SNAP (The SNAP Trilogy Book 1) (10 page)

"Okay, Roger. I understand. Let me know when you want her to come in. I'll take her an app and tell her to fill it out before she comes."

"Order up, table four." I turn to the window and see his food sitting there.

"I will," Roger says as he walks to the bar.

I grab his plate and deliver it to his table. "You need anything else?" I ask as I set it down.

"No thank you."

"Alright. Enjoy." I scribble have a nice night with a smiley face on my pad and tear it off. Laying it face down on his table, I give him a smile and walk to the bar to speak to Roger about inventory.

Cash

The look on Hazel's face and the near snort she made when I said Phil was her boyfriend was enough to answer my question about her relationship with him. I could tell by the look in her eyes and the way she responded without hesitation that she thinks he's a joke. Thank God for that. The piece of shit is exactly that, a piece of shit. I think about what Dale said as I watch her confidently stroll through the tavern giving orders and talking to employees. Could she really be working with him and their interactions be an act?

I don't think so, but then again, I don't really know her. She seems genuinely good-natured, always having a smile on her face and positive things to say to those around her. Hazel would make a good boss. I know I wouldn't mind working beneath her.

With that thought, the vision of her slapping her thigh and making comments about her curvy figure enter my mind. I wanted to put my hands on her thighs and sink my fingers into them. It was a good thing she walked away right after because I almost reached out and did it. That wouldn't have ended well, me groping her while she was working. Then again, she may let me throw her on the table and have her for dinner with the small glances she's tossing my way.

I've stopped hiding the fact that I'm watching her. She knows I'm here now. No reason to be obscure about it. The physical attraction I feel toward her is a problem though. I've felt it since day one when I started following her weeks ago. But if I can use it as the excuse for watching her and getting answers, I'm going to use it. I'll just let her think that I'm interested and remind myself that I'm not. I did not come down here to get emotionally involved. I don't have time for that. There is no time for that in the business I'm in. When I feel the need for… physical interaction, I call for it. Escorts are an excellent release of pent up frustrations and stress. I'll never go down on a street corner and pick up a hooker. Escorts are of a higher standard and cleaner. Plus, I can take them to business functions if I need to have a date. They are also easier to shush. I have a feeling Hazel isn't the kind of woman you can shush easily.

I flip over the receipt on my table and read the note written there. Bingo. I've got an easy in if I choose to go this route. Dale would be fucking pissed if he knew what I'm thinking right now.

"Do not get involved."

If I do this, not only will I be getting involved, I will be putting myself right in the middle of the shit storm. My hands tighten into fists as I think about Phil putting his hands on Hazel and how he popped her tire. Knowing that he carries a knife on him, I worry about what will happen to her the next time he tries this psycho bullshit. I've found myself watching her more over the past couple of days than following him and finding out what he's doing. That's something that has to come to an end. But watching Hazel is…comforting.

Yep, it's time to move in, get answers, and get the fuck out. If I bring Phil down, Hazel will be safe and my worries will come to an end. I have no idea why I am so concerned with her to begin with. I don't even know her, and I've never cared before if someone was killed during all this shit as long as it doesn't come back on us. That's their problem, not ours.

Finishing my food, I drink the last of my beer and watch as Hazel walks back into the bar. I slide out of the booth and follow her over. There's a few old farts sitting at the bar watching the news and drinking their beers. Hazel has her arm wrapped around one of them joking with him. The old man's eyes light up as she teases with him and his arm tightens around her waist making her head tilt back as she laughs. Her hair is pulled back in a knot leaving her long neck uncovered. For a moment I imagine myself in that man's place, making her laugh like that before rubbing my nose up the length of her neck to her ear. He makes eye contact and gives me the once over, studying me, before turning to her.

"I think someone wants you, sweetheart."

The smile disappears from her face as she turns in my direction. I almost wish he would've kept his mouth shut. Hazel pats his shoulder then walks around the bar toward me, her eyes roaming over my body. Although I did the same to her while she worked, I take a moment to get my fill of her before I leave. Her dark polo shirt hugs her breasts that bounce lightly as she moves. The slight sway of her hips is natural and hypnotizing. As she closes in, she raises her face to mine, but I can't discern what she's thinking.

I step off to the side so we can't be overheard by her other customers and she follows.

"Did you need something else?" She's trying to keep it strictly business, but I can hear a twinge of hope in there for something more.

Her eyes are a beautiful gunmetal blue. I could swear they were silver earlier. Easing her into a casual conversation, I try to get her right where I want her. "You didn't have to give me my meal for free. Any man with a set of balls would have helped you."

"I didn't have to, but I wanted to. Anyone who knew me may have helped, but you're a stranger who stepped up. Most strangers won't." Her voice drops down to almost a whisper as she says it and she glances around before looking back at me.

She's right. Most strangers would watch as they walk away quickly not wanting to get involved in someone else's conflict. It makes me wonder if the fuckwad hurt her before and no one helped her then.

"We don't have to be strangers, Hazel," I whisper back before thinking, but it works. Her eyes widen and she sucks in a quick breath making her breasts raise and my eyes drop. I quickly avert them and reach out my hand to her. "Cash. Cash Miller." I give her my full panty melting smile, as one of my previous lays called it, and her gaze searches my face latching onto mouth.

She smiles back and I think I see her blushing a bit. "Hazel Watson," she says as she slides her hand into mine. I give it a light squeeze and she squeezes mine back, trembling a bit. My smile gets a little wider and she drops her head, biting her lip as she pulls out of my grasp.

"See ya, Hazel Watson." I give her a wink and turn to leave, but not before hearing her whisper, "Later, Cash Miller." I shouldn't, but I can't help the smile that spreads across my face as I exit the tavern. I've got her exactly where I want her. And that may include my bed before all of this is over.

Hazel

"You in town?" I ask Cady, calling her from my cell when I get off work.

"Actually, I am. They let you off work early?" She jokes with me knowing I never leave on time.

"Nope. I didn't have to stay over tonight. I have something for you."

"Oooh, what is it?" she asks quickly.

"I'm not telling. Come over and find out. I'll be home in a couple of minutes," I tell her, turning onto my street.

"Alright. Be there shortly."

I toss my phone into my cup holder as I pass by the lit up houses. There are a few kids lingering out in their yards trying to soak up as much time outside as they can before school starts next week. Get as much time as you can kids, I think to myself, it'll be gone in the flash of an eye and you will have to be an adult. The thought makes me sigh.

I'd give anything to rewind time and not have responsibilities. My father made me do chores, but he wanted me to be a kid for as long as possible. He shouldered all the responsibilities, hiding things from me because he didn't want me to worry. He always told me to quit rushing to be an adult. "If you're lucky you'll have half a century to be an adult. Enjoy these years, Hazel, you don't get a lot of them." So I did and my childhood was amazing. Dad was right, those years don't last long. I wish he was still here sharing his wisdom with me.

I pull into my parking spot and shut my car off. I sit there for a moment and let my head fall against the headrest.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I jerk to the side and grab my chest. Cady is standing outside my window giggling. I open my car door and get out locking it before I close it back.

"Don't do that shit to me. I almost jumped out of my skin." I playfully swat at her and she jumps out of the way laughing.

"I wasn't meaning to scare you; that was just a plus." She comes to a stop leaning against the brick of my apartment.

I let us in and she runs to the bathroom as I kick my shoes off. I lock the door and sigh. It's becoming routine. A person should be able to sit safely in their home without locking themselves inside. Locking it to keep people out when you're not there is one thing, but I feel like I'm trapping myself in a jail cell when I'm home. And it's all out of fear.

Grabbing the application from my bag, I lay it on the cluttered coffee table and sit down on the couch. It feels so good to be off my feet after my ten hour shift. I reach in my purse and grab my cigarettes lighting one and melt into the worn out cushions as I try to relax my body one area at a time. When I close my eyes, Cash's smiling face appears. His head slightly tilted, dark brows over chocolate eyes, straight nose, and full bottom lip. The shadow on his jaw along with his mussed hair makes me bite my lip thinking of how I'd like to run my fingers through it and grasp it while doing all kinds of things to him.

Who am I and where did the real Hazel go?

"Who are
you
thinking about?" Cady whispers next to me making me scream and jump.

"What is wrong with you today?" I yell at her trying to slow my erratic heartbeat as she cackles away.

"Nothing. I didn't sneak in here. You were off in your own little world, and by the look on your face, I'd say it was nice. So, who were you thinking about?"

"No one and nothing." There's nothing going on there anyway. I don't even know the guy, I have no idea why he is filling my thoughts. Couldn't be that he is sexy as fuck and has a voice that could melt your vagina. I pick up the application and hold it up for Cady hoping to change the subject.

"Where is this for?" she asks grabbing the app and looking over it.

"Maggie's." I smile at her shock.

"Does Roger know you are bringing me this?"

"Yes. We had a long talk today and he is letting me hire a few people." Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You are the first person I'd like to hire."

Cady throws her arms around my shoulders and squeals in delight. "This is going to be epic, the two of us working together."

I hug her back. "We will see. Roger wants to interview you himself. He saw your tickets from Saturday." She bites her lip and sets the app down. "He wants you in there at nine tomorrow morning to fill out paperwork, but this needs filled out before you go."

"I'll be there with bells on. I need this job and it's even better I'll be working with you." She smiles and puts the app in her purse.

I put my cigarette out in the ashtray and lean back against the couch. Cady leans back and turns her head toward me searching my face.

"Any sign of the Phil today?"

"No, thank God." Any remaining thoughts of Cash are erased with the mention of Phil. My body tenses up at just the thought of that freak. "I'm hoping he stays away from Maggie's. I don't want to have the talk with Roger, but I know it's going to happen. We don't need trouble there. The tavern is one place the cops don't get called too often. Roger wants to keep it that way. I don't want to bring my drama to work and cause problems."

"It won't be you causing the problems, it'll be Phil. I'm sure Roger will understand, but you have to go to him first before Phil shows up again."

"I know, but I dread having this conversation with him. I've always been business only at work. I don't talk about my personal life there. It's why Roger and I get along so well and why he's promoting me." I rub my knees as I work it all out in my head. My job is everything to me. I love where I work, and I don't want people talking behind my back and knowing my business making issues.

Cady reaches over and grabs my hand. When I look up, I'm met with understanding eyes and a small smile. "I'll do it with you. You don't have to be alone, but you need to say something. Roger will help protect you. He won't let that bastard in there."

Her words are encouraging and I know if I want her there, she will be. I squeeze her hand and smile back at her.

"You never know, he could hire that hotty as a bouncer and he could be your body guard." She wags her brows and chuckles.

"Cash." My face heats at the admission. I have to turn away as the sly smile crosses my face.

"Cash?" she asks, confused.

"That's his name. Cash." I turn back to her as her lips spread into a smile.

"Strange name, but I like it. Now, tell me how you learned it."

"He told me. Today."

"So Mister Mysterious has a name and he's still in town. Do tell."