Chapter Twenty-Two
Twenty-Two
GRAY CONSIDERED BEING ABLE TO leave in the middle of the day—even if it was for errands—one of the many perks of running Get Lost. They had enough staff now to ensure things ran smoothly, and, between all of them, they’d found a way to offer the guests a relaxing stay without burning themselves out entirely.
That first year, he’d lived on coffee and Pop-Tarts, just trying to make it through each day.
He held Charlie’s hand as they walked into Brothers’ Pub. Since Ollie had hard-launched—Presley’s words in the group chat after Jilly blabbed—whatever this was between them, it seemed silly to deny himself simple pleasures like holding her hand.
Bernie waved hello to people as he walked to one of the back corner booths on Liam’s side of the bar.
While Bernie had only spent about six weeks at the lodge last summer, this year, he’d come in May and didn’t plan on heading back to his home until at least September.
Gray wondered if he’d extend his stay with Charlie doing a minimum of one semester at the college.
Either way, Bernie was considered a local.
“Oh. Wow. Your sister and Presley told me about this,” she said, gesturing to the makeshift wall that separated the two sides of the bar.
It had posters up all over it to cover how ugly the plywood was, but it didn’t truly block out the sound since it didn’t extend quite up to the ceiling.
“I couldn’t really picture it though. This is sad. ”
They slid into the booth as the waiter promised to be with them in a minute.
“It is,” Gray said, his thigh pressing up against hers as they settled in the booth.
“Liam and Leo were best friends as well as brothers. We all hung out.” Grayson shook his head, looking around.
“No one knows what caused a rift between them. Whatever tore them apart doesn’t seem to be going away.
So, now they split the bar in half like they used to do as kids when they shared a room and couldn’t get along. ”
“Must break their parents’ hearts,” Bernie said, picking up the laminated placard that listed the specials.
“Sorry about the wait. Hey, Gray. Bernie. Who’s this?
” Felix put his hands on his hips, staring at Charlie.
He had spiky blond hair that he kept shaved almost to the scalp on the sides.
He’d only started working at the pub a few months ago, but was already a favorite server among tourists and locals alike.
“I’m Charlie,” she said, extending her hand.
Felix took it, shook it, and grinned when he turned to Bernie. “This is your niece. The one you were telling us about.” He turned back to Charlie. “Welcome to Smile. And, more specifically, to Bros’. Can I get you all started with a drink?”
Bernie ordered a beer but Gray and Charlie ordered sodas. Bernie teased Gray about the perks of retirement. Charlie looked around the pub, taking it all in the way he’d seen her do several times, with people and places.
“How long has the pub been like this?” She tapped her hands against the tabletop.
“About six years, I think? My siblings and I were all away at the time and no one really knows what went down between them. It’s one of the only mysteries in Smile,” Gray joked, even though it actually bothered him quite a bit that the guys were letting the rift between them grow.
Felix came back with their drinks. They decided to order the special, which was grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches on brioche bread with thick-cut fries.
When Felix walked away, Charlie put a hand over her stomach. “I think I’ve eaten more carbs in the last couple of weeks than in my entire life.”
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do when you’re on vacation or taking a break from your life,” Bernie said, sipping his beer.
When Bernie told Charlie about the Sunday Samplers Market in town, she looked so excited, Gray told her they’d go.
He’d need to move a few things around, but he wanted as much time with her as he could get.
More than that, he wanted to show her his town.
His home. Realizing she’d be here for the wedding, he almost asked her to go but realized he’d better check with Presley and Beckett.
“You’ll get a real taste of Smile at the Sunday Market, Charlie. Then next weekend, there’ll be pre-wedding celebrations, and the following one, you’re my date to the wedding,” Bernie said.
Gray had picked up his phone but set it down and stared at Bernie. Like he knew exactly what Gray was thinking, Bernie laughed.
“Sorry, son. You have to secure these things ahead of time. You’ll need to find your own date. Charlie is mine for your brother’s wedding.”
Charlie arched her brows, slipped one hand onto Grayson’s thigh. “I’m going to suggest you don’t bring your own and I’ll just sneak away when Bernie’s busy charming the other guests.”
Grayson squeezed her hand, holding it against his thigh. She might be keeping some things tucked close, not ready or not willing to share, but she had no problem giving affection, and Grayson loved it. “A perfect plan.”
Liam came out of the kitchen and grabbed their lunches from the pass-through window. Tall and muscled, hair cut short, he grinned as he got closer.
“Hey. Felix said you were here. How’s it going?” Liam set the food down on their table, flashing a smile at Charlie that made Grayson want to put his arm around her.
“Good, good. Nice to see you.” Gesturing to Charlie, Gray introduced her. “This is Charlie. Charlie, this is Liam, this half of Brothers’ Pub.”
Charlie extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Liam. I’ve heard lots of lovely things about your pub.”
Liam held her hand a bit longer than necessary, flashing Gray a grin. “And yet, I’ve only heard about you from Bernie. I didn’t know you were close with Grayson, too.”
This time, Gray slipped his arm around Charlie’s shoulder as she pulled her hand back. “It’s new.”
Charlie leaned into the crook of his arm and his heart did a little somersault. “The food smells amazing.”
Loud music started up from beyond the wall. Liam’s grin disappeared as he stared toward his brother’s half.
“He keeps doing that. We agreed not to play loud music during lunch or dinner.”
Bernie pulled his sandwich closer. “Did you talk to your brother to work that out?”
Liam looked back at Bernie as Gray moved his arm and he and Charlie put their lunches in front of themselves. He picked up a fry, internally commending Bernie for his brave question. At some point, something had to give with these two.
“No.” Liam’s entire demeanor changed and while he still smiled as he told them to enjoy their lunch, it was strained. He’d already started to walk away when he turned back. “Gray, I’ve got the guitar for Ollie in the back. Let me know when you’re leaving and I’ll bring it out for you.”
“Will do, man. Thanks.”
Liam nodded and went back into the kitchen. Charlie, who’d picked up a fry, stared after him.
Gray added ketchup to his plate while Bernie dug into his sandwich. Charlie, however, put her fry down and grabbed her napkin.
“Has anyone tried to talk to them?” She looked between Bernie and Gray.
Gray nodded as he picked up half of his sandwich.
“Sure. Everyone at some point or another. Beckett and I took each of them out to get drunk one night, thought we could get them talking. Mo—you met her the other day—she’s offered to sit down with one or both of them any time.
And lots of other people. They close off when you bring anything up, so most of us just steer clear of the topic now.
We pretend it’s normal and try to visit both sides somewhat equally. ”
Bernie gestured to Charlie’s food. “Don’t want that getting cold, dear.”
With her brows furrowed, Charlie picked up a fry and ate it. They ate in silence for a few minutes, all of them enjoying the meals. Other people came and left and the music next door was turned down a touch.
When she’d eaten half of her sandwich, Charlie took a long drink of her pop and then set it down abruptly. “I think you need something more drastic.”
Bernie wiped his mouth. “For what, dear?”
She looked at Gray. “If everyone just caters to their fight, they have no reason to repair things. From what I can see and what everyone has said, their businesses are thriving. Maybe even more so because of all of you trying to be fair. I think they might need some tough love.”
Grayson wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. He usually tried not to get into people’s business. He was good friends with both twins and so were his siblings and Levi.
After swallowing the last of his sandwich, he wiped his hands and mouth with the napkin. “I’m not sure it’s any of our business.”
She smiled and his lungs tightened. Charlie had a really fantastic smile.
“I’ve barely explored the town, and yet, I’ve already learned that many of the residents consider everything their business.
If people love those two and want to help them find their way back to each other, you have to try a different approach. ”
“Now, Charlie,” Bernie said, “I see where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure you can change a leopard’s spots, so to speak.”
Charlie set both her hands on the table.
“If people want to change, they absolutely can. And there’s no greater motivator in life than feeling like you’re going to lose someone or something you cherish.
The look Liam gave that wall wasn’t filled with anger.
It was irritation mixed with hurt. If it still hurts, he still cares. ”
Gray could only stare at her. She turned her head, bringing their faces close enough that, if her uncle weren’t sitting across from them, he would have kissed her, slowly and thoroughly. He’d save that for later.
“What? You think I’m ridiculous?” she said.
Gray reached out and stroked a hand over her hair. “No. I think you’re amazing and passionate and incredibly smart. Mo’s probably the one who’s tried the hardest with them. Why don’t we walk over to the General Store after and chat with her?”
The sun couldn’t shine brighter or be more radiant than Charlie’s smile. “Perfect.”
He was beginning to think that she was. Perfect. For him.
How had that happened?