Claimed By Her Alpha by J.E. Cluney

1

Everly.

* * *

“You should get paid more for dealing with my crap.”

I sighed as I turned to the depressed drunk sitting at the bar as I took his empty glass.

“Now, Charles, that’s no way to talk. I enjoy chatting with you,” I said sweetly as I replaced his beer glass with one of water.

He sighed but then a soft smile of gratitude overtook his lips. He really wasn’t a hassle at all, although he’d been in every night this week. I felt bad for the old man, his scruffy gray beard and prominent crow’s feet making it evident that he’d been having it rough lately.

“I’m miserable, wish I could have some of your cheeriness,” he mumbled as he stared hard at his water glass, his gray hair falling into his eyes. He was in serious need of a haircut, and considering his jacket was old and stained, he could use with a new wardrobe too.

“Well, I’m sure it’ll rub off soon,” I said brightly and gave him a smile.

“You’re too good, Everly. You need to do something better than this bar work, go study or something,” he said, his words slurring as he slouched forward over his glass.

“I like my work here,” I stated simply as I got another gentleman a refill and sent him on his way. I focused back on Charles, my heart tugging for him.

“Hmm.” He pursed his lips together as he eyed his glass before tentatively sipping the water. I smiled softly at this. I wished things would get easier for him. I hated how he’d drink himself stupid here most nights, but I understood why.

“How’s Lisa?” I asked softly, and he let out a sigh as his expression dropped.

“Not good. They said the cancer came back. The treatment doesn’t seem to be working as well this time, and she’s so sick,” he mumbled, his lower lip trembling as he held his glass in both hands.

“I’m sorry, Charles,” I said softly as I reached out to rest a hand on his arm. He gave me a forced smile before it fell away.

“We knew it could happen. She’s so strong, y’know? But I’m…” his voice broke, and he clenched his jaw tight, unable to continue speaking.

“Hey, everything will be okay. Perhaps it’s time for you to go home and be with her. I’m sure she’d love your company,” I said sweetly, feeling sorry for his wife too. I knew he was taking this hard, but he needed to be there for her as well.

He sighed and nodded slowly. “You’re right. You always are. I know she needs me. I just hate seeing her so sick…” he murmured as he sniffled and blinked quickly.

“I’ll call you a cab, okay?” I said as I patted his arm, and he nodded.

“You’re a lifesaver, truly,” he said before sipping his water again.

I just moved to the end of the bar, nodding at Alex as he took over serving for me. We weren’t too busy yet. Charles always came in early and left while the night was still relatively young, with some coaxing. I just didn’t want him wasting whatever time he had left with Lisa. From the various conversations we’d had it sounded like she wouldn’t pull through this, hence why he was becoming a nightly regular. The whole situation pained me.

I called the cab and informed him, reminding him to keep sipping his water. They’d be here soon enough.

I spied some of my other regulars enter and sit down at a booth. I plastered on my cheery smile as I headed over to serve them.

Charles would be okay; I’d check back on him in a moment.

“Everly, a bit quiet tonight?” Ethan stated as I reached their table.

“It’s still early, give it time,” I said with my politest smile. Ethan and his friends came in every Thursday, and they always tipped me well. “Just a pitcher of the usual?” I asked.

“Yes please, we’re waiting on another friend tonight, he’s not from the area,” Ethan stated as he relaxed back in the seat.

“Well, I’ll bring an extra glass for him. Is he a work friend?” I asked as I glanced at the four men.

“Sort of, we met him through work,” Kyle said as he stared at his phone, looking rather concerned.

“Well, I’ll let you all know that tonight’s special is the house burger if you’re looking for something to eat too,” I stated as I held my pen at the ready to take down their food order.

The four men always tended to buy something to eat.

“Mm, sounds good,” Miles beamed at me, and I returned the smile.

Any other woman would be swooning considering how good looking all four of them were, and many nights they’d drawn eyes from the female patrons.

But I only thought of the four of them as friends. I felt like we were on good enough terms to call them such.

“We’ll order five of them,” Jayden spoke up. “With onion rings on the side too.”

I nodded as I jotted it down, and I went over the ingredients on the burger for Miles when he asked.

The four men gave off some serious alpha vibes, and they’d stepped in a number of times when I’d had unruly customers. Ethan was the only one who came in on other nights, being more local. From what I’d gathered, the others lived further away, but they always got together weekly to go over work-related stuff.

I still wasn’t too sure what sort of work they did, as getting a clear answer from them was like pulling teeth. But they were gentlemen, and they were valued customers now.

I strode off to hand the order to our cook as more people came in, and I knew tonight was going to be busy enough to keep the owner happy.

I returned to their booth with the glasses and pitcher of beer and set them down.

“Say, how’s Alex doing with this place anyway? I hear he may be thinking of selling?” Ethan asked.

“Yeah, I think he’s about ready to list the place. He reckons he’s getting too old to keep running a bar and grill. I just hope whoever buys it keeps the rest of us on,” I said as I spied April coming in for her shift. Alex and I managed the afternoon well on our own with Jimmy in the kitchen. But by the time five-thirty came, we had many folks coming in after their workday for a quick feed and drink. April was one of the handful of waitresses we had, and Callum would show up to help Jimmy in the kitchen.

“Do you know what he’s thinking of asking for it?” Ethan asked as he took a swig of his beer.

“No clue. Why, you interested?” I arched a brow at him. Ethan and his friends were easily men I could picture running businesses. They just seemed to have those qualities about them.

“Nah, not personally,” Ethan said quickly as he waved the idea off. “I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.”

“How’s things with you though?” Jayden asked. “Ben still giving you grief? You know we could say something to him if you want.”

I inwardly groaned at the mention of that wretched man’s name.

Frustratingly, he’d come in last Thursday and ripped into me in front of Alex and the guys. Thankfully, Alex and Ethan had kicked him out, and he’d been banned. Alex threatened to call the cops next time.

He hadn’t taken our break-up a few months ago all too well, and was still causing me grief.

Even today. I’d stuck my phone in my locker and knew I’d find it after work blown up with dozens of texts and calls.

I needed to get the restraining order sorted soon, as this was getting out of hand. I’d blocked him numerous times, but he just got a new phone or used a friends. I was lost on how to be rid of him for good.

“Everly?” Ethan spoke up, my gaze snapping to his dark stare. I knew he and his friends would help me if needed, but I could handle this on my own.

“It’s fine, trust me,” I lied as I gave them a bright, forced smile. “Yell out if you need me,” I said quickly as I hurried over to another table in my section.

As much as I loved them, I didn’t want them prying too much. They had good hearts, but this was my problem, not theirs.