Average Joe

Chapter 1

APV

Jose just stopped by Kate's and my apartment so excited I almost thought he had won the lottery. So close! He had just received a call from The Portland Place Gallery that he has been in talks with. They want to have him do a show for several weeks. If there was ever a time to celebrate, this would be it! We decided to go to this nice bar in Seattle where a friend's band will be playing soon. I will have to ask Kate the name of the place again. I can't seem to remember much lately if it doesn't involve school or books. I put on a pair of jeans, a blue halter top, and some strappy sandals. I place my long thick mane of brown mahogany hair in a high ponytail, and as I hate makeup, put on just a little mascara and lip gloss. Simple but attractive enough I guess. Kate is dressed similarly, but no matter: she looks like sex on legs no matter what she wears.

Jose holds the door for Kate and me, and of course Kate has instantly drawn attention to herself simply by existing. I'm used to it. Jose and I have even taken to betting how long it will take for the first guy to hit on her. I've won the last two times. Right away we notice the hot blond guy standing by the bar who just nods at Kate. She is a smitten kitten already. Without looking behind me, I reach in my pocket, grab a $20, and hand it behind me to Jose. Damn it! Jose laughs, and then tells me, "Thanks Steele! My new lady friends thank you for the drinks as well!"

I yell, "Cretan!" to his back, to be replied with the bird and a chuckle. Bastard! That was my drinking money. Well, I guess I will have to depend on the kindness of strangers. I head over to the bar, still smiling over Jose's victory, only to be offered my first drink by a tall, dark and handsome man in a Brooks Brothers suit, minus the tie.

"My name is Sam. Please have a seat..." As I sit, struck dumb by his dazzling smile, he hands me a beer. I'd prefer a nice wine, but I can't be picky. "Thanks Sam. It is very nice to meet you, I'm Ana." We shake hands and easily fall in to conversation. He is 25, single, works in high end real estate. He's never married, no kids, enjoys the water, dining out, music, spending an insane amount of money on his female companions and volunteering with the homeless. For some reason, I'm calling bullshit on the last two. What kind of guy gloats about his money? Jackass…Oh well. It's just a drink or two. Smile Steele!

"So what do you do Ana?"

"I'm finishing up my final year of college, and plan on working in publishing after my friend and I move to Seattle." I don't get further in our conversation as we are suddenly interrupted by who I guess is the bartender. Holy hell. Who is this guy? He is just breathtaking. Messy copper hair, intense grey eyes surrounded by the longest lashes I have ever seen. His body under that tight black t-shirt and blue jeans has me literally gawking. I must be struck deaf as well as dumb as I see this Adonis's mouth moving but hear no sound. I shake out of it in time to hear "May I get you anything else beautiful?" Oh God, I want that mouth on me. Wait. I was talking to, fuck, what's his name? Oh yes, Sam. I hate rudeness. Was the bartender just hitting on me? I'm so confused from my stupor. Why would he hit on you? Look at him! He can have any women he wants. Ugh, shut up brain! Speak! Say something!

"Miss? May I get you anything?" He prompts.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry. My brain and mouth synapses seem to have taken a little vacation." Oh he's smiling! At me! Cool Steele! Be cool. Smile back.

"Well in that case, anything you want, on the house in celebration of your brain/mouth synapses' safe return." Oh God, he's funny and sweet too. I think he may be perfect. I giggle as my infamous blush creeps up my neck into my face. I can't take my eyes off him. "What's your name?"

"I'm Ana. And you are?"

"I'm Chris. You look like you enjoy a good wine, Ana. Here, try this Chablis. However, in order to drink it, you will have to stop biting your bottom lip."

"Oh was I? I don't even realize I'm doing it. It's a bad habit."

"Personally Ana, I find it very attractive. But you really must stop doing that."

"Why's that?"

"Because I want to do it." He says matter of factly with a shit eating grin. And with that, I am smitten. Oh my, I can feel it in my toes. Please don't let this be a dream!

"Tell me what you do Ana, tell me about yourself" he prods.

"Well Chris, I'm finishing up school at WSU, plan on moving here to Seattle with my friend Kate-she's right over there!" We look over at her still huddled a breath away from Elliot, and chuckle. "Ok, she's busy right now, but that's my Kate!" We have a little laugh and then we discuss my plans for work after school, and some good publishing houses in the city. I guess it is true - ask a local for the best information.

"Well there's SIP, Parkside, and Grey Holdings I believe has a stake in the publishing market."

"I am interested in SIP, but Grey House? Are you serious? I would be so overwhelmed and insecure. I don't know anything about the Christian Grey, but from what I understand he's a douche. I heard he can be quite mean, especially to inept employees, and has a temper that has yet to see it's equal. Great head for business, but the personality just isn't there. I don't know…let me get through final exams and graduation first!" He smiles; I think more at my giggle than my opinions. "Have you worked here long? This is my first time here. A friend of Kate's and mine told us about this place. He's a musician, sings lead in the band Metal Minions? Funniest thing is they play more blues, and rock than metal"

"Yes, I've heard of them. I'll have to hear them play. I've worked here a couple of years, never saw them play here. We may have to change that. Would you come back here if they did?"

"I'd love too." And because I can flirt with the rest of them, I slowly look up at him through my lashes, and bite my lower lip.

I excuse myself to find Kate. I need her help. I find her in full on flirt mode with the surfer boy we saw before. Wow, Kate isn't making the rounds? That's strange for her. "Hi there, Ana baby! This is Elliot. Elliot, this is my best friend and roommate Ana."

"Hi Elliot, it's a pleasure…Kate, may I speak to you a minute? Alone?" I actually manage to mouth more that say the "alone" part.

Elliot, ever the gentleman, excuses himself, and heads over to the bar after shaking my hand. "Ana, are you ok? You look odd. What do you think of Elliot? He's a hottie, right? And he is so sweet. I swear he is the sweetest guy I have ever met. What's the deal with your guy? He looks cute, professional, like he has some money in the bank"

"He is. His name is Sam, he's in real estate. But that's not what I came to talk to you about. Did you see the bartender? Kate, all I did was look at him and I just felt funny, weird and more out of my element than I ever have. I've never felt like this before. What's wrong with me? I really don't know anything about him."

Kate laughs wholeheartedly and says, "Ana, relax. It's what happens when you make a connection with someone. It's called a spark. You have real chemistry with him. It doesn't happen often, but it's perfectly normal. But honey, I have to warn you, he's a bartender. They are not well known for being loyal boyfriend material. Just don't expect too much from him. Wait, are you thinking of giving him your cherry? It's about damn time Steele!"

"Kate! O–M-G! I don't even know him…but a girl can dream!" Our giggle fit is interrupted by Sam who is holding up mixed drinks for us. "Perfect timing, Elliot's heading back to you. He really seems like a decent guy Kate. Just please be careful. Now I need to find a way to ditch the professional for the blue collar bartender." I say as I give her an over the top wink before walking back over to Sam, who is now across from the bar with 3 other guys, all dressed similarly.

"Ana, let me introduce you to my friends Paul, Caleb, and Keith…guys, this beauty is Ana" As he hands me my new drink, I can't help but feel eight eyes boring into me like I'm a T-bone and they are four hungry dogs. "Come on Ana, drink up! Then we can do some body shots!" He seems to be pushing me to drink. The smirks, winks and elbow jabs don't go unnoticed by me. Maybe he has had too much, as he suddenly can't keep his hands off me and is trying to kiss my neck. I feel very uncomfortable and figure the quicker I have this drink, the quicker I can make my way back over to the bar and the sex on a stick bartender. Just as I'm about to drink it, I hear the sound of a nose breaking before I see it. "Chris! What are you doing?" I scream at him as I watch Sam's nose bleed profusely all over the wood floor.

"You low life piece of scum! I will personally make sure you never hurt another woman as long as you live." Elliot runs over just as I think Chris is going to start pounding Sam's face in again and grabs him by his arms, stopping him from rendering Sam unrecognizable. Instead Chris kneels down and says something calmly to Sam, still bleeding on the floor. I'm surprised when he actually starts to cry. Sam's "buddies" are sitting nearby, under some kind of citizen's arrest.

Chris takes the drink from my hand quietly as he orders some security guys to hold Sam and his buddies. The bar back hurried away to call the police. He then grabs my arm at the elbow and pulls me aside. "Do you really pay such little attention Ms. Steele? Do you have any idea the situation you nearly put yourself in?" Wow, he is furious. But aimed at me? What did I do? I don't know why, but I want to do everything in my power to please this man. The thought of failing him leaves me disappointed with myself.

"No Chris, I really don't know what is going on."

"Well let me be the one to inform you, that you were almost the victim of a roofie induced gang rape!" No. Oh no no no. This. Cant. Be. Happening. I can feel the bile rise in my throat as the reality of me waking up used, hurt, and stripped of my innocence, possibly beaten and not remembering a thing sinks into my conscience. There are too many people in line for the bathroom, so I run outside and empty my stomach of its contents on the side of the building. I feel my ponytail being held out of the line of fire and my back being lightly rubbed. Good old Kate. I can always count on her. Suddenly I realize she is leaning down asking how I am. So who…wait? Oh God, I am so embarrassed. I then hear Chris tell me its ok; he will take care of me, of everything. I am officially mortified. Please can I die now?

"Ana, are you ok? Please, what happened?" Chris helps me stand up straight, as my head is still swimming from the sudden nausea. "I was so frightened. Are you hurt? Did that bastard try to hurt you?" Kate asks as she is wiping my face down with a cool wet cloth.

Before I can respond, Elliot walks over with a glass of water and informs us. "Apparently, Chris here is a real hero. He saw that asshole put something in one of the drinks he ordered. Then, when he saw his buddies making lewd gestures behind your back and pushing you to drink more, he knew exactly what was going on." He looks over his shoulder at the sound of the approaching vehicles. "Oh good, the cops are here. I will make sure they get that drink as evidence. They may want to talk to you Ana. Maybe even you too Chris. Ana, Kate, are you ladies ok?" Kate nods yes as Elliot puts his arm around her shoulder. I just shakily drink some of the water Elliot gave me. I have not ignored the fact that Chris still has his hand on my back, and is keeping me close. As horrible as this situation is, I could get used to his attention.

The police come out with all four men in handcuffs. Did they just wink at me? Cocky sons of bitches! What a bunch of assholes. A paramedic gets Sam's nose to stop bleeding and sets it back in place, and then asks me if I need anything. I refuse treatment explaining I didn't drink any of it, that I'm just in shock. Chris shakes his hand, and thanks him and informs him that he will make sure I am taken care of. Turning to me he says, "I'll take you home. We can follow Kate and Elliot."

"Chris, that's very generous of you, but you don't need to do that. Kate and I can get home just fine. We don't live in Seattle yet and would hate for you to go out of your way..."

"Nonsense Ms. Steele. I'm not sure if you noticed but you are in no condition to drive, and as upset as Kate is, Elliot wouldn't let her drive either. Now please don't argue. We are taking you home. Do not argue with me. You will lose." He runs his knuckles along my cheek, and then proceeds to gently place a kiss on my forehead.

Without removing his hand from my lower back, he turns towards Elliot, and says, "Ms. Steele and I will ride in my car following you and Ms. Kavanagh in your truck. I'll have Taylor follow in Ms. Kavanaghs car, and then send him home in my R8. If you don't mind, I'll get a ride home with you."

"That sounds good to me, bro. Just let me grab Kate over there, she was just filling in Jose, and I will give Carrick a quick call once we get on the road."

Whoa. Did Elliot just call him bro? "I didn't realize you and Elliot were such good friends." And how the hell do you know my last name?!

"You could say that…"

"But we are actually brothers" Elliot says walking back over with Kate's hand in his.