Chapter Eight - Blood

It's been a week since my date with Hunter and we have been meeting up for lunch whenever we can or texting constantly. We have a lot of things in common and I love spending time with him. He's like a breath of fresh air in what was my otherwise dull life. Plus, he makes me feel comfortable and is always attentive.

But my daydreaming is cut short when three loud bangs echo in my apartment. A low groan escapes me at the thought of who it probably is and I hop off my bed reluctantly. Making my way to the door I take a deep breath and steel my nerves before opening it. Lenard, my landlord, stands there with a deep scowl on his face. He's a bald, burly man is his late forties with tattoo sleeves on both arms as well as on his neck. His features are sharp and overall he's just an intimidating guy.

"You're late on rent again, Miller." He grumbles while holding out his hand.

"I don't have all of it, I'm sorry!" I squeak as I grab it from my purse and walk back to him. "I'll have the rest tomorrow morning, I promise. I'm working a shift tonight."

He counts the notes silently before staring up at me unimpressed. I plead with him through my eyes and pray that he'll let me off like always. He sighs heavily before nodding and I feel instant relief wash over me. Although he's intimidating as hell and can probably snap me in two with one hand Lenard isn't cold hearted.

"I want it on my desk tomorrow, understood?" He grunts and I nod eagerly.

"Thanks, Lenard. Tomorrow morning, I promise." I smile gratefully and he mumbles incoherently under his breath before leaving.

I let out a deep breath as I close my door before glancing at the clock to see that I have one hour to get to the club I work at. It takes me a bus and fifteen minutes to get there so I rush into my room and grab my uniform. Hurrying into the bathroom, I get changed quickly before putting on some makeup and tying my hair up into a ponytail. I had washed it this morning and skipped on blow drying so it's still a little damp but it'll have to do.

Putting on my shoes, I grab my bag and pack it with my lunch which is just a chicken wrap and water. I get my phone on the way to the door and wear my coat before leaving the apartment and making sure it's locked. It takes me about five minutes to get to the bus stop and I all but run when I see that it's already arrived.

Thankfully, I get on before it speeds off and take a seat by the window. I stare at the passing scenery before I eventually arrive at my stop. Checking my phone as I get off I realize that I'm going to be five minutes late so I start speed walking. Eventually, I reach the club and make my way inside through the back entrance.

"Hey guys." I greet breathlessly with a smile as I put my things away in my locker.

"Hey, Zoe." Blade smiles while Lia groans sadly as she walks in behind me and says, "Ugh, I feel like a zombie!"

Blade and Lia started working at The Mad Twist two months before I joined and we've become good friends after spending a year here. They're college students too and are working for some extra cash whenever they have a free evening. They know about my situation, not because I wanted to tell them, but because Cynthia came in here one night and found me before spilling to the entire staff that I'm dirt poor. It was my worst nightmare but thankfully AJ, my boss, didn't tolerate her behavior and banned her from the club.

Blade had light brown hair which he's dyed blonde now and it really suits him. He has grey eyes with freckles scattered across his cheeks and nose that make him look less intimidating with those sharp features of his. He's quite muscular and tall but a year younger than me even though he looks much older. Lia, on the other hand, is a petite woman with auburn hair. She has the darkest green eyes with delicate features. She has curves in all the right places with a sassy personality to match.

"You shouldn't have been up late before a shift then, stupid!" AJ comes in and shoves her playfully.

AJ was born and raised in Mexico City before his family relocated to America. He has jet black hair with warm, chocolate brown eyes and soft features. He's quite muscular and can certainly pack a punch with how many rowdy people he's had to personally handle.

Right after college he set up The Mad Twist and has been quite successful since. Every week is a different theme and this time we're a "tropical beach club" as AJ had texted us all a week ago. The club is decorated accordingly and some of our drinks are specialties that we had learned a month ago in advance.

"I had a test this morning –"

"All-nighters aren't worth it, clearly." Blade grins and AJ's booming laughter echoes across the room.

"Oh, shut up!" Lia huffs but she fails to hide her own smile.

"Alright, come on. Let's get set up before we open doors in twenty." AJ orders and we all get to work with a nod.

We get everything prepared and stocked up before I take my place at the bar right as the bouncers open the doors. As always, due to the popularity of the club, there's a long line of people waiting to get in. I'm working with Blade tonight and he holds out his fist which I bump with mine as we watch numerous people enter. It's something he started which I found funny at the beginning but now it's like second nature to fist bump each other before our shifts start.

Three hours pass by quickly and it's a mad rush since people are just getting their night started. At some point Lia and AJ join us because of how hectic it gets but thankfully, around eleven o'clock the rush dies down enough for Blade and I to handle it on our own. But not even fifteen minutes after I see him.

Hunter walks in with Cory and a group of friends. He doesn't see me as they make their way over to one of the lounges. One of the guys seems to take everyone's orders before walking up to the bar. Blade walks up to serve him as I get three drinks ready for the group of girls waiting impatiently.

The night carries on and I can't seem to keep my eyes off Hunter. I'm drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. He's in one of the corner lounges where he can't really see the bar but I have a clear view of him. He looks handsome as usual and I spot a few women glancing at him and his friends not so discreetly.

But just as I serve another customer their drink I look up to see a woman sauntering over to Hunter and sitting a little too closely beside him. I grit my teeth as I watch her run her fingers down his chest. She's stunning with her dark brown hair that looks almost black until the lights hit it. A tight mini dress adorns her and her makeup is flawless. She looks like a model – Okay, stop this and focus on your work! I think to myself as jealousy and insecurity rises within me the more I stare at them.

I'm about to turn to another customer when I see Hunter grimace before scooting away. He bumps into Cory who gets distracted by his conversation and starts laughing at Hunter's expression. Hunter's disinterest doesn't seem to deter the woman as she only follows him and presses herself against him once more. I see him completely turn to Cory while pushing her hand off his shoulder and gesture to his friend to move out of the seating area.

Cory's laughing his ass off as he watches Hunter leave hastily and I see the woman deflate with an annoyed pout. But then a customer waves his hand in my face and my attention becomes fixated elsewhere. I smile and ask the man what he'd like, barely taking him in as I listen to him shout out his order over the blasting music.

I turn to make his drink as quickly as possible before grabbing a napkin and coaster to go with it. Making my way back to him I put everything down before grabbing the money and putting it in my fanny pack. That's when Hunter sits down and looks at me with a surprised yet confused expression.

"Red?"

"Hey, what would you like?" I try not to laugh at how cute he looks.

"Uh...old fashioned please." He mumbles dazedly as his eyes roam my uniform clad figure. "You work here?"

"Yeah, second job." I nod as I turn and grab the things needed to make his drink.

"Isn't it too much with college and your other job?"

"Uh...it's okay. Just to be independent and gain some experience I guess." I explain before quickly changing the topic. "That brunette is looking for you."

His eyes widen before he whirls around and notices the woman walking through the crowds in search of him. "You saw that? Zoe, it wasn't –"

"I know, I saw your scared expression." I laugh as I pass him his drink and take the money.

He narrows his eyes playfully. "I was not scared...just weirded out. Besides, she wasn't you."

I freeze at his words before a shy smile blooms across my lips. He grins boyishly as he takes a sip of his drink but it falls when Blade leans closer from behind and asks me to cover the two customers on the other end of the bar. I nod and with a smile I excuse myself from Hunter before making my way over there to take their orders. After making sure they're all good, I walk back to Hunter who asks for another drink.

"When do you finish?"

"Three in the morning." I reply and watch as he frowns. "Cory's looking for you I think."

He turns around and nods when he sees his friend glancing around. "Ugh, that woman is still there. Can't I just stay here with you?"

I laugh at his adorable pout and can tell he's a bit tipsy from the drinks he had earlier and two more that I served him. "I'm working so I don't think I'll be great company and besides, you came here with your friends. They must be waiting for you."

"Alright, fine." His eyes flicker to Blade for a quick second before he looks away. "I'll see you before I go, Red."

I catch his wrist before he leaves and pull him back. His eyes widen slightly in surprise before I lean forward and peck his cheek. "I only have eyes for you, Hunt. There's no need to worry."

A handsome smile lifts his lips and unexpectedly he presses his lips to mine in a quick kiss. "As do I. I like the nickname."

As he walks away it's then that I register what I called him. I shake my head with a smile before going back to serving other customers. But then Lia squeals as she runs out to me from the back. I frown at her in confusion as I quickly make a drink before passing it to the customer and grabbing the money.

"Zoe finally has a boyfriend!" She cheers and my eyes widen.

"N-No! It's not –"

"He kissed her too. Don't deny it, Zoe." Blade grins cheekily as he passes by which only makes Lia's excitement increase tenfold.

"We're just seeing each other. I'm not his girlfriend or anything." I explain but that doesn't dampen their moods.

"Not yet!" Blade exclaims as he comes back to grab a few glasses.

"I hate you guys." I roll my eyes playfully as I start preparing another order.

"We should go on a triple date...right after I find myself a boyfriend!" Lia grins widely while Blade bursts out laughing in response.

"Well, you better start looking." He grins and I shake my head at him for encouraging her.

"Lia! Why are you out front? I've been looking for you to help me –" AJ comes out from the back door but she quickly interrupts him.

"Zoe's got a boyfriend!" She blurts out and I face palm.

"Is he here?" He grins devilishly when Lia nods much to my protest. "Point him out."

"I really hate you guys." I sigh as Blade and Lia point Hunter out and tell him what happened moments ago.

Although secretly I love the fact that they're happy about me seeing someone. Those three have been a good constant in my life and it warms my heart to see them so excited with the usual over protectiveness from AJ once he spots Hunter. He proceeds to give me an earful about how he'll "ruin that pretty boy's life if he so much as hurts" me which makes me smile widely.

Moments like these make me realize that you don't have to be blood related to be family. 

Update schedule is: twice weekly whenever I find time!

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