Chapter 1: Introduction
The scent of stale beer and nicotine permeated the air at Uncle's Tavern, a dive bar tucked away outside the town of Furhaven Landing. The neon lights that adorned the walls flickered, casting an eerie yellow glow over the room. The jukebox blared out a '90s rock classic, drowning out the smoky laughter and drunken chatter of the patrons. The floor was a mosaic of stained linoleum, sticky with spilled drinks and ground-in cigarette ash.
I was horrified to learn that Management has altered my work uniform, I almost cried, seeing myself so exposed in these tiny shorts and see through top, I could wear this on a private beach but this was too much to wear in public, at work, surrounded by people who knew me. I had to shave my all public hair just to keep anything from poking thought. I was little more than a stripper serving beer.
No wonder they'd stuck me in these god-awful heels. I wobbled my way to the bar, my thighs already aching from the unnatural stance. Reggie, the bartender, was polishing a glass, a task that second nature to him after being a bartender in a famous dance club in Chicago. He was a short to Alice, a man in his thirties who had just recently accept es his age.
"You know, Alice," he said, not looking up, "the customers love this look. More tips, you'll see."
I scoffed, ignoring the way my heart pounded in my chest. "Yeah, tips are suppose to be about customer service. not saving the men the effort of undressing me with their eyes." I rolled my eyes, adjusting the tiny thong jeans that left little to the imagination. I was acutely aware of the way my nipples pressed against the mesh crop top, the cool air of the tavern sending a shiver down my spine.
Reggie finally looked up, his eyes meeting mine. "You know, Alice, you're a tough cookie. You can handle it." He winked, a gesture that was meant to be reassuring but only served to make me feel more uncomfortable.
I sighed, turning to the bar to grab a tray. "I'm not here to handle anything, Reggie. I'm here to serve drinks." I started to walk away, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
"Alice, wait up!" Sam, one of our regulars, was pushing through the crowd, a warm smile on his ruggedly handsome face. His long brown hair was tied back in a messy bun, and his eyes sparkled with a kindness that was rare in this place.
I paused, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Hey, Sam. What can I get you?" I asked, my voice automatically falling into the professional tone I'd been trained to use.
Sam reached the bar, his gaze flicking over me, but not in the lewd way I'd come to expect. Instead, he seemed to be taking me in, really seeing me. "You know what, Alice? You look...
different," Sam said, his voice thoughtful. "Not that you don't look... great," he quickly added, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I just mean, it's not really you, is it?"
I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. "And what exactly is 'me', Sam? The tough-talking waitress with the smart mouth and the chip on her shoulder?" I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Or maybe you're referring to the fact that I'm dressed like a stripper, and you're not sure how to handle that."
Sam held up his hands in surrender, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I didn't mean it like that," Sam said, his hands still raised in surrender. "I just meant, you know, you're usually more...covered up. This is...different."
I rolled my eyes, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yeah, well, different is what they're paying me for these days." I gestured to my outfit, a wry smile on my face. "So, what can I get you, Sam? The usual?"
Sam hesitated, his gaze flicking over me again. "Yeah, sure. The usual. But...can I talk to you for a second? When you're not working?"
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Talk to me?
When I'm not working?" I echoed, my voice laced with skepticism. "Sam, I'm a waitress. My life revolves around this place. What do you want to talk about that's so important?"
Sam leaned against the bar, his eyes never leaving mine. "I just...I want to get to know you better, Alice. You're always so closed off, and I get the feeling there's more to you than meets the eye."
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "There's nothing more to me, Sam. I'm just a girl trying to make ends meet. You know the drill."
Sam shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Come on, Alice. You're not fooling anyone with that tough act. I see the way you look at the guys who chase sluts. I wish you weren't attracted to that kind who just control and use women"
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Sam. You are wrong, I can't explain. But not here, not now. I've got a job to do." I gestured to the crowded bar, where patrons were growing restless.
Sam nodded, understanding. "I get it. How about tomorrow? After your shift?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Fine.
But only if you promise to keep your hands to yourself," I said, my voice laced with a teasing challenge. I knew I was playing with fire, but there was something about Sam that made me want to push his buttons.
Sam chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "Scout's honor," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'll pick you up at ten."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth. But if you're late, I'm leaving without you."
Sam laughed, a warm sound that made me feel all fluttery inside.
"Deal," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But only if you promise to give me a chance, Alice. I'm not like the other guys who come in here." "Oh, really? And what makes you so different, Sam?" I challenged, my heart pounding in my chest.
Sam leaned in, his voice low. "I actually care about you, Alice. I want to get to know you, the real you. Not just the tough exterior you put up for everyone to see."
I scoffed, but I couldn't deny the way my heart skipped a beat at his words.
"Throw in a nice wine and a huge cock, and a note to my future husband explaining why his loving bride isn't a virgin on their wedding night!" I added.
"Sure, I doubt any man would expect a woman of the lower class to be a virgin on their wedding night, so don't bother thinking your virginity is anything special." Lisa cackled, slapping the counter.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the heat that rose in my cheeks. I knew she was just trying to get a rise out of me, but her words still stung.
"Lisa, that's enough," Carl barked from the other side of the bar, not even looking up from his ledger. "Alice, just ignore her. She's just jealous that you're getting all the attention."
I scoffed, grabbing a tray and loading it with drinks. "Yeah, well, I'd rather have the attention than the harassment," I muttered under my breath, but loud enough for Lisa to hear. She sneered at me, her eyes narrowing.
"You think you're so special, Alice? With your little 'date' tomorrow. Newsflash, sweetheart, he's just like the rest of them. He wants one thing, and one thing only." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a low hiss. "And once he's had it, he'll be on to the next piece of fresh meat. You're just a novelty to him, Alice. A challenge. Nothing more."
I rolled my eyes, but her words stung more than I cared to admit. "You would know Lisa, I know Sam is your ex-boyfriend," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Sam is a different man when he isn't being berated all the time."
Lisa scoffed, her sharp tongue lashing out.
"You think you know him so well, Alice? You don't know the first thing about him. He's just a musician, playing his guitar and singing his sad songs. He's a dreamer, a romantic. And you know what dreamers and romantics are like? They're all talk and no action. They'll promise you the world, and then when it comes time to deliver, they'll be nowhere to be found."
I sighed, setting the tray of drinks down on the counter with a little more force than necessary. "You're not even really jealous, Lisa. You are just an angry woman upset that one of her little playthings grew a spine and stopped bowing to you every whim." I said, my voice steady and calm, despite the anger that was bubbling up inside me. I knew Lisa was just trying to get under my skin, but her words were hitting a nerve.
Lisa's face contorted into a snarl, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer. "You think you're so smart, Alice. You think you can just waltz in here and take what you want. But you're just a little slut, you just haven't been fucked yet. You have nothing to offer Sam once your pussy gets busted in."
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "You're right, Lisa. I'm not special, but Sam thinks I am, so it isn't me you have to convince." I didn't want to believe her, but I couldn't shake the doubt that was creeping in. "You're just a little slut, you just haven't been fucked yet. I'm just a waitress, nothing special.
But Sam sees something in me, something I'm not sure I want to see. I've always been the tough girl, the one who pushes people away before they can get too close. But Sam...he's different. He sees through my tough exterior, and he wants to get to know the real me. The me that I keep hidden away, the me that I'm not sure I want anyone to see.
I finish my shift, my feet aching from the heels and my back sore from the constant bending and stretching. I change out of my uniform, slipping into a pair of pajamas. I don't bother with touching up my makeup, just a quick splash of water and jump into bed, one of the benefits of living right above the bar.
. As I lay in bed, my mind races with thoughts of Sam and our impending date. I can't help but wonder what he sees in me, what he wants from me.
I toss and turn, my mind a whirlwind of doubts and insecurities. What if Lisa is right?
What if Sam is just another man who wants to use me for his own pleasure? Just how bad would it be, it would feel good for me too. I can't help but feel a pang of fear and uncertainty as I lie in bed, the dim light of the streetlamps casting eerie shadows on the walls. I've always been the one in control, the one who keeps people at arm's length. But with Sam, it's different. The me that I'm not sure I am ready for anyone to see.
I sigh, rolling over and burying my face in my pillow. I think maybe, I should have masturbated that night but dreamland was next.