Chapter 6
Chapter Six
WEST
Other than leaving town when I was eighteen, I did very little on impulse.
Even leaving when I was eighteen wasn’t exactly an impulse.
I had thought about it for years, planning and dreaming about being as far away from my parents’ death as possible.
But I didn’t wait a month, a week, or even a day.
As soon as I blew the candles out on my cake and had a slice with my family, I threw everything I owned into the bed of my dad’s old pick-up truck and drove into the city.
But now I had made three impulse decisions in a row, and all three were going to change the course of my life if I didn’t get my head screwed on straight.
My first mistake was telling Mr. McConnell that I was engaged.
I still wasn’t sure what to do about that lie, especially since my secretary had called early Saturday morning to tell me Mr. McConnell sent a bouquet of flowers to the office and a note of congratulations.
A fake breakup was now out of the question.
My second impulsive mistake was going to Fiddlers for a fucking drink. Whatever made me think that would be a good idea was something scientists should explore once I’m dead. There was nothing good that could come from West Brooks sipping bourbon in the back of a dive bar.
Last, and probably my craziest impulse decision was when I called my office and made them work all night and day to secure the sale of Fiddlers to me.
The owner, Jeff, was all too happy to receive my offer of double what the bar was worth, paid in cash.
He had practically run to my offices in Atlanta to sign the paperwork as it was being prepped.
By the time I got word that everything was official, I made my way to the police station to pay Captain Davis a visit.
Miles had told me that his old boss wasn’t a bad guy, but he had been letting the goons at the bar get away with way too much.
It was time he understood that as a business owner in Harmony Haven, I would expect his utmost support in keeping Fiddlers a safe place to not only visit, but to work.
“I assure you Mr., Brooks,” he said, nodding emphatically. “Those Murphy boys only got away with what they did because the old owner refused to press charges. Financially, it just isn’t worth it to this community to move forward with any fines or jail time because the owner didn’t give a shit.”
Well this owner did and I made sure he knew it. Something about seeing the bartender being confronted the way she had made fire burn inside of me. So much so that I did whatever I had to do to make sure it never happened again.
Now, I just had to make sure that the staff knew I had no intention of changing anything.
It wasn’t my desire to do anything different, other than protect their peace of mind.
I may have gotten a business reputation that made people think the worst of me, but I had never been cold and heartless.
I would have never taken the heart of Harmony Haven and closed its doors just because I could.
I did, however, expect the fiery bartender to be a bit more thankful. What was her problem? What was her deal? I always believed knowledge was power, and I was determined to find out more about the gorgeous girl with the colorful name.
Luckily, by the time I had made it back to the lake house, I had a sure fire plan to help me learn more. I just needed Easton to answer his fucking phone. I had only called eight times so far, but my willing amount of tries was infinite.
Finally on the ninth try, he answered the phone in a panic. “Hey! What’s going on? Everyone okay?”
“Heyyyy,” I said casually, like I had been on a Sunday stroll.
“What do you mean heyyyy? West, this is your ninth call? And I heard through the grapevine you were in town, which was weird, but now you’re calling me like a lunatic?”
“What?” I laughed, practically gaslighting him. “I think you’re the one acting like a lunatic.”
“What’s going on with you?” He asked calmly.
“What’re you up to tonight?” I thought polite conversation was a good way to start.
“I was fucking my girl,” he gritted out, making me feel that his words were a thousand percent truthful.
“Well I hope you didn’t leave her hanging.”
“West?” he said slowly. “What the hell is going on? Grams and Gramps told me you flew in yesterday. The whole town has been wondering why you were at Fiddlers. Now you’re calling me at midnight.”
“Nothing is making sense,” I admitted. “And tomorrow you’ll probably find out that I bought Fiddlers.”
“You did what?” He yelled. “What do you plan on doing to Fiddlers?”
“Nothing,” I raked a hand through my hair. “But I went there on a whim and it just felt like it needed a new outlook.”
“From what I heard, the Murphy brothers needed their asses kicked again. If you don’t plan on changing anything other than making sure they’re held accountable for their bullshit then I’d say good job.”
I started pacing across the dark living room, running a hand through my hair, working up the courage to ask him what was really going through my mind.
“The bartender there…” I muttered. “She’s a fireball. And I’m not really sure what to think about her.”
“You mean Blue?” Easton laughed. “She’s amazing. Been practically running that place for years. I don’t know her too well, but I know she’s from Pecan Grove, about Miles’ age so she’s too young for you. And don’t be stupid and fire her. She’s the main reason most people show up.”
“I’m not gonna fire her,” I said. “I made her the manager. She can run it however she wants. I just…” I hesitated. “What do you mean she’s too young for me? I’m–”
“Get to the point,” Easton barked.
“I just want to know more about her.”
Easton was silent for a minute too long and I knew he was comparing my phone call to the one he gave me all those months ago when he met Jesse. Thankfully, he spared me having to explain how it was completely different.
“You’re her boss now, West. Only thing you really need to know is that she’s a hard worker, a decent person, and she hates the Murphy brothers. But I guess you already figured that part out.”
I didn’t respond. Because I had already figured all of that out. It was obvious from the second I saw her. Still, I’d hoped Easton could give me something more. Something to help me get a better read on her.
“Well, I guess you’re right,” I finally said, letting it go, at least for now. There was no reason to have him thinking it was about anything more than keeping tabs on my newest employee.
“You coming to Sunday dinner tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’ll be there. Then I have to drive back to the city for a Monday morning meeting.”
“Well, next time you call me seven hundred times in a day, can you do it while Max is awake? Because once that kid’s head hits the pillow, I take Jesse to bed and show her how much I love her…with my tongue.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear and grimaced, shaking my head. “Christ, Easton.”
Some things can’t be unheard. And the last thing I wanted was a mental image of Easton's tongue anywhere near my future sister-in-law.
“Speaking of Jesse,” I added quickly, desperate to change the subject, “when are you going to tell her about the house plans?”
“We’re close,” he said. “I’ve got a meeting next week to finalize everything. Once I have the papers in my hand, I’ll let her know. But don’t forget, this all hinges in whether or not you do what I asked you to do. I won’t move forward until you do.”
“I know,” I shrugged as if he could see me, trying to look nonchalant. But the reminder of what he needed from me was now weighing heavily in my veins.
We wrapped up the call, and I sank down onto the couch, staring at the blank TV screen in front of me.
The house looked like a rental, with neutral walls, generic furniture, and zero signs of actual life.
It was designed for families passing through town for the summer, looking for a lake view and a decent price.
Not that I ever allowed it to be listed.
There had always been something about it I could never quite let go of. I only stayed a few nights at a time, and I’d thought about selling it or at least renting it out. But I hadn’t. I couldn’t.
It was the only place in Harmony Haven that gave me solitude when I needed to be close by. But escaping Atlanta wasn’t working. Not this time. Being in Harmony Haven had been nothing but a shit show.
And now, all I wanted was to escape Harmony Haven.
I would. Soon. I just had to survive Sunday dinner.
Then Monday morning would be a fresh start.