Two
O’Leary’s wasn’t a bad place to work. We had our regulars come in and sit at the bar for their after-work drink and to watch the Pats, Sox, Celtics or Bruins play, depending on the season. Mostly they were old or middle aged men and I was used to their flirting, inappropriate comments and occasional slaps on the backside as I walked by. Sometimes it bothered me, but I’d learned to ignore it. It came with the territory; the other servers had told me when I first started a year ago and now I’d just give it right back to them.
The pub was popular with college kids too and people around the neighborhood. It was busy most of the time, which was good for me since that meant decent tips, all of which went to my college expenses and helping Rachel with the rent.
Living in Boston wasn’t cheap and she’d been determined to find us a decent place in a safe part of the city. We could’ve had an apartment for half the rent down in Dorchester or Southie, but Rachel felt it was worth the extra money to be out of those places. We’d spent enough of our lives in less than savory dwellings. She made a good wage as an RN, but she had student loans to pay off, which is why we made sacrifices, including shotty Wi-Fi and only the most basic cable package we could find.
The night went by quickly and when I finally clocked out close to midnight, my wallet was stuffed with tips. It’d been a good night and I was smiling as I walked out. It was October, which meant the days could be comfortable and the evenings could be chilly. Tonight was one of those nights and I could’ve kicked myself for not bringing a sweater. I’d been in such a hurry to get to work, I hadn’t realized I’d walked out without something to keep me warm afterwards. It wasn’t a huge deal. It was only a few blocks back to our apartment, so I crossed my arms closely to my chest to keep warm and walked briskly.
“Hey, sexy lady. Need a ride?”
I heard a voice and my heart started to pound with nerves. I turned quickly and breathed out a sigh of relief when I realized it was Tyler. He was sitting in his car, obviously having followed me out of the pub. The window was rolled down and he was looking at me with a sly grin.
“What’re you doing here?” I asked, leaning into the window, the warm air from the heater feeling good against my skin.
“I thought you could use a ride home. You shouldn’t be walking the streets alone at night. Plus, it looks as if you’ve forgotten your coat. It’s a little chilly out there. Hop in.”
I didn’t think twice as I opened the door to the silver Audi, grateful to be out of the cold.
“Thank you,” I said as he put the car in drive and eased back into the street. The streets of Boston were usually jam packed, but at midnight, the streets were nearly empty and he had no trouble navigating towards my apartment.
“How was work?” he asked as he turned a corner.
“Good. I made a lot in tips tonight,” I said, smiling over to him, but Tyler didn’t smile. His perfect jawline clenched and his mouth remained in a firm line. “What is it?” I asked, reaching over and placing my hand on his knee. He took my hand and laced our fingers together, holding it tightly.
“I know why you get those tips and I don’t like knowing men are leering at you all night or what you have to do to get those tips.”
“I don’t do anything,” I said, trying to reassure him. Ever since I’d known Tyler, he’d had a jealous streak. I’d seen it the first night I met him.
He and his friends had taken over a booth in the back of O’Leary’s. Most of them were trashed, but not Tyler. I’d noticed him the moment they’d been seated in my section. I could tell he was tall, even though he was sitting down, and he was strong. That was apparent by the muscles on his arms that were folded on the table. He had a face like you’d see in those ridiculous cologne ads on TV. Almost too perfect. His hair was that shade somewhere blonde and brown and it was styled so perfectly, I knew he was wearing more product in it than I was. He was looking thoroughly annoyed, but then I approached.
“Welcome to O’Leary’s,” I’d said, doing my best not to feel uncomfortable the way I often did when serving a table full of hormone ridden guys in my peer group. They typically had no manners and I suspected this crowd was no different, but then Tyler looked up at me and when he smiled, I immediately relaxed. “My name’s Sam and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you took care of me all night. What time do you get off?” The lewd remark had come from the dark-haired guy next to him and Tyler whipped his head towards him, the smile instantly gone, replaced with the same clenched jaw I was looking at now as we drove. “Have some damn manners.”
The guy next to him seemed to recoil like a scolded puppy. I could tell by the reaction, Tyler was the one who ruled this group. The dark-haired guy mumbled a half-hearted apology and I took their drink orders, all of which were spirted except for Tyler’s.
The evening had gone on. They’d ordered their meals and multiple rounds of drinks, their level of obnoxious raising as each glass emptied. Not Tyler though. He’d had nothing but water.
I knew their time at O’Leary’s was winding down as they left their sloppy leftovers on the table. I went to start clearing plates and Tyler helped me to collect them. I was taken with how polite he was and I could feel my cheeks blush whenever he’d smile at me. He’d just handed me a glass and I turned to walk away when I felt a pinch on my ass. I turned around quickly, but before I could say anything to his friend, Tyler’s hand was on the guy’s, squeezing tightly.
“Don’t touch her like that,” he said through gritted teeth. His voice was low, but threatening and after a few seconds, he finally eased his grip, but I could see the red marks left behind on the guy’s arm. “Grow the hell up.”
I didn’t wait to see how this was going to pan out and so I walked away, depositing the dishes in the kitchen and when I turned to head back to the dining room, I was surprised to see Tyler standing there waiting for me.
“Did you need something?” I asked, trying to act as if I wasn’t thinking about the groping earlier.
“Yeah. I need to apologize for my friends.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I told him, shrugging it off.
“They’re a bunch of idiots and I apologize for the way they’ve treated you tonight,” he said and I was quiet for a second as I thought how to respond.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “I appreciate that.”
He smiled at me and it was the first time I noticed his eyes. They were an interesting shade of brown. There were golden specks sprinkled throughout, but they weren’t hazel. They were simply beautiful.
“Can I make it up to you?”
“That’s not necessary,” I said, unable to break our gaze.
“I’d really like to. It’s the least I can do to make up for having to deal with us all night.”
He smiled again, his mouth raising slightly higher on the right side and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my own face.
“How did you want to make it up to me?”
“Dinner tomorrow night?”
“I have to work tomorrow night.”
“Is that an excuse?”
“No. I really do have to work.”
“What about the next night?” he asked.
“You’re persistent, aren’t you?”
“Let’s just say I’m used to getting what I want.”
“And you want to take me out?”
“I do. Very much,” he said, reaching over and touching my arm. The feel of his skin on mine was warm and I nodded.
“Okay. I’m free Sunday night.”
“Sunday night it is. I’m Tyler Reeves, by the way.”
“Sam Everly,” I said, smiling at him as we shook hands.
That had been six months ago and that first date had led to where we found ourselves now. Him gripping my hand tightly and his jaw clenched in jealously.
He pulled up to my apartment just then and he released my hand, shutting off the engine. I got out of the car and saw him doing the same.
“Mind if I walk you up?” he asked and I nodded.
We were quiet as we walked up the stairs to the third floor. I took out my key, unlocking the door and we walked into the empty apartment. I reached into my bag for my phone and started texting Rachel.
“What are you doing? Texting one of the guys you met tonight?” He snatched the phone from my hand and looked down at it.
“Don’t be an ass, Tyler. I’m texting my sister to tell her I got home alright,” I griped, grabbing it back from him, finishing my message and then setting the phone down.
“Why don’t you tell your sister to lighten up? She’s not your damn mother.”
It was apparent that while Rachel didn’t care for Tyler, his feelings about her were mutual.
“Please don’t go there,” I warned him. While I hadn’t told him everything, he knew enough about mine and Rachel’s past not to say something like that. “And I wish you’d stop with the snarky remarks about my job and me texting other guys. I don’t think it’s funny.”
“I’m sorry, babe,” he said, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me to him. “I just love you so much I can’t stand to think of anyone else’s hands on you.”
As if on cue, he was pushing his hand under my shirt, cupping my breast as he pushed me against the wall. His mouth was on mine a second later, thrusting his tongue inside, kissing me hungrily.
“You feel so good,” he moaned into my ear when his lips left mine. He took my hand, sliding it into his jeans. “I love it when you touch me.”
“Tyler,” I said, pulling my hand from his jeans. “I can’t do this tonight.”
He pulled back quickly, his face curled up in confusion.
“Why not? I’ve been waiting all night to see you.”
I was still pinned against the wall, his mouth hovering only inches from mine.
“It’s after midnight and I still have some editing to do on my paper that’s due in the morning. I’m tired.”
He sighed and then I felt his hand slam against the wall and he pushed away, pacing around the living room.
“I haven’t seen you all day and you’re too damn tired to have sex. Ya know what, Sam? I don’t need this shit. You don’t know how good you have it with me. I’ve seen past your trailer trash past. I’ve given you so much and you can’t even give me yourself for an hour? I don’t need this,” he repeated and I could feel tears stinging my eyes. I hated when he got like this. I hated the cruel things he said to me. I wanted to tell him to leave me alone and get the hell out, but the thought of him leaving crushed me. I loved Tyler and he wasn’t always like this.
He put his hand on the doorknob and I knew as he started twisting it to leave, I had to make this right.
“Wait, Tyler,” I said, pushing myself off the wall and going to him, pulling his arm away so he no longer gripped the door. “I’m sorry. I can edit later.”
I blinked and a tear fell quietly down my cheek and his face softened, reaching up and brushing it away.
“I hate to see you cry, Sam. I don’t mean to say those things, but you make me so damn frustrated sometimes. I wish you wouldn’t do this shit.” He took both of my cheeks in his hands, staring into my eyes. “You have no idea how crazy you make me. I love you, Sam, and all I want tonight is to feel you next to me.”
“I love you too,” I said softly and then he kissed me, gentler this time, sweeter than before.
He was right. I could spare a little time for him. He needed me and I wanted to give him what he wanted. My paper would get done, but it could wait.
He led me down the hall and into my room, laying me down on the bed as he began stripping me of my clothes. His were gone a moment later too and then he was crawling on top of me, the weight of him nearly crushing me.
“You feel so good,” he moaned as he slid into me and I knew he was lost after that. I closed my eyes, trying not to cry and told myself I loved him. I was lucky to have him. I was lucky someone like him could ever love someone like me.