Bats in the Belfry Read online

  “Oh, I guess we wouldn’t have. I had no idea John was hiring,” she said making her wonder if John knew she was looking for another job.

  “Yeah, well I applied, he called and here I am. Anyway, it was nice meeting you again, but you really should get out there, it’s going to be one hell of a night,” Adrian said before turning, and grabbing an apron off the wall tying it around her waist.

  Lane was about to put her bag in her locker when she stopped, sensing someone staring at her. Turning to look at Adrian who was indeed gazing at her with a ghost of a smile on her lips, Lane was about to ask if something was wrong when Adrian said, “I’ll see you outside, Lane.” Before exiting through the swinging doors.

  That was strange, Lane thought. She didn’t look familiar, but somehow their encounter left her with a slight trace of wonderment. She was the second person today who made Lane second guess her memory. Scratching her head, Lane turned and stuffed her bag into her locker against the wall, before grabbing her apron, and heading out into the crowded bar.

  Sweat and alcohol was in the air, and was enough to make her gag from the minute she focused her gaze on the thong of people currently occupying the small space. The Bar was a known college hangout off the CSU campus which meant everyone knew about it, and everyone was here. She had been working there since she started college classes at CSU three years ago, and everyday since she had been trying to find a way out. This was her final year at CSU, and with it hopefully her final days at this ten by twelve sweat box. She hated loud music, hated bars, hated alcohol. She wasn’t the kind of girl you would find sandwiched between two guys while one licked salt from her neck and another fondle her boobs in front of the entire bar.

  It was Friday night, and that meant half empty bottles, half naked drunk girls, and disgusting horny college guys begging half naked girls to go home with them. She came in here five nights a week dressed like an overdressed whore, making men drool, so they could spend all their cash trying to get her attention. She needed money and this was the bar that paid, and dressing like a whore was the only way to cash out.

  During the course of the night Lane didn’t see Adrian again. Hell, she didn’t think she could find her with the amount of people crawling all over the place. Tonight was the night all college students drank for free until twelve, which made Lane wonder how John made any money at all, when almost every night was someone drink free night.

  Bobbing through the crowd with her tray overhead, she came face to face with Dillon who was on his way to the bar. “You’ve been here this whole time and haven’t thought to come look for me?” Lane shouted over the loud techno beat of Sia’s 'Titanium' playing in the background.

  He gave a sleepy half-drunk smile before leaning in and kissing both her cheeks. “I did see you, but you were busy working, and I figured you’d find me sooner or later.”

  “Yeah, well later rather than sooner. Where’s your table?”

  He turned pointing to the far right close to the back where Lane spotted Trisha, Zac, and Collin doing some ridiculous hand gestures, probably telling one of his stupid stories again. “I was just headed to the bar for another round,” Dillon said in her ear.

  “You head on back, as soon as I drop this off, I’ll bring it over.” He nodded leaning into her ear once more before placing one hand around her waist. She loved it whenever he did that, loved the smell of his axe shampoo, and his British accent that went straight to her core whenever he whispered just about anything to her.

  “Bottle of tequila and nine glasses,” he whispered leaving a tingle on her skin from his hot breath. Quickly pulling away Lane nodded while he backed away disappearing back into the crowd.

  ***

  “Hey, Lane.” She heard in unison when she placed the bottle of tequila on the table. They were all smiley and perfectly drunk as they each grabbed a glass off her tray overflowing it with the gold liquor. There was one left, which Dillon eagerly filled holding it out to her with a lopsided grin on his face.

  The four happy people who was here celebrating their graduation today, was currently waiting for her to take the glass. They were a group of people who hung here at The Bar almost every night, and had somehow inducted her into their circle.

  Lane didn't have a lot of money and couldn't afford to attend college full-time, so she took a couple classes here and there. She rarely socialized and while others were out drinking, smoking, and partying, she walked around day after day alone slowly drifting into the black hole of her loneliness, troubles, and money issues.

  Since going on the whole independent kick, not wanting to live with her dad during college, and without enough money to live in the dorms, since she wasn't a full-time college student, she had to get an apartment for half the price. What she ended up with was this crappy third floor one bedroom thirty minutes from campus. The space was small, the walls thin, but there was a nice size claw foot tub in the bathroom that kept her busy.

  Her second week there she ran into Dillon on his way out for a run while she was coming in. He stopped, and introduced himself as she swooned over his accent, and bulging tattooed covered arms under his under armor t-shirt. After he said his goodbyes and ran down the second floor, she rushed into her apartment and watched through the window as his dark blonde hair moved with the breeze when he ran down the street. Somehow, they became good friends after that.

  He was studying to become a doctor, and lived in that shit hole to prove to his father that he didn’t need his money to survive. Apparently, his dad was some big business mogul in London that loved having him under his thumb. So, to defy him Dillon chose to go to a shitty College, and fend for himself to prove to his father that he could make it on his own.

  They hung out a lot. He tried introducing her to his friends, but that didn't work out since she quickly realized they were into the alcohol and partying scene way more than she anticipated. But after tonight they’ll all be gone, and she’ll be alone again. It was a sad thought, but one that brought her solace because she could return to focusing on what was important. One goodbye drink wouldn't hurt, so what was the harm? Taking the shot glass, they cheered toasting toward the good times ahead before shooting it back. I guess you could say the rest of the night… was history.

  ***

  Four hours later….

  Olivia stumbled into her apartment with a half-naked Dillon pressed against her. Who would have thought Lane had enough guts to look in Dillon's direction, let alone become friends with the guy, she thought. Lane wanted to fuck his brains out since the first day they met, and now Olivia was finally giving her that chance.

  He pushed the door close with his foot while she devoured his lips pulling him further into the dark living room. Olivia pulled her shirt over her head, giving his lips access to the rest of her body. Moving downward, his lips latched onto her neck before following a path between her breast. They stumbled to the couch, she pushed him down before shimming out of her shoes and shorts. Olivia loved taking control. Watching that sexy blood thirsty look in his eyes and knowing it was all for her, turned her on more than anything he could do. Well maybe not anything.

  She was greedy, and selfish, and loved nothing more than having a man under her knowing she was about to fuck him into submission. They thought they had the control, but ohh how they were wrong.

  Unzipping his pants, he lifted his hips pushing it, and his boxers down his muscular thighs before she climbed over his thick pulsating erection, slipping her tongue between his lips in a controlling kiss. It was rough, senseless, and so fucking sweet that she had to push herself deeper into his chest, almost molding their bodies together to get more of his sweet tequila and mint taste.

  Taking the base of her pony tail around his fingers, he pulled detaching their lips, and exposing her neck, forcing her breast into his face. All she kept thinking was how she could have had this a long time ago if Lane wasn’t around to ruin it. Lane made it difficult for her to have any fun lately. Olivia hated her for it. The
fact that she wouldn’t let her have anything pissed her off anytime she thought about it. Lane wanted him, did from the first day she met him, but unlike Olivia she was too scared to take him. Too scared to be assertive, too scared to take charge. Olivia wasn’t scared of anything. She knew what she wanted, and this right here, Dillon, was all she wanted right now.

  Dillon pushed the cups of her too modest white bra down, and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, before moving on to the other. Grinding against his dick, and loving the way he bit, rolled, and sucked on her sensitive buds made her needy, moaning out of control, as fire lit her insides, and burned at her flesh. She never wanted it to end, but she needed to get things started before she lost all control, and was sent back to the darkness before she had her fill.

  Grabbing his arms, and forcing them behind the couch she whispered, “keep em there. It’s my turn to play and you have no idea how much I love games.” With a mischievous grin on her lips she wasn't surprised he obeyed. She grabbed his hair and started licking her way down his perfectly defined chest, her mouth sucking in his left nipple ring hard, causing him to hiss and jerk in response. She sucked on the other one and felt him buckle, while his biceps flexed when she flicked her tongue over and over.

  “Oh, fuck that’s good,” he rasped, his head moving from one side to the next. Keeping her rhythm, she moved her hand between the couch cushion and pulled out the condom she had stashed there from last time Cave was in town. Yeah, this wasn’t her first rodeo. Cave may have been a repeat, but he wasn’t permanent or anything special. She simply loved riding his face, and although his dick wasn't the most impressive, he sure knew how to make it hit the spot.

  Pulling her mouth away, she ripped the condom wrapper with her teeth then pushed up on her knees and began sliding it over his delicious head all the way to the base. Once it was securely on, she positioned his head against her entrance and smirked devilishly before slamming down and filling herself completely. “Oh shit,” he groaned grabbing her hips, holding her in that glorious position.

  For a minute or two they sat there, basking in the sensations currently moving from body to body, but once she felt comfortable, and the little twinge of pain subsided she begun rocking back and forth. Gripping the back of the couch she moved, grinding forcefully, taking him on a ride he could truly enjoyed, and never forget. “Ohhh, God Dillon… hold onto me,” she moaned.

  His hands moved to her thighs while she pushed down harder rotating her hips. “Fuck,” he rasped when she pushed again hitting the exact spot she knew would bring her to orgasm. Sure, it was fast, but time was something she had a limited amount of. Trying to catch her breath, with him still hard inside her, he thrusted upward a few more times before coming apart, pulling her lips back against his.

  She felt good. Actually, she felt fucking amazing, and was thinking maybe one more round wouldn't hurt when he said, “Oh, God, Lane that was-” She placed her hand over his mouth before he could finish. That bitch. That fucking bitch. Shuffling off his lap, she grabbed her underwear off the ground, quickly pulling them on along with her t-shirt.

  He quickly stood, pulling his jeans up and stuffing himself back in before zipping up. “That was really…”

  She lifted her hand to stop him. “Yeah, I got that. Time for you to go now,” she said rolling her eyes while walking toward the door.

  He was pulling his shirt over his head still stumbling behind when she felt his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest. “What? I thought… maybe we could do it again." He kissed below her ear. “God, Lane I’ve wanted to do this for a while now,” he said moving his lips down her neck.

  “Really? Because it took you long enough, no, wait, I was the one that made the first move didn’t I. Now get out.” She pulled out of his reach, opening the door.

  “Okay, maybe you did put the moves on me, but that was because you were always giving me mixed signals. I knew you liked me, but you never acted on it before. Look, I’m leaving in the morning and I may never see you again. Come on, let me stay.” He was standing in the hall with his arm propped against the frame. You would think his apartment was a long drive away with the way he was looking at her.

  She took a deep breath, and gazed at him with no interest what so ever in what he had said. If only he had kept his mouth shut, he would have been perfect. “Sorry, but I don’t do sleepovers.” The slamming of the door behind her echoed through the empty apartment. Grabbing the first thing she could touch, the chair sailed across the room breaking on impact. She inhaled slowly, closing her eyes while trying to regain control when all she wanted to do was scream.

  After a few minutes of breathing, she left the broken pieces on the floor, heading to the bathroom, and quickly grabbing a shower before bed. She heard his bedroom door slam as she crawled under the cool sheets, and nothing gave her more pleasure than knowing his balls were probably turning blue.

  Everything was going so well she thought, but he had to go and say her name. Lane couldn’t let her have this one thing without ruining it like everything else. This was the fifth time this had happened. The fifth time she had slept with a guy, and the fifth time a guy had called her by the wrong name. She was Olivia, Olivia, not Lane. Why was that so fucking hard to understand.

  Three

  “Martha where’s my dad?” Lane asked while standing by the nurse’s station Wednesday morning. She had been sitting, waiting in the same chair at the same table she always sat for every visit since she placed her father in here, but today he wasn’t there. Twenty minutes later, she gave up and went in search of Martha, who she hadn’t seen when she walked in.

  When she approached the desk, Martha looked up from the stack of papers in front of her with a sad smile which told Lane everything she needed to know. “I’m sorry Lane, if I had seen you when you came in, I would have told you,” she huffed. “He had a bit of an episode this morning and we had to sedate him for a while.”

  Lane sighed. “Who was it this time?”

  “Bob.”

  Lane nodded in understanding while pulling her messenger bag up her shoulder. She knew when Bob came around how frantic and agitated he got, because to him Bob was the killer who was after Lane. “Well, I guess I’ll just… go sit in the garden for a while. Maybe I’ll check back in an hour, see if he’s awake.”

  “I don’t know if he would be, but you can if you want to try. It’s alright with me.”

  “Thanks,” she said forcing a smile before turning and walking away. This time taking the stairs to the second floor, Lane walked to the end of the long hallway toward the back balcony entrance. It was a large balcony with chairs and tables set out for the patients to sit and enjoy the morning sun. Every time she came here, she noticed most of the seats remained vacant since most preferred the garden.

  Turning toward the stone railing she looked ahead, her line of sight falling toward the ocean shore a couple meters behind the facilities fencing. Clifton Psychiatric Clinic was on a lonely road one hour outside Felicity. It was practically on its own island since there was nothing else around, and the beach was walking distance from the road.

  Taking the stairs to the garden, Lane felt like she made the right choice by coming. It was a beautiful day, the freshly cut grass, tall beautiful trees, and her favorite flowers, gardenias and lilies were all around making it easy for her to love this place.

  There were a few patients standing around with their nurse’s close by, some tending to the small flower beds near the stairs while others sat on the grass looking up at the sky. She walked to the far corner under a jacaranda tree, and took a seat on the vacant bench. The sun was out, sky filled with as many white clouds one could find on any nice day. As she picked up the purple flower that fell into her lap she thought about her father and how much he loved these trees.

  She remembered having one in her back yard when she was a kid, and how they would lie under it and count the flowers as they fell like a purple rain storm around them. She missed the
man he once was, and was trying really hard to get him back.

  She came today with a speech prepared, hoping he would see reason and take his meds, but the man hated drugs. He detested taking aspirin for a simple headache, so when it came to taking something to alter his perception he would fight tooth and nail even if it meant having to stay here for the rest of his life.

  Six months ago, when her father mentioned one of his… friends, she figured he was talking about one of his work colleagues or a guy he’d met on the bus on his way home, but it was nothing like that. The first time she actually suspected something was wrong was the night she came home for a visit and heard him through the bathroom door yelling at someone. She figured he was on the phone like he usually was yelling at one of the guys from work, but when she went into the kitchen and found his bag with his phone lying next to it she didn’t know what to think. A few minutes later he strolled out of the bathroom, and greeted her, but when she mentioned who he was talking to he was completely oblivious to what she was talking about. Said he was alone and wasn’t talking to anyone.

  She let that one slide until he started mentioning this friend Thomas. Everything was Thomas this and Thomas that, and then one night he invited Thomas to dinner. When Lane got there, there was no one but an empty chair. He spoke to that empty chair all night with Lane sitting on the other side wondering what reality show she had walked into.

  A few nights later he rushed into the house in a cold sweat, and said Bob is after her. That Bob attacked him at work, and said if he didn’t give him what he wanted he would hurt Lane in return. After that it was one after the other Bob, Bradly, Thomas, Marcus, all different names, but nobody ever showed, until she figured it was time to get him help.

  “Dreaming about me?” Her head snapped toward the sound coming from the guy sitting on the other end of the bench. He was staring at her intently, with a beautiful white smile spreading across his lips making it almost impossible to not look at him.