Needing You #2 - Wanting Him by T. Renee Fike

tell you anything.  You need to talk to Park,” he says looking anywhere but at me.
    “Great. Thanks anyways,” I say as I turn and head down the bar to help a customer. 
    Hopefully, serving customers can get my mind off of whatever Parker needs to tell me.  Though I know this is only wishful thinking.
    I glance down the bar and see Tucker and Harp in a heated discussion, most likely because Harp opened her mouth to me.  That’s what friends do though.  They watch out for each other.
    The next hour passes by quickly, thank goodness for a crowded bar.
    Harper keeps giving me apologetic looks.  I shake them off, no time to stress; I have no idea what Parker needs to talk to me about.
    Around 11:30 p.m. , I decide to take my break.  The band is still playing and the crowd is watching them, so we’re not as busy at the bar.
    “I’m going to take my break,” I tell Harper and Marcus as I make my way towards the side door.
    I head outside and enjoy the cool crisp air.  I need a break from everything.
    I look at my phone thinking I may have a message from Parker, but I don’t.  Nope, nothing.  I mean he knows I’m working, but still. 
    I sit down on one of the old crates to rest my feet, then shoot Parker a text.
                  Me- Hey babe, I miss you.
    I wait my entire break, never receiving a response. I want this night to be over; unfortunately I still have a little over two hours left.
    “Hey Natalie, how are you?” Cameron from Twisted Mafia says.
    “I’m good.  You guys on break?”
    “Yeah, just a short one.”
    “Okay, great set tonight.”
    “Thanks.  The fans seem to like it.”
    “They sure do.  You have quite a few fans tonight,” I say with a smile.
    “Yeah, it’s nice to see so many people come out to hear us.”
    “Well great job.  See ya around,” I say as I stand up from the crate I’m sitting on.
    “Thanks, hey Natalie, can I ask you something?” Cameron says stopping me.
    “Sure, what’s up?”
    “I was wondering if you would like to go out with me sometime, dinner or something?”
    “I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend,” I respond with a polite smile.
    “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize.”
    “No worries.  Have a good night.”
    “You too Natalie,” he says as I turn and head inside.
    T he bar is crazy busy so I bust my ass serving drinks, which in turn is making the time fly by.
    Before I know it , we announce last call and are now restocking the coolers.
    “Are you alright?” Harper all but whispers to me.
    “I’m fine.”
    “No, seriously, are you okay?” she says looking really worried.
    “Harp, I have no idea what he’s done.  I’m fine,” I tell her again.
    “If you need me , you can call me anytime,” she says looking serious.
    “Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be alright,” I say , trying to give her a real smile.
    The patrons are all told to leave.  We are almost done cleaning up.  I can’t wait to get home and crawl into bed, hoping to put this day behind me.
    After leaving the bar, I make the short drive home.  I’m thankful that Nora’s not home tonight, I need to figure out what the hell is going on with my boyfriend.
    I pull into the driveway and am surprised when I see Parker sitting on the steps.
    “Hey,” I say as I shut my car door.
    “Hey,” he says as he comes down the stairs and hugs me tightly.
    “What are you doing here?” I ask surprised.  He’s supposed to be on tour.
    “We need to talk,” he says all serious.
    “Come on,” I say as I head up the stairs toward my apartment.  I unlock the door and head inside with Parker in tow.
    “Does your manager know you’re here?” I ask before he gets the chance to say anything.
    “Yeah, he knows,” he says looking sorrowful.
    I take a seat on the couch, “What do you want to talk about?” I ask, hoping to get this conversation over with.  Sadly, my stomach is churning.  I don’t have a good feeling about this.
    “Fuck!  Nat…I don’t know how to