The Red-Hot Stakes

Chapter Four

Derek and Avery came in, greeting me with cheerful hellos before they went to find Liam. I was in the middle of several orders, so I could do little more than wave. It was nice to see them rather than the random group of guys Liam brought with him, and I wondered what the occasion was.

Excitement trickled through me, sending little cracks spider-webbing through my frigid barriers. Warmth seeped in. I’d forgotten what it was like to feel warm inside.

My smile was real when I finally made it to their table. “Hey, guys, what brings you in tonight? You going to sing?”

We all turned to the stage where an older lady was doing a surprisingly decent Taylor Swift impression.

Avery cringed. “Not me. You know how much I ‘love’ singing in front of people.” As extroverted as she was, it never failed to surprise me how much she hated performing karaoke.

Derek laughed. “And how well you sing. Good thing I love you for other reasons.”

She elbowed him. I glanced at Liam who narrowed his eyes and ever so slightly shook his head, which I took to mean he would not be singing tonight either. So I let the topic drop. For now.

Turning back to Avery and Derek, I asked, “Your usual, I presume?”

They both nodded as I jotted down their favorite top shelf whiskey. Liam tapped his glass, wanting another as well. We chatted for a few more before I left, returning with their drinks in time to hear a snippet of their conversation.

Liam asked, “How’s she doing with the whole Josh thing?”

I paused, wanting to hear the answer.

Avery shrugged. “She’s doing what Gina does whenever someone hurts her. He’s dead to her now. She’ll shove him and everything associated with him into some little box in her mind.”

And while I knew they were just worried about me, I felt called out, because that’s exactly what I’d been doing. I strode over and set the drinks on the table. “Here you go.”

A flash of alarm crossed Avery’s face but dissipated when I kept my happy expression in place. I didn’t mind too much what she’d said. It was true, after all. I just didn’t want her to start in on my past. No one needed to go down that road ever again, and I didn’t want the pity that came with hearing about the string of foster homes I’d been through. Especially from Liam.

I kept my voice cheery though the ice was already creeping back in. “Need anything else?”

They all shook their heads, so I went about my rounds, filling drinks, taking orders. The next time I checked on my friends, they were all deep in a conversation that halted again when I showed up.

All three wore awkward expressions, like kids with their hands caught in the cookie jar. With Liam so tight-lipped earlier, I knew better than to ask, though I couldn’t help my hurt at being left out so blatantly. I briefly wondered if they were still talking about me but I knew better.

Avery wouldn’t let that happen.

Still, I was kept in the dark, and I watched their table each time I walked by, jealousy eating at me. Even worse, Derek and Avery were their normal selves with Liam, all snuggled up and holding hands. Liam was animated, talking in excited tones with big gestures. He even laughed, a far cry from his discomfort with me earlier.

It seemed like they were all better off without me, and my mood only darkened as the night went on. It was a fight to keep my lips turned up, easier just to sink back into the numbness that beckoned.

At least there, nothing hurt.

* * * *

I desperately needed to stay busy, if only to avoid staring at the gaping nothingness that had swallowed me whole. If I kept moving, my friends couldn’t question me about my day or how I was doing. They just left me alone. But my fresh injury meant short shifts, even over the weekend, and I was left with the one thing I didn’t want.

Time.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a Saturday night off. I trudged down the hallway, Avery’s distinct laughter reaching me through the door, telling me they were home. A sigh escaped me as I braced myself for the barrage of questions, forced cheerfulness and badly hidden whispers of concern. I took a deep breath then pushed open the door.

Three heads swiveled toward me, Avery responding first. “Gina! You’re home early.” She grabbed the remote, pausing Russell Crowe just before he said his line about weevils in Master and Commander.

Liam stretched. “Good. I’ve tried to watch this movie five times, and I give up. Let’s do something else. Anything else.”

They all stared at me expectantly, as if I would pull an idea out of my ass. I shrugged. I wanted nothing more than to hole up in my room, but I knew that was a surefire way to bring Avery rushing in for a heart to heart. It was easier to sit out here and grunt once in a while.

“Did you eat?” Avery asked.

I nodded, taking off my shoes and tossing them toward my room.

“How was work?” Derek tried. “Decent crowd?”

“Fine.”

They exchanged a look. I felt something nudge me, glancing down to see Liam’s knee jutting into my thigh as he leaned forward to stretch. He didn’t seem to notice the contact. I tried to shift away, but he ate up the distance between us like it was nothing. Even his scent wouldn’t leave me alone, and I tilted my head to get a fresh breath of air.

Avery started babbling about the successful day they’d had wedding planning, the many details they’d worked out. But all I could focus on was Liam slowly and surely taking over my space. He has two thirds of the couch, why does he need my section, too?

I elbowed him sharply, hissing, “Move over.”

He just shrugged. “I was here first.” And went back to his stretching. This time he pulled his left arm across his chest, his hand dangling right in front of my face.

My annoyance flared, and I made a fist, jutting out my middle knuckle. Just a little. Then I hit his thigh, in the perfect spot to give him a beautiful Charlie horse. He sucked in a shocked breath, his leg cramping as he jerked his arm back.

“Dammit, G.” He hopped to his feet, massaging the spot and trying to soothe the spasms. “What’d you do that for?”

“I warned you.”

His green eyes sparkled as they met mine. Heat passed between us, strong enough to break the numbness for a split second. Then the dull blanket drifted back over me, and I turned away.

Liam’s voice was full of challenge when he spoke. “Let’s play cards. How about some euchre? Guys against girls?” He crossed the room to lean against the overstuffed armchair Derek and Avery shared, staring at me. “Might as well take advantage, huh, D? I think Gina’s got her head too far up her ass to be any competition.”

Anger sliced through me, rippling over every nerve. I gritted my teeth as I leaped to my feet. “You wanna bet on that?”

He smirked. “Yeah. A dollar a game, a dollar a set. I bet we clean you girls out in no time.”

I stormed up to him, jutting my chin. “Come on, Ave. Let’s beat these assholes.” I paused, glancing at her fiancé. “No offense, Derek.”

She and Derek wore identical grins as they stood. I ignored them as I stomped past Liam, banging my shoulder into his. Euchre wasn’t my best game, but Avery and I held our own, winning more than we lost.

When I managed to set Liam, I threw my cards down on the table so hard my hand hurt. “Take that!”

He just smiled. As he handed over his dollar, I could have sworn he whispered, “Thatta girl.”

* * * *

The next morning I spent holed up in my room, giving into the bone-weary exhaustion that pulled at me. I knew I should be doing my homework for my classes tomorrow. Would normally love to tackle analyzing the graphs of trends and study up on the tiny details for our OSHA test. But it all seemed so overwhelming.

I couldn’t hide forever though because Avery and I had an appointment to look at bridesmaid dresses, one I’d been excited about. Before. And I had to work after that.

The effort of getting ready for the excursion made me want to crawl back into bed, but I had to keep it together. Avery was my best friend after all, and this was her wedding. I needed to be there for her.

Derek’s twin sister, Rhonda, had set us up with her personal shopper at a place called Lit. Less than two months away from the wedding, Avery was rightfully nervous that this item had yet to be checked off her list. But this was the only opening they’d had. Rhonda assured us it was worth the wait, and that they’d be able to get any alterations done in plenty of time.

Rhonda was Avery’s other bridesmaid, as well as the wedding planner. She had connections in this area I could only dream of, as the daughter of Malcolm Elgin. She’d grown up here, and I missed her and her diva ways. She and her boyfriend, Greg, had moved earlier this year to Marquette to start an event planning business. His family was from there, and she’d visited at the end of last year for his sister’s wedding, only to fall in love with the place.

Now that they were settled, their new business was booming, so much so they could hardly keep up. But of course, they made time for Avery and Derek’s wedding.

Avery gushed the whole way about Lit and what awaited us. Rhonda had taken her there last year. Evidently, it had been an experience.

The nondescript building had me frowning. “This is it?”

“Oh, yeah. Just you wait.”

I let her pull me inside, leading me through a winding maze that eventually opened into a shopper’s dream come true. A flicker of excitement pulsed within me, but it was nothing compared to what I’d normally be feeling if I stumbled upon a treasure trove like this.

Bouncing on her toes, Avery waited for my reaction, so I managed a smile. But it just felt like work. Like everything else these days.

Her face fell. She masked it quickly, but I noticed and berated myself, knowing I needed to try harder. I worked on mustering the energy.

My lips were at least tipped upward when she introduced me to Rhonda’s personal shopper. “Gina, this is Selena.”

The stately woman with thick frames peered down her nose at me. “She is your bridesmaid, no?”

“Maid of honor, actually.” Avery snapped her fingers. “I gotta call Rhonda. I promised I’d FaceTime her for this. Do whatever Selena says, I promise it’s worth it.”

Two other ladies hovered nearby, and I assumed they were assistants. Or maybe previous shoppers who hadn’t been dismissed yet. This woman seemed formidable.

“Walk for me.”

I glanced around for a walkway. Seeing none, I shrugged and did my best. I weaved between racks of dresses and clothes, then pivoted and walked back. Avery and Rhonda chatted from somewhere in the vast room. The clothing muffled their words, but their tones carried to me, and Avery sounded concerned. I dropped my partial smile while she was out of sight, trying to conserve my limited energy.

As I made my way back to Selena, I wished I could find a piece of the joy that used to live within me, the person who’d get excited over shopping or visiting Avery’s treasure trove of a storage room. Where have I gone? I felt like a porcelain doll as the assistants stuffed me into dress after dress after dress.

Stiff. Cold. And unfeeling.

Avery reappeared, beaming at Selena’s latest pick. “Gina, that’s gorgeous. And that color would work well for Rhonda, too.” She held the phone out for Rhonda to see.

Our friend squealed. “I love it!”

I looked in the mirror, wanting to feel the excitement I saw in them. Wishing I could muster up something. Anything. But all I saw was my frozen expression staring back.

* * * *

We bought that dress. Selena had Rhonda’s measurements and assured us it would be divine on her. Avery was thrilled to check that off the list. We met Liam and Derek for an early dinner at a nearby Italian place before my shift at The High Five. Derek kissed Avery hello, even as Avery glanced worriedly at me. I tried not to roll my eyes.

The hostess sat us in a booth, which was great for Derek and Avery, who snuggled together on one side. But I wasn’t in the mood to snuggle. Especially with Liam.

Reluctantly, I slid in first. Liam followed, his big burly self taking up more than his fair share. I elbowed him, wanting enough space so I didn’t have to smoosh against the wall. He shifted a miniscule amount.

Derek asked how the dress shopping went, but I tuned out as I unfolded the menu, only to bump into Liam’s muscular arm. What is with him? Does he not know the meaning of personal space? I pressed my lips together, remembering how’d he taken over the couch. A flicker of annoyance brushed through me, but that was all the emotion I could muster.

I scooted closer to the brick wall, but he just followed me. When I tried to turn the page of my menu, it caught on his elbow. Feeling cornered and caged in, my spark of frustration ignited into a burst of fury. I turned and put my hand on one of his thick biceps then shoved. “Give me some space, would ya?”

One corner of his mouth tipped up as he scooted away. “Thatta girl,” he whispered, low enough so only I could hear.

* * * *

I racked my brain for other living situations as I walked to work on Wednesday. I loved my best friend. Truly, I did. And Derek was great, but they were both so awkward around me. No one needed that kind of pressure, especially with the wedding right around the corner.

I didn’t have much in the way of family. I couldn’t afford my own place, not unless I wanted to be up to my nose in debt with tuition. Then I’d never be able to buy a bar of my own.

It was my turn to open at work. By the time I arrived, my head hurt, and I shoved my lack of options aside. I noticed the upstairs office lights were on as I stepped in, but the kitchen was dark so I flicked on the switch, the fluorescents humming to life. After I tucked my purse and jacket in my cubby, I stopped stock still to stare at the space between the bar and the kitchen.

The uneven gap was gone. Instead, a smooth ramp sloped between the floors, no uneven surfaces in sight. Liam had done it. Annoyance hit me. I’d worked here for three years with no results, and he waltzed in with one threat, one name drop. Poof, done.

And he wasn’t even there to glare at. I popped in my earbuds, listening to the Les Misérables soundtrack. It fit my mood—heavy. I got lost in prep work, pulling down chairs, setting up the mic, turning on the oven and lining up glasses.

Crouching in front of the cupboards, I checked the stock on the lower shelves when a hand clamped onto my shoulder. I yelped, nearly falling backward, but two strong arms caught me, hauling me to my feet.

I knew it was Liam before I whirled around. His scent hit me first, lingering in my nose as his hands lingered on my waist.

Angrily yanking my earbuds out, I demanded, “What are you doing here? Why is it always you?”

“I had a meeting with Weston, saw you there and couldn’t resist scaring the crap out of you.” Mischief danced in his eyes, and his lips curved in a smug smirk.

My cell phone rang before I could respond. I glared at him, moving away as I answered.

It was Sarah. “My babysitter canceled at the last minute. I’ve called everyone I can think of and no one’s available.” Her three-year-old son, Max, was adorable. “I could try to bring him with me…”

I thought over my homework load, which was fairly light this week, so I could stay later than usual. The only big issue I faced was doing dishes, and I stared down at my bandage. Maybe Wyatt could—

My phone was snatched out of my hand.

“Don’t worry, Sarah. I’ll cover for you.” Liam raised his eyebrows as if daring me to contradict him. “Yeah, this is Mr. Green Eyes. Yep, I can handle it, and Gina can show me the rest.”

What is he doing?

He ended the call, handing me the phone. “I guess you’d better show me the ropes.”

Who does he think he is?“Don’t you think you should talk to Mr. Weston first?”

With an annoyed grunt, he pulled out his own phone then shot off a short text. “There. I told Weston. Happy?”

As in, ordered? Wow, arrogant, brash Liam, for sure.

His expression softened. “At least let me wash dishes.”

I bit my lip, because he had me there. No way was I sticking my arm in a plastic bag every time I wanted to clean a glass. “Fine.”

The new ramp was just the right angle, but I refused to think about it as I stalked to the sink. I showed him exactly how to wash, rinse and dry each glass, as well as where each type went. He insisted on carrying the crates for me, so I could finish stocking. It was nearly time to open when Burt and Wyatt sauntered in, both doing double takes at Liam behind the bar so I succinctly explained.

“Sarah’s sitter canceled. Liam offered to help, and Weston approved.”

Wyatt just grunted before disappearing into the kitchen.

Burt remained unfazed as well. “Whatever you say, G. Ready to unlock?”

I nodded. A few of our regulars trickled in, but it was a fairly quiet night which gave me and Liam plenty of down time to talk.

“So what are you going to school for?” He wiped down the bar as I leaned against it, idly snapping my cinnamon gum.

“Business management, same as Avery. I want to own a place like this someday.” I mentally cringed. I hadn’t meant to tell him my dream, didn’t need to give him fodder to pick on me.

To my surprise, he leaned forward, the very definition of interested. “Yeah? What would you do differently?”

I sized him up, wondering if he really wanted to know. When he nodded encouragingly, I decided to go for it. “For starters, I’d get rid of the bland chili and have a nightly special. Something themed, like taco Tuesday. I know it’s overdone, but it sells. Make it a standard, and you’ll get regulars.”

I snapped my gum again, my litany of ideas dancing through my mind and out of my mouth. “Keep karaoke, but also have line dancing or trivia or a ladies’ night where girls don’t have a cover charge. Get some live music, make a dance floor. We’ve got the location, we’ve got the clientele, but we’re floundering.”

His eyebrows pulled together, an adorable crease forming between them that I wanted to smooth away with my thumb. Wait, what? I jerked myself back to reality. This is Liam, remember?

“Those are really good ideas.” He sounded surprised. “Have you told Weston?”

I nodded, grateful for the distraction from my disconcerting thoughts. “But we keep having chili and karaoke. There’s only so many times I can listen to I Will Survive before I start hoping I actually won’t.”

He laughed, all deep and rumbly, making my stomach feel like I’d just done a cartwheel. What’s up with me tonight? As silence stretched between us, I wondered if I should voice one of my questions. “Why won’t you let Avery hear you sing?”

His face fell, and his body tensed. “Piper was the singer in our group. I’m not any good.”

I bristled at the mention of the country music star who grew up with them, the one who’d almost come between Avery and Derek. “That’s not true, and you know it, or else you wouldn’t go up there. You wouldn’t use your voice to get women week after week.”

His jaw worked back and forth. “That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Oh really? Mr. ‘Gina, please help me pick a song so I can get this girl’s number’.” I snorted.

Liam stared for a long beat, then shook his head. “Table five needs you.”