27. Stranger

**Jodie**

Days turn to weeks and my car is nowhere near finished. I am getting antsy for having to count on Billy or Doug to take me to work and back. Not that I mind Billy, he's always fun to be around. But Doug, lately the man is getting under pressure. More with his Dad on his ass, pushing him to check out a couple of spaces for their future club. And I really don't like getting in between his busy schedule.

"...I can order one, come on Doug. I need to be independent, people order app rides every day."

"Oh Jodie, you're not just People. You're mine, and I make sure what's mine always gets home safely."

"Ugh, how can I argue when you're being too cute for me."

"Me...cute? Well, that's a new one. No one ever calls me cute." He smirks, clearly amused that I find him cute.

"Yes, you're cuddly cute. Like a giant teddy bear."

"Huh, didn't know that you're into furries."

"Fur what?" I raise an eyebrow, letting out a sigh knowing that our conversation had once again veered off course. "Look, this is not what we are discussing about. I want to order an app ride, I can go home alone." I pout like a five-year-old, complete with crossing my arms across my chest.

"Baby, you're so adorable. But no, I'm making my final decision. You will wait and I will get you home. Stay in my office, or the employee lounge. I'll be back before you know it."

It is still two more hours before closing time and I relent when he closes the distance between us by wrapping his arms around my waist before pulling me close for his signature toes curling kiss. Oh. My. God. I can get used to this every day...um, which I do, but that's not my point. The point is that he can always make me relent by throwing kisses at me. The man knows my weakness and he does not play fair.

So here I am in the employee lounge since I don't want to stay in his office without him being there. It's just too obvious and with Luis and Zak behind the bar until closing time, I decide to text Billy. Hell, maybe he's having a sexy night. My smile turns mischievous when I press his number and a loud thumping music is heard from the other line.

"Hey, neighbor! Do you need a lift?" Billy asks with a muffled voice as if he is talking with his hand cupping against the receiver end of his phone.

"I really don't want to ruin your day off. Are you rutting with a handsome stranger already?"

He laughs telling me not when he's talking to me. "So are you home yet? It's still a bit early isn't it?"

"Nope. Still at the bar waiting for Doug to drive me back."

"Oh, do you need me to come and get you? Seriously, Jodie, I can get over there in like umm...thirty minutes tops."

"Don't Billy, I'm just calling you to fill my time while I'm waiting for him. So now, tell me how are the boys there?"

He chuckles, telling me about the two men he sees grinding against each other like they own the place. Some even stop dancing to watch the couple. I laugh and hear him talk while he keeps on babbling about the way that he is having a dry season. 

"Maybe I should just pick you up? I don't think I'll be getting any dick tonight."

"Aww... come on Billy, I'm rooting for you here. Seriously I'm waiting for Doug. He won't be long. Besides you should have fun, why would you insist on going back here while all the beautiful men are out there? Unless... wait, are you using me as an excuse to see Zak? I know you need a daily dose of the twink. I mean, he's cute...if you like him you should just tell him so."

"Argh...you seriously hate me, don't you? It's not like I don't notice how you look at the big boss." Billy teases. Fortunately, the man is on the other end of the line or he'll see me blushing.  I can already feel the warmth rising to my cheeks. "Okay, I won't go there. You probably can't wait for him to drop you off. You know...alone time in the privacy of his car." He chuckles and I groan in annoyance.

"He's the big boss, Billy, come on..." I know I'm blushing even redder, I must look like a tomato by now. Luckily no one is around so I am safe from any interrogation. Though I know Billy is going to be pissed off, once he knows the truth about me and Doug.

I am safe from further humiliation when Billy decides to end the call, granted he says something about a cute guy who is finally heading his way. I end our call by wishing him good luck and safety before lust. The man laughs at me, telling me that he hopes to be lucky enough to be heading in that direction. 

I don't get to browse my phone for long when Doug calls, telling me that he's on his way back. I decide to join  Zak and Luis when I'm getting bored out of my mind. The moment I take my seat on the bar stool, I can feel someone is watching me. But when I look around there is no one suspicious enough aside from our regulars, no one stands out. 

"Hey, Jordan, dude...I thought you had gone already. Need a ride? you can wait for me." Luis offers, he's aware of my car trouble and he knows that Billy and Doug have been taking me back and to work. The employees have been praising Doug for his kindness, and about how dedicated boss he is. However, I keep on telling everyone that he takes me home since he feels responsible cause my car was wrecked in the bar's parking lot. 

"That's okay, Luis, Doug is on his way back. Besides you and Zak ride bikes. I don't think my frail body will cope with the night air. I still don't get why people use motorcycles."

"Dude, seriously?" Luis grins, putting a glass of Coke in front of me. 

"You want something strong?" He offers with mischief in his eyes.

"Nah, man, I like to have a nice peaceful sleep once I'm home."

"I always forget that you're a lightweight. Tell me, how did you become a bartender?" Luis asks and doesn't wait for an answer when he sees one of the regulars waving at him. He strides to take the man's order. I smile and shake my head while taking a sip of the sweet carbonated drink. I look at my phone and see the time. Ugh...maybe I should just order an app ride, but Doug is already on his way and I told him that I'd wait for him. 

"So?" Luis is back in front of me, seeming pretty curious or maybe he's just too bored and can't wait for his shift to be over. 

"Well, it's like wine tasting. You make the drink, taste them, and then spit it out." I laugh when his eyes are wide with disbelief. 

"Even the top-shelf liquor?"

"Yep. That's also how I manage to get the concoction to perfection." I smirk and laugh when he shakes his head showing his disapproval.

"Aww man, that's just...hold your thoughts, I'll be back."

He chuckles when I shoo him to serve his regular, and few new faces. I am back to drinking alone when the feeling comes back. I can feel goosebumps rise on the back of my neck. This time when I turn around, I see a man sitting on the single table near the entrance. The man is wearing glasses and has a thick mustache. My childhood detective instinct comes into play. He may seem like the average Joe to anyone, but somehow I am getting an indescribable vibe from him and I do not like it. 

"Okay, so...back on the..."

"Hey, Luis, do you recognize that man sitting alone by the entrance? Dark hair, glasses, and mustache?" I quickly ask, cutting his words.

"The one with the black shirt? I've seen him once or twice, always alone. Why? Is he your type?"

"What? fuck no!" I grin trying to act casual, before sipping my drink again. We talk about movies and shit before Doug finally arrives. I don't dare discuss the stranger not wanting him to know that I am paying attention. Just in case I'm wrong.

"Okay, I'm going to leave you and Zak to close. My ride is here." I tell Luis after finishing my drink. 

"Hey you two, how's the bar?" Doug greets Luis and me before asking me if I'm ready to go back. 

"Everything is good, boss. We got this." Zak says from behind as he reaches for one of the glasses to serve his customer sitting on the other end of the bar. 

"Okay then, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Thanks!" Doug let me walk before him. He has been doing this every time he takes me back home from the bar.

"So, everything good with your thing?" I ask the moment we are in the privacy of his car.

"Yeah, I met up with Dad, there was more boring talk about the future venture. But I don't want to bore you with it. So, anything fun happens while I'm out?"

I am about to tell him about the guy with the mustache and glasses, but I don't want him to worry. He has been extra cautious with me since the incident with my car. If I tell him about the stranger in his bar, he might not let me work and I need the money. So I just shake my head and tell him about the interesting conversation I had with Billy earlier.