I'll Come out Fighting

Chapter 5

Jayne

The week went by pretty quick. Tuesday and Wednesday were quiet as also just the regulars in for the drinks after they’ve finished work. When it’s quiet like this its normally only me and Jeff that work until about 9, then a couple of the students will come in for a few hours. We have different closing times during the week than that of a weekend. Friday and Saturday were open til 1am and it’s rare to get home before 3am, by the time we’ve cleaned up and thrown the last of clubbers out.

I know tonight should be a good night. The function room is booked by that businessman that I bumped into on Monday. I still can’t get over the fact he assumed Jeff was the owner. Never mind, he is new to town so it kind of figures. But then I’m surprised that Aaron didn’t say anything to him about it. Saying that Aaron can be a bit of a wind up merchant, so he will be pulling the guys leg a lot.

I’m doing a split shift like most weekends. I’m in the bar from 2 til 6, the bar staff all come in around 530. I’ll tell them where they are working, and they get to it. We have 10 bar staff in total, not including me or Jeff. They are a great team and they’ve been with me pretty much from the start.  When they come in I’ll had home get a nap and have something to eat and back in at around 930 maybe catch up with some paperwork and help out where needed around the different bars.

I’ve just sat down at my desk after checking up on the staff making sure they are all ok, I haven’t been into the function room yet, I did here a guy making a speech, so I’ll leave them to it.

Sally just messaged me, she’s one of our youngest bar staff and has been here for nearly 6 months, she’s in the function room tonight. She’s having to go home as she has a migraine. I know she’s been stressing about exams the last few days, so I send her home and go and cover her job for the rest of the night. The function room is only booked til 1130 so it shouldn’t be a bad night.

I head up to the function room just as the guy is finishing off his speech, he seems nice enough, as a boss. I spot Jamie and Jay chatting with Aaron and Mia. Mia briefly told me about Mr Jacobson, I went to school with Mia and we kind of keep in contact.  Ryder Jacobson, his uncle Harry used to run the branch but he’s not well and Ryder is here to take over. I know Harry quite well. My father used to work for him as a site manager, my brother Jay pretty much replaced my dad when he retired. Harry is a sweet man and helped us all out when our parents died.

Once I’m behind the bar Jay and Jamie head over, they’ll be wanting free drinks.

“Baby sis" Jamie says as he pulls me over the bar for a hug Jay following suit.  We stand and chat for a bit as I work. This is their normal, standing beside me the whole time I’m working. Jay doesn’t normally come out at weekends but it’s a business thing, so he’ll head home after this finishes. Jamie will no doubt hang around til closing time.

They soon head out hugging me bye and giving me the big brother chat, you know stay safe and all that.  I’m left standing chatting to Mia and her husband Aaron as Ryder walks over and joins in the conversation.

“Can I have a bottle of beer sweetheart?” I nod my head and get his drink. Sweetheart, he is charming isn’t he. He’s wasting his time though. His charms won’t work on my cold heart.

I leave them to chat and go collect empty glasses as it’s almost time to get this party finished. Graham the other bartender is busy flirting away as usual, I nudge him in the back on my way past. I have no issue with banter and flirting but he needs to rein it in a little. And considering all the folk attending are a lot older than him, he will definitely need to rein it in.

“G, get cleaned up, twenty minutes til this is finished. then downstairs” I tell him as I collect my basket to get the empties.

“On it boss" he knows when to stop. He is a good lad.   As I walk around the room  collecting empties and cleaning tables, it soon becomes apparent that Ryder is following my every move with his eyes. I can see him in the corner of my eye, leaning against the bar talking to Mia and Aaron. Don’t get me wrong he is sexy, hot and handsome, but I have no interest what so ever.

As I clear the last table and take the glasses over to get cleaned, he is the only one left in the room from his party.  He’s talking to Graham as I go around the bar to put the glasses in the washer.

“Jayne, Mr Jacobson wants to pay his bill" Graham tells me as he takes the glasses from me.  I nod my head and head over to him.

“Hi Mr Jacobson, I’ll have the invoice sent to you on Monday, if that’s alright?” I ask him. As I make eye contact. Oh my. He has lovely eyes. Sparkling green.

“That should be fine. I’ll make sure its paid straight away. And thanks for tonight. It was very successful.” He says with confidence.

“Good. I’m glad it was. If you don’t mind heading downstairs to the main area. We need to get this place tidied up.” I try usher him out of the room.

“Sure. No probs.” He winks as he leaves.   I shake my head, he might just break a little ice with his charm. It’s not as bad as some of the guys that have tried in the past, not that there has been many since the town gossips like to share every single detail.

About half an hour later, the function room is cleared of mess, cashed up and the door locked.  I head to the office with the til and a mobile phone that was found in the room, I put them in my safe making sure its locked and head downstairs to the main bar.

The place is busy again tonight, most of the regulars away and letting the younger crowd in to party the night away. On my way downstairs I stop of at VIP making sure they are alright, I again spot Ryder with Mia and Aaron at the bar sitting with Jamie, who is in his favourite seat.

“Mr Jacobson"  I say as I lean over the bar to make sure he hears me. He lifts his eyes up with a sexy smile, s**t that smile. See the ice is breaking.

“Please you call can me Ryder. Mr Jacobson makes me feel old" he smirks at me.

“OK. A mobile phone was left in the function room, I’ve locked it in my safe in the office.” I tell him as he nods his head and I walk away as I see a drunk getting all up in a female punter face and I know the look she’s not comfortable with it.

“Gio, deal with him" I shout to the security walking past.  He nods his head and quickly escorts the guy out.

The night goes on with no major issues, Jamie is hanging about the VIP lounge as I’m working here for the remainder of the evening. He’s standing talking to Ryder and Aaron and Mia, but Ryder doesn’t seem to be paying attention to what they are saying.

He has his eye on me, again.  Not even hiding the fact he’s watching me. I’m not really focusing on him but it’s difficult not to when he is smirking my way and winking in my direction every so often.  Just as I finished serving a customer Jamie comes over.

“Baby sis, another round please" he very rarely calls me by my name. I nod my head and get the drinks ready for them.  Ryder soon over to give Jamie a hand.

“Jamie, you paying for these this time. You’ll drink my bar dry if you don’t" I yell at him as he walks away without paying, like he always does.

“I’ll get these.” Ryder says handing me the money.  I give him his change but he’s still standing there

“Is there something else you need" I ask, being polite

“Yeah. I need to apologise to you for the other night.”  I look at him confused, “when I assumed Jeff was the owner"

“No need. You are new in the area. Not many people assume that a club owner can be female. Especially in these neck of the woods.” I say as I serve another customer.  She is a little worse for wear and clearly checking out Ryder. I mean who wouldn’t he is hot.

“Not interested sweetheart" he tells her nicely as he removes her hands from his arm.  I shake my head and walk away. She is pretty so not sure why he is turning her away, unless he’s married but I’m pretty sure Mia said he was single. Oh, he might be gay.

The night is soon winding down. Very few punters left, Gio clears out the VIP so we can get tidied up. Well, he tries but Jamie and Ryder are still floating about.  Jamie always helps clear the tables for me when he’s here and tonight is no different, even Ryder is helping. Well, maybe I judged him too soon.

Graham takes the glasses from them and gets them into the washer as I cash up the till. Gio hanging around to make sure no one tries any funny business and he follows me to my office so I can put the cash in the safe.

I double check the VIP area before heading down to the main bar. Jeff chatting up some blonde chick at the end of the bar as Graham heads out to collect glasses. The club pretty much empty now, only a few stragglers being helped out by security. Jamie and Ryder still helping out.

I sit at the bar resting my feet and ordering some drinks for my brother and his new friend and one for myself. Just as I sip my drink Jamie comes over to get his, sitting beside me.

As the last customer leaves the door is closed over as security hang about outside to make sure there’s no trouble, the music is switched off and everyone gets stuck in to get cleared up.

“Baby sis, have you met the new boss Ryder?” Jamie asks as he sips his beer bottle.

“Yes Jamie I have. Now drink up and f**k off home" I laugh as he doesn’t look amused.

“You are so cruel sometimes.” He pouts at me

“Yeah, but you love me. I’m your baby sis, what would you do without me" I say fluttering my eyelashes at him.  Ryder sniggering beside us. Clearly amused at our sibling banter.

“So you liking the town then Ryder?” I ask him as I go around the bar to help wash up.

“It’s getting better every night" he winks at me. I shake my head as I wash glasses.  He must think him winking and smirking is charming, it kind of is but it won’t work on me. Well, that may not be true. He is one fine piece of ass.

“Nice. Well, it was a pleasure guys, but we need to lock up now, so you need to leave now" I say as I dry my hands.

“Yes boss. Will see you tomorrow for lunch at Jay’s. Yes?” Jamie says as he hands me his empty bottle.

“Don’t know yet. I’ll see how I feel"  I look down at my hands as I speak.  I know I will have to go but it’s a three years tomorrow since my parents died, which is a day before I was attacked.  Jamie eventually leaves taking Ryder with him after I promise to meet him at Jay’s for lunch. The worst thing is he knows I never break a promise. Well played Jamie, well played.