On the run

Seventeen

"Where'd he go?" I looked back to Alex's spot when I came back from locking up the back of the pub, shutting down the kitchen like I always did. It never took long but it did mean I couldn't keep an eye on Alex and make sure Dean wasn't harassing him. The pub was empty now, the sound of the playlist Dean created months ago playing quietly over the speakers.

"Not a clue. Just stood up, put the glass on the side and left." I rolled my eyes, pulling my bag a little tighter on my shoulder as I zipped up my coat. "I get what you mean about the iron fist thing. It doesn't suit him."

"Right?" Dean flicked off the back lights, joining me by the front door as he set the alarm. "I don't get the man. He's so hot and cold. Every time I think I know what he's going to do he pulls a 180."

"Like what?"

"Like tonight. He's so insistent on me 'being safe' and then disappears when it comes to closing? I don't know what to make of him and it's making me feel weird." Dean always walked me to my car. Every night since I got jumped in the car park in my first week. 2 men waiting for me to come out the pub. Luckily, I managed to get into my car before they got too close. I think at that time, I'd have been too panicked to do anything. I'd told him he didn't need to, that I was alright now but it was nice to have just a few extra minutes with him. The car park was to the side of the building, not a long walk, just a little out of view which I guess made Dean more concerned about everything.

"Weird how?"

"I have to know people. What to expect from them. Take you for example, I know you're gonna walk me to my car and tell me to text you when I'm in the flat or you won't sleep worried about me and you'll come looking for me with Harry and Gus. Then you're gonna get home yourself, pace for all of 30 seconds before calling me, at that point I'll have been in my flat less than 2 seconds, I'll still be locking the door and you'll sigh at me for stressing you out." He snickered. "I know what to expect. I know what you're going to do or if I don't, I know what the options are and I can plan around all of them. But with Alex-"

"He does stuff like this." We stopped at the entrance to the car park, looking over at my car under the streetlamp a few rows back. Alex leaned against the driver's side door, phone in hand lighting up his face.

"Exactly." My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. "This is what I don't understand. He left. Just left and then he's been out here? Not even saying to you that he was out here for me. What if you were giving me a lift or something? I don't know Dean." I sighed, crossing my arms. "This is stupid."

"What, that you like him?"

"No- I don-"

"Yeah you do. You wouldn't be tolerating any of this if you didn't Penny. I've seen guys falling over their feet for just one conversation with you. I've watched perfectly polite, kind young men come by the pub every day for a month just to try and get you on board and you be instantly agitated by how clingy they are. I've heard you talk about guys you'd gladly let take you home but you refused when I told you to leave early and they'd never be seen again. You have said yourself, to me, that dating and relationships and sex aren't worth the hassle. Yet here you are, fucking your boss who is now trying to give you an excessive pay rise, sitting in the pub whilst you work and is clearly wanting to make sure you get home safe. The Penny I've worked with for 3 and a half years would not be accepting this, she'd be going ballistic and not even speaking to him until he got the message. She wouldn't be sucking him off at work either." I scowled, looking back at Alex who was too distracted to even look up. "Admit you like him. Even just a little bit."

"He's my boss."

"And? You like who you like Penny. You've not had the chance to date since you started with me. I'm telling you, to take the pay rise, quit here, let me close it down, spend time with him. I can't sense a single red flag on the man." I huffed. "PENNY." He shouted, Alex immediately looking up from his phone at the two of us and I turned to face Dean, furious. He pushed on my arm and laughed. "I expect to see your notice tomorrow night." Dean turned around and walked in the direction of his house. "Night Pen!" I rolled my eyes, giving him the middle finger before walking up to Alex.