for tonight.
I try to make eye contact when Madison comes by, but she ignores me, staying professional and nowhere near as engaging as before.
Eventually, Robbie finds a couple of girls to flirt with, taking turns spinning them around the dance floor and keeping himself entertained. But I stay at the bar, sipping at one last martini with my eyes fixed on just one person.
I know why I’m staying, and I’m glad Robbie’s found something, or someone, to take up his time. I’m determined to get in the last word with Maddie. A red-haired woman hollers out last call, and people start to empty out, although a few people try to get that one last drink in before they have to go.
The woman seems exhausted, though, and I don’t think she’s got a lot of patience for the customers nursing their last beers. “Lord, I can’t stand on my feet a minute more,” she puffs, leaning against the bar as she talks to Madison. “Where’s Carl? I need him to drive me home.”
“Don’t think that’s happening,” Madison says, pointing to Carl slumped over at the bar.
“What will I ever do with this damn boy? How the hell am I gonna get home, especially when I need him to drive?” she complains.
I’m about to offer an uber when the other waitress walks up, taking off her apron. Robbie’s eyes roam over her body again, and I’d say he’d have a shot if he hadn’t been grinding away on some other chick twenty minutes ago. Checking her shirt, I see a nametag . . . Tiffany.
“Stella, I’ll take you two home,” she offers. “I already prepped for tomorrow, so there’s not much left to do. Maddie can close up tonight, right, babe?”
Madison gives Tiffany a gee, thanks look and Tiffany winks back. I can tell these two are close friends.
Stella raises her hands, wiping her forehead. “You’re so sweet, Tiffany. I really don’t know what I’d do without you girls.”
Madison smiles at Stella, and I can sense her genuine care for the woman. “Okay, y’all go on and I’ll handle cleanup. Stella, you’ve had a lot to deal with tonight. Get on home and get your feet up.”
“All right, let’s go, Big Momma,” Tiffany says to Stella before moving over to grab Carl under his left arm.
“Okay, don’t forget to set the alarm and lock up,” Stella reminds Madison, then she looks our way. “We’re closed, boys. Like the man said, you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
I toss back the last of my drink and look at Madison, waiting for her to say something. It’s like a contest of wills, who will speak first. Finally, she breaks, not looking happy about it. “Have a good night, gentlemen.”
“You too, Maddie,” I reply, her name rolling off my tongue. I give her a small smile, hoping she’ll see the apology on my face.
Madison gives me a soft look, and I think for a moment that she’s going to ask me to stay, but she waves goodbye instead. I go outside with Robbie, who looks like he’s got energy to burn, as usual. “It’s not too late to hit up some of the bars by the university,” he says. “You know those girls don’t start class until noon, so they’re up late.”
“And you’ve got work at nine,” I remind him. “Maybe another night.”
Robbie and I are just about to get in the back of an Uber when I see Stella and Tiffany come stumbling out of the bar, Carl’s feet dragging heavily on the blacktop between them. They pile into an older red car, Tiffany driving, Stella riding shotgun, and Carl laid out across the back seat.
A thought hits me, and I give Robbie a tap on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
“Huh? What the fuck are you doing?” Robbie asks.
“You’re going home. I’m going back inside.”
Robbie blinks, stunned. “What the hell, man? It seems like I should be talking you out of this, but I’m too drunk to think about why it’s a bad idea.”
“No worries. Take the Uber, and I’ll catch another later,” I tell him, turning to head back toward the bar. “See you tomorrow . . . no later than ten.”
Chapter 5
Scott
My footsteps are determined as I walk back into the bar. My mind screams at me . . . Stop! Don’t do this. Just go home, jerk off, and forget about her.
But I don’t listen. I refuse to leave, wondering . . . what if?
The door swooshes