“Sure, give me any beer you have on tap and two shots of your choice of poison.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, contemplating. “Are you sure that’s the smartest decision? Didn’t you just arrive with your bike?”
“And how do you know about my bike?”
She fidgets with her hands. “I heard the engine, and you walked in shortly after wearing the most typical biker outfit—sturdy lace-up boots, leather jacket, and long jeans to cover your legs. I put two and two together.”
“Okay then.” I nod as I get her meaning. “Returning to your first question, comparing having drinks tonight to otherdecisions I’ve made in life, I’m fairly sure it ranks high on the list of good decisions. If you’re worried, here.”
I toss Isla’s keys to her. She inspects them, her gaze on the Harley-Davidson logo. “My da used to have the FLT 1340 Tour Glide from the eighties. Which one do you have?”
“2016 Softail Breakout. I call her Isla.”
Soph laughs and looks at me with questioning eyes. “Why Isla?”
“Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” was playing in the waiting room when I picked her up. That’s as exciting as that story gets, I’m afraid.”
“I get that, but naming your bike just seems a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
I chuckle at her puzzlement. “Well, the main woman in my life needs a name, don’t you think?”
“Sure. But remember, once you hit that stage where you can’t even remember your name, don’t blame me.” Soph pours the clear liquid into two shot glasses and pushes them closer to me.
“Cheers to good life decisions and new friends.” I take the first one and keep it close to my lips before taking a deep breath and downing it. The liquid burns down my throat as I swallow the shot of vodka. It tastes awful. But it doesn’t stop me from going for seconds. The burning sensation spreads to my entire body, and I feel better instantly.
The first drink of the evening has always been the hardest for me. I used to worry that I’d become an alcoholic like my mother. Drinking used to feel like Russian roulette—it can go wrong, and you get addicted, or you know how and when to stop. But right now, I understand my mother. I get why she wants to drink to deal with her life and all the shit it brings.
As I keep drinking, my eyes stay on Soph. She has a killer smile that lights up this whole place. And when she laughs with the other bartender or the customers, it’s like music to my ears. Not to mention when she hums along to the songs that play in the bar. There’s something mysterious about Soph too. Whenever she notices me staring, she turns around and acts like she isn’t watching me either. I like that.
I wave to catch her attention while downing the rest of my beer. “Soph, another beer, please.”
She smiles sweetly and pours me a drink from the tap. “I have my next set in fifteen. Any requests?”
“No, just play something acoustic.” I wink and take a small gulp of my beer. I need to pace myself a bit if I want to enjoy tonight. But still, I can’t stop flirting with her. She is magnetic, and I can’t stop being drawn to her.
This woman is something else. There isn’t any other way to describe her. Her version of “Closing Time” is giving me chills. I have no idea why she’s performing in this small bar instead of a sold-out arena. Someone needs to discover her, and soon. With that thought, I record a part of her performance to show my cousin Angel, who owns a record label, later.
After finishing another mind-blowing acoustic set featuring songs from classic rock to Top 40 hit songs, the woman I can’t stop staring at moves back behind the bar and serves drinks to the other patrons. I wave my hand frantically, trying to get her attention, but it’s like she’s ignoring me on purpose. So I move closer and sit in front of her. She glances my way and frowns.
“Can I have another drink?” I raise my voice over the music.
“Why are you still here? Are you seriously drinking all alone tonight?”
Ouch. That hit too close to home. “I’m trying to forget my life for a moment. And I didn’t want to bring Eli and Ollie to share my misery with me.”
“I shouldn't have said that,” she admits under her breath while wiping the bar top with a cloth. The faint smell of lavender from the cleaning solution hits my nose. It’s soothing and reminds me of summers in my uncle’s house.
“Give me a beer, and we’re good.”
Soph hands me my beer without saying a word as I wonder if I should tell her the truth about why I’m here. The alcohol is loosening my lips as I want to share everything with this woman I have only talked with once before, even if it feels like I have known her for longer.
“I actually broke up with my girlfriend today. So, I’m a guy looking for a rebound and good times.”
“Go and look somewhere else, then. No rebounds here. There isn’t enough space for a basketball hoop.” She gives me the look ofI dare you. I like this side of her—the fire in her eyes whenever I glance her way.
“Have you ever experienced a bad breakup? Or am I asking too much? Because you know, I feel like you’ve heard things about me, but I know nothing about you.”
She looks at me with a weird expression that I can’t read. “Well, my most recent partner forgot to mention that he enjoys sucking his best friend’s cock and vice versa. Does that count?”
