“Hey, good day so far?” I asked, as she followed me to the back.
“That construction on the highway is definitely bringing them in!” she said, as I walked into the back and she stayed out on the floor.
I put my purse in my locker, taking off my coat and beanie to shove them inside. My uniform had slowly shifted into tighter clothing as I grew more comfortable with myself. I took off my sweats, revealing high-waisted shorts that were long compared to most of my coworkers. They hugged my ass that had gotten shapely with some of the work I had helped with at the ranch and the occasional workout I tried to do. My shirt was the usual standard Boozy Bandit tee. I hadn’t built the courage to cut it like the other girls, showing off their ample cleavage. This was as risqué as I was willing to get since my brothers frequented the bar.
The mirror on the door of my locker showed my cheeks a little red, but my makeup had gotten better since Nova had given me lessons. I fluffed up my hair, and dabbed some pink gloss on my lips before going out to the floor.
“Alright, Iris, you can take those five tables over there,” the night manager, Joe, yelled out. “Debbie, honey, you can take those six tables. Mindy is up on the bull first at seven and then everyone will ride it tonight!”
I rolled my eyes at Joe’s blatant favoritism. It was no surprise that the more you schmoozed with him, the better tables youhad to work. As much as I wanted to be pissed about it, people liked to sit in my section, and no matter what section I worked, I always hustled to make it work.
Then there was the matter of the stupid mechanical bull. They had brought it in for the rodeo, and kept it here since, it was a big hit. Joe and Chris thought it was great that us girls took a ride on it to drum up some excitement, and I think they were just hoping a boob would pop out at some point. I dreaded my turn because I sucked at riding the damn thing, and there was just no graceful way to fall off.
“Gotcha,” I said, tying my apron around my hips, checking to make sure I had everything I needed.
The door opened to a few more men with bright orange vests coming from the construction on the highway.
“Come on, boys, I got seats and a cold beer for you,” I said with my best smile, waving them over.
The man in front looked me up and down, following me while Luke Bryan sang and I couldn’t help swinging my hips to the beat of the song. I set out four napkins on the table for them as they sat.
“What can I get ya, boys?” I asked, popping my hip out.
They all said their beers of choice. I gave them a smile, walking away to check on the other orders before I put their orders in. The rhythm of flirting, refilling drinks, putting in the occasional food orders filled my night, making me forget about the mechanical bull.
“Alright darlings, here are your beers and your nachos should be out in just a second,” I said, putting the last beer on the table.
“Our next Bandit up on the bull is Iris!”
Joe announced my name like I had won the damn Miss America pageant. The men in front of me cheered for me as I forced myself to smile. Whoever had brought this bull to thebar, I hoped they always had a warm pillow and never found a bathroom when they needed it.
Damn this fucking bull.
I untied my apron, walking to the bane of my existence. Joe took my apron as I hopped into the ring with the bull. This felt like a metaphor for my life as I jumped onto this obnoxious thing, holding onto the reins, tightening my hold with my thighs praying I didn’t go flying.
“Alright, let’s make some noise for Iris!” Joe shouted, as the bull moved slowly giving me a chance to follow the rhythm.
My hips rolled a little too early which threw me off balance as I tried to correct myself, but my mistake had already cost me. The bull moved faster, throwing me forward. There was no way to save my ass now. I attempted to sit up to save my dignity, but there was no saving it, and thank god I didn’t have a low-cut shirt. My boobs were marked saved from the mechanical bull as I let myself fall as gracefully as I could—but let’s be honest, everyone looked like an ass unless you dismounted like a damn gymnast.
The men in the bar hollered as I got up, righting myself as I gave a little wave and headed back to Joe to grab my things.
“I think you lasted maybe a half second longer than last time,” Debbie laughed.
I shrugged. “I still get tips whether or not I stayed on the damn thing. Must be sad if your worth depended on how long you stay on that damn thing.”
I gave her a sugary smile, walking off before she could come back with something stupid. My order of drinks waited for me at the bar. Which was another reason I hated taking too long on the damn bull. No one liked a warm beer, so I didn’t see any point in staying too long on the fucking thing.
The men at a few of my tables pretended to be sad for me not lasting long on my bull, so I played it up. Men loved to play aknight in shining armor and a few rounds of beer were just the way to make me feel better, along with a big tip. I could play damsel in distress as long as I needed.
Joe cut me sooner than I wanted at nine-thirty, having only worked four hours. Debbie grinned at me as I walked to the back and I knew she had something to do with it, but I let it go. The men from the construction site were very gracious in their tipping, and I would leave with a little over a hundred dollars in tips. Not bad for four hours of work.
“Hey, did you hear?” Sandy sat down at the table in the break room as I pulled on my sweats and sweater.
“What happened?” I glanced over my shoulder, hoping it was gossip about Debbie.
“Joe hired a man to work here,” Sandy said, putting her feet up.
My eyebrows raised high.
