Chapter three: The reason

“Camille?” Mandy called, knocking on my bedroom door. “It’s open!” I shouted back, looking at my reflection in the mirror as I was fixing my crop top. Mandy pushed my door open and stuck only her head in through the small opening. “Hey.” She greeted. “Hi.” I greeted her in the mirror’s reflection. “I’m going out with Luke.” She said, looking guilty. “What happened to Keegan?” I asked. She looked at my mat avoiding looking at me. “I know I’m the last person you would expect this from but, what are you doing with your life?” She raised her head. “What do you mean by that?”

“You know exactly,” I said turning around to look at her, grabbing my jacket and slipping it on. I grabbed my keys and walked to where she was standing. “I’m the last person to judge. But watch out.” I pushed past her and walked towards the front door where Luke was waiting for her. I turned to Mandy and noticed that she has followed me out. “I won’t be home tonight.” She couldn’t even look me in the eyes when she said that.

I just shrugged and slipped onto my bike, driving off towards the bar. I greeted Jimmy when I entered the bar. I wasn’t at the bar to get a drink and socialize with drunk men. I actually worked a second job as crazy as it may seem, it helped me out to pay off my scholarship. Even if it took my time off on weekends. One has to sacrifice to gain.

“Back for another day, with crazy, perverts, and drunk men who want to take advantage of you?” Jimmy asked greeting me with our famous combination handshake. “I thought we agreed that we love them when they are drunk because then they actually pay some big tips.”

“We take the “big” tips without their knowledge.” I let out a snicker and nodded. “Big Jim brought some ice. He left the ice packets at the back, can you fetch them while I finish up with these customers?” Jimmy asked motioning towards the group of ladies who were giving him the eye. “You would surely like to be taken advantage of.” I winked at Jimmy before going to the back to fetch the ice.

Jimmy wasn’t much help during the night with the girls surrounding him, he wasn’t a bad looking guy. He was one that definitely spends some quality time in the gym, he was gifted with a tanned skin one would think he spends all his off time in the sun. His short hair that is always styled up with is glowing green eyes, would sure weaken any girl's knees. I smiled to myself as I watched one of the girls showing her interest in him.

I poured the ice into the ice bucket ignoring the looks from the men behind the bar. Big Jim’s sense of uniform wasn’t my favorite but it sure helped with the tips. I wasn’t much gifted in the breast size but spending time jogging and working out sure gave them something to look at. Not that I liked to be a tease.

“What can I get you?” I asked, looking up from the other customers I have served. “Maybe one of you.” I whipped my head around, not because of what the person said but the voice caught my attention. I feel embarrassed admitting this but I knew that voice. Those light brown eyes of his glowing with curiosity, his dark-brown hair mused as if he just came from the gym or maybe he had escaped from the covers. He was definitely sun-kissed with the sight of his tanned skin, his wide shoulders peeking out from underneath his tank top. I was sure he was muscular from top to bottom.

“Are you lost?” I asked tilting my head to the side, quirking an eyebrow. “Not really now.” He said peering around the room. “Then what are you doing in a place like this?’ He looked at me with a blank face. “I’m here to pick up my brother.” I gave a shrug. He then caught me by surprise as he leaned forward onto his elbows. “I actually have to ask you the same question, what are you doing in a place like this?” He said lifting his arms in the air gesturing towards the busy bar. “Working,” I answered. “Now can I get you anything?”

“As much as I would, I have to get going.” He said looking to my side. I followed his stare and found Jimmy walking towards us, carrying his bag. “Jimmy, is your brother?” I asked frowning. “What? You don’t see the resemblance?” He asked cocking his head. “Actually no. Your brother is a real sweetheart while you, well, are a prick.” Corbin just rolled his eyes at me.

“I have one, I’m far from being one.” He said with a wink pushing himself up from the chair. I waved goodbye to Jimmy and carried on with my shift until my shift came to an end and I finally can go home. I was halfway through to my bike when my phone started to ring in my pocket. I frowned when I saw it was Mandy. “What?

Did you forget the condoms?” I asked inserting my key into the bike’s ignition, turning to switch it on.

“Can you come and pick me up?” Was it me, or was she sobbing? “What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly. She kept on sobbing unable to answer me. “Where are you?” I waited for her to give me the address, I didn’t even blink as I got on my bike and drove towards the address. When I got there someone had to tie me down at the sight of her. “What did he do to you?” I asked trying to contain my anger when I took a look at her face. “He got drunk and got a little bit too rough.” A little bit too rough? “The bastard,” I grumbled stomping off towards his apartment. “Cam, no!!” She yelled after me but it was too late to stop me.

I almost kicked off the guy’s door just to enter his apartment. My anger boiled through the roof when I caught him playing video games with his buddies. They looked up when they heard me enter. “Can I help you?” Luke asked. “As a matter of fact you can, you see I don’t have time for douchebags who lift their hands for a woman.” He smiled at my outburst. “She secretly liked it.” Memories of me when I used to take the hits, flashed in the back of my mind.

“Well, as you seem to like hitting woman, let me demonstrate.” I didn’t give him or his buddies the chance to respond as my fist connected with his face.