Chapter 9
The Fifth Friday
Sean was smiling at me as I walked up to the bar. It wasn’t as if he was surprised to see me. I’d texted both of them that I was on the way up to meet my date.
“Good to see you,” Sean said.
I rolled my eyes. “You act like we haven’t been texting all week.”
He laughed. “I like getting to see you better. Your date’s already here, by the way.”
“What? But I’m early.” I moved closer to Sean so I could peek inside.
“He got here even earlier.” He slid his arm around my shoulder, pointing to the bald man sitting next to my regular seat. “I see I influenced your choice.” He ran a hand over his own smooth head.
I laughed. “How did you even know? Did he ask for me?”
“Jack recognized him as one of the profiles he okayed for you. It was cute how his eyes bugged out when he saw him. Gave it away.”
“To my date?” I asked, not sure how I felt about that.
“Nah, your date wasn’t looking his way at the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jack didn’t give him the third degree, though.” When I glared at him, he pulled back. “Hey, we want you safe.”
I’d never had anyone give my boyfriends the third degree before.
The couple of musicians I’d dated hadn’t made it to the ‘meet the parents’ stage, and my foster parents had known Neil since I was ten.
“He better not mess this up. This guy seemed really nice. He even asked to video call first, and the conversation wasn’t awkward at all. ”
“Jack can be subtle, don’t worry.” He stared at the bar, studying Jack this time. Then he smiled down at me again. “Glad to hear you feel comfortable. Just blink twice my way if that changes.”
“Fingers crossed I won’t need to.” I walked over to my normal barstool, meeting Jack’s eyes with a smile before looking at my date.
He’d already seen me coming and scrambled up from his stool. “Hailey, hi,” he said. His dark eyes squinted when he smiled. His skin was a light brown, and I had the urge to run my hand over his bald head.
I shook his hand instead. “Nice to see you in person this time, Levi.”
“My head is probably less shiny in this setting.” His laugh was deep and warm as he ran his own hand over it. “I’ve never been here, but it fits its name.” His eyes glanced up at the fairy lights.
“I like it. There will be a live band around ten. Though tonight’s is different.” I slid onto my stool, lifting an eyebrow at Jack. “Country, Jack? I wasn’t expecting that at all.”
“Don’t be a hater,” Jack said with a grin. He had a very faint dimple in his left cheek when he smiled that wide.
“I’m not. I like all music, including country.” Though I preferred older country, since those were the records I had listened to the most.
“Ah, so you thought I was the hater.” Jack placed his hands on the bar, leaning forward. “I’m glad to prove you wrong. I like all music, too. It’s about the sound for me.”
“Good to know.” Realizing Levi was studying me, I swiveled in his direction. “What about you? What kind of music do you like?”
Levi shrugged. “I’ll give anything a try. I’m not very particular.”
His answer slid something heavy into my stomach, which was silly. I didn’t need to have a lot in common with someone who was just a hookup.
“I was thinking I’d make you something new tonight?” Jack asked it as a question, pulling my gaze back to him.
“That sounds good.” As much as I’d liked the purple sparkling drink, I wasn’t sure I wanted to order it again. “Surprise me.”
Jack moved down the bar to get started.
“So you two are friends?” Levi asked.
My hand closed around the edge of the bar, wondering if I should admit it, but it wasn’t like I’d played it cool. “Yeah, we’re friends.”
“That’s smart.” Levi looked at me ruefully. “It can be kind of nerve-racking to meet up with someone from the apps. Since he didn’t kick me out, I guess I passed the initial test.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t a test. I just like it here and feel safe.”
“Feeling safe is good.” He smiled at me. His nostrils flared when he did, making his nose seem a little bigger, and I settled even more.
“So, your answer about music, was that you being diplomatic?” I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Do you secretly hate country music?”
“Called out!” Levi laughed. “Not hate, but it’s not my favorite, to be honest.”
I nodded. “What do you normally listen to?”
“R&B and jazz. There’s a jazz bar on the other side of town I was going to suggest, but you mentioned this place first.”
“I’ve listened to older jazz. Tell me a few favorites.”
He was telling me about them when Jack slid my drink in front of me. It was clear with streaks of red this time. The mini umbrella matched and was linked to a lime. As I was taking my first sip, Jack pointed toward Levi’s half-full soda. “Need another?”
Levi shook his head. “Not yet.”
Jack moved down the bar, even though no one had called to him yet.
Levi caught me looking at his drink. “I’m not much of a drinker,” he admitted, rubbing his head again.
“I’m not judging.” I lifted my drink, which was delicious, sweeter than I expected. “This is a mocktail, actually. Jack likes to experiment with them.”
“Something in common, then.” He smiled, his fingers playing in the condensation on his glass. “I haven’t actually done the app thing much, and I’ve never tried casual.”
“You mentioned you’d just gotten out of something serious,” I said, leaving it at that. It wasn’t my place to ask for more details, not when my profile made it clear I still had a boyfriend.
“Yeah, I haven’t quite worked through it yet. I figured maybe dating would help, but I know I’m not ready for more yet.” He licked his lips, his tongue a flash of pink. “I liked how straightforward your profile was. You’re also really cute.”
My cheeks burned. “Thanks. You look good, too.”
“That part works, then.” He took another sip of soda. “I have to confess, I’m not a sure thing tonight. As I said, I’m new at this and still feeling it out.”
“That’s fine. I’m not either. I don’t think anyone should expect that.” I shifted my gaze to my drink. I still didn’t know if I’d be able to trust anyone enough to move to that next step.
“Another checkmark,” Levi said. He cleared his throat. “So, we already covered music. What about shows? What are you watching right now?”
Levi was easy to chat with. We shared a love of binge-watching dramas, avoiding sitcoms, but agreed to disagree on the merits of reality TV.
I was laughing at his professed love of Jeff Probst when Jack’s voice came over the microphone, introducing the band for the night.
When the first song started, the singer’s voice seemed to come from deep in his chest but had a definite twang.
I smiled as he sang about losing his girl.
Levi leaned in closer as the first song wound down. “Not awful,” he said close to my ear.
I turned my head, our cheeks nearly brushing. “Not at all.”
His hand rested next to mine on the top of the bar as we listened to the first set together, murmuring about each topic in between.
He didn’t much care for trucks, and I’d never gone mudding.
He had two dogs at home, pitbulls, and I’d never had a dog.
He’d gotten drunk his first time when he was fourteen, and I’d had my first drink on my twenty-first birthday and ended up sick that night.
He made a humming sound in his throat that I just picked up over the music.
“What?” I asked, turning toward him.
“I’m starting to think you’ve lived a pretty sheltered life. I bet you were the good girl in school, straight As with perfect attendance.”
My cheeks heated at how easily he’d pegged me. “Is that so bad?”
“Bad? No.” His hand lifted, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“I’m just surprised you’re here with me.
You don’t seem like the type to do this kind of thing.
Is that what it is? You’re trying to go a little wild?
” His hand dropped to his thigh. “Or is this hall pass scenario all the boyfriend’s idea? ”
My smile fell as I stared into his dark eyes. “I—”
“Hailey?” Sean called from the door.
I turned around, my eyebrows pulling together as I saw Sean pressing a hand against Neil’s chest to keep him outside.
“Neil?” I asked, slipping off the barstool to cross to the door.
Neil jerked back from Sean’s touch, pulling his button-down shirt straighter. “There you are. You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I’m on a date.” My gaze went back toward the bar where Levi was frowning as he took us in. “You knew that.” I looked back at Neil with a raised eyebrow. “Why are you here?”
“So, what, I don’t come first?” The exaggerated pout his lips formed made me look at him cautiously. “You know, you’re right. But I might as well meet him while I’m here.” He pushed past me, heading toward the bar.
“Is he drunk?” I whispered to Sean.
“Pretty sure he is. Want me to get rid of him?” Sean offered.
“No. I’ll handle it.” My steps felt heavy as I made my way to the bar.
“Wow, look how different we are!” Neil was saying, waving a hand between Levi and himself. “Must make you feel so weird, having the boyfriend show up.” He reached for my drink.
“I can’t say I was expecting it,” Levi said, looking at me.
“I’m sorry. He’s never done this before.” I eyed Neil warily.
Levi slipped off his barstool. “It’s not your fault, but this seems messier than I can handle.” He dropped a twenty onto the bar, turning and moving closer to me. “It’s a shame. You seem like a really nice girl, Hailey.” He gave me a nod and headed toward the door.
My stomach sank as he left. Turning back, I watched Neil down my drink, making a “blech” sound after.
“Was that just fruit juice?” Neil asked with a frown.
I ignored the question. “What’s going on, Neil?”
“Have you been coming to this same bar every Friday?” His nose wrinkled as he looked around.
“I feel comfortable here.” I didn’t at the moment, but I usually did. Having Neil there again made the whole place feel… off.
“Come on, Hailey. Sit and drink with me.” He patted Levi’s empty barstool.