Chapter Text
ALWAYS BE MY BABY
Vinyl
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“Please, Dolly. Not today. I beg of you! I can not be late for my shift again. I will get fired this time.” She pleaded.
Penelope slammed her closed fist against the steering wheel of her classic burnt red 1971 convertible Volkswagen Beetle, Dolly.
It was love at first sight for Penelope. The moment she laid eyes on her it was meant to be. At heart, Penelope was a disco loving, bell bottoms wearing, big feathered hair, rocker glasses- kind of girl, born in the wrong decade.
She banged her forehead on the steering wheel and gave the key in the ignition another turn. Whispering sweetly to her beloved car. Trying to butter her up. “Come on baby, please!”
The engine was slow to turn over at first. But with a few pumps of the accelerator pedal, the car finally fired up. Not without a few loud sputters and some engine rattling.
“Yes!” Penelope yelled at the top of her lungs with her hands thrown in the air. Kissing the steering wheel. “Thank you Dolly!”
She took a quick glance at the clock and did the quick math in her head. If she rolled past a few stop signs and went a little over the speed limit, she might still make it to work in time. Surely her boss wouldn't fire her if she was a minute or two late.
The Ivy Lodge in Aberdeen was not her dream job. She was still undecided where she saw herself as an adult. Though technically, she already was. Twenty four, turning twenty five next month and still undecided. But she was okay with that for now.
She left London at eighteen and never looked back. Leaving behind a family and lifestyle she never fit in with. Never understood. It wasn't easy. Everyday was a struggle to make ends meet. Adulting was a fucking grind. So much harder than she was led to believe. But her freedom, peace of mind, and staying true to herself. It was all worth it.
At first she almost gave up. Starting over in a new place with no one. No money. No job. No home. She thought she was familiar and comfortable being alone. She lived her life under a roof with four other humans and felt alone everyday.
But being out in the real world was a culture shock once the security band aid was ripped off. A desperate late night phone call with her mother almost tipped her over the edge. Tears streaming down her cheeks, while her mother begged her to come back. She was exhausted and worn down. Feeling hopeless and unprepared. If she didn't hang up the phone when she did, she was two minutes away from throwing the towel in and booking a ticket back home.
Fast forward six years later, she was eternally grateful for listening to her own gut. Trusting her own heart and intuition. For refusing the money from her mother to purchase a ticket back home to London.
Scotland, Aberdeen. That was home now. And she had no plans on changing that.
Penelope pulled Dolly up to the curb and threw her into park. Slamming the wonky heavy metal door closed and running into the building as fast as she could in her platform shoes. “I'm here. I'm here. I made it on time.” She shouted.
Her manager Oliver cocked his head and looked down at his wrist watch. “Actually, you are two minutes late.”
Penelope shrugged off her faux fur lined suede brown coat and tossed it behind the bar with her black oversize hobo bag. She ran her hands through her feathered strawberry blonde hair and adjusted her geometric rose tinted glasses.
“I think you need to get your eyes checked Ollie. Dolly's clock is never wrong. I had to run a few stop signs and break a few laws to get here on time. Where's the appreciation for my commitment to the job?"
Oliver rolled his eyes at her. “Get to work Penelope. It's been a night and it doesn't seem to be letting up. I'm sure Gen would love your help."
The Ivy was bustling with people. A little more than average for a Thursday night. There seemed to be a group of people congregated in one corner of the bar, celebrating a special occasion. The large group consisted mainly of males with a few females trying to flirt their way into having drinks bought for them.
Penelope also noticed a few regulars set up in the bar as well. In particular, one female who Penelope was not fond of. The girl, Cressida, was unpleasant and foul. There were a couple times she had to be physically removed from the bar for her drunken behavior and picking fights with the staff and other customers.
She did not understand why Cressida was permitted to return after her repeated behavior. Perhaps it was her family's wealth and the money she spent every weekend at the bar. She was also friends with one of the bartenders, Marina. But the way she treated the rest of the staff and members of her party or friends, Penelope didn't agree with her being allowed in the establishment. So she avoided pissing her off at all costs.
She was in the middle of taking someone's order at the bar when a man walked over and rudely interrupted her. “I need a round for my friends in the corner Blondie. Stat.”
Penelope hated being called blondie. She gave him a friendly customers are always right smile. “Just a minute sir. Let me finish serving this gentleman and then I will be right with you. I promise.”
The man began to crawl on top of the counter and jumped behind the bar. Almost tripping and taking out the bourbon bottles with him. Then proceeded to help himself to a couple bottles of high end whiskey and glasses from the back shelf.
Penelope turned to the man and began yelling. Pulling the bottles from his sweaty drunken hands. “What the hell are you doing back here? Do you have no manners? No patience?"
When the man went to lunge back at her to grab the bottles, another man came flying over the bar to restrain him. Pulling him backwards and restraining him. "Fife, what the fuck!"
Penelope couldn't help but notice how extremely handsome the man was. If she was to guess, she would put him in his early to mid thirties. Dark hair and grey eyes. Tall and built like a god. His smile and dimples would definitely break hearts.
“I am so sorry about my friend. We have been out working for the last two weeks. Our group has been bar hopping for the last couple hours trying to burn off steam. I apologize for him. I will personally keep him in check so he doesn't act out again.”
Penelope looked up at the man and back down to the drunken fool he was holding up and conceded. She huffed. “Fine. Who is going to be paying for these bottles?”
The man gave her a wicked smile and winked. “Please add it to mine. It's my best friend's birthday and we are celebrating him tonight. He deserves the best.” He began to pull his wallet out of his back pocket. Searching for his card.
“And your name?” She asked with a genuine smile on her face.
“His name is Michael Sterling.” A voice spoke out from the other side of the bar. “And don't let that obnoxious goofy smile fool you. Superman over here is a fucking goon and is in love with my little sister.”
Penelope's jaw almost hit the floor. Where the hell did all these extremely hot men fall from? Was there a full moon tonight and they all came out in droves to the Ivy for drinks.
Michael shot daggers at the other man. Putting his card back into his wallet. “I am retracting my offer to buy his drinks. Run his damn card. He can buy his own fucking birthday drinks. You prick.”
The way the man's blue eyes lit up when he laughed made her knees weak.
The two men bantered back and forth with each other while Michael escorted his drunken friend back to the other side of the bar.
“I just need to know who is paying for these bottles.” Penelope said.
Cress, the tall lanky blonde stood from her table and strutted up to the bar. “You can put it on my card. Consider it a birthday present for the handsome British man.”
The man stuck his hand out to shake hers. “Thank you, but-” He started to say before she stopped him.
“I'm Cressida, but I go by Cress. And you are?”
“Colin." He replied and shook her hand. "You should come have a drink with the rest of us.” It was the least he could do after she paid for their groups expensive bottles.
Cressida was instantly flattered with the invitation and flashed him a giant toothy smile while batting her eyelashes at him.
Penelope rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh at Cressida's performance as she turned back around. She shrugged her shoulders and began to add the bottles to Cressida's card. As long as someone was paying for the alcohol it wasn't her problem. She didn't care.
“I saw that.”
Penelope's eyes went wide as she spun back around. Faking innocence with her angelic voice. “Saw what?”
The blue eyed birthday boy was pressed up against the counter. Forearms stretched out in front of him. “It wasn't hard to miss that eye roll. You have very expressive eyes. Even under those glasses. And I heard that snicker. There is a story there. You want to fill me in?”
“Nope." She shook her head. "Nothing to tell. You didn't see anything.”
Colin changed the subject. “I didn't catch your name.”
That was a lie. He noticed her the second she burst through the door, late for her shift. Arguing with the manager over being two minutes late.
His eyes fell on her immediately. The big poofy reddish blonde hair. Large gold rimmed and rose colored glasses. Her outfit more than anything caught his attention. It wasn't over the top until she took off the faux fur lapel suede jacket. Underneath, a matching two piece floral outfit. Crop top and bell bottoms. Platform shoes. Straight out of the seventies, Colin thought to himself. It drew him in and he wanted to know more about her.
Her curves were insane. Large tear drop shape breasts holding on for dear life under the crop top that tied at the bottom of her sternum. The flare of her bell bottoms mimicked the curve of her hips and ass. Her skin was a milky cream color.
His eyes quickly scanned over the exposed skin of her chest, arms, back, abdomen. Checking for tattoos and piercings. He spotted a few earrings and no visible tattoos at this point.
With the rose color of her glasses and her voluminous lashes it was hard to tell what color her eyes really were. But they looked light. He was guessing some sort of blue color.
Colin thought she looked like a breath of fresh air in this drab world. Where everything was turning modern, sleek, cold. Cars were all black, white, and grey. Buildings were all being turned into concrete and glass structures. It seemed the industrial part of the world was taking over. The beauty and originality rapidly fading away.
Then burst in this flower child. He couldn't help but stare at her from the other side of the room. When the manager called out her name, it fit her perfectly. It was whimsy, beautiful, feminine, and a little flirty. She was giving off seventies wild child hippie vibes and he was into it.
Michael must have sensed his small infatuation with the girl. And like the asshole he was, jumped in right away to flirt with the girl. Just to piss Colin off.
But, Colin wasn't going to let him get away with that so easily. He knew Michael's soft spot. His newly single sister, Frannie. And he wasn't afraid to use it against him.
Penelope was accustomed to the different kinds of men who came into the bars late at night. Aberdeen being the largest port city in Scotland, she witnesses all types of men and workers from different ships and vessels in the industry.
Workers and crews who had been out at sea for weeks, even months at a time. Wanting to blow off steam and flirt with the local barmaids. Ones looking for a random hook up before they headed home or back out to sea.
Penelope learned quickly that she was not getting involved with anyone in the port or industrial industry. That, and a man in a uniform. Those two types of guys were off limits. She was not about to have her heart broken or trampled on by someone passing through, looking for a good time. She was not that kind of girl. Not now. Not ever.
She heard enough stories from other local barmaids. Hell, even her own grandmother was a barmaid and had versions of her own stories of men in the war. Footsteps that she did not want to follow.
And from what she could tell, the group of gentlemen partying at the bar tonight were just that. Workers coming into port after weeks away. Blowing off steam. Looking for a good time. Picking up whatever girl would give them the time of day or attention they so badly craved.
“I’m Penelope. Let me know if you need anything else tonight.” She turned back around to continue putting the bottles on Cressida's card. She was too busy soaking up all the attention from the drunken group.
Colin was a little hurt to say the least. He was always known for being the charmer. He had a way with words and ladies seemed to swoon over him.
But come to think of it, he couldn't remember the last time he approached a girl and tried to flirt with her.
Everything these days were online dating and dating apps. Work kept him so busy. Traveling from London to Scotland twice a month. Plus all the traveling and moving while he was working. He didn't have time for dating.
Colin couldn't complain though. Traveling the world for work was a dream job for him. Something he saw himself doing as a young child. He chalked it up to living in a household with eight siblings and having no privacy. No quiet or space of his own. Nothing shared or passed down. A little bit of peace and tranquility.
Traveling gave him the opportunity to step away from the family. To have the time to become an individual and not one child of eight. The third son.
His parents though, they set the bar high as far as his expectations for love. Colin witnessed true friendship and a deep understanding of what selfless love looked like with their marriage. One day if he was lucky he was hoping he would follow in their footsteps. But for now, work was his love.
He worked alongside his questionable, at the moment, best friend.
Michael was a Scotsman. Much like Colin, a charmer and someone who loved to travel. He met him through his sister Frannie. Who at the time was dating Michael's sister, Johanna. She ended that relationship recently, and Michael, in a drunken stupor, confessed to Colin his feelings for Fran.
Colin was still trying to figure out how to get Penelope to say more than two words to him. "I'd love to buy you a shot."
She spun back around and leaned back against the opposite counter. "I'm working."
Another two word answer. He couldn't win with this girl. "Please. It's my birthday. You really won't have one shot with me?" He bit his lip and gave her the puppy dog head tilt. Hoping any one of his tricks or charms would stick and make her crack.
"And then what?" She pushed off the counter. "You want me to jump up on this bar and sing you Happy Birthday and do a little dance?"
Oh he really liked her now. "Well if you are offering. I would not be opposed to it. In fact, it would be the most memorable gift anyone has given me to date. You would be a hero. A legend."
Penelope lifted her glasses and pushed them back into her hair. "This isn't that kind of bar and I am not that kind of girl." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and her eyes narrowed in on him. "And aren't you a little old to want people to sing you happy birthday?"
Colin mocked offense. Pretending that her age comment was a blown to the chest. "That was a low blow."
Colin caught the first glimpse of her striking sea blue eyes. The way he could see the light shift when her smile was genuine and not something fake for customers. He bit down hard on the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling.
Penelope could see how hard the guy was trying to flirt with her. The way his eyes glanced one too many times down at her cleavage. Again, she was not about to drop her boundaries. Even if he was one of the most charming and sexiest men who had stepped foot in this bar.
Looks alone were not going to make her crack.
Michael was enjoying the show from a few feet away. Watching Colin strike out repeatedly. Making a fool of himself. While at the same time, it was almost hard to stomach. The petite redhead was making him really work for it. And Colin was pulling out the big guns trying to get her to pay any attention to him. He approached the counter and gave the barmaid a dashing smile.
Penelope immediately liked Michael. She could tell that he was not genuinely interested in her, he was most likely a notorious flirt and knew it. Funny and charismatic.
She leaned over the bar to get closer to him. “Can I get you something, handsome?”
Colin audibly growled at him. There was no way Michael was even remotely interested in Penelope. He was in love with Frannie for fucks sake. His best friend was intentionally sabotaging him. And on his birthday of all days. Why was Penelope so friendly with Michael and not him?
“Extra salt and lime if you have it, love.”
“Of course.” Penelope replied, and began fetching the items he requested.
Colin groaned and gave Michael the look. “What the hell asshole?”
Michael clapped him on the shoulder. “You are trying too hard mate." His voice intentionally got a little louder. "And you are probably not her type. She must only like younger, good looking guys.”
Penelope smiled and laughed. Handing Michael a bowl of limes and salt. Her eyes briefly looked in Colin's direction and then back down before she walked to the opposite end of the bar. Helping another customer.
Michael burst into laughter. “Come on, she's not interested bro. You gave it your best shot. And speaking of shot- let's get you another. It might help take that taste of humiliation and rejection out of your mouth."
He dragged Colin back to their group of friends and poured him another shot. It was his birthday celebration afterall. He wanted him to let loose and have fun. Even if Colin couldn't get the girl.
They stayed at the Ivy for a little over an hour. Colin's eyes kept drifting back to the bar, looking for the hippie barmaid. She barely noticed he was there. Too busy running around helping other customers.
Once the group was done at the bar and ready to hit their next destination, they hollered goodbye and made their way out the door. Michael was back at the bar, tipping the staff, when Colin came up to shoot his last shot with Penelope. A final hail Mary.
“If you aren't busy later we are heading down the street to the next bar. I would love for you to join us and continue celebrating.”
Penelope tilted her head. “Oh. That's sweet. I'm closing, so I will be here for the rest of the night. Thanks for the invite though. I hope you have a great night guys and happy birthday again.”
Colin gave her a sad smile and nodded before joining the rest of their party, who were waiting outside the building for him.
Before he stepped away from the front door he checked out the hours of the bar and made a mental note. If he wasn't too wasted by the end of the night, he might try to sneak by to see her again. Maybe then he could get her number.
Penelope finished out her shift for the evening. Closing out all the tabs and wiping down the bar. Restocking glasses and bottles before saying goodbye to Genevieve and Oliver before heading to her car.
“Penelope.” A voice called out from the street.
Colin was leaning against a light pole just outside the Ivy.
Penelope grabbed her chest, startled. “Shit. You scared the hell out of me.”
Colin stepped forward. “Damn. My bad. I wasn't trying to scare you.”
She looked around at the mostly empty street. She didn't see the rest of his party. He appeared to be alone. “What are you doing here, Colin?”
“The guys left a little bit ago. I was walking back this way to head back and noticed you were closing up. Do you live nearby? Can I walk you home?”
“Oh. Um-” She looked around again to see who was around. A little nervous to be around a man she didn't know. Late at night. Alone.
“I promise, I'm not some crazy guy. I just want to make sure you get home safe.”
“Yeah. Okay. Uh- I don't live near here. My car is around the corner. I guess you can walk me to my car.”
Colin was preening on the inside. It wasn't a win, but she didn't shoot him down. It was a step in the right direction. He gestured for her to lead the way. Taking the side nearest to the street.
“I am sorry if I scared you tonight. And if I came on a little strong at the bar earlier. You are very beautiful and funny. You have great style and I was hoping to get to know you better.”
Penelope didn't get a creepy feeling about him. He seemed normal. Decent. And obviously way too good looking for her. “Oh- I don't hear that often. Thank you. So I am guessing you are from out of town. What do you do Colin?”
Colin was stunned by her reply. Who the fuck wouldn't think she was a fucking knockout and funny on top of it? “I am a pilot.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “A pilot?”
“A helicopter pilot. I am based out of the port. We transport people, supplies, medical aid, and all sorts of different materials out to the off shore rigs for the energy industry.”
Penelope called it earlier. He was one of the guys who would come and go for work. The guys she set a hard boundary for. She just needed him to keep talking until she got to her car so she could send him on his way. “That sounds incredible. And where are you from?”
“London. I spend two weeks up here at a time for work. Then I am back home for two weeks. It's not a bad schedule. I enjoy it. Plus I have a great crew of guys I work with here. You met my best friend, Michael. Even though, after the bullshit he pulled tonight, I am rethinking that relationship.”
Penelope laughed. “I liked Michael. He seems like a great guy. Don't get rid of him yet.”
This stirred up a little bit of jealousy in him. But he tamped it down and wanted to know more about her. “And you? Your accent doesn't sound from around here. Where are you from?”
“I was born and raised in London. Left when I was eighteen and have been here since. I don't think I will ever go back. London was not really my cup of tea.”
“So you left at eighteen and have been here since. How old are you?”
“I turn twenty five next month. And you, you just celebrated what birthday?”
“The big three o. Please don't gasp, I already feel old enough. I feel it everyday when I wake up.”
Penelope thought he was being ridiculous. Colin was the hottest thirty year old she knew. Between the cool leather jacket, tight tee, wide leg trousers, and warrior style haircut. His dark curls, facial stubble, stormy night sky eyes, and heartbreaking smile, he had a young aura about him.
She began to slow her steps as she approached her car. “Well this is me.” She said as she pointed to her beloved car.
“You drive an old Volkswagen bug?”
Penelope did not like his tone. What was wrong with Dolly? “Yes. And I will not hear you say one thing bad about her. She is tried and true. A classic beauty.”
“She is. Much like her owner. I don't know why I acted surprised. I can absolutely see you driving this car. She fits with your whole vibe.”
Penelope nodded proudly. She didn't have money like her older siblings and parents. The things she owned were usually pre-owned and considered vintage. But everything she bought and owned spoke to her. They felt like special unique pieces with a backstory and history.
“Well, thank you for walking me to my car tonight Colin. I hope you had a wonderful birthday with your friends and have a safe trip back to London.”
Penelope opened the door to her car and sat down. As she went to slam the wonky door shut, Colin grabbed the doorframe to stop it.
“Wait.” He leaned in closer. “I’m in town a lot for work. I was hoping to get your number and maybe we could see each other again.”
Penelope wanted to stop him before he said anything more. “Colin. You seem nice. You are obviously a very hot guy and I'm sure you have no problem finding girls to hook up with when you are in town. But it's a hard no for me. I told you before. I am not that kind of girl. Sorry. Have a good night.”
Her hand grabbed the handle and slammed the door shut. She stuck the key in the ignition heard the click. The engine was silent. Completely dead.
Penelope shook it off. Dolly was just being testy. She tried again and the engine sputtered before it died out again.
She pushed her glasses to the top of her head to hold back her hair and quietly begged her car to start. To not embarrass her and leave her stranded in front of the sexy guy standing on the curb watching her.
One last time she put the key back in the ignition. Pushing down on the accelerator in hopes that it would be the last kick to get Dolly to start. But all her efforts failed. The engine refused to turn over. She leaned back against the seat and sighed. This was just her shitty luck. Something else to go wrong. Another large expense to pay. Just when she thought she was getting ahead.
Colin had his bottom lip pulled between his teeth and was at least pretending to look away. Hands in his pockets and a smug look on his face.
Penelope was humiliated that her quick getaway had turned into her being broken down and stranded for the moment.
She pulled the lever to release the boot and opened the car door.
“Car trouble?” Colin laughed, as he followed her to the back.
“No. This is Dolly overreacting. She just needs a stern talking to.” Or maybe a kick in the ass, Penelope thought to herself.
“I know about cars and engines. Can I have a look and see?” Colin offered.
Penelope wasn't going to fight him. She had no idea what the problem was. Anything to get her out of there faster.
“Do you have a flashlight?” He asked.
“Yeah, hold on. I think I have one in the glove compartment.” She ran to the front of the car and leaned inside on the driver's seat. Reaching over and digging around inside the black hole of junk she never went through. Papers, gum, old cd cases, a couple pens, and tampons.
Colin stood up and looked around the car. Getting the perfect view of her ass and legs sticking out of the car as she was bent over. He chuckled to himself and crouched down to use his phone's light to get a better look at what the problem was.
He was able to spot the issue right away. “I don't need the flashlight. Just hang tight. I only need a second and then you can try to fire her up again.”
Holding the phone under his chin for a good visual, he was able to get the spark plug reconnected quickly.
“Okay. Go ahead and try and start it up.” He yelled out.
Penelope sat down im the driver seat and closed the door. She rolled down the window so she could hear him. On the first try, Dolly started right up. She was over the moon excited that her car was temporarily fixed and she could go home.
“You are a lifesaver.” She called out from the front seat and walked to the back of the car. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She repeated.
Colin closed the lid of the boot. “Not a problem. “Have you been having issues with misfiring and the engine making loud popping sounds?”
“Okay. You weren't lying when you said you know things about cars. I thought that was just a bit.”
He gave her a boyish cocky smile and leaned into the window.
“But to answer your question, yes I have been. What's the problem? Is it something major that is going to cost me a fortune?”
Colin could see the worry on her face. He shook his head. “No. You should be good now. One of your spark plugs was under tightened and had come loose. If you want, I can show you. So if it ever happens again you know how to fix it.”
Okay, now Penelope was really starting to feel bad. He was being so helpful and patient with her. Even going so far to show her how to fix the issue if it ever occurred again.
She popped the lid again and got out of car. Following him to the back. He opened the boot lid to show her where the spark plugs were located and how to tighten them. He explained what signs the car would give her if there were any more issues, before shutting the lid again, and walking her around to the front of the car.
“Thank you for all your help tonight, Colin. You didn't have to do that. But I really do appreciate you taking the time to show me so I can fix it myself next time.”
“It wasn't a big deal. Less than ten minutes. Wouldn't want you to be stranded at night on the side of the road. I have younger sisters. I would appreciate it if someone paid them the same kindness." He paused for a second. "So, what do you say- can I see you again or get your-”
Penelope sat back down in her seat and slammed the door shut. Her driver window was still rolled down. Ignoring his questions. “Thank you again for your help tonight, Colin."
“So even though I helped you out, you still aren't going to throw me a bone? Or give me a chance? I am not looking for a random hookup, trust me baby. I just really like you and want the chance to see you again. To get to know you better."
“Sorry. No. I have rules. And you, you would be breaking too many of them." She shifted the car into gear. "Oh, and just to let you know- I will never be your baby.”
Penelope left it at that. She put the car into drive and pulled out into the street. Leaving Colin standing at the curb covered in grease and grime from the engine bay on the darkened street.