Broken Holidays: A Broken Series Novella (The Broken Series) Read online

  “What?” I asked hesitantly, lowering my hand.

  “Promise me you won’t fuck anyone I work with again.” She said it so seriously, and with such determination, that I couldn’t help my grin. “I mean it. I’m tired of having to change my schedule because you’ve run off some poor, unsuspecting girl with your sexploits.”

  There was no holding back a laugh at that. “Sexploits?”

  “I’m serious, Zane. Think about it. Do you want me to seduce Jackson the next time he’s over and make your life uncomfortable?” Her words stopped my laughter as I scowled. It would complicate the fuck out of my life if she slept with Jackson. “You can bang anyone else you want, as long as they don’t work with me.”

  I saw her point. “Fair enough. I promise. Friends?” I asked, holding my hand out to her again. This time, she shook it.

  “Friends,” she smiled, dropping my hand. She made a face. “And as your friend, I have to tell you, you seriously need to shower. You smell like alcohol and ass.”

  I laughed and shook my head, starting toward the bathroom. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate the honesty.”

  I watched her walk back to her room, her head held a little higher. She’d seemed so down when I’d seen her around the bar the last few weeks. Had that really been about me? Was making up with her really all I had to do to make her happy again? I had the urge to look over to where I could feel Tish’s eyes on me but I refused. I didn’t want to acknowledge the grin that set up residence on my face as I thought about Lili being happy, or that he’d caught me staring after her. He’d blow it up into something it wasn’t. We were friends, which is what I wanted. The last thing I ever wanted was to be in a relationship again. Relationships were toxic and dragged both people involved down. I wanted Lili to be happy.

  Shutting myself in the bathroom, I noticed that I felt a little lighter, too. I didn’t deserve Lili’s forgiveness, but she’d given it anyway. We were friends. Hopefully, I’d be able to at least put a delayed timer on the explosive parts of my personality and keep her out of the line of fire in the future. I’d just have to tread lightly while I figured this out.

  The second Zane walked into the Silver Moon, I knew that he regretted his promise to me. I laughed at his kicked puppy expression as he ordered a drink from one of the two new bartenders. He wasn’t even trying to flirt, but I could tell it was killing him.

  Tory and Casey were right up his alley. Best friends since childhood, they were practically twins. They were both tall, one blonde, one a redhead, and their Silver Moon uniform tank tops had been strategically cut to show off their disproportionately large breasts.

  The crowd two days before Christmas shocked me. I hadn’t expected so many people in such a rundown bar. I knew this wasn’t an ideal place. Located in a bad neighborhood off an alley, most nights we had to call the cops at least once. But, the regulars tipped well and I managed to stay busy. Of course, with the new additions, I was vastly overshadowed. Even my regulars were too busy drooling over them.

  “You knew about this when you made me make that promise, didn’t you?” Zane asked as he stepped up to my side of the bar. He stared at the girls with a pained expression and tipped back his beer.

  “Yeah, I did,” I laughed.

  “You’re cruel. You know that?”

  “Yeah, I do,” I said and he shook his head at me with a chuckle. Roger huffed and slammed down a case of bottles behind me, clearly annoyed with my socializing. I didn’t care much.

  Zane shook his head as he wandered off to his corner. I moved to help Roger restock while the girls handled their line.

  “I won’t say it again. I’ll ban him,” Roger warned, still slamming things around. “Should’ve done it a long time ago. He’s just like his daddy. Always causing trouble.”

  “I heard you the first time,” I said, rolling my eyes at his dramatics.

  “Hey, is that guy your boyfriend?” Tory, the blonde, asked when Roger took the empty box back toward the stockroom. I didn’t need to look, but I followed her gaze anyway, spotting Zane sitting at one of the booths in the back — as far from their area as he could get. I almost laughed.

  “Nope. He’s my roommate, though,” I said, leaning in conspiratorially like she had.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously.”

  “Have you ever seen him naked?”

  I laughed, surprised, though I probably shouldn’t have been. “Not intentionally, but yes.” Walking in on Zane, bare ass up while he was passed out on the bathroom floor hadn’t been the worst view I’d ever seen.

  “Is the rest of him as gorgeous as that face?” Casey asked, her voice loud as she looked over her shoulder toward where Tory and I were talking.

  I laughed. “I’m sure he doesn’t get any complaints.”

  “Less chatting, more pouring,” Roger snapped as he came in from the back. Tory rushed back to her place at the bar and I rolled my eyes. “You know better. I don’t pay you to socialize.”

  “You barely pay me, as it is,” I replied, heading back toward the bar. He stopped me, his fingers wrapping around my upper arm as he yanked me backward. “Let go!”

  “Your pissy little tough girl act is getting old,” he snapped, releasing his grip once I was close enough that he didn’t have to yell.

  I’d spent most of last night chastising myself for being afraid when there was no need. Fear is healthy, I knew that, but unwarranted fear is detrimental. I had nothing to be afraid of when it came to Roger. Even if he did want to step up to me, he sure as fuck wouldn’t do it in the middle of his bar. And I was tired of him treating me like he would. I took a step closer to him, lifting my chin as I straightened my spine. “If you ever lay a finger on me again, you’ll learn firsthand just how much of my tough girl is an act,” I said, my voice low and measured.

  “You think you can threaten me and keep your job?”

  I didn’t give him a chance to continue. “I don’t want the job. I quit.” I turned, bending over to grab my hoodie and bag from under the bar. I saw Zane as he approached. His expression told me he’d seen Roger grab me and knew there was a problem.

  “I’ll hold your last check until you return your uniform,” Roger griped, making my spine stiffen. The thought of having to coming back here, even just to give him the shirt, irritated me. I met Zane’s eyes, wondering if I had the courage to be more like him. He didn’t care what people thought and seemed to enjoy his life the way it was now.

  Taking a page from him, I dropped my bag and my hoodie at my feet, and pulled the tank top over my head. Cheering came from the men around me as I lifted my arm, throwing the shirt at a stunned Roger. I bent and snatched my hoodie off the floor, pulling it on and zipping it over my bra. “Mail the check.”

  I turned, proud that I had taken control of the situation. Ducking under the bar, I almost ran directly into Zane as he came around to meet me.

  “You okay?” he asked, the concern evident in every inch of his face. I smiled.

  “I’m great. And Merry Christmas, they’re free game now,” I said, nodding my head back toward Tory and Casey.

  Zane glanced back and I started for the door, still grinning. Yes, I’d lost my only source of income, but I’d be okay. I had a little money stuck back and Tish wouldn’t let me drown. It still felt weird to have someone so concerned for me, but it was nice.

  As I stepped out into the alley, I took a deep breath. The relative quiet of the street sounded even softer than normal after the volume inside the bar.

  “You sure know how to make an exit.” Zane’s voice sounded in my ear as his hand held the door, catching it before it fully closed.

  “Yeah, I like to make an impression,” I said, shrugging. I looked him over while he pulled on his jacket. “You’re not staying?”

  “Nah, I’m sure we can find somewhere better to hang out than this dump,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets as he nodded toward the end of the alley. “If you’re up for it.”

>   I laughed. “I’m not wearing a shirt.”

  “That’s only a problem if you take your jacket off,” he said, grinning at me in the way that brought out his adorable dimple. He hadn’t smiled at me that way in a while; it felt like the final barrier was finally broken and our friendship could get back on track.

  “Fair enough.” I shrugged and rubbed my hands together to warm them as I moved toward the street. “Did you have some place in mind?”

  “Well, I know you’re not a fan of clubs, but there are a few bars down on the Strip that are fun.”

  “Let’s do it,” I said, flagging down a cab.

  I fought hard to keep any and all discomfort I felt from the fact that I was shirtless off my face as we entered. Plastering on a confident smile, I took a seat at the bar next to Zane. I could do this. As long as I kept telling myself that, I’d be fine.

  Zane ordered two beers from a bartender that seemed to know him by name and we moved over to a table near the back corner.

  “Why do you always sit in the corner?” I asked as I hopped up into the tall chair. He tilted his head at my observation.

  “I guess I didn’t realize I did.” He shrugged. “But it does offer a good view of the entire field, which is important.”

  I took a drink from the bottle, watching him as his eyes scanned the room. “Why do I feel like I should be taking notes?” I laughed.

  He grinned. “Maybe you should. You’d be learning from the best.”

  “So modest,” I said, shaking my head. “Do you really think you can teach me something I don’t already know?”

  “Oh, I’m sure of it.”

  “Okay then, let’s see what you’ve got,” I challenged, crossing my arms as I glanced around the crowd. It seemed insane that so many people were out two nights before Christmas.

  “The guy in the gray jacket at the far end of the bar,” Zane said. My eyes shifted that direction. From this distance, nothing about him stood out. Dark hair, average build — he seemed to almost blend and disappear into the sea of bodies around him. His eyes met mine briefly before moving on, never staying still long. “Eye contact. That’s what you’re looking for. Good start. The ones that show immediate interest and come straight over to you when you meet their eye are trouble waiting to happen. That’s usually desperation. They probably have a significant other they are looking to make jealous and that can lead to fights. I’ve been there a few times. Not pretty.”

  I ignored the ache in my chest at the mental images his words brought with them, along with the thought of how many women he’d gone through to learn this. Listening to Zane retell the stories of his sordid ways wasn’t something I was sure I could handle. But what if this was the only way to stay close to him?

  “The ones who take note of you but keep moving, like he did, are usually in for exactly what you want. They want one night, no strings,” he continued, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil.

  “So, if I don’t want one that’s paying attention, how do I get him to talk to me?” I asked honestly. The theory didn’t make much sense to me, but maybe I didn’t really want it to.

  “You get his attention. Subtly. And then wait. He’ll either come to you or give you a signal to come to him.”

  “And then?” I asked, watching as Zane made eye contact with a blonde across the room.

  His gaze slipped back to mine. “And then you talk to him. Flirt. Make it known that you are willing to give what he’s looking for. But only if you’re actually going to follow through. Most of the time, women, even the ones I sleep with, say they can handle a one night stand, but truth be told, most aren’t wired that way. You want to tie all of these emotions into the physical act of fucking. You start planning futures and wanting to build relationships—”

  “Don’t lump me in like that. You don’t know the first thing about what I want in my life,” I interrupted, regardless of whether he was finished speaking or not. Though, I wasn’t as angry as I probably should’ve been. The blonde holding Zane’s attention crossed her legs and spun on the stool to face the rest of the bar.

  “Enjoy it. You only live once. But be careful.” He turned back to face me then, his expression serious. “I mean it. Be careful when going back to someone’s house or hotel room. Keep yourself safe.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I huffed, hating that he felt the need to lecture me about personal safety. “And did you seriously just YOLO?”

  “Yes, I did. Have fun with it. Take what you want and walk away happy,” he said, giving me a wink before grabbing his beer and heading off toward the blonde.

  I watched him for a moment, trying to be discreet, as he stood close and chatted with her. I knew how to use my body to get what I wanted from men, whether it be money, a ride, or even food. I’d done it enough times in the past just to survive. It was a necessary job back then, but using it now for personal pleasure was something I wasn’t sure I was ready to wrap my head around. Instead, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through to Tony’s number.

  Me: You busy?

  After sending the text, I sat back in my chair, my eyes once again falling on Zane and the blonde. He’d taken her spot on the stool and she was perched with her ass against him on the edge, his hands holding her as he whispered in her ear. She laughed and though I couldn’t hear the sound over the din of the bar, it tore at me all the same. I needed to get out of here. When my phone screen lit with the response from Tony, I felt the familiar relief at his words.

  Tony: I’m all yours.

  It seemed like Lili was there one second and gone the next. When I glanced back only moments before, she was on her phone. Then, she disappeared. I checked the other end of the bar, where the guy had been, but he was still there. A part of me wanted to worry about her, but with Jessie’s tongue trailing up my neck, I quickly forgot any concerns I had.

  “We should go to your place,” she said when she reached my ear, her teeth pulling on it in a way that had my dick twitching in my jeans.

  I shook my head. “Roommates.” It was always my excuse for not taking random hook-ups to my house. Truth was, I didn’t want them to know where I lived. As I’d told Lili, women were crazy. “Your place?”

  She leaned away, frowning for a second as she seemed to assess me. “Yeah, but I should warn you, I don’t live alone either.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t mind if you don’t.” She smirked and raised an eyebrow, tossing back the last of her drink before pulling me to my feet and heading for the door.

  The ride to her house was a blur of wandering hands, intense moans, and the throat clearing of the cab driver when things started to go too far. It slowed us down, but only temporarily.

  When we stumbled inside her condo, she was giggling as I struggled to keep us both upright. The lights were on and the sound of a TV floated in from my right.

  “Oh good. She’s still awake,” Jessie whispered as she started to lead me through the small entryway. I froze when the figure on the couch came into view. Dirty blonde hair with streaks of red and darker brown weaved through, pulled up in a messy bun, and no makeup on her face — it was all so familiar.

  She glanced away from the TV, her eyes widening when they met mine. There was something, anxiety or fear, that jolted my memory. “Zane?”

  Jessie, who had just opened her mouth, probably to introduce us, paused. “Wait, you know each other?”

  “We’ve met,” I said, not taking my eyes away from Tabitha.

  I met Tabitha months ago. Late July, if I remembered correctly. It was just after my divorce had finalized and I was out drinking away the pain, as I normally did. She caught my eye and immediately came over to talk to me. She was eager and easy — I didn’t know the warning signs back then. It wasn’t until we were fucking in the backseat of her car and her boyfriend started pounding on the window that I realized my mistake. She was one of the few that stuck in my memory because I learned some valuable lessons about life that night. For starters, never trust a gi
rl who is that eager. More than likely, you’re a revenge fuck and you draw the short straw when you get caught. Also, they want to get caught.

  “How’s the boyfriend? Scott, right? Wasn’t that his name?” The memories of a nearly dislocated jaw from his sucker punch while I was still trying to pull up my jeans made the words come out bitter.

  Tabitha looked away, embarrassed. “Um, we broke up.”

  “You dated Scott?” Jessie asked, her eyes narrowed at Tabitha. “It was Scott you were with when we broke up?”

  As the two women stared at one another, I felt the tension in the room through the haze of alcohol. It was hot, but not in a way that was at all appropriate. “I should probably go.” Neither of them so much as blinked to acknowledge that I had spoken.

  “I dated Scott, but when I found out he was fucking you behind my back, I went out to find someone else. That’s when I met Zane,” Tabitha said, no hostility in her tone. Her words made my dick twitch as they sunk in. Fuck, they were together at some point and they’d shared a guy? It was so wrong of me to wonder if they’d ever been with a guy at the same time, but it was the only thing I could think about.

  They both turned toward me then, and I couldn’t decide whether the way they moved in unison was hot or terrifying. My dick was still in charge of my brain apparently, as all I could think about was how much I wanted this to happen.

  “Is he as good as he thinks he is?” Jessie asked, her eyes on me but the question clearly directed at Tabitha.

  “We didn’t have long before Scott caught us, but he’s definitely worth another go. I wouldn’t turn him down for a round two.”

  Holy. Fuck.

  I had to be dreaming. That was the only explanation I could come up with as my dick strained against the zipper of my jeans.

  Jessie hummed in thought as her eyes ran down my body in obvious appraisal. She stepped closer, running her fingers under my shirt and up my stomach enticingly. “You think you can handle us?”