Page 11 of Locke

He poured two beers into glasses and shoved them at two patrons. He gave them both a wink, tapped the bar and let them know he would be right back.

“You aren’t from around here.” He flipped his blonde hair back with a flick of his neck. “And, I know everyone, so who are you, gorgeous?”

I gave him a fake laugh and leaned on the bar with my arm. “I’m Emm, and you are?”

The bartender leaned on the bar toward me and smirked. “Name’s Anaki. Best bartender here; always ask for me, and I’ll get you the best. Now, pick your poison or do you want me to guess your drink?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I sat back and smiled. He was quite refreshing, and I haven’t smiled in quite some time. “I’ll have you guess my drink.”

It should be hard for him. I was a mood drinker, and I was in a mood that might surprise him for the night.

Anaki narrowed his eyes playfully, sizing me up as he leaned back, tapping a finger against his chin. “Hmm, I’d say, right now,” he played with his chin, “you’re wanting a whiskey; neat. How did I do?” he grinned, pouring a glass of amber liquid and sliding it over to me.

I raised my eyebrows and lifted the glass in a toast before taking a sip. The burn of the whiskey down my throat warmed me from the inside out. “You hit the nail on the head. I’m impressed.”

Anaki beamed proudly, polishing a glass with a towel. “I have a talent for reading people,” he boasted before leaning in closer, and lowering his voice. “And you look like a very interesting person. So, what’s your story, Emm? How did you come to this bar in the middle of nowhere?”

He was certainly straight to the point. I dressed as best I could to fit in with the locals, and I wasn’t far off. I wore jeans, a simple top and a leather jacket because of the cool breeze that would come late afternoon.

The atmosphere was filled with women confidently embracing their fashion choices; donning dresses and jean shorts that accentuated their figures. Not a single soul felt the need for a cover-up, and amidst the vibrant scene, I noticed a blonde-haired woman in the corner of the bar, tenderly breastfeeding her baby.

What in the Sweet Home, Alabama is this?

I bit my cheek when I saw it. I could not say one damn word.

But, a baby? In a bar?

And, the bikers may look rough on the outside, but some of them were actually cute with the women they were with. Holding their hand, kissing their cheek.

—and wait, I saw some making out. Or what, were they having sex in the hallway?

I guess a single woman in the bar does stand out.

“I’m just traveling around, right now.” Taking another sip of my drink. “Tired of the corporate world and just wanted to travel around the country.”

Anaki bobbed his head. “Yeah, I get that. Being a paper-pusher would have to get boring. That’s why I’m behind the bar, I get to talk to people all day—learn about their lives.” He looked me up and down and I knew there was a hidden meaning behind it.

He was trying to figure me out as much as I was him. Anaki’s body language suggested that he just might not believe me.

Before I could utter a word, a woman, approximately my height, gracefully approached. She was adorned in a sleek black trench coat, accentuated by a vibrant purple corset. Cascading from her neck were intricately designed long necklaces, garnished with brilliantly colored stones and talismans. Behind her stood a dark-skinned woman, who discreetly concealed an unmistakable assault rifle beneath her own trench coat. My gaze inadvertently landed on the weapon, but she quickly concealed it, catching my curious stare.

I sat up straight, narrowing my eyes at her and letting my other hand drop to my side, but continued to sit in the chair.

“Your kind isn’t welcome here,” the woman with the corset said.

Anaki’s brow furrowed as well as mine, and I waited for her to continue.

“You come here with bad intentions. I can feel it. Finish your drink and leave.”

I downed my whisky and stood up from my seat. “I’m Emm. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” I held out my hand and smiled to look pleasant, but the woman just stared at it.

“Tajah, what gives?” Anaki hopped over the bar and stood between us. “This is Emm, she’s new in town. She’s traveling—”

Tajah waved her hand in front of Anaki. He pretended to bite her finger and I held back a smile.

“She’s an outsider is what she is. An outsider with bad intentions.” Tajah glared at Anaki and the fire he had to keep me here, faded.

“Emm seems harmless to me,” Anaki weakly argued back. “We were just getting to know each other.”