Page 34 of Animal's Reformation
Chapter Nine
Blue’s Belly waspacked with people, almost shoulder to shoulder. Loud voices competed with the live rock music that dominated the atmosphere. Along the wall behind the hand-carved wooden bar, bottles with every hue of amber liquid lined the glass shelves. Patrons sat perched on barstools, gesturing to the three bartenders while putting plastic cards and money on the counter. The sallow light of street lamps trickled in through the thick leaded windows, and the scent of beer, whiskey, and smoky barbecue wafted in the air.
“This place is crazy packed,” Olivia said, tugging down the hem of her short black skirt as she wound her way through a labyrinth of warm bodies.
“The place was remodeled, so tonight’s the grand re-opening,” Kennedy said. “I’ve been dying to see what it was going to look like.”
“How do you like it?” Olivia had never been to Blue’s Belly even though she’d heard good things about it. The place was known for their burgers and good local live music. Occasionally, the owner would book a national act, but the majority of the bands came from the county and other cities and towns around Colorado.
“I love it!” Kennedy pushed her way to the bar and leaned against it.
Olivia filled the tiny space between her friend and a tall, broad-shouldered man. “It’s not what I expected. I thought it’d be like some underground bar you see in old movies. You know, the ones that have small spaces for lovers to disappear into, and jazz notes floating on the streams of cigarette smoke billowing from tall, dark, and good-looking men.”
Kennedy laughed. “Sounds like a bar I’d love to go to. Blue’s used to be more of a dive than a mysterious one like the movies from the 1960s.”
Olivia darted her eyes around the place. “It’s now shabby chic with a real rock and roll vibe going for it.”
“I definitely love what Freddy’s done with it.”
“Freddy?”
Kennedy tossed her light brown hair over her shoulder. “He’s the owner. I have to find him at some point and tell him that the new Blue’s kicks ass. What’re you drinking?” She gestured to one of the bartenders.
“A vodka martini. Ivy wants me to bring her back a white wine spritzer,” Olivia replied. Ivy, a cute blonde with freckles and a cherubic face, was a dental technician at the clinic Olivia worked at two days a week. Over the past year, they’d become good friends.
“I’m still shocked that sleazeball Brady let her go out without him tonight.” Kennedy sighed in frustration when the bartender took someone else’s order.
“I know. I don’t get what she sees in him. She told me that he likes rough sex.” Olivia shuddered as she thought of the Slavens’ Elementary gym teacher. Brady Sickles had always given her the creeps from day one, and when Ivy began dating him a few months ago, Olivia had told Ivy she could do much better. Her friend said that she liked him, but Olivia couldn’t figure out why.
“I can see that. I heard from some of the students that he’s real tough on them in gym class. Does she like it, and what do you mean by ‘rough’?” Kennedy waved her hand vigorously at the bartender. He turned in her direction and fixed his eyes on her large breasts then smiled.
“He’ll be coming over to take our drink order.” Olivia laughed.
“He better, or I’m returning this blouse,” Kennedy said, fingering the hem of her low-cut, form-fitting red top.
Olivia giggled. “I’d be so self-conscious wearing that. I wish I had your confidence.” She pushed up the spaghetti strap on her blue jewel-toned silky top.
Kennedy shrugged. “I like the attention. I never had much of it growing up—busy parents obsessed with their careers. Boo-hoo … poor me.” She patted her shoulder in mock comfort. “I’m sure your psych prof would have a field day with that one.” She laughed.
Too loudly, Olivia thought. Kennedy always acted like she was immune to falling in love, getting hurt, or caring if a guy ghosted her, but Olivia had suspected it was an armor she’d put on to protect herself from heartache and feelings. She was so worried about her friend’s reckless and destructive behavior with men, but whenever she tried to broach the subject with Kennedy, her friend would make a joke of it, masking the vulnerable little girl inside her.
“So, what does Ivy mean by ‘rough sex’?” Kennedy asked again.
“Yeah, that’s what we were talking about. Now you can’t say anything to anyone.” Olivia knew Kennedy would keep a secret until death, but she still felt the need to say it.
“Of course.” Her friend leaned in closer to her.
“Sickles likes Ivy to be immobile, like totally tied up with a belt around her neck.”
“That’s fucking kinky. I didn’t think Ivy was into that.”
“She’s not. She told me that Sickles will just stand back and watch her like that for a long time, then he flips her around and fucks her like a madman—her words, not mine.” Olivia shuddered.
“Does he tighten the belt around her neck?”
Olivia shook her head. “No. It seems that he’s just into the visual image of something around her throat and her not being able to move. Total weirdo.”
“Why the fuck does she let him do that if she’s not enjoying it?” Kennedy asked.
