The Bad Boy And The Mermaid

Blue

Alec was a funny guy. I realized that he was the only boy I actually liked other than Hunter, but I knew that my liking for Hunter was different. When I was with him, I had butterflies in my stomach taking flight all at once, but with Alec I felt no such thing. I was just very comfortable around him, the way I felt around Hannah too.

“Did I tell you that you look like a mermaid?”

That snapped me out of my thoughts and brought me back what he’d just said. “What?”

Did he say mermaid?!

How did he find out? I was pretty sure I hadn’t said a word about the Underwater world or being a mermaid. I was starting to panic.

“I said you look like a mermaid.” Alec said with a grin.

I was utterly confused. “How did you...how did you know that I was a mermaid?”

Alec burst out laughing. “Nice one. I meant that Blue hair really suits you; I know it doesn’t suit much people. I have seen some girls in college dye their hair blue, you know to try something different but they ended up looking like complete witches. But I can’t believe how natural it looks on you.”

Oh. So he liked my blue hair hence the comment about me being a mermaid. I sighed in relief.

“Thanks, Alec. I like my hair too.”

“You know what? that just made you sound downright conceited.” He said laughing. “But with that face and body of yours, I can’t say I’m really mad. You’re allowed a bit of narcissism.”

“Hey, what you guys talking about?” Phoenix leaned against the bar and pushed an empty glass towards Alec.

“We were just talking about how narcissistic you are, Phoenix Lockhart.”

“I could fire your ass for that comment, Alec Rogers.”

Alec just smiled. “I would love to see you try, bro.”

What was that scent? I brought my nose close to Phoenix, going on my tiptoes, took a long sniff and sighed. “You smell nice.”

His face went red. I had no idea why. “Uh...Okay. Thanks, I guess.”

Alec cleared his throat. “In all seriousness, we were just talking about mermaids. I’m so fascinated by mythical creatures. Did you know that more than eighty percent of the world’s oceans have been undiscovered? Imagine if they did some serious underwater researches, they may come across merfolks. Who knows there are probably some beautiful mermaids down there. Blue could totally look like one.”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “You should totally stop geeking out like that, dude. Blue looks like she could use a drink for all that nerdy talk.”

Alec passed me a look full of suspicious. “Would you like a drink?”

“What kind of drink?” I asked.

“The type that I’m making.”

I looked between Phoenix and Alec. “I mean Maximus told me not to drink during the shift.”

“Trust me; if your hand or mouth is nowhere near my dick, your position is not in danger. I can guarantee you that. Besides, your shift is almost over.” Phoenix assured me, a cocky smile on his lips.

“A dick?” I asked. “What part of the male anatomy is that?”

Alec grinned. “See. I like Blue and her easy-going personality. She doesn’t even get remotely embarrassed. Lucky boyfriend.”

“I wish my boyfriend knew how lucky he was.”

my shoulders. “If you have his number, I’ll totally call him

to

a dare?” I

Alec had a warning tone to his voice but Phoenix

you can say so and I’ll say you’re just a scaredy little cat. If you do the dare, you can dare me to something really

laughed. “You’ll do whatever I

nodded. “You have

liquid.” I

you’re playing this game again with the new waitress, he’ll whoop your ass out of planet

to find a place for me on any other planet, and do your job,

lot of other girls’ drink this in one go. I could do the same thing

three.”

dude.”

“I said four.”

under his breath and pulled out one more glass and poured the liquid into it. I looked at the glasses suspiciously. Picked one, touched

down my throat, and it tasted bad like some medicine but Phoenix called this a dare and if I didn’t manage to finish it, he would start calling me a scaredy-cat and I wasn’t going to let that

three glasses. It felt easier after the first two. My head suddenly felt woozy, and then kinda

of a lemon. I started to fan myself. “Why is

air-conditioner.” Alec said, scurrying over to where the switches

already past two a.m. which meant

unbuttoned my blouse and let it fall to the floor. I was wearing my favorite satin maroon bra cami. I didn’t dare take off my jeans. Heads turned in my

them and settled down on the bar stool. To Phoenix I said, “You promised you would do

eyes widened but I could see the amusement playing on his lips. “You look nice with that blouse

took a pause to create suspense. “I dare

all?

put his arm around my shoulder. The air-conditioner

not all.” I gave them my own mischievous smile.

as sheets. I heard

way.”

you’re a scaredy cat.” I

with the personality change all of a sudden?”

see two boys kiss! What’s wrong with

are both straight men.” Phoenix concluded. “I’ll take the ten shots I owe you though

what possessed me when I said,

* * *

Hunter

at the club owned by the Lockharts, I knew there was no turning back. My biggest mistake was letting Hannah take care of Blue. That was really fucking stupid of me because

over the entire town. When something or someone caught Tyler or his cousins’ eyes, they would snatch it, if they thought the person was useful to them, they made sure to keep a tight leash on them by using things like money, bribe, sex, manipulation, charm. The boys were unstoppable, or at least that’s what the rumors said. Tyler wanted something; Tyler got it even before the

their employment was like walking into a lion’s den and asking the lion to politely

car outside the packed parking lot. I rehearsed my lines and what I was going to say. I hoped I could find Maximus, the actual owner of the club. Max was the peacemaker, despite his jarring appearance with the silver hair and tattoos; he was quite a nice guy. Way nicer than his middle brother Phoenix or the cousin Tyler. I knew if

without the bouncer creating a scene. He knew me as Phoenix’s friend and that gained me free access all the time. They didn’t know we had a fight a few

around her. She was laughing at something Phoenix was saying which was pretty ironic because as far as what I’d seen in

She was beautiful with that natural blue hair and blue eyes. The traditional folklore said mermaids could lure men to their death and I could see why. She obviously had them wrapped

she wearing? Was it some kind of a cropped t-shirt or

shit! It was a

let him kiss her, I didn’t know what would happen. I was pretty sure I would tear

If Blue let him kiss

his lips and pushed him away, but she was still smiling up at him in a flirty way. I could almost sense her words ′not here. Maybe somewhere more in

to tell her something. If Blue didn’t want me, she could tell me to