Four months before...
Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Star Lite Bar was a tiny dive that was up the coast. Eddie was actually planning on riding his bike back to LA to his apartment that weekend, before stopping by for a cold beer. He arrived wearing an unbuttoned cranberry work shirt and jeans. He had sat at the bar, keeping his head down as he listened to the jukebox, and the occasional clack of pool balls from out back where the billiard tables were. He had ordered a beer, pretending to be paying attention to the television down the bar which was playing some football game. Two truck drivers sat on each side of him drinking their own beers, and cracking peanut shells.
That's when he saw her.
She was absolutely gorgeous. Wearing blue jeans, and a checker print halter top that was tied right below her breasts, revealing a flat tanned stomach. Her blond hair was pinned up, a pencil tucked behind her ear, as she carried a tray full of beers to a table full of bikers. Eddie found himself glancing at her, watching how her jeans tightly hugged her hips, and the pretty shade of purple eyeshadow she wore. Not even realizing he was doing it, Eddie licked his lips, feeling himself getting extremely turned on. He watched as she leaned over, showing plenty of cleavage as she passed out the bottles of beers, when one of the bikers grinned, before smacking her ass hard. He watched the instant discomfort flash before her face, her smile disappearing, before the men around the table all roared with laughter. He saw she was pissed, but sadly used to this kind of behavior.
She straightened herself up, standing, before the birker smiled, looking her up and down, undressing her with his eyes. Eddie felt a surge of jealousy boil over him, before he watched her quickly tuck the tray under her arm and hurry towards the billiard area. The biker, clearly very drunk, pushed his chair back, and followed her. Eddie sighed, sensing what was about to happen and reached into his pocket, tossing down a few crumpled up bills, before taking a final swing of his beer, and following them. The bar was crowded, and cigarette smoke floated in the air, as his eyes narrowed and saw what was happening. The girl was trying to make it towards the booths up against the wall to take other customer's orders, when the biker walked up behind her, roughly grabbing her arm, and spinning her around towards him.
"Say, don't you want to dance little lady?"
The girl glared at him, and tried to yank her arm back.
"No thanks..."
"Come on...you don't think you're better than me do you sweet stuff?"
Eddie walked right behind the biker, before tapping him on his shoulder.
Turning, the biker looked at him. Eddie stayed calm.
"The lady would like you to let go of her arm."
"Who the Hell are you? Her boyfriend?! Besides, I'm sure she likes it a little rough...don't you sweet..."
Before he could finish his sentence and turn completely around, Eddie grabbed the Biker's free hand, and gently squeezed. To anyone watching, he appeared to just be gently squeezing his hand, when in reality he was using his strength, and even under the loud music playing inside, he could hear the faint cracking and snapping of his hand bones. The biker's eyes widened, and before he could cry out, Eddie came in close, locking eyes with him.
"Now...you're going to let go, and apologize. Pay your bill...tip her well, and leave...understand?"
The biker began sweating, before he slowly nodded. Releasing him, the biker stumbled for a second, quickly holding his wounded hand. He eyed his friends who were all totally unaware of what was happening from across the way. He looked ready to say something, when two police officers came walking in, both taking a seat at the bar. Glaring at him, the biker mumbled something before quickly hurrying back to his friends. Eddie and the girl turned watching as the biker, still holding his hand said something to his friends who all looked confused. They looked in their direction, before they all got up, tossing money down, eyeing the two police officers, before glaring back at them, and all leaving together. Eddie smirked, before the girl took a step closer, her perfume smelled sweet...like cherries.
"Thanks..."
She said standing partly behind him. Eddie raised an eyebrow before slowly turning back towards her. Standing this close, he saw she had the most beautiful set of light blue eyes, even under the dim red lights from above. She smiled up at him, even wearing her boots, he still stood a few inches taller than her. "Don't mention it." She smiled, rolling her eyes.
"These jerks come in all the time and hassle us girls. Larry, our boss doesn't really care since they bring such great business...great place huh?"
Eddie closely studied her eyes, feeling a new hunger take over him. He smiled.
"Eddie Quist."
"Gretchen Miller."
Both smiled at each other, before Gretchen glanced up at the clock on the wall.
"I think my fifteen minute break just came up...can I buy you a beer?"
Eddie smirked.
"It would be my pleasure."
Smiling, they continued staring deeply into each other's eyes.