Chapter 18

Blue Alec was a funny guy. I realized that he was the only boy I actually liked other than Hunter, but I knew that my liking for Hunter was different. When I was with him, I had butterflies in my stomach taking flight all at once, but with Alec I felt no such thing. I was just very comfortable around him, the way I felt around Hannah too.

“Did I tell you that you look like a mermaid?”

That snapped me out of my thoughts and brought me back what he’d just said. “What?”

Did he say mermaid?!

How did he find out? I was pretty sure I hadn’t said a word about the Underwater world or being a mermaid. I was starting to panic.

“I said you look like a mermaid.” Alec said with a grin.

I was utterly confused. “How did you...how did you know that I was a mermaid?”

Alec burst out laughing. “Nice one. I meant that Blue hair really suits you; I know it doesn’t suit much people. I have seen some girls in college dye their hair blue, you know to try something different but they ended up looking like complete witches. But I can’t believe how natural it looks on you.”

Oh. So he liked my blue hair hence the comment about me being a mermaid. I sighed in relief.

“Thanks, Alec. I like my hair too.”

“You know what? that just made you sound downright conceited.” He said laughing. “But with that face and body of yours, I can’t say I’m really mad.

You’re allowed a bit of narcissism.”

“Hey, what you guys talking about?” Phoenix leaned against the bar and pushed an empty glass towards Alec.

“We were just talking about how narcissistic you are, Phoenix Lockhart.”

“I could fire your ass for that comment, Alec Rogers.”

Alec just smiled. “I would love to see you try, bro.”

What was that scent? I brought my nose close to Phoenix, going on my tiptoes, took a long sniff and sighed. “You smell nice.”

His face went red. I had no idea why. “Uh...Okay. Thanks, I guess.”

Alec cleared his throat. “In all seriousness, we were just talking about mermaids. I’m so fascinated by mythical creatures. Did you know that more than eighty percent of the world’s oceans have been undiscovered? Imagine if they did some serious underwater researches, they may come across merfolks. Who knows there are probably some beautiful mermaids down there. Blue could totally look like one.”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “You should totally stop geeking out like that, dude. Blue looks like she could use a drink for all that nerdy talk.”

Alec passed me a look full of suspicious. “Would you like a drink?”

“What kind of drink?” I asked.

“The type that I’m making.”

I looked between Phoenix and Alec. “I mean Maximus told me not to drink during the shift.”

“Trust me; if your hand or mouth is nowhere near my dick, your position is not in danger. I can guarantee you that. Besides, your shift is almost over.”

Phoenix assured me, a cocky smile on his lips.

“A dick?” I asked. “What part of the male anatomy is that?”

Alec grinned. “See. I like Blue and her easy-going personality. She doesn’t even get remotely embarrassed. Lucky boyfriend.”

“I wish my boyfriend knew how lucky he was.”

“Are you kidding me?” Alec asked, putting an arm around my shoulders. “If you have his number, I’ll totally call him up and tell the douchebag how lucky he is to have a girl like you who clearly adores him.”

“On that note, I dare you, Blue, to drink a round of tequila with me.”

“What’s a dare?” I asked.

“Phoenix....” Alec had a warning tone to his voice but Phoenix ignored it.

“Four little glasses of the red liquid. It’s fun. If you don’t want to do it, you can say so and I’ll say you’re just a scaredy little cat. If you do the dare, you can dare me to something really outrageous and I’ll do it.”

I laughed. “You’ll do whatever I say?”

Phoenix nodded. “You have my word.”

“Pour me that red liquid.” I told Alec confidently.

“If Tyler finds out that you’re playing this game again with the new waitress, he’ll whoop your ass out of planet Earth.” Alec said to Phoenix.

“Heck, we have enough money to find a place for me on any other planet, and do your job, Rogers. The lady told you to pour the fucking drinks.”

Alec shook his head in disbelief and filled the three tiny glasses with the drink. I’d seen a lot of other girls’ drink this in one go. I could do the same thing too, I just knew it.

“Four. Not three.” Phoenix reminded Alec.

“Come on, dude.” Alec insisted.

“I said four.”

Alec grumbled something under his breath and pulled out one more glass and poured the liquid into it. I looked at the glasses suspiciously. Picked one, touched the rim to my lips, I could taste the salt on it. I quickly gulped it down.

The liquid burned down my throat, and it tasted bad like some medicine but Phoenix called this a dare and if I didn’t manage to finish it, he would start calling me a scaredy-cat and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

Alec handed me a wedge of lemon. I licked it and continued to down the last three glasses. It felt easier after the first two. My head suddenly felt woozy, and then kinda light. Alec seemed worried, his brows were knit together. “Are you alright?”

“Never better, actually.” I said sucking the life out of a lemon. I started to fan myself. “Why is it so hot in here?”

“I’ll increase the temperature of the air-conditioner.” Alec said, scurrying over to where the switches were.

“Please and thank you.” I giggled. I looked at the time; it was already past two a.m. which meant it was the end of my shift. Hannah should be here any minute to pick me up.

I was feeling really hot so I took off the headband holding my hair together and then unbuttoned my blouse and let it fall to the floor. I was wearing my favorite satin maroon bra cami. I didn’t dare take off my jeans. Heads turned in my direction and eyes stared.

I ignored them and settled down on the bar stool. To Phoenix I said, “You promised you would do whatever I asked you to.”

His eyes widened but I could see the amusement playing on his lips. “You look nice with that blouse off, sweetie.”

“I dare you to drink...” I took a pause to create suspense. “I dare you to drink ten shots.”

He chuckled. “That’s all? Piece of cake.”

“Whoa! Blue, why did you take off your top?” Alec asked as he put his arm around my shoulder. The air-conditioner was in full blast and I liked the assault of the cool air on my skin.

“Well, that’s not all.” I gave them my own mischievous smile. “I want Phoenix to kiss Alec.”

Their faces turned white as sheets. I heard a loud crash of a glass.

“No fucking way.” Phoenix exploded.

“So you’re a scaredy cat.” I taunted him, pouting my lips.

“What’s with the personality change all of a sudden?” Alec asked.

“I want to see two boys kiss! What’s wrong with that?” I was frustrated.

“There’s no problem. The only problem is we are both straight men.” Phoenix concluded. “I’ll take the ten shots I owe you though and then as added reward, I’ll kiss you.”

I didn’t know what possessed me when I said, “Okay.”

* * *

Hunter When Fred told me that Blue had gotten a job at the club owned by the Lockharts, I knew there was no turning back. My biggest mistake was letting Hannah take care of Blue. That was really fucking stupid of me because if I knew that Hannah was going to let Blue work in their club, I would have never allowed that to happen in a million years.

Everyone knew what power the Lockharts had over the entire town. When something or someone caught Tyler or his cousins’ eyes, they would snatch it, if they thought the person was useful to them, they made sure to keep a tight leash on them by using things like money, bribe, sex, manipulation, charm. The boys were unstoppable, or at least that’s what the rumors said. Tyler wanted something; Tyler got it even before the word came out of his mouth. He was two years my senior but had garnered immense success in a short time. Maybe some boys were scared of them, but not me.

To extract Blue from their employment was like walking into a lion’s den and asking the lion to politely share their meal.

Multiple scenarios clouded my mind as I parked my car outside the packed parking lot. I rehearsed my lines and what I was going to say. I hoped I could find Maximus, the actual owner of the club. Max was the peacemaker, despite his jarring appearance with the silver hair and tattoos; he was quite a nice guy. Way nicer than his middle brother Phoenix or the cousin Tyler. I knew if I explained the situation to Max, he would understand.

I walked inside the club without the bouncer creating a scene. He knew me as Phoenix’s friend and that gained me free access all the time. They didn’t know we had a fight a few months back and that our friendship was no longer in existence.

As usual the club was packed. I pushed through the throngs of people, my eyes searching for her. And then I saw her. Talking to Alec Rogers and his arm was casually around her. She was laughing at something Phoenix was saying which was pretty ironic because as far as what I’d seen in my past, Phoenix only knew how to make women weep. One week, and that’s all it took for men to flock around her as soon as I stepped out of the picture.

She was amazing that way. She was beautiful with that natural blue hair and blue eyes. The traditional folklore said mermaids could lure men to their death and I could see why. She obviously had them wrapped around her finger. I was already having a hard time competing against one mermaid boy, that now I had to compete against a harem?

And what was she wearing? Was it some kind of a cropped t-shirt or something that women wore in clubs to look sexy.

I noticed a second later. Holy shit! It was a bra in disguise.

I watched flabbergasted, frozen in place as Phoenix leaned in to kiss her. If she let him kiss her, I didn’t know what would happen. I was pretty sure I would tear this place down and maybe Phoenix would be on the floor with a bloody nose.

But I controlled myself. If Blue let him kiss her, that’s what she would want.

She put her finger on his lips and pushed him away, but she was still smiling up at him in a flirty way. I could almost sense her words ′not here. Maybe somewhere more in private.′

Before I knew it, I was marching towards them. I had come here with a purpose in mind. I needed to tell her something. If Blue didn’t want me, she could tell me to fuck off, but I wouldn’t be a coward and at least talk to her.

“Hey Blue.” I called out to her.

She was still laughing when she turned to face me and then her smile disappeared. Wait was she drunk?

I knew I shouldn’t have been here. It was pretty clear she wasn’t happy to see me. I had spoiled her fun. I was scared of rejection, I was scared that she would tell me to walk away so I started talking. “I just need a few minutes of your time.” When I saw the confusion on her face, I clarified. “I want to speak with you in private.”

Alec stared at me. “So you’re the boyfriend?”

I looked at Blue, who still stared at me in confusion with a blank expression. “Well, if Blue says I’m her boyfriend then maybe I am. And as her “supposed’ boyfriend I want you to take that arm off my girlfriend’s shoulders. This instant.”

Alec shrugged and took his hand off Blue. I pinned him with a hard stare.

“Oh thank heavens you’re here, Brantley, I thought I was gonna have to kiss Alec for a stupid dare.”

“I’m going to have to tell Tyler how his cousin got the waitress drunk for a childish game.” I told him.

“Go right ahead. She’s not a kid. She could have easily refused, but she didn’t. You think I’m scared of Tyler? Pfft.”

Yeah. You are doucheface!

“There’s no harm if Phoenix tried to divert her attention. If you had done a better job at being her boyfriend, she wouldn’t have been crying, but you obviously hurt her and that’s the reason she’s been moping around. And then again, we can’t blame you, Hunter. You’re not known to chain yourself to one woman.”

“Mind your fucking tongue, Rogers.” I warned him.

“Or what?” He asked bringing his face close to me.

Two against one. Clearly, they were ganging up on me. And Alec found Blue crying? Why?

I decided it was better to just ignore them and picked up the blouse from the floor which I assumed was hers. I turned to Blue. “Can we talk now?”

* * *

I could have completely gone ape-shit psycho on those two but I’d controlled myself. I had controlled the anger brewing inside me. I had hurt Blue enough and I didn’t want to scream, yell, or create a scene.

We stood outside the club where the music could be barely heard. I handed her the blouse. “Wear it.”

“It’s really hot. I don’t want to wear anything.” She complained.

“I said wear it.”

It was probably the tone, or my expressions but she quickly took the blouse from my hands and began putting it on.

The Bad Boy And The Mermaid Chapter 17 In My Desperate Time Chapter 637: You're the Best Gift in My Life 19 I’d given myself a pep-talk about not acting like a dickhead and yet I found myself asking her, “So which one is it? Is it Phoenix you like now, or Alec?”

This wasn’t exactly what I wanted to talk to her about but jealously was a bad thing and it ran deep in my bones when it came to Blue.

“Answer me.” I pressed her. “Which one of them?”

I didn’t even realize that my voice was wavering and that I was about to cry. Me. A twenty-four year old, red blooded man who’d never shed a tear for a woman. Never begged and here I was a blubbering mess. I guess Karma was real.

“Please...” The tears streaked down my face and I finally cracked. “Please come home with me, sweetheart. I love you. I really fucking love you so much, and it doesn’t matter to me if you don’t love me back. I’m okay if you don’t want me to touch you either. I’ll be happy just to take care of you, just to have you beside me.”

Now I was being downright pathetic.

I could see the pity clear in her eyes. “Hunter I...”

I shook my head. “No. You don’t have to give an answer right now. Just come live with me again.”

“I want to more than anything.” She said, beaming up at me. “I want to go home with you.”

I was relieved to hear that, so fucking relieved that I wanted to kiss her but stopped myself.

I smiled for the first time in one week.