Free Braver by Lexie Ray

— the lovely ladies behind the bar are pouring an icy tall one right now.”
     
    Shimmy had seen the whole thing and was hurrying over with a towel. I let her clean the rest of the liquid up while I walked to the bar to get rid of the glass and put in an order.
     
    “Having a little trouble?” Blue asked, bemused.
     
    “Guess he didn’t want the water,” I remarked. “Give me an O’Doul’s in a tall glass.” I was referring to the non-alcoholic brand of beer, which was standard operating policy here at the nightclub. Mama never wanted any trouble with the customers, so there always came a point when someone was too drunk but still wanted another drink. She also didn’t want to stop taking their money if we cut them off. Instead, we started serving virgin cocktails and non-alcoholic beers. No one was the wiser.
     
    “Be careful,” Blue said, handing me the beer. “I don’t like the looks of that one.”
     
    “He’s just a return customer,” I scoffed, placing the glass on a new tray. “He’s had a little too much to drink, is all.”
     
    “Those are the worst.”
     
    I gave Mike the O’Doul’s with a flourish, making a show of setting down the coaster with a spin from my finger.
     
    “Your beer, darling,” I announced, placing it on the coaster with a twist of my wrist.
     
    “Finally,” he said, chugging it down to halfway.
     
    “I’ll be back soon to check on you,” I said, starting to walk away.
     
    “You’ll check on me now,” Mike barked. He was becoming more entertainment for his fellow customers than the pianist on stage, I noticed, which was bad. What was I doing wrong in this situation? I had been here longer than any of the other girls. I could defuse the explosive ones like nobody’s business.
     
    Something wasn’t quite right with Mike, but I hadn’t figured it out yet.
     
    “Of course, honey,” I said, leaning down right next to him. “I’ll bring you everything you need.
     
    “Well, we’re going to fuck again, obviously,” he said.
     
    I forced a laugh. “Well, obviously,” I answered, slapping my knees. “I like your style, sweetie.”
     
    “You were free for me last time, and I paid a price,” Mike said, looking at me. For the first time, I noticed just how bloodshot his eyes were. There were barely any whites in them anymore. Had he been crying?
     
    “The only price you pay with me is in the orgasms I take from you,” I whispered into his ear.
     
    “This time, you’ll be paying me for the pleasure, and I demand cash,” he said, his mouth twisting into a horrible imitation of a smile.
     
    Every single customer at the surrounding tables was watching the drama unfold now. I didn’t like that at all. The situation was getting out of control.
     
    “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” I said. “The only one who can negotiate a price is Mama. Let me go get her.”
     
    I got a few paces away before I froze in my tracks at Mike’s holler.
     
    “Don’t you walk away from me, bitch!”
     
    A solid fourth of the club craned their necks around to see what was going on. I was by Mike’s side again, trying to placate him.
     
    “I’m sorry, sweetie,” I said. “I thought you wanted to sleep with me. I was just setting the wheels in motion. Nothing unless it goes through Mama. That’s the rule, I’m afraid.”
     
    “No,” he said. “The rule is that I get to do whatever I want now.”
     
    He snagged my wrist and yanked me down to sit next to him, his fingers bruising me. I went down gracefully, trying to make it look like I’d chosen to sit down. I had to make an attempt to get this situation under control. If I couldn’t, I at least had to fake control.
     
    “The customer’s always right, sweetie,” I soothed. “Of course you get whatever you want. You just let Cocoa know what you want, and I’ll get it for you.”
     
    “I want my wife back,” he slurred.
     
    I frowned. “Is she here?” I asked. “Where can I find