Read Online Shady Bay by Casey L. Bond, Anna G. Coy - Free Book Online

themselves.
    Sure enough, the place was slamming. By ten o’clock, the bodies spilled far out onto the sand, grinding to the music our DJ was spinning. It seemed like every second someone needed my attention. There was a small scuffle, which we handled by escorting the brawlers outside. One of the sinks in the men’s room wouldn’t work. I called a friend of mine to come and fix it. I had to approve his payment. Servers needed to exchange out their ones. I had to put money in the safe. You name it, I did it. Brody showed up just after midnight when his shift with the local EMS ended. He grinned when he saw me wiping down the bar. “This is insane.”
    “Yep. Crazier than last year, but we just opened.”
    He nodded, looking around. His eyes fixed on something, and I looked in that direction. Mercy stood with Summer, smiling and laughing at some guys at a table she was serving. “You didn’t tell me Mercy was working here.”
    “Mercy’s working here.”
    “Ha. Ha. Hm m. That, my friend, is interesting.” He waggled his brows at me.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Nothing man.” He smiled and took a long drawl off his beer. “When’s her break?”
    “Shit! I knew I forgot something.” I walked over to the two girls, who were now getting soft drinks and ordering beers for the last table.
    “Break time. Can you rotate?”
    Summer smiled sweetly. Her bright red hair was cut short, like a guy’s, but she didn’t look masculine. “Mercy, you go ahead, babe. You’ve been on your feet for a long time. I’m used to it. I’ll finish out these tables.”
    Mercy looked from Summer to me and then back again. “Are you sure? You haven’t had a break either.”
    “I’ll take one when my boyfriend gets off work. He always comes in after his shift.”
    “Okay. If you’re sure, I’ll be back soon.”
    Summer was already heading back with their drinks, when she called over her shoulder. “No rush!”
    “Help yourself to a drink. Nothing alcoholic while on the clock, but you can grab a Coke or some sweet tea or something.”
    “Thanks. I’m dying of thirst. I’ll take you up on that.” I followed her back behind the bar and glared at Brody as he chuckled at me from his stool.
     
     

     
     
    Diet Pepsi had never tasted so good. I gulped down the fizz like nobody’s business. Jaxon and Brody were at the end of the bar, so I made my way over to them.  “Hey, Brody!”
    Brody sat up straight and smiled. “Mercy. How’s your first night?”
    “Busy. But awesome. Thanks.”
    “Want a fry?” He pushed his plate toward me.
    “Don’t mind if I do.” I dipped the fat fry in ketchup and took a big bite. Brody was so sweet. He’d never said anything to anyone about the state he first found me in, and I thought he was the cutest thing ever. I just wished he’d man up and ask June out. She was wading through jerks like no one’s business. I talked to her on the phone but hadn’t seen her in a few days. She’d popped in the store earlier this week to buy red and pink candles she believed would bring her love if she burned them right. How I wish it were true. I wanted her to find someone who deserved her love and wouldn’t take it for granted.
    Brody exchanged some low-spoken words with Jax and then the two looked at me. What the heck? Did I have ketchup on my mouth? I swiped at the corners of my lips, trying to be discreet.
    “Nah, man. Go for it,” Jaxon said.
    Brody cleared his throat. “Wanna dance, Mercy?”
    I eyeballed them both. Jaxon nodded his approval. “Sure. But then I need to get back to work.”
    Was I allowed? I looked to Jaxon who nodded curtly.
    I walked around the bar where Brody waited with his hand extended. I placed my hand in his and he led me to the dance floor. The DJ, Fast Eddy, who was a wiry short guy with red hair and matching goatee, winked at me and took the microphone in his hand. “May I have your attention please?” The patrons turned their attention to him, as