First Shot: A Serial (Shot Serial Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Thank You

  Also By

  Author Bio

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents depicted in this work are of the author’s imagination or have been used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locations, or events is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2014 Madison Stevens

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author.

  First Shot (A Serial)

  by

  Madison Stevens

  Jennifer thought she was living the good life with a stellar marketing job and a successful boyfriend. In just one horrible day, she loses both.

  She finds a potential light of hope after being dragged to a bar with an appropriate name, Bad Omen, owned by the brooding but ridiculously sexy Eric.

  Jennifer isn’t sure if giving into her instincts with such a tortured soul would be a salvation or make her wish she’d only been fired and dumped.

  Note: This is episode one of a serial.

  Chapter One

  Jennifer twisted the napkin between her fingers under the table. She tried to keep her hands in her lap because she knew how much the nervous habit bothered Charles.

  He was late.

  Not that it was anything new to her, but of all the days for him to be late, today had to be the worst. She took a deep breath and let go of the fabric in her lap. Getting herself worked up wouldn’t do any good.

  A lock of brown hair slipped in front of her face, and she tucked it behind her ear. It was annoying to deal with, but Charles liked her hair down and curled, so that’s the way she wore it. In the end, it was sometimes just easier to do as he asked and then listen to the needling comments.

  He was certainly good at those. It came as no surprise to most that he’d gone into business law. It suited him.

  Jennifer picked up her glass of red wine and took a large drink. It wasn’t her favorite, but she figured if she had a bottle of his favorite wine to break the news, it wouldn’t be so bad.

  She gasped when a waiter hurried past and bumped her arm, spilling part of the contents down the front of her cream-colored patron dress.

  She loved the dress. With the sleeveless arms, wide belt and lace top that went to her neck, it reminded her of something out of the 1950s.

  Jennifer glanced up to the stunned man and then back down to the growing stain.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” The waiter stumbled over his words, seemingly more startled than she had been. “I’ll get some club soda.”

  She glanced up as he raced off. The damage was done, and she was fairly sure there would be no getting the stain out.

  “Already getting tipsy?”

  She glanced up and found Charles standing over the table. Of course he would pick that moment to come in. His suit was still in perfect order from when he’d put it on that morning, and even the blond hair on his head seemed perfectly in place.

  That had been one of the things that had drawn her to him in the first place. He always seemed so calm and composed.

  She gave a small smile, which was met with a scowl. He could look so handsome, but when he scrunched his face up like that, the cut lines on his face became more severe. There was a harshness to it, and she wondered it that was something he learned to do in business school or if it had always been his way.

  “The waiter bumped me,” she said quietly and looked for the club soda.

  He frowned and sat across from her.

  “I hope you called for management,” he said firmly.

  Jennifer sighed. “Since it just happened, I thought I’d wait for the club soda.”

  His face grew dark, and she knew she’s been a bit clipped with him, but now wasn’t the time. She was tired, and it had been a long day.

  The waiter brought back a glass of club soda and napkin for her to dab out the spots.

  “Again,” he said. “I’m very sorry.”

  She nodded. Maybe if she had it dry cleaned, they would be able to get it out.

  For the first time she actually looked at the man. He was handsome. More so than she would have expected in a place like this. His dark hair matched his olive skin tone perfectly. Everything about him seemed chiseled to perfection.

  “I’d expect that the wine is on the house,” Charles said. His voice cut into her thoughts, and she wondered what it mattered. She was the one wearing it.

  “Of course,” the waiter said. She could see he was trying to sort out just what had happened.

  Charles flipped open the menu and ordered quickly for them both. She sighed and held up her hand.

  “Actually,” she said and looked at the menu. “I’d rather have the shrimp and pasta.”

  She closed her menu and passed it over to the waiter, catching Charles’s eye. He wasn’t pleased.

  Once the waiter had left the table, Charles leaned forward. He was silent for a long while, his eyes narrowed.

  “You know how much I hate that,” he finally said. “It’s just more efficient for us to order together.”

  Jennifer tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded. A nervous habit she was trying to break, but it didn’t seem like that was going to happen today.

  “I realize this, but—”

  “Well, if you realize it, this shouldn’t be an issue,” he snapped.

  She pressed her lips together and bit back what she wanted to say. It wouldn’t do any good at this point. He was just going to be mad, no matter what she said.

  The waiter placed their salads in front of them, and she gave a small smile. She hoped he hadn’t heard his ranting. Not that it mattered, but knowing that others saw her like this was almost worse.

  They silently started eating. She wondered if she should say something now and just get it over with, but the words were hard to get out. His moods could be impossible to get around.

  “This is exactly the problem,” he said, cutting into her thoughts.

  She stopped eating and placed her fork in her bowl. Did he already know?

  “What is?” she asked.

  Charles looked up at her. The sun was setting around them, casting a beautiful orange glow. It was so romantic, it moved her, despite the situation.

  “We just aren’t compatible,” he said and continued to eat. She watched in stunned silence as he shoveled a few more bites in before she could even open her mouth.

  “We aren’t?” she asked.

  Jennifer could feel her throat closing, and wondered if she could choke on that air in the room.

  He looked up to her before going on. “Don’t be so naive,” he said. “You can’t even follow a few simple requests.”

  Heat burned her face at his insult.

  “I’ve had a rough day,” she managed to get out, hoping he would somehow understand.

  Charles pinned her with an unsympathetic stare. “We all have.”

  The walls were closing in. She was sure of it. And maybe the oxygen in the room had been filtered out a little.

  “I think we should try seeing other people,” he said flatly.

  She felt her stomach churn and bubble. Jennifer jumped up, startling a few people around them as she banged her leg against the table.

  “I’ve got to use the restroom,” she said quietly.

  He fro
wned and gave a nod.

  “Hurry back. The food will be here soon,” he said and raised a brow. “Wouldn’t want to miss that pasta.”

  Jennifer nodded and turned. She raced to the bathroom, just barely making it to the toilet before losing her salad. She wiped her mouth and went to the mirror. As she stood over the sink and took deep breaths, she knew this was it. Today was going to go down as the worst day in history. Not only had she lost her job, but Charles was breaking up with her.

  She had to get out of here. Sitting through dinner would be like her own personal version of hell.

  Collecting herself, she stepped through the door into the hall.

  Jennifer glanced around for an exit. She jumped when the service door opened, and her waiter popped out. He seemed just as surprised to see her.

  “Are you feeling all right?” he asked and gave a small smile.

  She nodded but knew she had to look as bad as she felt. He gave her a once over, and then glanced around before looking back to her.

  “Do you need out?” he whispered. He nodded in the general direction of the dining room.

  Her eyes widened.

  “Not that I’m assuming,” he said and held up his hands. “But you just seem like you need a way out.”

  Her mouth ran dry. She did. She needed a way out, and this was it. Jennifer nodded.

  The waiter held open the door to the kitchen, and she stepped in. It was her first time seeing a kitchen like this. People running around, different smells and sounds. It was funny to think there was such a different world behind those doors.

  “This way,” he said and ushered her to the back.

  When they reached the back door, she turned and smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  For the second time, she was struck with how perfect his looks were. She wasn’t one to normally fixate on this sort of thing, but it was like being in the presence of a model.

  “Just wait,” he said and raced around the corner. When he returned, he was carrying a bag. “Dinner and dessert,” he said with a boyish grin that made him look even more handsome.

  She gave a smile and started to pull her purse out but stopped when he placed a hand on hers. “It’s on me,” he said. “You look like you’re having a rough day.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. This man, who had known her all of three seconds, could see that when her own boyfriend couldn’t. Maybe Charles was right after all. Things weren’t working between them.

  “Thank you,” she whispered again.

  He nodded and waved a hand. “Just come again sometime,” he said with a smile and winked. “Maybe with a better date.”

  Jennifer took her bag and made her way out the back. The air was fresh and crisp against her face. She needed something to focus on, and the biting cold might just be it. She both loved and hated that aspect of the blustery Christmas weather. At least the sun was still out, and she could warm herself under the rays for a bit longer.

  Still slightly dazed, she started the walk back. She guessed Charles would figure out sometime soon that she’d slipped out. He’d be livid. Or at least she hoped he would be. Maybe not after what he said though and despite herself, she cared.

  “See other people,” she mumbled. What did that even mean?

  She took a deep breath and let it out. It was clear what he’d meant, and it was also clear he had his other person in mind. Clara from the office, she guessed. Perfect in all ways. Jennifer already suspected something might have happened two months ago when he suddenly stopped showing any interest in her. He didn’t call as often, and when he did get a day off, it didn’t seem like he was interested in spending time with her. All he seemed to talk about was Clara and the office.

  Jennifer huffed and kicked at a stone. Two months she let this go on when she should have been the one ending it. But it hurt. To be rejected like that and made to feel like she wasn’t special enough. Maybe she wasn’t. He certainly hadn’t thought so, despite being together a year.

  A groan escaped her lips. No boyfriend was something she could deal with, but no job wasn’t something she’d be able to handle for long. Her parents would be coming in for Christmas soon and expected to hear all about how she was working her way up the chain at the private marketing firm. She had no idea what to even tell them.

  Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad, I’ve just been laid off!

  The job was her first position outside of school, and she’d flopped so bad that they suggested she reevaluate her choices in life. Not that she could blame them. They had a client they needed to satisfy, and she hadn’t wanted to do it. Spending all her time with scantily clad women wasn’t exactly something she was keen on, and to be honest, it pissed her off to the core. She’d done the research. Over half the drinkers of their vodka were women, and it didn’t make sense to pander to the lowest demographic.

  Her head throbbed as she thought about it and how angry they had all been. It didn’t matter at this point how right she had been. Now, she was without a job or even a prospect. She didn’t even know what she could do at this point. Everything had been in preparation to take on this position, and Charles had even put in a good word for her. Either way, she was ruined. Four years down the drain because she had to be right.

  Not that she’d change anything. She didn’t even know if she could have. Once an idea took over, that was it. It was just how the process worked for her. It had worked for her up until this point, but maybe she didn’t know anything. Her boss certainly thought as much.

  Jennifer was about to dwell on that thought when something launched her toward the ground. Her hands came up in front of her, and she winced as she hit the cold, hard earth.

  Slowly, she sat up and looked behind her. Long boards crossed the sidewalk. It was no wonder she had fallen. She glanced down at her scraped palms and hissed. Battered, but not broken, she’d live.

  Jennifer stood and looked down at the contents of her bag. The pasta and shrimp had made their escape during the fall and now lay open and dirty. She sighed. So much for comfort food. The small container was still intact, and she picked it up gingerly but grunted in pain when she put too much weight on her foot.

  “I’m so sorry,” a man said from behind her.

  She turned, fully expecting to give him a piece of her mind, but was surprised when, instead, he stooped to scoop up the noodles. His rusty red hair bobbed around as he tried to gather her things up.

  “What a waste,” he said and looked up to her.

  Silence filled the air as he stared at her in shock. She shifted under the weight of his stare. He stared at her as if he knew her, and the look made her squirm.

  “Looks like you’re pretty banged up as well,” he finally said.

  His pretty green eyes fell on her knees and then came back up to her. She stepped back when he jumped up quickly, his face stricken with panic.

  “You’re bleeding,” he said, pointing to her chest.

  Jennifer frowned and looked down. All she could see was mud and wine. She pointed to the red stain.

  “Red wine,” she said.

  His handsome features seemed to relax a little. “This is all my fault,” the man said and waved a hand at the boards.

  She stared at him with open interest. He was so honest. It was refreshing and welcome after the kind of day she had been having.

  “Why don’t you come inside?” He gestured to the stairs leading down to the entrance. The name sat just above. Bad Omen.

  Jennifer snorted. Either the day was getting to her, or this was a sign. She looked back to the smiling man. He seemed nice enough though, and she could really use the company.

  “Think they’d mind if I ate my dessert?” she asked.

  His smile grew as if she’s just said something really funny. “I’m sure they wouldn’t. Let me buy you a drink,” he said and stuck out his hand. “Name’s Patrick.”

  “Jennifer,” she said and took his leathered hand.

  With a little help,
she hobbled over to the steps. Bad Omen or not, she was eating her damn dessert. Even if it killed her. She took a deep breath and took the first step down on shaky feet.

  Chapter Two

  She flushed for about the millionth time. No matter how much she tried to keep her attention on Patrick, her gaze was drawn back to the corner of the room, the section where most of the lights were dim, and she could only just make out the sexiest man she’d ever seen.

  Their eyes locked several times from across the room, and each time she wondered if she might be doing something wrong. Only his eyes were truly visible to her. He seemed so focused, and that focus was a bit unnerving.

  She turned back around on her stool to the bar and took a few long drinks off her glass of wine. If she wasn’t careful, she’d find herself a bit tipsier than she intended. No dinner and only sweets wasn’t the best way to have wine.

  Jennifer examined the room again. She liked this place. It was quiet and had a more homey feel than anything she’d ever been. A pub. That’s what Patrick kept calling it, and she wondered what the difference was. There were beer taps and liquor bottles along the back shelf. Maybe it was all the dark shelves and pictures.

  “You seem to be doing better,” Patrick said, drawing her from her thoughts. He smiled, and she instantly felt better. Something about his charming ways set her at ease.

  She nodded and pushed the little carton away. “Nothing like a little bit of chocolate to make things right.”

  He grinned, but she couldn’t really enjoy the moment. The back of her head burned, and she knew Mr. Sexy was still watching her. Jennifer casually glanced back and found his hard stare. It made her shiver, and she wasn’t quite sure if it was fear or lust. Perhaps a bit of both.

  She swallowed hard and turned back around. Patrick had followed her line of sight and gave a nod to the dark-haired man in the back. Jennifer jumped when something clattered to the floor and turned just in time to see the man’s brooding form make its way across the room and into the back.