Free Spark by Brooke Cumberland Page A

him any of mine.
    “Heads up!” Julia calls, throwing a bottle at me. She nods her head over to the guy sitting across from me at the bar.
    “I take it this is for you,” I say, smiling. I hand him his beer and continue washing glasses.
    “I think you’d make a wonderful girlfriend,” he says, smirking back at me.
    “Oh god, not you too,” I moan. “Sorry about that. Guess girl talk isn’t something guys want to hear.”
    “Nah , it’s okay. I grew up with three sisters. Trust me, I know too much.” I laugh back, grabbing the money he set on the bar for his beer.
    “So , tell me then. What makes a good girlfriend? You’re probably an expert by now,” I joke, crossing my arms.
    “Oh honey, I don’t have a clue. All I’ve gathered over my years is what a guy is not supposed to do.” He takes a swig of his beer and sets it back down. “Basically, don’t let past relationships affect your future ones.”
    “That won’t be a problem,” I huff. “There’s only been one relationship , and I completely screwed it up.”
    “Oh, you live and learn girl. Trust me when I tell you, you won’t have any problem finding a man.” He smiles, making me incredibly embarrassed that I’m spilling my dirty laundry to a complete stranger.
    “ Hello, Beautiful.” I turn and see Alex standing nearby. My face instantly reddenss, blushing from the conversations that just took place. I have only been around Alex once, but the way we connect when we talked made it seem like we’ve known each other forever.
    “Hey, w hat can I get ya tonight?” I place my hands flat on the bar, smiling back.
    “I’ll take whatever is on tap,” he says, handing me a few singles. “And don’t forget, first rounds on me. So, take a shot,” he reminds me, smirking back.
    “Fine. I’ll do a Cherry Tootsie Pop.” I smile, grabbing a shot glass.
    “Cherry, huh? Interesting.” He smirks, curling his lips up.
    “Shut up, Alex. Velaney is one of my best friends,” Kenna yells, storming over and pointing her finger at him. I stifle a laugh at Kenna for being my over-protective mother. She was the mother hen around here, always watching out for us girls.
    Alex puts his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t do anything, chill out.”
    “And you won’t, mister. I mean it. Vel is too sweet for you.”
    “What does that mean?” Alex and I both say at the same time. I’m too sweet for him?
    “Nothing, Velaney. Just that…you’re a sweet girl. You don’t sleep around and party.” Was that supposed to be a compliment?
    “Wow, thanks for telling Alex how boring I am!” I shrieked . With that, I fill my shot glass, and tilt my head back and feel the burn of alcohol as it flows down my throat.
    “You are not boring,” Eric chimes in, shocking me completely. “In fact, you are the opposite of boring.” My hear t begins racing just from the raspy tone of his voice.
    “Hey , stranger,” I say, avoiding the completely awkward looks both Eric and Alex are giving me. “Been busy saving lives lately?”
    “Always.” God, his smile is breathtaking.
    “Um, Eric this is Alex. Ale x this is Eric. He lives in my building.” I gesture between the two and they give head nods semi-acknowledging each other.
    “And how do you and Alex know each other?” Eric asks, and slams singles on the bar.
    “He’s Kenna’s brother,” I say vaguely, not wanting to mention the Laundromat.
    “I’ll take a Coors, please.” Eric smiles back at me, giving me his biggest grin. I had no idea what was happening. Were these two playfully bantering over me? No. There’s just no way. Plus, why would they?
    I shake the thoughts from my mind and continue working. The bar quickly fills up, leaving no time to chat with Alex or Eric. My heart feels ripped in half between them being here and the fact that I like them being here.
    This is too messed up.
    “Looks like your pussy fairy brought you two edible desserts,” Carissa whispers in my ear as I reach for