Mid Week Tease: Get Your Flair On #MWTease

Happy Teasing Day!

Inspiration hits writers when we least expect it. That’s what happened to me this week.

I found the world of flair bartending while planning a cocktail event for the Hot Mojave Knights Reader weekend in September. During my research, I texted my favorite Jersey Girl and our conversation somehow turned to a certain leafy vegetable and hot fudge sundae toppings. LOL

My awesome girlfriend said how the leafy vegetable would make a great hero’s name and I took it and ran. Damn, I hope she didn’t want to use it. O.O

Anyway, here’s a brand new (unedited) scene from my WIP, The Passion of Us. It’s Alex and Miranda’s story and the second book in the McAvery’s Bar series. (BTW, Erin is a waitress at McAvery’s.)

Picture Source: Generation Flair - Eric Parker in the World Flair Competition

Alex slid a draft after draft down the bar to the group of young guys who stopped at the bar to watch the hockey game. He’d sent for a complementary sliders appetizer from the kitchen which were devoured before the plate hit the bar. The simple act of generosity resulted in seven cheeseburger deluxe orders and an additional hundred dollars to their bar bill. Alex’s feet ached but it was a small price to pay since it was turning out to be one of the better nights McAvery’s had had in a while. Erin, hoisting a tray of burgers to the bar was trailed by a guy with spiky blonde hair carrying a second burger order.

“This is my cousin I told you about,” she said as she served the burgers to the cheering crowd. The Rangers had just gained the lead over The Islanders.

Alex nodded. “That tray goes to the foursome on the other side.”

“You got it,” Spiky hair guy said and strode to the end of the crowded bar. Alex noticed he stopped at an empty table to grab a catsup bottle and salt and pepper shakers before serving the guests and returning to Alex’s side of the bar. “They want refills on their beers. Mind if I do it?”

Alex raised his eyebrows. So far this guy showed more brains and initiative than he’d seen out of his past three bartenders combined.  “Be my guest,” Alex said, waving his hand to the beer taps.

The younger guy ducked under the bar and pulled four beer mugs from the rack like he’d been working at McAvery’s for years. He poured each mug with the perfect amount of foam and served the group without spilling a drop. Alex watched him survey the bar in search of glasses in need of refilling and approached a group of women slipping on their coats. “Another round, ladies?”

“No thank you, we’ll pay our tab,” one of the women said.

“And here I was about to make my famous French martinis for you,” he said, taking their empty glasses from the bar.

“French, huh? Is it good?” another woman asked.

“The best. In fact my French martini won an award last summer in Providence.”

The group looked at each other and nodded in agreement “I think we can stay for another.”

He set out three martini glasses and pulled an opened bottle of vodka from its spot behind the bar. Palming the bottle, he tossed it up an inch or two and caught it. Before Alex could stop him, the bottle flew in the air, spun in an arc and landed perfectly in the spiky hair’s hand. The women whooped in whistled as he grabbed a metal martini shaker and juggled the bottle and shaker in one hand.

Alex stepped to his side and shot a smile to the women who appeared throughly pleased with the impromptu show. “What the fuck are you doing? That’s a forty dollar bottle of vodka,” he whispered, careful not to bump the man’s arm.

“It’s called flair, dude. The ladies love it.”

“I know what its called but we don’t flair here at McAvery’s. It’s not that kind of place.”

“No? You strike me as a good businessman. I think some entertainment could only increase your business.” The guy didn’t take his eye off the items as they whizzed in a circle through his fingers and over his head before he grabbed the shaker and caught the bottle inside the cup. A round of applause erupted from the bar. He poured the mixed drinks and topped each off with a pineapple juice floater. “Enjoy, ladies,” he said and posed for a picture before moving to Alex’s side. “Sorry sir, I just wanted to show you what I could do.”

Alex glanced around the bar. An energy he hadn’t felt since Hunter left surrounded him. “You have a name, flair boy?”

“Kale.”

“Kale? As in—“

“Kale as in Kale.”

Alex blinked and furrowed his brows. “Your mother named you after a head of lettuce?”

“You got a problem with that?” Kale asked, without missing a beat.

“Not at all. You got yourself a job, Kale. Welcome to McAvery’s.” Alex extended his hand, sealing the deal. McAvery’s had a new bartender.

 

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