hghlndsbrtndr

[hghlndsbrtndr]

esmechenn·: 

“I never expected us to have the same taste in women. If things don’t work out with her, then I’d be glad to set you two up. Maybe then you can ride in her side car or even better, on the back of hers,” They teased, grinning from ear to ear. Esme quickly swiped right on the woman, trying her luck and watching as the bight blue “It’s a Match!” notification to popped up on her screen.

“This job doesn’t pay nearly as much as I would need for a bike. At least, not a good one.”

...

“I’m alright with that, can’t say I’m too picky,” he admitted with a laugh. He’d never had much of a ‘type’, if he liked someone he liked them, didn’t matter hair color or size, nothing of the sort. Of course, he hadn’t really liked anyone since his ex, and he didn’t think he’d ever like someone so much again. So maybe he did have a type. One specific person.

“That’s true, inn’it? We all deserve a raise for what we put up with here. Maybe she does have a sidecar.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

oflibbys​: 

“oh trust me, i get it. three years at chef clouds will show you things you never thought you’d see. it never ceases to amaze me just how childish some grown ass adult men can be. like, you have a whole family, what give you the right to be less behaved than your nine year old kid? absolutely nothing, and yet, here we are.” she shrugged, rolling her eyes with a bit of a dramatic flair. “sounds like a blast. that’s the one thing i miss about florida, the beach being just a few short hours away.” she grinned. “that’s it though, nothing else.”

...

“It’s concerning they’re raising kids,” Joel agreed, sure some people might say he could be a bit immature at times, and they wouldn’t be wrong --- but he was never rude to customer service, that was damn sure. “That does sound nice, but a few hours away? Isn’t the point of living in Florida to be able to step into sand in your backyard?” Finishing up her drink, he slid it across the bar with a chuckle. “I miss almost everything from back home, but don’t tell my mum. I can hear her ‘I told you so’ now.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

#i wish i was as happy as cameron is every time i do something stupid

[hghlndsbrtndr]

Ah, dating. Joel hadn’t dated in years. After his relationship with the woman he thought he’d marry fell apart, he gave up. He had a daughter to worry about, one who was too young to go through mother figures until he settled, and he would use the excuse of ‘I can’t break Sophie’s heart’ until it was unacceptable any longer. The truth was, he was the one afraid of getting heartbroken. Love was a dangerous game, one he’d rather steer clear of.

He couldn’t say he hadn’t used Tinder on occasion for a few hookups. That was it. He was clear with his intentions from the first line in his bio, and he didn’t use it often, but enough to recognize what Esme was doing on their phone. “Looks like someone I’d swipe right on,” he admitted, squinting at the phone. She had a motorcycle. Of course he’d swipe right. “Now, why would you need a side car when you can just get your own and join her?”

open to: anyone location: sitting on a bench outside the club during lunch

“No. Hard pass.”

They swiped left on yet another very beautiful person with what seemed like a good sense of humour on Tinder. Dating apps were a fun to Esme Chen. Swiping through nameless faces, engaging in conversations that typically would’ve never happened and escaping from her responsibilities with harmless flirting was fun. And it was becoming more of a game, a thing to pass the time, rather than a tool meant to help you find the elusive “the one.”

Leaning over to the other person, Esme excitedly showed them the profile of a woman sitting on, what seemed to be, her motorcycle. “What do you think? I mean, the bandana suits her, doesn’t it? Only red-flag is that there isn’t a little side car she can drive me around in.” It was a joke, but Esme’s expression remained serious, curious about their opinion.

[hghlndsbrtndr]

luvargas·: 

     EYEING THE LIQUOR ON DISPLAY, the tips of fingers lightly tap on her chin, lu thinking for another brief moment then finally answers, “ yeah, no, i think i’d just rather you surprise me, joel. ” she grins before holding back a yawn and spares a quick look around the fairly empty bar. “ and tell me a story while you’re at it. any story, i need to cleanse my ears of the wasp mom ones i’ve heard the past four hours. ” one of the things she liked about her job was how little time it left for the members to speak — often too out of breath and exhausted to talk to her — but more than a couple are stubborn, lazy with their workouts but diligent in testing her patience. “ literally, like, any story would do. and bartenders are supposed to have good chat or something, right ? we gotta make sure you’re not getting rusty on us. ”

...

“Alright, at least tell me how strong you want it. Are you hoping to leave here blackout drunk or buzzed or somewhere in-between?” He’d hate for her to be hungover the next morning if she wasn’t planning on it, and it be all his fault. “Alright, have I ever told you about the time I crashed my bike?” He asked, grabbing a bottle from the shelf behind him to spin in his hands for no reason other than to look cool. “I crashed on my bike. Broke a rib, got a concussion. That’s about it. All my exciting stories date back about six years, hard to live on the edge when you’ve got a little one depending on you to keep a roof over their head. I mean, I try, but it's hard.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

calvinmaxfield​: 

“that’s kind of endearing that you were able to forget, no matter how fleeting the moment was.” calvin smirked, the upturned corners of his lips an unlikely sight but a right of passage to some. “i’ll try to entertain as much as possible but unfortunately i left my clown shoes in my room.”  he shrugged. sometimes it was exhausting for him to be the person that he was. someone that people were so enchanted by, so naturally drawn too yet they feared him just the same. “you know what they say about guys with big feet. it’s a legacy as hard to fill as my big clown shoes. i’m just so naturally disappointing.”

...

“Shocked me too,” Joel allowed himself to chuckle now, stepping aside for a moment to top off the drink of someone two seats over waving him down. “Oh, fuck off,” he responded as he slid back over, whiskey returned to its shelf, “now you’re just being too hard on yourself.” It was impossible to tell if Calvin truly thought himself a disappointment or not, it probably wasn’t that deep, but the dad in him worried. “Almost makes me want to compliment you just to drown out the self hatred.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

oflibbys​: 

“i’m not gonna sit here and be an asshole to the person that’s handling my drinks now, am i?” she hummed, raising an eyebrow as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand, leaning forward slightly to observe. she wasn’t one to want to work behind the bar, she much preferred to be chummy with rich couples and their occasional families rather than drunks. however, she did admire the artistry behind it. “love it. you look like you have an idea cooking, am i allowed to ask? or is this one of those mystery things?”

...

“You’d be surprised,” he chuckled. As close as he’d come to wanting to, he’d never actually spit in anyone’s drink. Had to be the bigger person and all that. As much as it sucked to be the bigger person. “I always have an idea. I’m made of ‘em. You have to be creative when you have a six year old, they keep you on your toes.” He shot her a grin. “Malibu Sunset. Not super original, but it’ll make you feel like you’re on the beach.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

ofrockwood·: 

          it was easy, saying shit just to say shit in the hopes it’d garner a laugh. or an eye roll. or a ( dude, just shut up ). all three of those valid responses to whatever happened to spew from link’s mouth, which was a never ending waterfall of nonsense, sarcastic humor, & movie quotes all wrapped up into one. and yes, link would consider that a talent.  ❛ i meaaannn, ❜  he dragged the syllable, his tone high pitched & grating as he sung it in his falsetto.  ❛ i’m not the one who took it there, that was def all on you. ❜  his hands then flew up in weak defense, brows arching high past the curls on his forehead.  ❛ but to ease that dark turn, no. no kid was adopted into the family. if anything, karma would be more like an ugly step-brother from hell. ❜

...

“Makes me feel a little better,” he chuckled. “Sometimes that’s what having a real brother feels like too, you know? Well, I don’t know if you know. But man, they’re Hell themselves.” He loved his brother, he did. He was just joking around, had to give him a hard time, as if the guy could hear him right now. “Tell you what, I’ll try to make sure our friend Karma here follows me back to the bar and leaves you alone for the night. Might make this boring night a little more interesting, anyway.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

zaraoneil​: ​

“Oh no, did I eclipse you?” Zara gasped, “I’m so sorry.” She clutched her heart in a mock apology, “Probably because I color within the lines.” When with kids… The graffiti another story. “Any time you need me, I’m there! I love Sophie, you really did such a great job with her. You should be proud.” Refilling a water, she looked over, “Hey, the next time someone orders a cocktail do you think you could show me how to toss the shaker? I always drop it.” Embarrassing, much?

Joel let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. “’s fine, as long as she’s happy, I’m happy.” He’d always known he wanted to be a dad --- well, always dating back to maybe high school years --- but he never planned on being a single dad, nor for how hard it would be. Still, he wouldn’t trade it for the world. “I really appreciate it, Zara. She loves you too.” It warmed his heart to hear her say such nice things. Parenting felt a lot like constantly failing, no matter how hard he tried. It was nice to have some reassurance from people that knew his daughter the best. “Drop it? Are your hands dry?”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

He’d only come by because his daughter was demanding a very specific meal that he very specifically could not make himself. Joel wasn’t the most talented in the kitchen. Behind the bar? The man could mix up any drink that was asked of him. But at the stove? He could make a mean grilled cheese. That was about it. There were a few things he’d gotten down, but for the most part, a frozen meal was a safer bet. He was hoping to just get in and get out, go home after a long day and take these damn boots off. But how could he not help another desperate employee? “A free glass of water?” He repeated, stopping to lean against the hostess bar. “Well, how could I ever turn that down?”

open starter ! location: front of chef clouds

she was trapped - okay a bit dramatic, she was stuck at work behind the hostess stand. it didn’t help that she got her chair taken away because she wasn’t supposed to have it in the first place. it was her only way of hiding from customers and getting out of having to seat them. she leaned against the stand, her arms spread out in front on her, holding onto the corners of the stand. she watched as people walked past the entrance, searching for a familiar face in the crowd. perking up once she finally noticed someone, “ hey !  hey, yes, you ! ” she called out, flagging them down, “ can you pretend to be asking about reservations or the menu or something about restaurants … maybe how hard it is to spell ? ” she pleaded with wide eyes, “ i’ll get you a free glass of water. ”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

“…I was thinking too much about how I didn’t want you to go…I didn’t want to kiss you goodbye — that was the trouble — I wanted to kiss you good night — and there’s a lot of difference.”

— Ernest Hemingway, “Letter to Hash Richardson,” 23 December 1920 (via thequotejournals)

[hghlndsbrtndr]

ofrockwood·: 

          the other guy’s laughter was like music to link’s ears, glad his comedic timing could distract away from the hacking & near crying he succumbed to a short minute ago. link leaning into the humor a bit more when he said,  ❛ yeah, may i rest in reese’s pieces, yada yada. ❜  the curly haired boy then cleared his throat one final time, eventually finding the nerve to start the process of getting high all over again. following the man’s lead by bringing his joint to his lips & blowing out a ring of smoke right as the other exhaled his own.  ❛ karma & me are like siblings, dude. it got adopted into the family when i was like, five. ❜  and he shrugged, letting the bartender interpret that however he wanted.  ❛ i make sure to give it wedgies or swirlies every time it decides to follow me to work. ❜

...

Joel liked people like Link. They were just nonchalant, looking to have a good time (or calm down), and they were pretty good company. He felt at ease in his presence --- not that he had much trouble feeling at ease around people in general, but people that frequented the country club could sometimes be another breed. If you asked him. No one ever did. “Looks like you’re stuck with it now, then. Might stop following you if you weren’t such an arse to it. But what do I know, I’d just like to see someone give karma a swirlie.” On second thought... he paused. “Unless you’re referring to an actual kid that was adopted into your family, then that’s a little fucked up.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

andie--morales​: 

“Or no one has challenged you yet.” Andie retorted, but she knew that Joel’s skill was pretty great. He knew what he was doing, that’s for sure. “You got it!” Settling in her seat, she pulled her cell phone as he began to mix the drinks. Andie grinned at him, shrugging her shoulder. “My sweetest is why you love me.” She joked but her expression sobered as he began to speak about Sophie. Andie adored his little girl and whenever she babysat for him, it always ended up being such a joy for her. “That does suck; I’m sorry. I hope she has a better night  If you need a day to recoup or whatever, you know I’m always free to watch her. We always have fun together.”

...

“Aw, come on, now you’re just being mean,” he chuckled. “She’ll be alright. I told her she shouldn’t be watching Goosebumps. You don’t know how much it means to us, Andie.” He wasn’t one to get sappy, but having someone he could trust, especially a female figure in Sophie’s life... it was more than he could ask for. With Andie and Yara, he didn’t have to worry about her missing out on having women to look up to. He would paint her nails, braid her hair, take her shopping, but he could only fill that role so much. At her age, he thought it was good for her to have them around. “Thank you. If she keeps me up many more nights this week, I’ll gladly take you up on that offer.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

luvargas·: 

       THE TOUGH GIRL ACT TURNS ON without a moment’s pause, lu adding a little more swagger and gravity to her steps, but the cheeky grin plastered on her face betrays her. ‘ cause it’s big man joel himself behind the bar — pops of the town. “ now that i’d like to see, ” lu says teasing as she slides in the stool like an old fashioned cowboy, although the hop she took to get on it practically ruined the look. “ come on, big guy. i’m waiting. show me the waterworks. ” she adds, eyes scanning the rows and rows of bottles on the shelves. “ i just figured i’d keep you company. but since it sounds like you’re offering … i wouldn’t mind seeing some fancy shaking with flips and tosses. the whole snazzy bartender show. ”

Joel felt like he was the sore thumb of the country club --- as if his long hair, beard and general appearance wasn’t enough to make him stick out, the fact that almost all of the employees seemed to be a decade younger than him did the trick. At first it was a little uncomfortable, but he’d gotten used to it, even befriended some of the proclaimed youngins. “It’s a shame, seems I’m too exhausted to cry,” he joked, a grin cracking his more serious expression. “Better tell me what exactly you want me shaking, flipping and tossing or I’ll decide for you.”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

✧ — ⋆    𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 & 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 .

SOCIAL  MEDIA  PROMPTS .

send  📘  for  a  facebook  status  about  your  muse 

send  👻  for  a  snapchat  from  my  muse 

send  🐦  for  a  tweet  about  your  muse 

send  📸  for  an  instagram  post  about  your  muse

TEXTING  PROMPTS .

send  🍷  for  a  drunk  text  from  my  muse

send  😳  for  an  embarrassing  text  from  my  muse

send  💋  for  a  flirty  text  from  my  muse

send  😱  for  a  scared  text  from  my  muse

send  ✨  for  a  random  text  from  my  muse

send  😡  for  an  angry  text  from  my  muse

send  😬  for  a  worried  text  from  my  muse

send  😢  for  a  sad  text  from  my  muse

send  😁  for  a  happy  text  from  my  muse

send  💕  for  a  loving  text  from  my  muse

[hghlndsbrtndr]

oflibbys​: 

“make it two and you’ve got yourself a deal,” libby grinned, settling into one of the barstools and leaning against the other side. there was something about working for hours on end serving people who probably didn’t deserve it, and then going to spend money that had just been earned not an hour prior. it was a strange thing, but it was at least comforting, and made her feel almost like some of the people that she made fun of so frequently. a nice change of pace, she supposed. “you know what, you seem miserable and i’d hate to see you cry, you’re too pretty for that. let’s make it fun, and i’ll let you come up with the drink. anything you want, no requirements, have at it.” 

...

“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart?” It wasn’t every day that someone called him pretty, and it certainly wasn’t every day someone let him have complete creative control over what he was serving. He’d happily take it. Joel turned to the row of bottles behind him, trying to decide what he’d like to whip up. It as always fun to experiment with new things, but he’d like to know what he was giving someone tasted good too. That was the point. Pulling a bottle of rum from the shelf, he turned his attention back to Libby. “How d’ya feel about coconut?”

[hghlndsbrtndr]

Joel didn��t let just anyone watch his daughter. He had a select few people he could count on one hand he trusted to take care of his six year old when he needed a babysitter, which was more often now that it was summertime and school had let out. Zara happened to be one of those few, a coworker he knew would both keep her safe and make sure they had fun when they were together. And his daughter adored her. “Hey Z, I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he topped off someone’s glass before turning and smiling at her, “Sophie hung the picture you and her colored over my father’s day card on the refrigerator, so I guess I know where I stand now.”

@zaraoneil​