C1
“It was your fault!”
“How is it my fault? I tried to save them!”
“They didn’t need you to save them! He had the money and the jewelry! He could have just walked away with them alive!” He sighed, “We do not speak of this to her, got it?”
We left the funeral hall and went to sit back down. Mina’s tears weren’t letting up even after our chat in the hall. I felt sorry for her because she wasn’t as close as she wanted to be to them. I wasn’t meaning to get them killed, so we told the police a different story. The first and last armed robbery we ever encountered.
Alek was a tough nut that you can never crack. He was like Eduards partner in crime, closest friend. Ever since high school I was just there for decoration. Alek only became friends with him for Mina and I was Alek’s friend. We still are friends, but not close.
When the ceremony was over Alek went to hug Kim. I get that he has a crush on her, but that’s only his adopted sister. Everything involving Kim went through Eduard first. I guess because they’re friends, he doesn’t need permission. Me on the other hand...
“Why are you looking at my sister like that?” Eduard whispered.
“I’m not looking at her.”
“When did you start liking Alek?”
“What?” I turned to him.
He pointed at me and laughed, “You like Alek, don’t you?”
“What? No!”
“No, what?” Alek walked up with Mina.
“Zane li-”
I covered Eduards mouth, “Why aren’t we as close as we were in high school?”
Eduard elbowed me in my side, “He likes someone, but won’t admit it.”
“Why would I admit something that isn’t true?” I crossed my arms.
Mina sniffed, “You are always smiling at your phone. Do you talk to a girl?”
“I’m the only one in his contacts, Mina,” Alek pointed out.
Eduard clasped his hands together, “I was right! You do like Alek!”
“Shut up, Eduard.”
“You shouldn’t catch feelings for me because I will automatically reject you.”
I rolled my eyes and walked to the door. They all eventually followed after, and we got into the car. The others forced me to drive when I literally had to get dropped off at work. Not that they know where I work or anything. They know nothing about what I do.
Every once in a while, I would look in the mirror and Alek would be glaring at me. Sure, I was supposedly the reason her parents were killed. She wants nothing to do with him anyhow, so acting like that will get him nowhere. I tapped on Eduard in the passenger seat and told him to drive. When I got to a stopping point, I hopped out of the car.
No matter how mean Alek was, Eduard has always had a soft spot towards me. I don’t think he likes me, but I am as close as family. Considering that his friend parents just passed away. I don’t mope around them because Alek always tells me that I’m not a man if I cry. “I’m not human if I hold it in” I always told myself.
I watched them pull away before I headed to the club behind David’s. It’ll be a shame if they think that I work at that cheap place. They never see anyone walk out with pockets full of cash. I knocked and slid in two-hundred dollars. Mateo let me in again.
Sometimes I wonder why I have to pay when I work here. My job isn’t as important as working behind the bar. It’s not as important as working behind the cause of the music. I am responsible for the trash. Yes, taking out trash is a job and it’s not my only job.
“Zane, we have a special!” Mateo shouted.
You’ll see what I’m talking about in a minute.
“You’re Zane?” She asks.
“The one and only,” I reply, pulling up my sleeves.
“Do you not remember me?”
“I don’t remember every girl that steps through that door.”
“Oh really,” she pulls me by my collar and kisses me.
There is only one girl that kisses me the way she does. I can’t believe after so many months she finally decided to show up. Mina’s best friend; Skye. She was one of the first girls to come here and I hated that. I haven’t heard from her, and I haven’t thought about her.
I pulled her away, “Skye...you’ve changed. You look more like a woman than a man.”
She hit me on the arm, “I hate you.”
“Seriously though. What are you doing back?”
“Well, I missed you.”
“Did you really? Because I’m starting to think you just missed my body.”
It’s like her whole identity changed. They never give me the same person twice. After the first time, they aren’t special anymore. Let’s put it like this: I’m the reason most girls come to this club. Otherwise, this place would probably be a gay club.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“To be honest, no. I was too busy thinking about why you’re a special again.”
“What does that have to do with me missing you?”
“You can wait.” I snap my fingers, “Mateo!”
“What’s up?” he pops his head into the private room.
“I’m done at the moment,” I wrap an arm around Skye. “Make a list of the girls that come in as specials.”
“You got it,” he leaves with us following behind.
The music is never too high or too low. We had gotten a report from David’s since we stole most of their customers. I mean all that he sells is what a normal diner sells. This club sells more than just drinks and food. There’s happiness and relaxation from here.
My fingers dance on the counter as we wait for our drinks. Clay is the bartender, and he is quite fast for his age. He isn’t out of school, but since he’s over twenty we hired him. He also knows what drink to make for you without you telling him. One of the best bartenders.
“You’re really Skye?” Clay asked, with his hard to cover accent.
“Yes, Clayton,” she laughed.
He places our drinks in front of us, “I can’t believe you would come back just for him.”
“Your drinks are way better, trust me.”
“If that’s the case, then you didn’t come here because you missed me.”
“I came because I missed his drinks. Now I got it for free.”
I laughed hysterically, “What makes you think I’m paying for these?”
“Oh, you’re not, but Clayton is,” she points.
I turn to glare at Clay, “Oho, you son of a-”
“Clayton, can we get another round over here!?”
He gets back to making drinks and collecting money. I use this time to talk to Skye, “It’s been a while, huh?”
