Trinity Read Free Page A

nag! I manage! I’m the manager! That’s my job!” I yell at a ghostly swinging door.
    I turn to Shane and Chase, who are both staring me down.
    “What are you lookin’ at?”
    “Nothing,” they both grumble under their breaths with what I think is a hint of amusement.
    I lean on the edge of the bar and examine both of them thoroughly.
    “What?” Shane questions.
    “Nothing,” I respond wily, sizing them up. “I’m just trying to figure you two out.”
    “Come out from behind that bar, and you can analyze us all you want.” Chase pops the last fritter into his mouth, goading me.
    Shayna emerges from the kitchen, and I smile. “My shift just happens to be over.”
    “Yes, be gone with you,” she shoos me away. “I can handle it from here.”
    “You should have been handling it an hour ago. I still need to set up the floor, and everyone is practically here.”
    “Moving a few tables and hooking up your iPod hardly sounds like setup,” she sneers.
    “I have to light candles, too.” I stick my tongue out at her as I leave the bar.
    “You two seem very close,” Shane observes.
    “Yeah, we’re like one big fat fucking family here.” I smile obnoxiously at her. He and Chase both chuckle. “I’ll be right back.”
    “Good, because this barstool has your name on it.” Chase reaches over and pulls an empty stool between him and Shane.
    Oh?
    “ Keep it warm for me.” I can’t control my response.
    “We will.” They both devour me with their eyes. My whole body boils, from the tip of my scalp to the points of my toes. I walk away tingling all over. With four attentive eyes on me, I shuffle the tables against the windows to create more room for a dance floor. Dimming the lights, I turn on the LCD hurricane candles and then hook up my iPod to the sound system. I made a special playlist just for Jack and Janine. Knowing the two of them for so long, I know the hundreds of soundtracks that define their relationship. I even know which song was playing when they had sex for the first time. Yeah. Tonight is going to be fun. I press play, and Promiscuous by Timberland and Nelly Furtado pumps through the speakers. I see Janine spin around and pick me out of the crowd. “Jennifer Reeves! No, you didn’t!” she screams across the room.
    Oh yes, I did. I teasingly wave as Jack grabs her and grinds his hips against hers. Let the party begin.
    I move slowly across the weathered floor to the seat that has been kept warm for me. I sit down between the two beguiling strangers who welcome me eagerly.
    “What are you drinking?” Chase asks.
    I take a deep breath, their expensive cologne and body heat cocooning me in confliction, temptation, and desire. I need something strong. Something with a kick that will inflate my nerves.
    “A shot of Fireball with a Jack and Coke chaser.”
    “Oh?” They both look at me intrigued.
    “Don’t take me for a whiskey girl? I’m full of surprises.”
    “So we’re discovering.” Shane leans in a little closer. All my tendons immediately tighten. “I’ll tell you something else,” he murmurs in my ear. “We’re full of surprises, too.”
    I turn my head so we’re eye to eye. “I’m also discovering that.”
    Once Shane pulls away, Chase hands me a shot glass. “One Fireball with a Jack and Coke chaser.”
    “Thank you.” I slam the shot, the hot and spicy liquor singeing my throat as it slides down. I chase the sensation with a sip of the cold cocktail. Christ, I needed this. “Shayna, can I have another one?” I wave the glass at her. She pours the amber liquid up to the rim, a small bit spilling on my fingers as I bring the tiny glass to my lips. Like two thirsting animals, they both watch as I swallow the shot down and then lick the sticky remnants off my hand.
    With dilated pupils, they engage me in conversation.
    “How long have you worked here?” Shane starts.
    “Years and years.” I suck down a large gulp of Jack and Coke. “I don’t remember a time