Page 24 of Bad Habit
“Oliver was vicious tonight! You never know what kind of fight you are going to get here but I want to watch all of his from now on.” The feeling is mutual. Davey continues to gush while I go back to trying to catch sight of him or his brother. “And the guy that was with him, are they twins? They looked nearly identical. Does he fight too?”
“Triplets actually. And he doesn’t fight, but he does train.” I feel his presence half a second before his voice causes goosebumps to clothe my whole body. His chest presses into my back as he leans over me to extend his hand to Davey. “Oliver.” He introduces himself and I can’t stop the eyeroll that follows.
Davey is quick to shake his hand. “That fight was wild!” Davey is too star struck to even give Oliver his name. And although this man is adorable, he is now on my no second date list.
“This is Davey.” I motion to him while holding my glass of vodka soda. It’s still full because I have no interest in drinking it at all. I expected for him to get me a great drink since Davey is a bartender. I was sadly wrong.
“Your date.” Oliver releases his hand and he makes a point to move in even closer to me. I feel him lean over the counter to get Ty’s attention. “You let him order this for her?”
Ty throws his hands up defensively. I wasn’t with Davey when he first ordered the drinks. And Ty offered to fix it when he saw me with the vodka but I declined. I can drink something that isn’t cherry flavored. I’m not that big of a brat.
“Make her what she likes.” Oliver demands and I watch Ty nod once before doing as he was asked.
“Most girls love vodka soda. I’m sorry.” I wince at how small Davey’s voice is. That is exactly why I didn’t correct the drink. He was trying and I don’t want to diminish that.
“You buy a lot of girls drinks, Davey?” Oliver still hasn’t moved and I don’t think he plans on it. Davey doesn’t seem to catch on to how close he is to me either.
“He’s a bartender.” I answer for Davey since he is taking a swig from his bottle of beer. “That's why I agreed to the date. Figured he would be really good with his hands.” I smile as Davey chokes on the liquid running down his throat and flush with pride when Oliver groans.
“You’re so bold.” Davey chokes out, clearly impressed.
“Extra cherries.” Ty hands my drink to me and grins. He’s such a handsome guy. Dark hair, nice teeth, and a great ass. Shame he let Oliver bully him out of trying harder with me.
I stand up and lean across the bar to kiss Ty on the cheek. Mainly just to piss off Oliver. Ty lingers for a second before someone else tries to get his attention.
Oliver picks up my drink and brings it to his mouth. I reach out to stop him but he moves swiftly to grab my wrist before I can. He sets the empty glass down and stares down at me. “He picks a new girl every night to fuck. Extra cherries do not make you special.” He’s referring to Ty. Oliver’s jealousy stirs something wicked inside of me.
“Who can blame him? He’s probably great in bed. Like I said, bartenders usually have skillful hands.” I wiggle my fingers at him.
I pick up one of the cherries from the empty glass and pop it into my mouth. Thankfully, they are already shed from their stems. Oliver picks up the glass and empties the rest into his mouth, stealing my favorite part of the drink.
He leans in and the low lighting somehow makes his eyes softer. “Dance with me.” The words that leave his mouth are a plea and I’m always much weaker under his careful stare. His thumb rubs two quiet circles over my wrist as he waits for me to answer. I manage a small nod in agreement.
He leads me to the dancing crowd and when we are hidden behind a group of people. He spins me so that my back is to him and brings my arm to circle his neck and rest on his shoulder. His hands instantly find any space of bare skin. It seems he craves the same thing I crave. That obsession that pulses with each heartbeat of skin on skin. I’ve only felt it with him. It's intoxicating.
His thumb brushes under my ass and I feel the back of my thigh quiver as he digs deeper there. We stay like this for the entirety of the song. Our heart rates syncing to the music and our breathing the same. I only realize the song ends because his hand flexes hard at the dip between my hip and stomach as he brings his lips to my ear. “Enjoy your date, pretty girl.” Cold air pebbles my skin at the loss of his heat. When I turn around, he is already lost in the crowd and I’m left to pull myself together as if he didn’t just leave me an absolute puddle.
OLIVER
Is it wild behavior to come to a coffee shop in hopes to see the girl you are lowkey obsessed with driving crazy only to buy your best friend, who happens to also be said girl’s best friend, her favorite coffee because you don’t want her to yell at you for being dumb? Yes. And that’s why I’m standing in line, searching for Mia every few seconds because she should be here working, and praying for AJ to be in a good mood.
A flash of blonde hair comes around the corner, but it’s straight and lifeless. Not my girl’s. This girl looks up and sees me staring and smiles blindingly. She rushes back to working behind the espresso machine as I move up in line. I take another look around in hopes of seeing wild blonde hair but still nothing. I shuffle forward after someone clears their throat behind me.
“What can I get you?” I give up my search as I give my attention to the sweet girl at the register. She treats every customer the same and Mia talks fondly of her a lot.
“Trix, right?” Her eyes light up as she nods her head yes. “I need a double shot irish cream and banana latte, iced. And I’ll take your candy bar special latte.” I give her a twenty dollar bill and point to the jar on the counter. “Keep the change.” Clearing my throat, I ask, “Is Mia here today?” Trix just looks up kindly at me before putting the change in the jar. She opens her mouth to answer me before the other blonde is leaning over the counter.
“We love a guy that knows how to tip.” She winks up at me as she snatches my ticket from Trix’s hand. “I’ll make these.” She sings as she turns to start making the drinks.
“She looks like she probably smells like vanilla.” Mia’s sweetly vicious voice comes from behind me. And I don’t miss the side eye she throws the other girl from over the counter. Trix tries her hardest to not laugh but fails as Mia steps in front of me. She gives Trix her order and I give over more money to pay for it before taking in Mia again. She’s wearing a sports set like AJ normally wears but her hair is up in a pony tail today.
“You don’t like the smell of vanilla?” I ask her. Her eyes are such a perfect mix of all the colors today.
“Do you?” Mia crosses her arms and leans back on the counter. “Make your decision quick, before she sets down your drink.” She never breaks eye contact with me, giving me a clear challenge.
I can see the other blonde, I don’t even know her name, putting lids on the cups. I wait until the last second before she places the cups down to give Mia her answer. “You know I don’t.” I admit softly.
“Perfect!” She chirps and leans over the counter. As in her whole body is over the counter and her head is now under the counter top. She nearly falls backward when she straightens herself back out and I have to steady her. The other girl is still lingering by the counter and she gives me a sweet smile which I do not return. “Bye Miranda.” Mia dismisses her and the look on the girl's face is honestly comical. Mia uncaps a sharpie and starts scribbling on the side of my cup.
