mother of my fucking child just died! I should be sitting at home crying not going out and getting a raging boner from my bartender. Dammit!

  Slamming my fists onto the desk I heard a picture frame fall over. Lifting my head just enough to see over my arm I saw the silver frame that held the picture of Londyn, just a few days old snuggled with Cobie. Setting the frame back in place I rubbed my eyes with my index fingers.

  Who would have thought it would end up like this?

  Scooting my chair back from my desk I put my elbows on the arm rests and laced my fingers together, setting my chin on them. After getting the call from my agent this morning I couldn’t be happier that the trade deal had gone through. Starting quarterback and more money. Leaving New York and coming to New Orleans was the best thing for Londyn and for myself. She would be close to family and I would have more help raising her.

  Attempting to clear my thought I heard a hard knock on my door.

  “It’s open.”

  Not looking at the door I pushed out of the chair and walked to the large window overlooking the ocean.

  “Hey, man. You ok? I saw you sittin’ at the bar, looked away, and when I looked back you were gone.”

  Larkin. He was the exact person I couldn’t talk to about my problem.

  Without looking at Larkin I forced a smile and said, “Everything is fine. Just needed to get away for a minute, everyone out there has something to say to me. Needed a breather.”

  Larkin took a few steps so he was standing next to me. Forcing myself I brought my eyes to meet his.

  “Gage, I know, you miss her. Fuck, she was my sister, but you have to live your life. I know you loved her. She was your wife and you two had a baby, but she’s gone. As much as I fuckin’ hate it and it tears me apart you have to move on. You know that’s what Co would want. She would want you happy.”

  Sighing I dropped my gaze to the floor. “I can’t talk to you about this. She was your sister, my wife, and the mother of my child. I loved her and just thinking about another female should make me sick.”

  Larkin placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “You need to talk to someone, Gage. It’s not healthy to keep it all in.”

  I tensed. Lifting my head to look him square in the eye I said, “Didn’t know you were a fuckin’ shrink. Thanks for those words of wisdom, but I think I can handle my own damn life. I mean, I was the one who stepped up when you fuckin’ left. I think I got this shit covered.” I saw hurt flash across his face before it morphed into raw anger.

  I didn’t care.

  Larkin narrowed his eyes and spoke with venom, “You know what, you’re right. You did step up but that wasn’t by my choice and you know it. I’m not offering words of fuckin’ wisdom, just the truth, fucker. You can take it how you want but you need help. Fuckin’ talk to someone, even if it’s not me.”

  Larkin dropped his hand from my shoulder, turned and walked out. Slamming the door on his way.

  Who did he think he was? I was fine. I didn’t need some shrink telling me I was fucked in the head. I already knew that.

  Taking a few deep breaths I pulled my phone out to text my mom, I needed to see how Londyn was doing.

  Me: How’s Londyn? How did she do getting a bath? Did she drink all her bottle before she fell asleep?

  Slipping my phone back into my pocket I started toward the door when it came flying open and a highly pissed off Jenna came storming through. Normal Jenna didn’t scare me but pissed off Jenna, now that scared me shitless.

  “Gage Michael Tucker, you fucking dick jockey! I love you and I will always be there for you but you are going too far. You need to take your depressed ass to therap
y.”

  Holy fuck! Why won’t people leave me the hell alone?

  “Jenna, I am not fuckin’ depressed. I’m living the fuckin’ life,” I said sarcastically. I held my hands up, waving them around my office for show.

  “Gage, why won’t you talk to me? We used to talk about everything.” Jenna’s voice was quiet, hurt. She started to reach for me until I opened my mouth.

  “And then you left me, got married, and moved to the other side of the country. So, excuse the fuck outta me for not telling you everything,” I bit out.

  She drew back. The look on her face told me I had just crushed her. Swallowing, she took a few deep breaths before releasing her rage. “You know what, fuck face, you’re not so perfect yourself. I’m not the one who ended up with a baby after a one night stand. I have a family and a life I love. Can you say that? Can you say you’re happy with your life?”

  Jenna’s words felt like a slap in the face.

  Clenching my jaw, I drew my hands into fists, slamming my left hand into the wall. Jenna never flinched. Instead I could see her anger only intensify and radiate in waves off of her.

  “Aren’t you just so mature? Who goes around punching shit because they got put in their place? You need professional help. You have a daughter and you’re the only parent she has left. If you don’t do it for yourself, at least do it for her. She deserves the Gage Tucker I know. Not this angry, depressed fuck you’re being.”

  Grinding my teeth I hissed, “Get out!

  Jenna bit her bottom lip, her face red. She shot back, “You can’t throw me out Gage. Not now. Not after everything we have been through. Get mad at me all you want, but one day you will realize just how right I am. You can’t push me outta your life. My stubborn ass ain’t leavin’ so get used to seein’ my face.”

  I could feel my jaw ticking. Jenna could piss me off like no one else could. “Fine, I’ll leave.” Walking passed Jenna I made sure to bump her with my shoulder.