Roman and Seth didn't come by the bar the next night so she figured he had finally grown tired of her and had gotten what he wanted. It stung a bit inside but she didn't share that with Mark. Instead she just enjoyed a quiet evening hanging in the bar, talking with him, only drinking soda, until it was time to go home.
The next night she was back again, hanging in the bar as usual.
"Can I get a beer?" Someone suddenly asked.
She turned her head and looked at the newcomer. He hadn't been in there before. He was good looking and her eyes trailed down his body.
"Like what you see, strange lady?" He asked.
Her eyes went up again and met his.
"Very much," she answered.
He smirked.
"Not even embarrased about being caught in the act. I like that," he said.
"Why would I? That won't get me anywhere," she said.
"And where do you wanna go?" He asked.
"Right now, just a few steps closer to you," she said and went to stand next to him.
"Hi, I'm Zola," she said as she stopped.
"I'm Dean," he said.
"Nice to meet you Dean. Mind if I join you for a beer?" She asked.
"Not at all," he answered.
"Mark, a beer please," she called out.
Mark came over and put a beer in front of her. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it while sending her a do-not-do-it-look.
"Relax," she mouthed at him.
He let go of her hand and walked away again. She turned her focus back at Dean.
"So what brings you in here alone?" She asked.
"I was suppose to meet up with some friends. They're driving here from another town but there has been an accident on the freeway so they're running late," he answered.
"So you're all alone. Good thing you met me then," she said and laughed.
"And what about you? Why are you here alone?" He asked.
"I'm not. Mark is my best friend. I'm keeping him company whenever no one wants to get served," she answered and nodded towards Mark.
Dean's phone rang. He looked at it.
"Oh, that's my friends. Just gotta take this," he said.
She nodded and he answered the call. She listened to his side of the conversation.
"Hey guys. So how close are you? Oh, okay. No no, it's fine. I've found someone to keep me company. See you soon," he said and hung up.
"They're close?" She asked.
"An hour away," he answered.
"Gives us time for another round," she said and finished the beer.
A couple of beers and around 45 minutes later and they were still having a good time together. She was starting to feel a little tipsy and he was becoming some what interesting to her. He seemed to find her interesting too. His eyes were on her at all times.
"You're staring," she said as he once again almost ate her alive with his eyes.
"Can't help it. You're foxy," he said.
He reached his hand towards her and grabbed the edge of her jeans, pulling her close.
"You mind?" He asked.
"Not at all," she said and smiled.
His other hand went around her neck and he pulled her in to kiss her. She leaned her back up against the bar and wrapped her arms around him.
"Dean, what the hell are you doing?" A voice sounded.
She recognized the voice. They broke the kiss and both looked in the direction of the voice. It was Seth and he wasn't looking happy. Behind him Roman was standing with a hurtful look on his eyes.
"Well, I was having a good time until you interrupted us," Dean answered.
"These are your friends?" She asked.
"Yeah, you know them?" Dean asked.
"You can say that," she said and bursted out laughing.
It wasn't funny at all but she had no idea how else to react in the situation so she just laughed.
"Oh my, good thing we only kissed then," she said and stepped away from him.
She walked to the edge of the bar where Mark was waiting with an I-told-you-so-look in his eyes.
"For fuck's sake, Dean," Seth said.
"What did I do wrong?" Dean asked.
"You didn't do anything wrong. She did," Seth said.
Roman had already sat down. His eyes were glued to the table. Seth and Dean went over to him.
"What's wrong, big dog?" Dean asked.
"You just made out with his girl," Seth answered.
"Shit! That's the one you've been talking about?" Dean asked.
Roman nodded.
"Shit, I'm so sorry. I had no idea," Dean said.
"It's alright," Roman said.
"No, it's not," Dean said.
"What a bitch," Seth said.
"Don't, Seth," Roman said.
"I'm just saying..." Seth started but Roman cut him off.
"Just don't. I'm not in the mood," he said.
"God damn it, Zola, why do you always do this?" Mark asked.
"Do what?" She asked.
"Mess things up," he answered.
"It's in my nature," she said.
"Are you really that scared of being hurt that you choose to hurt people without any reason?" He asked.
"Works better that way," she answered.
"No, it doesn't. And you're hurt. I can see it," he said.
"Just shut up," she said.
"No, I won't. You need to wake up and realize that you're on a wrong path," he said.
"Fine, I messed up. Is that what you wanna hear?" She said.
"It's a start," he said.
She sighed and put some money on the counter.
"Send over three beers. Just tell them it's on the house or something," she said.
"That's not an apology," he said.
"Just do it," she said.
She left the bar to go to the bathroom. Mark went over to the table with three beers.
"On the house," he said as he put them down.
"Thanks," Dean said.
"You alright?" Mark asked Roman.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Roman answered.
"Look, I know she can be a bitch and right now she really is one but there's a good woman hidden inside of her," Mark said.
"We don't need to hear that right now," Seth said.
Roman raised his hand to stop Seth.
"And how do you bring out that good woman?" He asked.
"I see her all the time but sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who still gets to see her," Mark answered.
He left his words hanging in the air and returned to the bar. Shortly after she came back from the bathroom. Her eyes met Roman's. He still looked hurt.
"I can't take it. He looks like a child who has just been told that Christmas has been cancelled," she said to Mark.
"Give him a chance. Explain it to him," he said.
"No, that's none of his business. Besides, we hardly know each other," she said.
"It doesn't take many seconds to fall in love," he said.
"Please! This is not about love. This is about the bro code. I could have kissed any other guy in here and it wouldn't have mattered," she said.
"Just because you keep telling yourself lies, doesn't mean they'll turn into truths," he said.
"Stop being such a smart ass," she said.
She grabbed the folder with the list of songs to choose from. She looked through it till she found one that suited her mood and the situation. She pointed at it.
"And you still think you don't have feelings involved in this?" He asked.
"Just shut up and put it on," she said and walked towards the stage.
Roman looked up and caught her eyes as the song started.
The secret side of me, I never let you see
I keep it caged but I can't control it
So stay away from me, the beast is ugly
I feel the rage and I just can't hold it
It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls
It comes awake and I can't control it
Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
Roman got up and walked over to the bar. Her eyes followed him. He ordered three more beers and turned to watch her while Mark opened the beers and put them on the counter.
My secret side I keep hid under lock and key
I keep it caged but I can't control it
'Cause if I let him out he'll tear me up, break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
"It's a message for you," Mark said.
"I kind of figured," Roman said.
"She doesn't know how to talk about things so this is her way of trying to explain," Mark said.
It's hiding in the dark, it's teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart
No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream
Maybe it's inside of me, stop this monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I've gotta lose control, here's something radical
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
"What can I do?" Roman asked.
"I have no idea. If you're really interested, then put up a fight," Mark answered.
"Will I be able to win?" Roman asked.
"I'd like to think that someone will win one day. If it's you, I don't know, but I think you have a good chance. You're the first guy since..." Mark said, stopping himself.
"Since what?" Roman asked.
"You're the first guy in ages she's been with more than once," Mark answered and turned away to serve another customer.
Roman grabbed the beers and went back to the table. His eyes followed her as she left the stage and went back to the bar.
"What did you talk about?" She asked as Mark finally turned his attention towards her again.
"You already know," he answered.
She turned her head and looked at him. His eyes were still on her. She sent him a little smile but it didn't reach her eyes. Mark took her hand she she turned her head to look at him again.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
She sighed.
"Fine, I admit that I liked him a little and that I made a mistake. Too late to change it now," she said.
"I believe in second changes," he said and patted her hand.
"But I don't," she said.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," he said.
"I'm gonna go home now. My mood is down. See you tomorrow," she said.
"Bye honey," he said.
She walked pass the guys without looking at any of them. She didn't dare to meet their eyes. It wasn't until she reached the door, she turned her head and looked back. He was looking at her. He got up and she got scared. She hurried out of the door and ran as fast as she could.
Roman walked to the door. He just wanted to talk to her but she was already long gone when he got there. He sighed and turned to walk to the bar.
"Help me a little, Mark. What can I do?" He asked.
"Well, some things I can't give you the answer to but I can tell you she's coming back here tomorrow again. Maybe you should give your boys the night off and go sightseeing alone," Mark answered and smiled.
"I hear you," Roman said and smiled back. "Three more beers, please."