Ahead of the Darkness (6 page)

“That’s for me to know and ye to find out.” I reflexively bit my lip, and Drew laughed.

“I’ll see you at Cascade’s at six?”

“Aye, I’ll walk ye down. Ye sure ye dinnae want a ride?”

I suppressed my body’s impulse to respond with a yes, I’d very much like a ride, and pretended my thoughts weren’t still in the gutter.

“No, I’m fine, really. I can let myself out. No need to bother.”

“Alright then. I’ll see ye later on.” I collected my clutch and Drew walked with me to his front door and slid open the heavy, wooded thing.

“Oh, wow. It’s real.”

“Aye, I have a thing for old warehouse buildings, I guess. All authentic detailing, mind.”

“It’s a nice touch. Well, thanks again ...”
Do I shake his hand? Kiss him goodbye?

“It was nae bother.”

“Well okay.”

And with that, I hurried down the two flights of stairs I had no memory of Drew carrying me up. I paused at the security door and looked up at hearing Drew lock his door.

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E
verything seemed to only take twenty or so minutes to get to, and I spent those ones in daze the whole way to Anne’s. Surprisingly, I didn’t get lost this time, but I was so nervous about getting caught coming in with last night’s clothes on. I was a grown woman, for pity’s sake, and what would Anne care anyway. I wasn’t her daughter tarting around. I snuck in the back door like some silly teen all the same.

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T
here I was, outside Cascades at five minutes to six. I’d spent the whole afternoon kicking myself for not getting Drew’s number so I could tell him I’d changed my mind. I couldn’t believe I was about to start working here, for Drew, of all people.

It made sense that he owned the bar. His apartment had the same style, the same flair, but he seemed so young. What I really couldn’t wrap my head around was that I was stupid enough to start working for him, a man that throws me for a complete loop. I couldn’t think clearly when I was around him, if our limited past experience was anything to go by. One minute I would be more turned on than I had ever been, the next, frustrated beyond comprehension. The smart thing would have been to walk away, leave it alone, but no, I had to start working for the hot Scotsman.

I built up my shields in a desperate attempt to hold on to myself, and hoped that under a more professional setting they would hold, surely I wouldn’t still be attracted to my boss. It a fruitless fancy, but I could hope. My story was at the ready, if asked. I hated that part; the questions that always came. Who are you, where are you from, tell me your life story. Why everyone felt the need to know every little inconsequential detail is beyond me, but somehow, I still walked through the door.

As promised, Drew was waiting against the bar. He straightened when I entered the room, and the dimpled smirk I had begun to expect was replaced by a more...professional smile, flat and lifeless. I didn't like it. It didn't sit well with me. He looked...cold.

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“H
ello, Drew. Or should I call you boss now?” I grinned, and he seemed to relax a bit in his shoulders. And his smile became a little more natural.

“Drew’s fine, but I did want to talk to ye about this morning. What happened, well naught happened nae really, I guess. I mean ...” He stumbled, his thick Scottish brogue breaking through. By the way he had trouble saying what he needed to, he seemed for the first time genuinely uncomfortable and unsure around me. I liked that.

“So, aye. It cannae happen again, ye know, what dinnae happen. I ah, have a nae-relations policy with work. At work.”

“No diddling the staff. Right?” His eyes travelled to my lips for a heartbeat before he snapped them back to mine and I noticed his hands flexed at his sides.

“Aye, something like that.” He cleared his throat and continued. “So, let me show ye around, and then ye can fill in the paperwork."

"Paperwork? Oh right."

"Aye, just the standard stuff. Most of the others will start to arrive soon, so I can introduce ye to them.” He promptly turned on his heels and walked off towards the stage. “Jules and Mac are on tonight. They work most days.

“How did I get the job?” He paused, and turned around to look at me. “I mean, if anyone asks.” I was sure it wouldn’t go over well with the staff and the no-fraternising police.

“Oh, aye.” He chuckled. “The truth wouldnae be the best, like...”

“I could have handed a resume in last night, when I came in for a drink. Just the one drink, though...”
Please don't tell them I got pissed.

“Aye, ye are a clever wee thing. That would work. Cannae tell ‘em ye got blootered and wound up naked in my bed.” He laughed and continued walking.

“Yes, real clever, just not while drunk,” I muttered under my breath.

“Aye, true, but ye were entertaining, mind.” He threw over his shoulder, and continued his breakneck pace.

I quickened mine to keep up with him and his changing demeanour. I almost laughed myself, but I didn’t. Instead, I stopped in my tracks at the thought. Drew had me smiling and laughing more in the last twelve hours than I could remember doing before. Given he’d also frustrated me more, too.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't realise Drew had been talking to me. I looked up to see him staring at me with a contemplative look.

"Sorry, I ... was trying to think if I remembered my keys." I smiled sweetly at him, making him frown.

"Dinnae dae that."

"I'm sorry? Do what? Forget my keys? I try not to."

“Nae. The falseness, that sweet smile. Nae with me. Ye had some kind of moment, whatever it was, but don't hide behind some false act. It doesn't suit ye."

My mouth fell open. I was rendered speechless.

"I ... I don't understand ... what ...?"

“Ye face is an open book. I read right through it. Aye, look, it closed...just like that." And he was right. The walls and armour I always had, that seemed to slip, instantly went back up.

"Won't happen again, Boss." I was going to make sure it wouldn't. The perplexed look crossed his face briefly.

“Right. This door here.” He walked off to the left and opened the door, waiting for me to enter first. “This is the main storeroom, but as ye can see it’s a wee bit small.” It was tiny. It consisted of mostly cleaning and office supplies, with a few crates of wine and spirits. “The door there is for deliveries, but there is a small storage cellar underneath the bar that keeps quick refills. I’ll show ye that in wee bit.”

He headed out and continued on to the right of the stage, and I hurried through that door.

“This, this here is the staffroom and wee staff bathroom. It also leads to behind the stage for access through that far door on the left. Ye get ye own locker to keep ye stuff in. My office is the far door on the right. Ah... What else? Oh!”

He walked off, back out into the main room towards the bar. I barely had time to look in the room before I had to run out to catch up with him.

“This, this is where we keep the beer and cider on tap. The pipes run down to the pumps below, and some of our most commonly used liquor, and premixes too. It latches from the inside as well as the top, so ye cannae get locked in. Ye wouldn’t want for much if ye did, mind.”

He opened the latch, and slid it all the way open. I couldn’t help but think how clever that was, instead of the traditional ones where they open up and out. I followed his descent, and started to shake as we went further down into the dark cellar. Long-suppressed memories struggled to surface at the
deja vu
feeling. A step creaking was all it took, and I gasped before I stumbled forward into Drew. His quick reflexes saved me from face-planting the concrete below. I struggled to catch my breath. My heart rate had skyrocketed and this time, it had nothing to do with Drew having his hands on me. One hand left me and I heard the click as a light went on.

“Ye really do make a habit of falling for ... Mia?”

“I ... I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. I must have tripped.” I shivered in Drew’s arms, and he gripped me tighter.

“Ye cannae be afraid of the dark?” There wasn’t any humour in his voice, only concern as he stared through me.

“No...I must. I’m just cold.” I tried to smile and step out of his reach, but he wouldn't let go. The room was too small, the air too thick.

He reached a hand up to grip my chin and stared into my eyes. It unnerved me.

“Drew, I’m fine. You can let me go.” He didn't. He just continued to hold my face.

“Ye don’t have to come down here. One of the others will.”

“I’m okay.” I was going to argue, but his face said,
try it and see what happens
.

His eyes softened as he kept starting. His thumb absentmindedly stroked my cheek. I found it strangely calming, but the moment was broken when a sharp, high-pitched voice came screeching down the stairs.

“Dreeeew? Where you at, babe?” Drew dropped his hands.

“Come on, let’s get out of here and ye can meet Mac.”
Mac? Babe?

I gave Drew a small smile, which I thought was reassuring but it must have meant something different to him. He gripped my hand with a little squeeze and led us back up the stairs to meet a very feminine Mac.

“There you are. I was beginning to think I’d have to start without you.” She giggled like a schoolgirl as Drew appeared out of the cellar. I had an instant, irrational dislike of her.

“Oh? Who’s your little friend, Drew?” She shot me an incredulous look as I appeared next to Drew.

“Mac, meet our newest employee, Mia. Mia this is Mackenzie, Mac for short.” He gave my hand a small squeeze before he let go, and put some distance between us. I was confused by the whole interaction. Didn’t Drew have a no-fraternising policy with staff? Yet, Mac acted like she had some kind of claim on him.
Is she the reason he now doesn’t date staff?

“Oooooh. Hiya” Her voice dripped with sweetness.

“Hi.” I smiled what could be my trademark smile. It was lifeless and gave nothing away, but Mac didn’t seem to notice.

“Mac can ye go get the cash ready while I run through some last few things with Mia?”

“Of course.” She scurried off and into the back room.

I looked at Drew while he watched Mac, an odd sensation creeping up into my chest. He turned with his mouth, about to speak, and stopped when he saw my face. I shut off whatever it was he caught and smiled.

“No. Just no.” I nodded and agreed with whatever Drew was trying to dismiss which made Drew growl in annoyance. I smiled internally at the sound.

“So, Boss. What now?”

He frowned, and proceeded to explain all the ins and outs of the club, but even with the accent I found it hard to listen. I kept going back to the cellar and why I’d panicked. The unmistakable feeling I’d been there before wouldn’t leave me. I didn’t know how long I had been lost in my mind but I tuned back in just in time.

“...and Wednesday is topless Wednesdays...”

“WHAT?”

“Welcome back. Did ye catch anything I said?”

“Oh, funny. You were joking, right? I heard you, glasses are here, dishwasher here, beer nuts here. I have done this a million times before.” I wasn’t sure why I was getting defensive with him, but I couldn’t seem to help it.

“Aye, I was joking. Wednesday is karaoke night.”
Oh, God!
“Saturday nights get pretty crazy here. It’s dance house with a DJ, and the folk go nuts for it. If things get too crazy, just let me know and ye can take a breather. It’ll be just the four of us tonight. Any questions?”

“What time do we open and close? I still have no idea what time we left last night.”

“We open at six thirty, and last night we finished up about three am but ye must have been outside for a good thirty minutes, mind. Cannae imagine what ye were doin’.” It fascinated me how Drew would slip in and out of his Scottish brogue when he was talking with me. I vaguely remembered trying to find my phone on the curb, and I silently vowed never to drink so much again when the front door burst open and in hurried a tall, shaggy blonde guy.

“Sorry mate. Got into a fight with a bird ‘n’ had to make up, twice.” He looked to me with a wink as he approached the bar.

“Ya dirty bastard. Ye best not smell of sex, ye wee prick, or I’ll have to hose ye down.”

I laughed.

“Jules, this is Mia.”

“Ah, a new bar wench. I approve. Mia, my dear, it’s a pleasure.” He elaborately bowed to me.

“Hi.” What do you say to someone like that? Was he for real?

“Easy, Jules. Now ye’ve met, ye can go help Mac while I finish with Mia.” There was an interesting amount of warning in Drew’s tone, and I caught the subtle shift in Jules features at hearing it.

“Aye, Boss. Cannae wait.” He laughed as he swaggered off to the back.

“Cute,” he grumbled.
What was I missing?

I looked at Drew curiously waiting for something. Now what?

“Aye, well. That’s about it. Ye met the gang.”

“Is it a requisite for your employees to be ... slutty?”
And good looking
? Drew laughed heartily at that.

“Aye, and drunks.” He winked at me.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Nae if I can help it. Ye can fill in the paperwork when the other muppets get out here and open up.”

“I heard that. It’s the hair, isn’t it? I can’t help I was gifted with a full, albeit shaggy mop of hair.” Jules tried to flick his shoulder-length hair out of his face and over his shoulder, but instead of looking suave or whatever it was he had been aiming for, he flicked himself in the face on the rebound looking like a right, as Drew put it, muppet.

“Will you quit with the hair antics. You look like a spastic cheerleader. It’s so unbecoming,” Mac snapped out.

“You’re just jealous that my hair is naturally awesome.”

“Aye. Mac, get the door and Jules, put away the hair and check the stock levels before the crowd hits us, will ye? I’m getting Mia on to the paperwork, and then I’ll help ye carry them down.” He nodded towards the backroom and walked off.