Page 6 of Don't Speak

CHAPTER FIVE

“Man, I am BEAT. Do you need help with anything else before I leave for the night?” Cora asks, collapsing onto a barstool and resting her head on the bar, her long, golden blonde hair splayed across the wooden surface.

“No. I think I’m all good. I’m just going to wipe down and put the dishes in the wash, and then I’ll be heading out myself. Enjoy your day off tomorrow!” I tell her before grabbing the washcloth to wipe down the bar for the last time tonight.

“Thanks! I’m thinking a much-needed Netflix binge is in order. Any recommendations?” she asks, getting up and moving to grab her things.

“That sounds wonderful. I have a few. I’ll text them to you later when I’m done here.”

“Sounds good, Nikki! Catch you later,” she says and walks out the door.

I finish wiping the counter and throw the last remaining dishes in the wash before doing one last walkthrough of everything.

I hate being a Type-A personality. It can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes.

Always having to be organized, always having to make a mental checklist and then check it more than once. It’s mentally exhausting.

Walking back around the bar to grab my keys and purse, I feel a sudden wave of chills run up my spine, the hairs on my arms rising.

Next thing I know, I am being pushed up against the bar, a hard dick pressed against my ass.

I try not to panic, but I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and goosebumps dance across my skin.

My fight-or-flight instincts are starting to kick in.

Ben left shortly before Cora did, along with the rest of the crew, so that just leaves Eric and me.

I should have known better. I should have asked Cora to stay.

“So, how about that offer earlier? Let’s go back to my place for a little fun,” Eric whispers in my ear, further intensifying the chills running over my body. My stomach roils, and my palms start to sweat.

“Like I told you earlier, Eric, there is no way in hell I will ever be going back to your place. Learn to take no for an answer, you sleazy fuck.” I know that wasn’t the greatest response to give, given my current situation, but nothing pisses me off more than a man who doesn’t understand the word no.

“Listen here, bitch,” he growls, “you don’t get to tell me no. If I want to fuck you, I will.” He grabs my hair, yanking my neck back and biting down hard on my shoulder.

“GET THE FUCK OFF ME,” I scream. I know no one is around to hear, but I’m not going down without a fight.

Eric starts undoing his belt, his grip loosening on my hair. I take this as my chance and slam my head back into his face. I hear a loud crunch , and I know I have successfully broken his nose. A slight smirk graces my face at the thought.

“WHAT THE FUCK, YOU CUNT,” he screams, letting go of my hair to grab his injured nose.

I don’t waste a single second. I grab my purse and my keys and bolt for the emergency exit that leads out to the employee parking lot.

I hear footsteps stomping behind me as I push the door open.

Heading for the stairs that lead up to the parking level, I make it up only a few steps before I’m yanked back by my hair again.

I turn, kicking my leg out and making contact with his chest, kicking him off of me and down the few stairs I managed to clear.

He falls to the ground, and I turn to run.

“Help! Someone, help me! Please!” I yell, hoping that there’s someone in the area who can hear me.

Stumbling up the last step, I book it over to my car.

I can see it. I’m so close. I hear his steps clearing the last of the stairs as I reach my car.

I click it unlocked with my key fob and scramble into the driver’s seat.

Slamming the door, I lock the car and look up.

What the fuck? Where did he go? Stunned, I search the lot, scanning the darkness, but I don’t see him anywhere. What the hell happened? It’s like he simply vanished.

Not wasting another second, I turn the car on and peel out of the parking lot, heading home.

The whole drive there, my thoughts are racing.

I knew the asshole was creepy, but I never thought he would take it to this level.

And at work, of all places? He has to know that it was all caught on camera.

Up until the parking lot, that is. There are no cameras back there. Maybe he was banking on that?

I pull into my driveway, quickly getting out and slamming the door closed, rushing to the front door.

Once I make it inside, I lock the front door, check all the windows, and ensure the back door is locked as well.

Eric doesn’t know where I live, which provides me a small sense of comfort, but my adrenaline is still pumping, and I’m on edge. Better safe than sorry.

Kicking off my shoes and removing my clothes, I jump into the shower to wash off the bar and everything else that has happened since.

I’m still in shock, so the emotions haven’t quite hit me yet, but I’m sure they will.

Jumping out, I quickly dress in pajamas, feed Simba dinner, double-check the doors, set the alarm, and crawl into bed.

It’s 3:30am, and I have another shift at the bar tomorrow. I am exhausted.

Grabbing my comfort blanket and pulling it up to me to get cozy, it’s only then that I allow the tears to start falling, slowly lulling me to what will hopefully be a nightmareless sleep.