Wrapped in Winter (Seasons in Montana: Winter)

21. Drake

Chapter 21

Drake

M y days have been filled with deliveries and my nights with January and Lily. It’s almost like a partnership. January is learning to accept my help and I’m doing my best to keep my hands to myself.

But it’s hard.

And so am I.

All the fucking time.

It’s to a point now she knows it and she’s teasing me on purpose. Maybe trying to see how far I'll go before I break.

Which is fine. I’ll play along because I know what’s waiting for me at the finish line. And so does she.

But tonight something is off with her. I went to their shop and found Blossom working. When she told me January left early with Lily, I went to her house. She was clearly not having a good day and it killed me that she wouldn’t talk. I asked if she wanted me to stay and she said no, that Courtney was coming over.

Lily was excited for girls night so I knew not to intrude any more than I already had.

I kissed her on her forehead and told her I was a text away.

I walk into the Range Bar and Grill and find an empty seat at the bar.

When Cole comes close, he slides a beer my way. “Hey man, how’s it going?”

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in days. Where have you been hiding?”

I smirk and take a sip from the beer. “Not hiding, just busy.”

“Mmhmm.”

“What's been going on here?”

“Same old. The more snow we get, the more people come out.”

“It’s a different way of life here. They’re used to it and don’t let it slow them down.”

He shrugs. “I guess so. Yell if you need something, I’ll be down at the other end.”

“Thanks.” I watch the game for a bit, checking my phone every so often. Just when I felt like we were getting somewhere it seems she threw up a roadblock.

“Well, look who it is!” Jack and Lief walk in and grab seats next to me. I’ve met them in passing, but never hung out besides the day at Lily’s party.

“Hey guys, how are you doing?” I shake hands with them both, Lief lingering a moment longer than Jack.

“I see you’ve been banished to the bar while they have girls night, huh?” Jack inquires and knocks on the bar-top for Cole.

I pull from my beer, draining it and signal Cole for another. “Yes, I stopped by the house and found out your wife was coming over. Lily seemed excited to hang out with your son.”

He smiles and nods to Cole as he approaches. “We’ll have what he’s having.”

“Throw in three shots too,” Lief answers.

I look at Lief but he just stares at the television. Cole grabs the beers and shots and Jack continues. “Yea, Joey and her have fun together, believe it or not. They’re both too young to know the difference between girl and boy toys so they just enjoy making ruckus. So how are you liking our little town of Wintervale?”

I nod. “So far so good. A lot different from where I came from.”

“Florida, right? I heard you guys just left it all and drove until you hit mountains.”

I chuckle. “Something like that. Hey, do you know what I haven’t seen? A barbershop. Where does everybody go to get their hair cut around here?”

“There’s a great place one town over in Oak Valley. The guy who owns the shop is a retired Marine. His name is Axel, and he’s a bit of a grump. No one knows much about him. He doesn’t talk, but he does show up for work every day and gives a good cut at that.”

We’re silent for a bit, just watching the game and drinking. Cole makes his way over and Jack asks, “How’s things going with January?”

I see Lief pass a glance to me but then he looks right back to the television.

“Pretty good. We’re just getting to know each other.”

“Did you get to know her well in the bathroom?” Jack nudges me.

“Bro, come on. You want to talk about my sex life in front of her brother?”

“So you have a sex life?” He presses.

“Jesus, Jack! You’re as bad as the girls right now.” Cole says.

“No, I’m as bad as Meadow. And I know you know it, too.” He points at Cole, clearly loving that he can get a rise out of everyone here.

“Enough.” Lief grumbles out. “I don't need to hear about my sisters and whatever they’re doing.”

Jack laughs and throws his arm around him but Lief shrugs it off. “Oh, come on, don’t be miserable because you’re the only one not getting any around here.”

“Fuck you.”

Jack snickers some more and I shake my head at these two. “She makes herself complicated, but she’s not.” He says it quietly like he doesn’t want to upset Lief. I know he can hear him but he doesn’t jump into the conversation.

I shrug. “I’ll give her all the time she needs. I’m just trying to let her know I’m here, and ready to help when she wants it.”

“If I know anything about January it's that she doesn’t want help. She’s hardened herself to everything and everyone around her and puts in extra effort to make sure they all know she can do it on her own. And don't get me wrong, she can, but she shouldn't have to.”

Lief looks at Jack. “Since when are you sticking up for my sister?”

“I told you, bro. I’m a changed man and that includes being nice to your sister.”

He huffs a laugh. “Makes one of us.”

“She’s also one step away from letting it fall down around her.” Jack grabs a shot, sliding the other two down to me and Lief. We all take it, I feel this conversation getting heavy and Jack continues. “She tell you she ran from this place years ago?”

“Jack.” Lief gives out a warning. There’s something off with him tonight, too.

“He should know the real story and not through the gossip train.”

“January already told me a bit about her time in New York.” I interrupt.

“She tell you I was there with her?” Jack asks and I nod. “Looking back I see how hard it was. I see we were all running. But I think she has a lot of guilt over that now even though she’s back here trying to do the right thing.”

Lief is silent through this.

“You don't look convinced Lief.” I say.

“I think she's selfish.” He grumbles out, drinking from his beer.

“Selfish?”

“Yup. She was selfish for running and now instead of apologizing she does everything on her own, making us worry about her even more.” He turns to me. “I see the breakdown on the horizon. And what will happen to my niece when that happens?”

I understand Lief a bit more than I did. Instead of looking like the brother who’s annoyed with her, he’s really a brother who’s worried. The weight of the world is on his shoulders too and I bet she doesn’t even recognize it since she’s so wrapped up in her grief not dealt with.

“I see you trying to step in, Drake. But there’s a lot to unpack so I wouldn’t blame you for walking away now.” Lief says.

I furrow my brows. I’m not sure if it's the liquor running through me or the anger I feel at his words. “I’m not going anywhere. So if there’s a problem–”

“Nope. No problem. I’m just giving you a way out now.”

“I don't want a way out. Whatever family bullshit you two have happening has nothing to do with me. I don’t know what she’s told you–”

“Nothing. She tells me nothing, Drake–”

“Then I’ll tell you that I know what you guys went through. I lost my sister when I was a kid. I was fourteen when she died and I miss her every fucking day. I learned to always say what I'm feeling because you may never get to say it again. I also learned to never walk away from something that brings me happiness no matter what others think about it, or how much work it may take me to earn that happiness back.”

I drain my beer again slamming it on the bar top bringing Cole’s attention to us. And half the bar as well.

“Seems you’re going to fit in pretty well here in Wintervale.” Jack chuckles, giving a little whistle before finishing his beer, too. “You’ll get used to the stares. Nobody does nosey better than this town.”

Ignoring Jack, I keep going. “I see you, too, Lief. You want to be mad at her, and maybe you still are, but your concern probably outweighs that. And that makes you angry doesn't it? I didn’t lose a parent so I can’t say whether it’s different than losing a sibling but either way, it leaves you feeling alone. I see the four of you and envy what you have. Don't take it for granted.” He turns away from me and doesn’t say a word but he hears me. “She may have left, but in the end, she came home. And she brought the most amazing little girl with her who needs a strong male influence.”

“And you think you can be that guy?” He snaps out.

“I think you should be that guy. And if by some miracle your sister does choose me down the line, I’ll love Lily like she’s my own.”

I ignore Jack's wide smile. I ignore Lief’s flaring nostrils and I ignore Cole’s concerned look. And I definitely ignore the way half the bar is watching me walk out right now.