Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Hail

"Am I the only one feeling déjà vu?"

"What?" Crank asked.

Tiger pointed at me. "Last night, Hail sat on that same stool with his eyes trained on the door until some hot chick walked in."

My eyes were trained on the door. They had been for the past two months, and that wasn't going to change tonight.

Not after I had actually talked to her and found out her name.

Mary Jay.

The name suited her. It was traditional with a twist.

"You find out her name?" Tiger asked.

I nodded and grabbed my beer. "I did."

"You gonna share it with us?" Tiger chuckled.

"You don't need to know her name." It was pretty much all I knew about her, and I wanted to keep it to myself until I really got to know her.

"Betty," Tiger guessed.

I shook my head. "No."

"Help me think of a hot girl's name," Tiger urged Crank.

"What the hell is a hot girl"s name?" Crank asked.

Tiger wasn't going to guess it. No way in hell.

"Ruth," Crank guessed.

Tiger reared back. "What the hell, man? Do you have a thing for hot grandmas or something? Next, you're going to suggest Martha or some shit."

Crank tipped his head to the side. "I could get behind Martha. She sounds sweet, but once you get her into bed, it's a whole other story."

"You know a Martha?" I asked.

Crank shook his head. "No, but I have a good imagination. I bet Martha's and Ruth's are damn good in bed."

Tiger frowned. "I worry about you, Crank."

Crank smiled wide. "I wouldn't, brother. I'm good."

"Not if you think grandmas are hot," Tiger muttered.

The front door opened, and Mary Jay walked in.

"Later, fucksticks," I called. I drained the last of my beer and beelined straight to Mary Jay.

It had been hell waiting all day and night until I could see her again. I was a little worried that she wouldn't be here tonight, but I figured she had to because the stairs in the back of the bar were the only way she could get to her apartment.

I made sure with the bartender.

Jake, the bartender, had been a little hesitant to talk to me about Mary Jay, but he warmed up to me after he realized I wasn't looking to mess with her.

He didn't tell me much because he didn't even know her. He knew she worked at the local produce warehouse, and from what he could tell, she pretty much just stayed in her apartment or was at work. Never stopped for a drink or anything.

Her eyes were directed at the floor, but she gracefully moved through the crowd.

"Mary Jay," I called softly.

She glanced up, and her eyes connected with mine.

"Hail," she gasped. "Uh, are you going to block for me or something?"

I couldn't help but smile. "You normally do pretty good on your own."

She tipped her head to the side. "Uh, okay?"

"I, uh, last night wasn't the first night I saw you."

She wrinkled her nose and frowned. "What?"

How was I going to tell her I had been watching her for months without sounding like I was a stalker or something? "I noticed you a few times. The club likes to hang out here."

"Oh." She nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I never noticed."

"You would have to look at something besides your feet to notice anyone," I jested.

"Eyes down so no one makes eye contact. It's worked the past five years."

"Until yesterday," I quipped.

She tipped her head to the side and smiled. "Yes, until yesterday."

"Have a drink with me," I offered. "Maybe play a game or two of pool."

"I, uh, well, you see…" she stammered.

"One beer, one game of pool," I bargained.

She glanced behind me at the stairs that led to her escape.

"Let's start with the beer, and if you still want to take off up those stairs, then I won't stop you." I wasn't going to let her run just yet. Last night, I had her for a few minutes; tonight, I was shooting for at least twenty minutes.

She chewed on her bottom lip and glanced around. "I don't drink, but I'll take a Coke."

Hell yes.