It's been a long night, I think to myself as I pull one of the bar stools out to hop onto it. I remove my right shoe and rub my foot. Being on your feet all night is no joke.

"Hey Sparky, you killed it in tips tonight." Says Paul, the owner of the bar.

"Oh yeah? How much?" I ask.

"$426. Here ya go." He hands over my tips from the night and starts to walk away. "Oh, and Lucy, do you mind locking up tonight? I have to go pick my brother up from work."

"Sure thing Paul." I smile and put my shoe back on.

I just need to bus a few more tables and make sure everything is locked up. I do one last check to make sure that no one was so drunk that they have passed out in the bathroom during the night. All clear, I say to myself and sling my apron over Paul's office chair. Walking to the front of the bar I turn around and make sure everything is in order and shut the lights off. I unlock the door and step out into the misty spring weather and lock the door behind me. It's a fairly quiet night in town tonight. I mean, it is after 2am and mostly everyone has gone home and is asleep.

I only live about three blocks from the bar, so my walk home is fairly short. I've been working at the bar since I graduated from high school when I was 18 years old. Five years later here I am still bartending and waitressing for Paul. Every once in a while I get on stage and perform, but it's very rare.

Paul kind of took me in after I graduated and he's been my family ever since. I was all alone in this big world but still managed to finish high school. College didn't interest me so when I had met Paul and he offered me a job I couldn't say no. I met Paul from a Craigslist add. He was looking for a roommate and didn't want to end up having to move to a one bedroom just so he can afford it on his own. We clicked the minute we met and he's gay so I knew it wouldn't complicate things. He's a really good looking man but right now he's not looking for much. His boyfriend had died 2 months prior to me moving in, due to a rapid spreading cancer. Poor guy was a mess the first 2 years of me living with him. After the 2 years of living with him he decided to move into the apartment above the bar and it's only enough room for him so I got myself a studio apartment with a loft bedroom. Plenty for me and affordable.

Arriving at my building I climb the stairs to my apartment and go inside. Checking through the mail real quick, I set it on the island, and shut the lights off and walk up the stairs to my bedroom. I don't even change my clothes. I just kick my shoes off and climb into bed. Pulling the blankets up to my chin I quickly fall asleep.

************************************************

I wake up to my doorbell buzzing and I'm startled. I get out bed and run down the stairs to the door. I catch a glimpse of my reflection on the mirror and see that my makeup is smeared all over my face and my hair looks like it's been put through the ringer. Looking through the peep hole to see who it is, I notice it's just Paul.

Opening the door I yawn and he just invites himself in. "Lucy you look like a hot mess! Good thing I brought you coffee and a bagel. I think you need to go shower."

"Good morning to you too Paul!"

"Awe honey I'm sorry, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings or anything."

I give him a pouty look and walk toward my bathroom. I hear him chuckling as I turn the shower on. Walking out of the bathroom I run up the stairs to my room to get some clothes. I wonder what he has planned for us today since it's Sunday and we don't work.

Coming down the stairs I yell to him "ok I'm jumping in the shower."

"Alright sweet cheeks!"

After a few minutes or so Paul comes into the bathroom and sits on the stool to my make up table. He likes to make a habit of coming into the bathroom to talk while I'm showering.

"So how has it been having your brother in town?"
I ask breaking the silence.

"It's been awesome. I missed him."

Out of the five years that I've known Paul, I've never met his brother. Paul tells me they used to be pretty close, so it will be nice to finally meet him.

"So, uh, I told Zane that we would hang out with him today. Are you ok with that?" He asks.

"Of coarse. You know I'd like to meet him."

Paul and Zane had a huge falling out six to seven years ago over something stupid. Neither one of them would make up. One day I guilt tripped Paul into calling Zane to work things out. Zane was forgiving, Paul was forgiving and they both made a promise to talk more often and one day Zane called and said he wanted to move to Seattle, Washington to be close to Paul. I'm pretty certain that was one of the happiest days of Paul's life.

"Ok well you now need to leave the bathroom. I need to get out and get dressed." I say kicking Paul out.

Once I get out of the shower I dry off and sit down at my make up table. Running the brush through my waist long, dark brown, curly hair, I study my reflection in the mirror. I have some pretty big brown eyes with really long eye lashes, freckles that run across my cheeks and nose and dimples that accent my smile. I apply my eyeshadow, add a thin line of eyeliner and apply my mascara. I don't like to wear coverup because then it covers my freckles, but I do apply a slight streak of blush and throw on some lipgloss. I apply some gel to my hair to help with the frizz and walk out of the bathroom. Paul is sitting at the island eating his bagel and has mine on a plate for me.

"Much better Lucy! You look gorgeous as always." Paul smiles at me.

"Ha thanks. So what will we do today?"

"I was thinking of taking him to the waterfront, to walk around. Maybe take a ride on the Ferris wheel and grab some dinner."

"Sounds like fun! Hope he likes it too." I say.

We leave my apartment and drive over to where Zane lives. He's only about 10 minutes away from us. Paul turns into the lot to Zane's apartment. Once in park, he texts him to say we are here. I jump into the backseat so that Zane can sit up front with Paul, and Paul thanks for my gesture. Finally we see Zane walking toward Paul's car and I can't help but stare. He's gorgeous! He looks to be covered in tattoos from the neck down, well at least from the car/where I'm sitting.

"Holy tattoos!" I didn't mean to say out loud, but oops, I guess I did. Paul chuckles at my blunt comment and gives me the, don't think about it, look. I saunter back into my seat and pout, no use of checking Zane out any more, because well, Paul seemed to have put an end to that real quick.

"I can't believe how careless I am!" Paul says suddenly before Zane reaches the car. "Bad idea, Lucy. Do not fall for him. He's my brother, I love him, but he came here to get straightened out."

Zane opens the door a crack and says he's going to smoke a cigarette before getting in. His voice is deep like music straight to my heart. No Lucy stop! Paul obviously doesn't want you two to be a thing. Out of the corner of my eye I catch Paul rolling his eyes.

"That's one of the things he needs to stop. Drugs, cigarettes, sleeping around, booze is ok, but in moderation."

"Oh I didn't realize Paul. You never really told me much about him."

"I chose to push his faults aside. I want to give him the benefit of a doubt, but he's a true fuck up. With him being here though, there may be a chance I can save him."

"I get it Paul and I can help too."

"Lucy...just don't fall for him. He's a womanizer and you don't deserve that. If I were straight, you and I would make a good team." He winks and Zane opens the door and slinks into the passenger seat.

"You must be Lucy?" Zane says with a gorgeous smile, perfect white teeth and dimples that go on for miles.

Dammit Lucy! What are you doing? I shake my head yes, and turn to look out the window.

"Paul you didn't tell me, she was a shy one. We gotta break her out of her shell."

"Zane we talked about this. You are here to get straight, I will get you off drugs and I will make you a better person."

"I'm not some fucked up project Paul. I'm your fucking brother and I came here to have a relationship with you."

"You're not a project, as your brother, I want to help you. I love you and want to see you be the man I know you are."

I grin at Paul's sensitivity toward Zane. It's cute and Zane should be grateful Paul wants to help him. Paul starts the car and we head off toward the waterfront and the whole ride I catch Zane trying to peak at me. Everytime I look he hurries up and turns his head. This is going to be tough but we can do this.