Charged by Kerri Ann Page B

was shut down by him on my invitation for a break off the bill.
    Turning my thoughts from Ryker, his insanely gorgeous body, and what I’m sure would prove to be a very impressive cock, I wipe down the few remaining dirty tables, preparing to close.
    “Hey.” Hazel taps me on the shoulder, shaking from my thoughts of Ryker, my car and my lovely predicament. “We have a ritual here at night. You up for a victory shot?” She pulls out a bottle of JD and three shot glasses. 
    “Sure.” I pull off the apron, swing a leg around a bar stool to sit, and watch as she pours each of us a heavy shot of the lovely liquid. 
    Gus pulls out a rickety folding stool from behind the counter and plops his large ass down. His greyish blue eyes twinkle when he smiles, and the mixed smell of grease traps and charcoal permeate his clothes and skin. He’s at least six feet tall, probably pushing three hundred pounds of pure hillbilly, sporting a proper mousey brown country mullet. 
    “To another fuckin’ dollar to the debt. Here’s to you, ya’ prick!” Hazel tips back the glass, downing it quick as Gus and I do the same. 
    “Might I ask who the prick is?” 
    “My ex. He ’n I inherited this lovely establishment. He stole all the money saved by my parents before leaving me only the debt. Every day is another day closer to owning it free n’ clear. I’m short by a few thousand, and I’m counting down the days.” She pours us each another and sits back against the counter. “To new beginnings, whenever or wherever they may arise.” 
    I think that’s a good enough reason. “I’ll toast to that.” I tip back my second shot in so many minutes and think on what I should be grateful for. It’s not as easy to think of grateful things when nothing has been easy.  
    Gus raises his glass. “To hysterectomies!” 
    Ok, I’m sure there’s a good story there. I look quizzically at Gus and wait for his reasoning as Hazel pours us another. This is working close to my ‘too many’ limit, but it’s more fun to do it with people you know than in a lonely bar with strange — well, let’s just say stranger than strange people. 
    “Six kids ’n counting. Next one on the way is the last,” Gus says after accepting the burn from the bourbon.
    “Alright, sounds good enough for me.” I tip back my drink, laughing. I have to say it feels so good to laugh and enjoy the company of others. Hazel and Gus are both waiting for me to say something that I’m grateful for as Hazel fills the shot glasses to the brim.
    “Ok. Grateful moments…right. Well, I don’t really have that much in the way of things to be —”,  — I pause. “Oh, wait! Yes, I do. To you! Thanks you both for the opportunity to enjoy today. It could have just kept going south, and instead, I’m here after a good day’s work, with nice people and shot glasses of bourbon.” I let the sweet alcohol touch my tongue, sucking it back fast before I think too much on how this is number four. 
    Hazel and Gus take my answer as a good reason to drink, each sucking back their shots. We sit in silence for a few minutes, reflecting on our reasons for being happy before Hazel breaks the quiet. 
    “Ok, time to clear up and get out of here. Kate,” she turns to me. “Ryk, told me you don’t have anywhere to stay while he fixes ya’ car. I have a spare room at my place, and even though it’s not much, you’re welcome to it, if you’d like. There’s no a/c, but the fan works well enough.” 
    “That would be great,” I say with a grin. “Thank you. How much?”
    “Nothin’. Just consider I know where you are, so ya’ can’t be late for work.” She winks, gathering our dirty shot glasses and stowing the bottle behind the bar. 
    “Thanks Hazel. I really, really appreciate it.” It’s been a long time since someone was genuinely nice. It’s both refreshing and scary. 
    “It’s all good sugar, now let’s get going. Morning rush comes early with a