Read Online A New Dream [Dreams: 1] by Alex C. Clarke - Free Book Online Page A

about to do something deeply wrong, although he was convinced he had to warn David their thing couldn’t last. But, to have something to last, it would have to start first.
    He went into the bathroom, his coffee in hand, for a shave. He spread shaving cream over his rough skin, the crisp sound echoing in the empty room. He tried to let the stress drain out of his body as he focused on the blades slowly gliding over his jaw and cheeks. The mesmerizing sound of water dripping into the half-full sink, regular as Hawaiian drums on the beach. In a half trance already, he stepped under the shower. The hot stream ran rhythmically over his hair and body, ending its course on the tiles. Drop after drop, each one resonated in the shower stall, calming him with the steady rhythm. He was now in full trance, completely hypnotized by the water pouring on his back. He let the water rinse the suds off his flushed skin. He relaxed under the water as he focused on the noise around him, hands pressed against the wall, his head resting on an arm, the slight pop of soap bubbles releasing the fresh aroma of his shower gel. He was transfixed by the sensations as he stood there, eyes closed―enjoying his alone time for a change―for at least another ten minutes.
    He couldn’t remember getting out of the shower or getting dressed and found himself sitting on the bed. The trance he went in during his shower had left him calmer than ever. He used to use this trick a lot when situations overwhelmed him.
    He was relieved, happy. He had succeeded.
    He wasn’t feeling anything anymore.
    In this state of mind, he took off via the underground parking lot and disappeared for the day, far away from what his heart dictated. His head had won this battle.
     

 
    C hapter 9 – D avid:
Opening Day!
     
     
    W hen the sun rose that morning, David couldn’t believe the last few days had gone by so fast. He had spent his time efficiently and Bo had taught him everything he had to know about the bar. He knew all the cocktails’ names, where he could find everything in the bar, how to make this bar run smoothly. He had to repeat each technical term until his head hurt, not unlike a serious hangover after a long night drinking..
    He knew the routine by heart. First, he would receive the deliveries every other day at seven a.m., for orders made no later than six p.m. the night before. The bar would open at eleven a.m. with 'last call' at ten p.m. on weekdays and at two a.m. on Friday and weekends. The bar was closed on Mondays and Saturday was their live-music day. He had done some research on the first band, which would play later that night. They had been booked by Bo. It was a blues band and the female singer had a lovely voice, low for a woman and groovy. He had heard the sample they had sent and was stunned by the quality of their music. It would be a delightful evening, if counting only on their skills.
    Bo had introduced him to every actor in the bar’s life, even to their accountant. Going up the stairs to his flat at night, he was more exhausted than he had thought possible. He was far too tired to talk more than a few minutes at a time to his kids via Skype. He compensated by texting them throughout the day but he missed them a lot. He hadn’t seen James much lately either. Not that he missed him, but…he wondered if James was avoiding him. He kept questioning himself. I might have misunderstood something. Was he not hitting on me, that day? Maybe he has decided I’m not worth the effort. Or he doesn’t like me enough?
    Sometimes he thought him being so emotional with James that first day might have displeased him. Showing feelings might not be manly enough for James, but David couldn’t help being who he was. He used to adore his wife and wouldn’t hide it for the world. Actually, he should be the one to feel wary about this non-relationship they had. He was the one to take a leap into the unknown. He forced himself to think hard. He had been