Bouncer by Kim Jones Page 0,30
their feelings because they lost a shit ton of money. The T.V.’s are off and the music is blaring—eighties classic rock. Go figure.
I haven’t seen Bouncer since our closet rendezvous earlier, not that I’ve had a chance to look for him. I haven’t even had a chance to sit down. Chaos warned us this party was going to be massive. I wasn’t prepared.
There’re so many unfamiliar faces. Civilians—invited to come party with the club to see for themselves that the guys aren’t a bunch of murdering thieves. Or at least give that impression.
“Hey, I know you.”
My skin prickles at the words. I look up to find a tall, lanky guy with shabby hair and a weird nose studying me. He reminds me of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.
“Sorry, bud. Don’t think you do.”
He tilts his head. “No. It’s definitely you. You got a weird name, huh? Like purple. Or leaf.”
“Two Millers, Apple!” Jinx calls from across the bar.
“Apple! That’s it.”
I roll my eyes at Jinx’s timing, ignoring the guy and grabbing Jinx’s beers, slamming them down in front of him with a little too much force.
His eyebrows waggle. “Rough night?”
“Don’t do that.”
“What?” He feigns innocence.
“Talk about things you know nothing about.”
I walk away to avoid a comeback, right into Shaggy’s conversation.
“I’m Shaggy. From The Comic Bookstore. At Four Points.”
I still. “Are you shitting me? Your name really is Shaggy?”
“Yep. You said my name was cute.”
“I never said that.”
He winks. “Sure you did.”
Wait.
I do know him.
The Comic Bookstore is just a front. Behind the dusty shelves lined with comics is a room where he sells porn. I’ve seen a lot of young girls come and go from there. I’d heard he had a studio in the back. I remember steering clear of him after seeing a few of the girls leaving in tears.
I follow his gaze and see him checking out a group of girls standing near the end of the bar. He drags his tongue over his teeth, then swings his gaze back to me. “You need to come by my store, Apple.” He leans over the bar and drops his voice. “Bet you look real pretty without all that shit on.”
I take a couple steps back. Something about this guy gives me the creeps. I didn’t like him then. I don’t like him now. Even though I know I’m safe, surrounded by some of the baddest motherfuckers in the south, I’m suddenly back at four points. Sleeping with one eye open. Dressing down. Looking dirty. Doing my best to not draw the attention of people like him.
One moment I’m staring at Shaggy, the next I’m looking at a Kings of Carnage patch. “Who the fuck are you?”
Bouncer’s voice is deadly. But all I feel is calm. I focus on the crowned skull and the date that’s tattooed on the back of his neck. The strong scent of leather mixed with the intoxicating scent of him. My hands find their way to the bottom of his vest and I cling to it. He reaches around and squeezes my fingers with his.
“Shaggy. I own the—”
“I don’t fucking care. Get out.”
I peek around Bouncer to see Shaggy’s eyes widen as he holds his hands up. “Man, I’m just here for the party.”
“Get. Out.”
“I was invited by—” Again, he doesn’t get to finish his sentence. But this time it’s not because Bouncer interrupts with words, he has him by the collar of his shirt—dragging him across the bar.
“I will rip your goddamn throat out.”
Shit.
He sounds serious.
Quincy appears and grabs the guy by his arm and the back of his neck. Bouncer releases him and Quincy pushes him through the crowd and toward the door.
“Apple?” Bouncer keeps his back to me, turning his body so that he’s between me and Shaggy until he’s out of the clubhouse.
“Yes?”
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re done for the night. Go to bed. I’ll be there soon.” With that, he leaves. Never once making eye contact.
“Well, I’m not going to argue with that,” I mutter, thankful for the opportunity to get the hell away from all these people.
The moment I enter the room and shut the door, I lean my head back against it and just breathe. Bouncer hasn’t smoked in this room since I got sick. And the air in here is so much clearer than in the main room. I sniff my shirt and frown.
I smell like a Newport and a Marlboro had a baby.
I strip in the bathroom and turn on the shower. It’s lonely in here without Bouncer. And