The Devil's Backbone

9. Counting Stars

Lately I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep

Dreaming about the things that we could be

Jason

            “Jason can you clean that last corner table please? I know you’re already off shift.” Melissa called to me from behind the bar.

            My apron, which was barely off my head, slipped back into position and I picked up a wet rag and a bucket. Going to the table in the corner, I began to clean up, my mind slowly drifting towards other things. While I’d had better jobs, working here wasn’t all that bad. The work wasn’t difficult and it wasn’t anything new to me. Plus I got to see Harley every now and then and when the kids wanted take out, I got it free.

            “Ok I’m heading out for real this time.” I threw a smirk at Melissa then walked out the front door. The night was warm and the sky clear, the perfect night for a picnic, which was exactly where I was headed. Tonight I had a date.

Over the last couple of weeks, Harley and I had been on several secret night dates. It was mostly my idea to do them at night; Harley said she could sneak out and I didn’t want to draw attention to her by letting everyone know that she was dating the new guy. Not only was I new, I was also older than her. While it normally wouldn’t matter, age didn’t really matter with mates, but no one knew I was a werewolf and for the time being I wanted to keep it that way. It was one of the many topics that I wanted to discuss with her tonight.

            I unlocked the door to the motel to find three children jumping on the bed and having a pillow fight of all things. “Woah, woah, guys, what’s going on here?”

            They all stopped immediately, and Alice slowly stepped down off the bed. I could tell she was trying to look innocent, “How was work?”

            “Oh you know.” I came in and closed the door, “How was whatever you guys were doing?”

            They all started laughing, “Pretty good.” Joi and Adam jumped off of the bed and started cleaning up the pillows as Alice made her way towards me.

            “So, got a hot date tonight?” She wagged her eyebrows at me.

            “Yes I do, hold down the fort for me?”

            She pretended to bow, “As always.”

            I laughed, “Whatever, just have them in bed by 9 and you don’t stay up too late either.” I gave her a hug and grabbed the bag that I had packed before I left for work. Jumping back in the car, I headed towards Harley’s house. When I pulled up around the corner, Harley was leaning against a street light, wrapped in a giant blanket. When I approached her she walked towards the curb and bent down to lean into my window.

            “120 an hour, you in? I can show you a good time.” She winked seductively at me.