She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The first time he'd seen her, she looked pure and innocent. Her waist length brown hair flowed and she walked. Only her ears were pierced back then…that was 3 years ago.

Her feet, normally clad in sandals or sneakers, were now adorned with black ankle booties, boot cut jeans replaced by high-waisted shorts. She wore a baseball style tee. Her hair was still waist length but was dyed a fiery red, it suited her. She was also covered ink and piercings. His girl had really grown.

The bar was fairly empty, just a few old guys. She was behind the bar. Her back was turned and he assumed she was taking stock.

"Shot of jack, mi Tesoro."

There was only one person who called her that. Her heart was racing. When he left 3 years ago, she thought he left because she looked to plain. So she changed everything. And honestly she loved it. And first she was unsure she would look right but once it was finished she knew she made the right choice. She was hoping with her new look he would want her…

She put down the pen and pad, grabbed 2 glasses and a bottle of jack and turned to face him. She set the glasses down, poured the shots, grabbed the closest one to her and downed it. And he did the same.

"Another?" she said in an angelic voice that has followed him for 3 years. He nodded.

She grabbed a rag to wipe down the bar top." So what are you doing here David?" she was the only one besides my ma who called me by my real name.

"Wanted a drink, thought id drop in to say hi."

"3 years David. It's been 3 since you just dropped in. so sorry if I don't believe you."

"Te estrano."

"no me jodas."

"I'm not I swear."

"That why you not flyin colors?"

"Yea. I thought if I came in here as normal as possible you would believe me, but I'm noticing 'normal' has a new meaning."

Jess can you take over?" she said as she walked out from behind the bar, bottle of jack in hand. "Follow me." she said and walked towards the booth farthest from the bar.

"Honey, I lost normal 5 piercings ago."

"I see that." I paused to take another look at her."I like it."

She smiled. "Well thanks for the approval asshole."

"So how many piercings do you have?"

"17."

"damn. What about tattoos?"

"Dear god, there are to many to count anymore. But I did just get my hands done."

She sat her hands down on the table closer tyo me. Ai I looked at her hands I started looking at her arms.

"whys that space empty?" she asked pointing at the inner part of my left forearm.

"its for my kids."

"that's cute baby."

We sat there talking for at least 2 hours. after about a n hour I had to get back hehind the bar. He just moved and we contuined talking.

"Hap?" a tall, blonde came through the door. " I thought that was your bike sitting out front."

"Sup, shithead."

"let me get a beer darling. So hap. This is were you've been hiding. Th blonde said as I set down his beer.

"problem?"

"nope, just wondering where you were."

"Declynn, these fellas bothering you?"

No, mister red, trust me I can handle there knucklehands," I said with a smile."just go back to the club. Im sure the girls are wondering where you ran off too."

"well holla if you need me."

"you bet, darling."

"what was that declynn?"

"hes the door guy for the strip club next door. I hired him when I bought the place. He watches over the girls. Guys tend to get handsy. So, mister red just protects them."

"Knuckleheads? Really?" he said with a smirk.

"I could have said cabeza de mierda, but I decided against it."

""haha very funny."

"I know." I said with a smile.

The blonde just stood there watching our interaction.

"Hey hun, your staring."

"oh sorry sweet heart. Its just….bro ive never seen you like this."

"your good, im declynn by the way but if you ask him im su riena."

"sorry I don't speak much Spanish. Whats that shit you said?"

"cabeza de mierda means shithead."

"what about the other one?"

"Ask him." I said before I walked to the other side of the bar to serve the new customers.

"so?"

"I aint telling you shit, asshole." I said as declynn walked back over to us.

"oh be nice… it not his fault hes stupid."

"yea be nice." The blonde said. Just as the words lef this mouth my hand came in contact with the back of his head.

"that means you too. I don't allow children in my bar."

"hey bosslady. It almost closing time. You 3 staying late?"

"LAST CALL!" she yelled."yea jess. Head on home. And can you pick up kayden for me? It might be a late one but ill be of to get him when im done."

"Sure thing mama."

"something you wanna share 'mama'?"

"uh… let me lock up and then ill answer your questions."

Twenty minutes passed. The last customer left and the doors were locked, but declynn stayed over by the door.

"declynn, come over here baby." He said in a soft voice.

She looked nervous as she walked over to the table. She sat down but never took her eyes off the ground.

"explain."

*mi Tesoro- my treasure

*te extrano- I miss you

*no me jodas- don't fuck with me

*su reina- his queen