Forgiving Nancy (Last Hangman MC, #5)(36)

I walk into the kitchen, pour myself a cup and take a tentative sip before spitting it out in the sink instantly. Oh shit, that’s disgusting. I frown and run back upstairs quickly. I get dressed properly and make my way to Viv’s bar. I walk in and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes greets me. Thank God for Viv.

“Hey, Chica,” she shouts from behind the bar as I walk over to her.

“Hey, figured I’d stop by for some coffee.” I smile.

“Let me guess, you tried their coffee and noticed that mine was loads better and worth getting dressed for?” She chuckles.

“God yes, I don’t even know why I tried it when I’ve been here every morning. Need any help?”

“Nah, we’re pretty quiet in the mornings, but the evenings are getting tedious on my own behind the bar and well with this little one it’s not getting any easier.” She smiles as she rubs her baby bump fondly.

“Well if you’re hiring I’m looking for a job and I’d love to help you.” I smile. Please let her need someone. Please let her need someone. Please let her need someone.

“I didn’t know you were looking for a job. Are you planning on leaving?” she asks with a tone that’s full of attitude. She crosses her arms over her chest and raises her eyebrow at me, clearly not happy about the idea that I might leave them and Bennett. Not that I would ever leave Bennett, never again.

“No, I just need a place to live that’s not above the compound where Bennett can walk in whenever he pleases.” I roll my eyes.

“Is he doing your head in already?” She smirks.

“I wouldn’t say that, I just need some privacy and I know that with me being at the compound twenty four seven, there is no way I’ll ever get that. Callum had to actually threaten Bennett last night to get him to go home; he hasn’t been to his place since the night he brought me back from the cabin.”

“Seriously? He has it bad for you, Hon.”

“I know, he’s told me. I just need some time to get my head straight before I contemplate anything serious with him.” I sigh.

“I don’t blame you,” she says as she places a mug of coffee in front of me.

“Thanks, I just wish he would understand. He can be quite overwhelming at times.”

“He’s Bennett.” She chuckles.

“So true. Were you really serious about me working nights with you?” I ask tentatively.

“Nights and some afternoons, yes. I like you; you’re cool and you’re sweet. You need a job and I need a barmaid. It’s the perfect combination.” She grins widely at me. “When can you start?”

“When do you need me?”

“Oh yeah baby, when do you need her?” Aleck asks as he suddenly appears out of nowhere and sits on the stool next to me.

“I’m banging your brother,” Viv declares with a smirk.

“Oh now that’s f*cking gross.” Aleck groans as he physically shudders and makes a gagging noise.

“Payback’s a bitch. Coffee?”

“Please.” He smiles. “How’s it going?”

“I’m good, I have a new employee.” Viv smiles.

“Who?” Aleck asks before taking a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know why we bother having a coffee machine at the compound, that shit is disgusting.”

“You’re sat next to her and I have no idea; one of these days one of you guys will get sick from drinking that shit.”

“Way to go girl!” Aleck exclaims and holds his right hand up for a high five. “Why are you looking for a job? So desperate to leave us already?”

I shake my head and giggle. “No, why would you think that?”

“I don’t know, just thought you liked it at the compound.” He shrugs.

“I do, don’t get me wrong the place is great and you’ve all been amazing and I owe you all so much, especially Viv, but I just need some independence. I want a semblance of a normal life, I’ve never lived by myself, I want to experience that. It’s nice having all of you around making sure I’m okay, but in a way I feel like I’m still trapped? If that makes any sense?”

“It does.” I hear a male voice say. Oh shit, that wasn’t Aleck. I slowly turn around to see Bennett with a face like thunder behind me.

“Morning.” I smile sweetly at him.

“Yeah. Morning. Can we talk?” he asks, clearly pissed off with me.

“Uh, sure.” I take my mug with me and follow him outside. Before closing the door behind me, I turn quickly to Viv who shrugs with a confused expression on her face. “What’s up, Sugar Tits?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Why do you want to leave?” he asks bluntly, completely ignoring my hilarious nickname.

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Well it looks like you just got a job so you can make some money so you can leave.” He sounds so wounded, which makes me feel guilty.

“I’m just wanting to move out of the compound, that’s all.”

“Why? So I can’t be around you all the time?”

“Don’t do this, I really just need some privacy, I don’t feel like I have any at the compound. I’m stuck in the room all day because I feel awkward walking around and being around people I don’t know, there’s nothing for me to do there, I feel useless and slightly trapped.”