A Bar Tender Tale Read Online Free PDF

punk rock then? I suppose you’re mates with Tazz and the others?”
    Nathan smiled, but it was a nervous one. Auryn was describing one of Gary’s friends, a very colorful and loud staple on the punk scene in Brighton. But like Gary, also very straight.
    This seemed like as good a time as any, Nathan thought.
    “Um, a bit, yes,” he ventured. “You could say I’m with a different crowd.”
    “Oh right?” Auryn looked at him, glancing again at Nathan’s tee shirt. “I wasn’t sure. I mean you dress like them.”
    “Yeah, that’s not quite what I meant,” Nathan tried to explain. “I spend time in places they wouldn’t go. Like the bar I work at….”
    “Hm.” Auryn glanced at his watch, then jumped up in surprise. “Oh shit, that’s not the time? I’ve got to get back to the office. I told my boss I’d only be half an hour.” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 33

    “Oh,” Nathan said, disappointed. “But it’s only—” He glanced up at the clock behind the bar, seeing it was well after one. “Ah.”
    “Where is Gaz, then?” Auryn asked. “Tell that lazy git that I was by, would you?”
    “Yes, sure,” Nathan said, trying to sound upbeat. “He’ll be down later.”
    “Okay, thanks. Tell him I’ll be back for another when I’ve finished work. Oh, and thank you for the unexpected chat, Nathan. It was nice to pretend I was one of the cool kids.”
    Nathan tried to answer but found himself tongue-tied.
    Instead he smiled, fighting the urge to blush.
    “You gonna be here later?” Auryn asked. “I’ll be back around six. I’d like to talk with you some more.” Surprised by the direct statement, Nathan felt his hopes soaring to the skies again.
    “Oh, yeah probably,” he answered, as calmly as he could. Yes! Anything you want!
    “Great. See you later.”
    “Bye,” Nathan said, almost to himself as he watched Auryn disappear.

    A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 34

    Chapter 2

    THE old sot who had been asleep at the bar woke up suddenly with a snort and almost fell off his stool. Nathan was leaning in the doorway of the pub, smoking a cigarette as he gazed back into the darkened room. He would have refused to serve the man again, but luckily after a stumble into the gent’s to relieve himself, the old man reappeared, trousers undone, to say his goodbyes.
    “Yeah, take it easy.” Nathan waved him off with the blasé attitude of an experienced barman.
    The old man wobbled down the steps, turning back to slur something, possibly asking a question.
    Nathan pinched the cigarette between his fingers and gestured at his own crotch area with his free hand. After taking a drag he said, “You’re flying low, mate.” The old man barely noticed, still babbling away as he staggered down to the newsagent’s two doors along. Oh well.
    Nathan shook his head. He hadn’t worked in a normal pub for well over a year now; he’d forgotten how bad the daytime drinking brigade could get. At least The Jury’s was reasonably quiet. He was alone now; the lunchtime customers had gone. Probably no one else would show up until evening. Nathan’s heart gave a little flutter when he thought about Auryn.

    A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 35

    It had been a long time since someone he really liked had said they wanted to see him again. Nathan had to remind himself he was the king of unrequited lust, and there was a good chance his bad luck would rain on this parade too. At first he thought Auryn had been flirting with him, but now after thinking about it too much he wasn’t sure.
    He would definitely ask Gary when he eventually woke up. At least the day had vastly improved thanks to Auryn’s visit. Although Nathan had been horrified afterward when he’d caught sight of his reflection in the bar mirrors. He’d had to come outside for a cigarette to calm down.
    Why did you always meet gorgeous people when you looked a mess? It had to be the one day he’d done nothing with his hair and was