Chapter 19
Sophie wasn’t even mad at me when I returned fifteen minutes later. She asked me how my break was, knowing exactly what we were up to. When she took the moment to call me out for it, my cheeks flamed pink. Luckily for me, the lighting in Peaks was dark, so maybe my rosy face would go unnoticed.
Declan arrived back to the bar, looking giddy as ever. With that satisfied smirk on his face, he looked like a completely different man than he was thirty minutes ago when he appeared frustrated to be here with his brother. Speaking of Myles, where did he end up?
“Hey, where did Myles go?” I asked out of curiosity. He looked around the bar and dance floor before he turned back around to face me.
“Not sure. My guess is he went home with that girl he was dancing with earlier.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, reading a quick text and turning the screen to face me.
Myles: See you later, big bro. Taking off for the night. *water drops emoji*
Scrunching up my nose in disgust, I asked, “Were the water drops really necessary?”
“When Myles drinks a lot, he says stupid shit and thinks he’s funny. He’s predictable. Each weekend is the same—throw a few drinks back and get laid.” He seemed to be irritated by his brother all over again, and I wanted to kiss away that look he wore on his face. But maybe he needed to talk about it and get it off his chest.
“You say that like this happens quite frequently,” I stated.
“Yeah, well, Myles has always been a heavy drinker. And I’ve always been the older brother making sure he doesn’t do anything stupid enough to ruin his life.” He took a sip of his drink like he was trying to shrug off the comment as if it was no big deal.
I grabbed a few bottled beers and popped off the tops as I multitasked; one minute, serving drinks, and the next, entertaining conversation with Declan. He wore a sad expression on his face, which made me grateful the bar was starting to slow down. That way I could pay more attention to him.
“Has he done anything worth ruining his life yet?” I asked, wanting to dig a little deeper into Declan’s life.
“He’s done plenty of stupid shit but never got caught. It’s like he enjoys the thrill of it. Thinks he’s untouchable. But I keep trying to tell him that shit’s going to catch up with him.”
“You’re a good brother, you know. Watching out for him the way you do. I don’t know many people who would look out for me the way you do for Myles.” I shot him a sincere look as I grazed his hand, feeling the rough calluses from manual labor.
“As long as you’re in town, Paige, I’ll always be looking out for you.” He took a swig of his beer, refusing to break eye contact with me—his stare was intense. My cheeks had to be stained pink. Declan made me feel nervous and safe all at the same time.
As much as I loved this serious side to him, when he turned it around on me it was tempting to jump ship. Being at work made me think, maybe it wasn’t the time or place to talk about heavier topics.
“What are you doing tomorrow? Feel like helping a girl out?”
“If that girl is you,” he responded, still staring into my soul.
“Well, that sounds like a yes, so what do you say… You have some extra time in your day tomorrow to help me find a used car? I need to return my rental,” I responded with a pleading smile he couldn’t say no to.
“Glad you asked. I’d never let you go looking for a car alone. The dealers here would walk all over a pretty girl like you.” I hadn’t even thought of that. Car dealers were fucking assholes sometimes. They assumed because you’re a girl, you’ll back down and they could get every penny you’re worth.
“It’s settled then.” Even though we only had plans to look at cars, the idea of being alone with him without this bar between us had me eager. We had only been together alone a few times. And it seemed that each time, our sexual attraction for each other took over. This time, I wanted to take the opportunity to learn more about him. Maybe dig back into the conversation we were having about Myles.
If the moments we talked tonight at the bar had any indication of the kind of person he was, I needed to know more.
I grabbed a glass from the top of the stack beside me and began filling it with water. “Here, drink this.” I set the glass of ice-cold water down in front of him.
“What’s this for?” His eyebrow arched in confusion.
“Better sober up so you can drive home and be on your A-game for tomorrow,” I spoke in a flirty tone, but the twinge in my chest told me it was deeper than that.
As a bartender, I’d always make sure my customers didn’t get out of hand with their drinking. We had taxi cabs on speed dial. But given the recent events of my dad’s hit and run, I was more sensitive to people getting behind the wheel with alcohol in their system. I trusted Declan and was aware I’d only served him a couple of drinks, but I cared for him. The last thing I wanted was to lose someone else I cared about due to an accident.
“Thanks for looking out for me, baby girl.” He didn’t question the water again. Instead, he set his unfinished beer in front of me, indicating he was done with it and drank the water. The sincere look on his face told me he could read me like a book.
He had a knack for that.
All the extra shifts I’d worked paid off when I counted five-grand I could put toward a car. I wanted to spend it on something that was reliable in any kind of weather and not an old piece of junk that would break down on me the second I bought it. I knew I’d have to take on a car payment, but at least I had a decent down payment. This was all a step in the right direction of starting over here in Colorado.
We walked up rows and rows of vehicles. There didn’t seem to be too many options. If we wanted more, we’d have to drive into the city for specific dealerships. But this privately-owned, used car lot would have to do. I was never too particular when it came to the car I drove, I just knew I didn’t want anything too big and clunky.
“I like this Subaru.” After walking all around this place, I think I found the one. My hand grazed the shiny blue paint as I pictured myself gripping the wheel, driving around town.
“It’s fitting. Blue is definitely your color,” Declan said, confirming my thoughts. Blue had always been my favorite color. With a smile on my face, we walked back toward the sales office, and I let him take the reins on this one.
“If you get him to knock down the price a bit, I’ll buy you lunch after this?” I extended the offer.
“That’s cute, but I’d never let you buy me lunch, Paige. I’m here to look after you, remember?” He opened the door to the office for me and my cheeks warmed. I walked in ahead of him as he held the door, trying my best to hide the fact that he made me anxious.
“Hey, man, nice to meet you. We’d love to take that blue Subaru off your lot.” Declan shook the man’s hand; John is what his badge said.
“Glad you like it. It’s a great vehicle. Who are we shopping for today?” John said, looking between the two of us.
“It’s for me. I just moved back here, and I need something sensible to get around in,” I chimed in. I didn’t miss the way Declan looked at me when I mentioned moving back here. It just kind of slipped out, after all.
“A Subaru is the way to go. Here in Colorado, if you’re not driving a Ford F-150, you’re most likely driving around in one of those,” John said as he pointed out to the lot full of Subarus. “Very reliable vehicle. The functional flexibility of it is what sells these vehicles most. One minute you’re camping out of it and the next you’re driving it around town.” John chuckled.
“Sounds great. Let’s talk about price then,” Declan added.
“The sticker price is firm. Not much we can do about that, unfortunately.” There it was, the moment we knew was coming and exactly the reason Declan was here with me. I planned to sit back and watch him get to work.
“What do you say we talk about it a bit more, John? Everyone knows there is always a little bit of negotiating that can happen.” He came off kind but also puffed his chest like he wasn’t going to take this guy’s shit.
“Maybe we step into my office. I can run some numbers and see what we can come up with?” he responded hesitantly.
Looks like Declan was putting the pressure on and making this guy feel a bit intimidated. I felt that way every time I was around him, like I couldn’t possibly say no to the man. All he had to do was flash me that smile of his and turn on that serious, manly tone and I was done for.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when John finally agreed to bring the price down. I was so lost in thought, I tuned everything out.
Before I knew it, papers were signed, keys were in hand, and I had the first car I ever bought myself in my entire adult life. It may have taken me a while to make such a big girl purchase, but I couldn’t have done it without Declan’s help. If I came here alone today, John most likely would have gotten that sticker price from me, but Declan got me a discounted price, just like he promised.
Now I needed to convince him to let me buy him lunch, it was the least I could do.