Chapter 22
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Lizzie
The place is packed, and I’ve never felt a deeper sense of pride than I do right now.
I did this.
All my hard work over the last few months—hell, years—has paid off.
“If we’re not careful, the fire marshal is gonna show up,” Collin hollers over the music as he pours two draft beers.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure there’s anything I can do about it now,” I state, worrying my lip between my teeth.
Collin gives me a soft smile, one that barely touches his lips. But I see it in his eyes, so that’s how I know it’s there. “If he shows up, let me talk to him. I’ve known Troy for years. Volunteered on the department for a few years after I got out of the Air Force.”
I nod, though I’m certain he’s going to want to deal with me as the property owner. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” I say over the noise.
Cade walks behind us, carrying two cases of beer to restock, singing along with the band.
I crack a smile, mostly because he’s been doing that since the moment the band started playing, and also because he’s so different than his twin, who has barely tapped his foot along with the beat once or twice.
Thank God for Cade. Earlier this week, I went to Collin and asked what he thought about hiring one of his siblings to work tonight for cash.
I realized we could potentially need help with restocking coolers, picking up empties around the tables, and making sure the trash is taken out when it starts to get full.
Jani has her son this evening and really didn’t want to work, and Guy worked the afternoon for me.
Knowing his brother as well as he does, Collin knew Cade would be more than willing to work, and when asked, he agreed readily.
Now, he’s saving our asses, since both Collin and I have been so damn busy refilling drinks we never would have had time to do what is needed. I haven’t even had time to pee, let alone take a drink of water.
Collin uses what’s left in a bottle of rum and glances at the shelf. “Hey, Cade, can you grab two bottles of Bacardi and anything else we may be low on?” He tosses his twin the lanyard of keys, which has everything for the bar, including one for the dry storage room where the liquor is kept.
“On it,” Cade hollers between lines of a Billy Ray Cyrus song. Gathering up the empty boxes he just tore down, he turns to me and says, “When I get back, I’ll watch the bar. You take a quick break.”
“I’m good,” I reply, even though I really have to pee.
He snorts. “You look like your eyeballs are floating.”
I turn and make a face. “How in the world would you know that?”
He just gives me that knowing, cocky grin. “You’ve been extra squirmy, and Charli gets like that when we’re four-wheeling and she has to pee.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Fine. Two minutes.”
He glances at the liquor counter behind the bar and makes a mental list of a few things we’re low on before digging for the right key and taking off for the storage room.
“Take longer than two minutes, Lizzie,” Collin says gently, his body practically pressed behind mine.
To the naked eye, it would look like two coworkers moving around each other to work, but to me, it’s much more.
I can feel the heat of his body, feel the pulse of his energy.
His warm breath tickles my neck, and all I want to do is stop, cock my head to the side just a bit, and feel the brush of his lips against me.
That won’t happen, of course—at least not down here. We’ve managed to maintain a very professional working relationship while at the bar, and tonight is no exception. His touches have been brief and warranted but have packed a punch to my libido, nonetheless.
“You should go first,” I reply, grabbing two beers from the cooler.
“Nope, ladies first. Always.” He turns and gives me a look that indicates he’s not necessarily referring to the use of the restroom.
He’s big on making sure I get off first, or at the very least with him, before he takes his own release.
“Stop that.” His breath is hot against my ear, his hand brushes against my side.
“Stop what?” I ask, holding his gaze.
His lips curl up in a smirk. “You know what. I can practically read your thoughts, and they’re dirty.”
I feel my cheeks blush hot, but Cade returns with the bottles of liquor, breaking the mounting sexual tension behind the bar.
“All right, take a break. I’ve got this,” he states, clapping his hands together and smiling widely. To his brother, he asks, “You ready to make some money? Magic Cade is here.”
“Oh God,” I groan, sharking my head. “The shirt and pants stay on!”
He barks out a laugh. “I make no promises, Lizzie Lou. I give my fans what they want.”
I point to Collin. “Keep him off the bar.”
Collin grins. “I’ll do my best.”
I move quickly toward the hallway, noticing instantly the lines for the bathroom.
No way am I waiting out here, so I carefully slip between the people and make my way through the first back door that’s closed and head for the stairs.
Pulling my keys out of my pocket as I go, I have the door unlocked the moment I hit the landing.
I bolt toward the bathroom and take care of business, grateful to finally have an empty bladder. As I’m washing my hands, I hear what sounds like my door opening and closing, even over the hum of the band through the floor.
Did I lock the door behind me?
I know I was in a hurry to use the bathroom, what if someone followed me up here?
I look around the bathroom for a weapon, really only finding my hair dryer.
I grab it regardless and prepare to use it against whoever is in my apartment.
Ignoring the pounding in my chest, I place my hand on the doorknob and gently crack it open.
Just as I start to pull the door open, steeling my spine to defend myself and my home, I spot a familiar face leaning against the wall across from me.
“What the hell?” I ask, opening the door completely.
He glances at my hand and cracks a smile. “What were you gonna do with that?”
“Whack you with it! Jesus, Collin, you scared the shit out of me. I heard the door and freaked out,” I reply, dropping the hair dryer on the ground.
Trying to be stern, he steps forward and pulls me into his arms. “You should make sure you lock your door, especially on a night like this.”
I huff, threading my arms around his waist. “I know, stupid mistake, but all I could think about was peeing.”
He presses his warm lips to my own, his tongue delving inside my mouth. “Mmm, best break I’ve ever taken.”
“Uhh, yeah, speaking of that. Not that I’m not relieved it was you in my apartment and not someone else, but what are you doing up here? Did you really just leave your brother, the man who’d give anything to perform a Magic Mike routine on the top of my bar, downstairs to man everything?”
He snorts. “He has help. Charli and Cam stepped in so I could go to the bathroom too. I’m sure it’s fine.”
I’m not convinced, and I’m sure my face shows exactly that. “You left your brothers behind my bar? Thank God for Charli.”
He chuckles a low, gravelly sound that is like a jolt of electricity to my lady bits. “That’s funny, if you think Charli would be any more responsible behind the bar than Cam or Cade. She’s just as much of a menace. She’ll be the one to give away free drinks.”
My eyes narrow. “Again…and yet, you left them all down there.”
Finally, he smiles widely. “It’s okay, I promise. They vowed to be on their best behavior, but I’m not sure they’re the best at mixing drinks, so we should probably get back down there as soon as possible.”
Exhaling, I brush my lips across his once more, wishing we had more time. “I’d rather stay right here and kiss you.”
“Same, Lizzie, same.” He places a chaste kiss to my lips and slips around me. “Give me a minute to use the bathroom and then we can get back down there.”
While he goes in to use the facilities, I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and twist the first cap open, taking a hearty drink. When Collin joins me, I hand him the other bottle. “Thanks.”
“Of course.” With one more pull from the bottle, I replace the cap and walk toward the door. “Ready?”
“Yep,” he states, following behind me to the door. He makes sure the lock is engaged before we carefully descend the steps. “What do you think of the band?” he asks, having to raise his voice over the noise.
“I love them! I think they’re doing a great job.”
“Agreed. The patrons seem pretty pleased with them.”
We round the counter and walk through the doorway separating the bar from the back.
My eyes instantly go to the bar, where I see Cade, Camden, and Charli grabbing drinks.
Charli seems to be the one using the register, which I’m grateful for.
Not that it’s too difficult, but I’m sure she’s not certain on the prices of everything, so hopefully their assistance didn’t create too much of a mess for me to figure out later.
Just as we approach the end of the bar, someone waves at Collin. He changes our trajectory, taking my hand so I’m forced to follow him. “Hey, you made it!”
“Of course I did. This place looks great!” the man says, offering me a friendly smile.
“That’s all thanks to this woman. Gio, meet Lizzie, the owner of The Tipsy Lizard. Lizzie, this is Gio, a coworker for the Sycamore Fire Department and a good friend.”
I take his extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Collin mentioned you may come.”
“Well, I had to meet the woman who’s finally put a smile on my friend’s face,” he states with a wink. I feel my cheeks flush as he grins knowingly at me. “I see the feeling is mutual.”
I glance at Collin, who doesn’t seem to have any of the worry or stress lines around his mouth and eyes like he used to. He looks relaxed, confident, and dare I say it, happy. “Well, he’s a great guy. I’m enjoying spending time with him.”
“Anyway, I know you’re busy, but I wanted to say hey. Hopefully we’ll be able to get to know each other soon.”