First shift
1522 Words
(Ridge)
I walked downstairs and headed straight for the bar. Hank was wiping down glasses, his usual end of night routine even though we still had an hour to go.
"She settled in?" he asked.
"Yeah." I grabbed a water bottle from the cooler. "She ate anything today? I just gave her something."
"Doubt it. Had that look about her when she came in. The hungry, running kind."
I'd seen it too. The way she'd tensed up when I mentioned trouble. The car packed with just a backpack like she'd left in a hurry.
None of my business. I'd given her a job and a place to stay. That was enough.
Except I couldn't stop thinking about the way she'd looked at me when I'd stopped on the highway. Scared but trying not to show it. Ready to fight if she had to.
"She'll be good for business," Hank said. "Already turned down Crash twice and made Jace look like an i***t. People are gonna come just to watch her work."
"As long as nobody gives her trouble."
"They won't. Not with you vouching for her." Hank set down the glass. "You sure about this, Ridge? We don't know anything about her."
"I know enough."
That was a lie, but Hank didn't push it.
I finished my water and checked my phone. Two missed calls from my sister, Harlow. I called her back.
"Finally," she said when she picked up. "I've been trying to reach you all day."
"I've been busy."
"Doing what? Actually, don't tell me. I don't want to know about club business." She paused. "Mom wants you to come to dinner tomorrow night. She's making that chicken thing you like."
"Can't. Got stuff to handle."
"Ridge. You've missed the last three family dinners. Mom's starting to think you don't like her cooking anymore."
"Tell her I'll come next week."
"Tell her yourself. You know she's just going to call you in five minutes anyway."
She was right. My mom didn't take no for an answer, especially when it came to family dinners. Growing up rich meant my parents had always made sure we sat down together at least once a week. That hadn't changed even after I'd taken over the club.
"Fine. I'll be there."
"Good. Bring someone if you want. Mom keeps asking if you're seeing anyone."
"I'm not."
"Well, she's not going to believe that unless you show up alone." Harlow laughed. "See you tomorrow. Seven o'clock. Don't be late."
She hung up before I could argue.
I pocketed my phone and looked around the bar. Things were winding down. A few guys were finishing their drinks. Crash had already left, probably for the best. Axel and Jace were still at the pool table arguing about who owed who money.
Mira came down the stairs looking more rested than she had earlier. She'd changed out of the stained apron into a black t-shirt and jeans. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
She caught me watching and looked away fast.
I needed to stop doing that.
The rest of the night passed without incident. Mira worked the floor like she'd been doing it for years. She had a way of shutting down the guys who tried to flirt without being rude about it. Smart. You had to be tough in a place like this, but not so tough that you pissed people off.
By two in the morning, everyone had cleared out except for Hank, me, and a couple of prospects cleaning up.
"Go get some sleep," I told Mira. "You did good tonight."
"Thanks." She untied the apron and handed it to Hank. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Five o'clock," Hank said. "We get busy around six on Thursdays."
She nodded and headed for the stairs.
I watched her go, then caught Hank giving me a look.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said, but he was grinning.
I flipped him off and left.
***
The next day I spent most of my time dealing with club business. We had a shipment coming in next week that needed to be coordinated, and one of our suppliers was trying to raise prices. I made some calls, had some conversations, and by the end of it we had a deal that worked.
By six o'clock I was back at The Spoke. Mira was already working, moving between tables with that same focused efficiency she'd had last night. She didn't smile much, but she wasn't rude either. Professional.
I sat at my usual spot at the bar and ordered food. Hank brought me a burger and fries without asking what I wanted. He knew.
"Your sister's here," he said, nodding toward the door.
I turned to see Harlow walking in. She spotted me and grinned.
"There you are," she said, sliding onto the stool next to mine. "Cassidy told me about the new waitress. I had to come see for myself."
"Of course she did."
"Don't blame her. You know nothing stays quiet around here." Harlow looked around. "Where is she?"
"Working."
"Obviously." Harlow ordered a beer from Hank. "So what's the story? Cassidy said you brought her here yourself."
"Her car broke down. I gave her a ride."
"And a job. And a place to stay." Harlow raised an eyebrow. "That's not like you."
"She needed help."
"Uh huh." Harlow didn't believe me. "Mom's going to love this."
"There's nothing for Mom to love. She's just working here."
"For now."
I didn't respond to that. Harlow had always been able to read me better than anyone else. It was annoying.
Harlow was only a year younger than me, with the same dark hair and our mother's green eyes. She'd always been the fun one in the family. The one who could talk her way out of anything.
Mira walked over with her notepad. "What can I get you?"
"I'm starving. Whatever he's having," Harlow said, pointing at my burger. "And a beer."
Mira wrote it down and started to walk away, but Harlow kept talking.
"Hi! I'm Harlow, Ridge's sister."
"Mira," she said.
"That's a pretty name. Is it short for something?"
"No."
"Cool. So Cassidy told me your car broke down. That sucks. But hey, at least you found work, right? Hank's great to work for. My brother's not bad either, even though he acts like he's all serious and scary."
"Harlow," I said.
"What? I'm just being friendly." She turned back to Mira. "Do you live around here? We should hang out sometime. I literally know everyone in this town and I'm always looking for new friends."
"I'm kind of busy with work," Mira said.
"Well, if you change your mind, I'm here all the time. Ridge pretends he doesn't like it, but he does."
"I don't," I said.
"See? Broody." Harlow waved her hand. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to work. But seriously, if you want to grab coffee or something, just let me know."
Mira nodded and walked away to put in the order.
"She's cute," Harlow said once Mira was out of earshot. "Single?"
"Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything. I'm just saying she's cute. And you're single. And Cassidy said you brought her here yourself, which you never do with anyone."
"Her car broke down. I gave her a ride."
"Uh huh." Harlow didn't believe me. "Mom's going to love this."
"There's nothing for Mom to love. She's just working here."
"For now."
I didn't respond to that. Harlow had always been able to read me better than anyone else. It was annoying.
Mira came back with Harlow's food and beer. My sister thanked her and immediately started asking more questions. Where was she from? Did she have family? What kind of music did she like?
Mira answered in short sentences, giving away almost nothing. But Harlow didn't seem to mind. She just kept talking, filling in the silence with stories about growing up in Crosswell and all the ridiculous things our parents had done over the years.
I watched Mira's face. She was listening, but she wasn't relaxing. She kept one eye on the room like she was expecting something bad to happen.
Whatever she was running from, it had her on edge.
And that made me want to find out what it was even more.
After Harlow finished eating, she hugged me goodbye and made Mira promise to think about coffee. Mira didn't actually promise anything, but Harlow acted like she had.
"She's nice," Mira said after Harlow left.
"She's a pain in the ass."
"That too."
It was the first time I'd heard her joke about anything. I liked it.
"She means well," I said. "But if she's bothering you, I can tell her to back off."
"It's fine." Mira picked up Harlow's empty plate. "I can handle it."
"Yeah. I'm starting to see that."
She looked at me for a second longer than necessary, then walked away.
I stayed at the bar for another hour, telling myself I was just keeping an eye on things. Making sure everything ran okay.
But really, I was watching her.
And I needed to stop.
- Writer
