Chapter 22
twenty-two
SKYLER
“Oh my,” Autumn whispers in my ear a couple of hours later. “Eileen’s drunk as a skunk.”
I follow her stare, looking over to see the older woman dancing in front of the jukebox. My eyebrows lift up, because that woman can dance. Like seriously dance. I can sway and move my hips but she’s absolutely mesmerizing.
“How much has she had?” I ask. It’s weird, but now that I’m a business owner I actually want to make sure I follow the rules. “Should we cut her off?”
Eileen does a perfect pirouette and then stumbles into Jesse, who unfortunately has his hands full with his guitar. Somehow he manages to catch her with his free arm, but for a second it’s touch and go whether he’s going to drop the expensive instrument.
Thankfully he doesn’t. I let out a long breath and look at Autumn. “Can you make some coffee?” I ask. “Strong?”
She nods. “On it.”
I lift up the hatch in the counter and walk around to the main bar. The party is starting to thin out now that Jesse has finished his last set. Most of the tables are taken, but there are less people to weave my way through, which I’m thankful for.
And of course, over in the corner, leaning on the wall, is Hudson. The man who for some reason seems to be determined to get me into bed even though I’ve offered him sex everywhere else. I can feel the heat of his stare as I reach Eileen. For a second I allow myself to look over at him.
A smug I-can-make-you-come half-smile pulls at his lips. I lift my brow at him then turn away. I’ll deal with Mr. Bed later. Right now I have a drunk bed and breakfast owner on my hands.
“Hi Eileen,” I shout over the music. “Why don’t you come talk with me at the bar?”
She reaches out for my hands. “Dance with me.” She looks around, frowning when she realizes she’s the only one swaying right now. “Where’s everybody at?”
I take her palms in mine. They feel dry and cool, despite the fact she’s moving like a demon. “We can dance later,” I shout. “Let’s go sit down.”
“Don’t be boring.” She shakes her head. “I thought you were a free spirit.”
I bite my lip in an attempt not to laugh. She’s the second person tonight who’s questioned if I really am as free as I think I am. But I’ll worry about that later. “My legs ache,” I lie. “I just need to sit down. Come and chat with me, we can dance later.”
She actually pouts which makes me want to laugh even more. “Okay, spoilsport. But only a short rest. You young people need to get more exercise.”
I lead her back to the counter, managing to maneuver her onto a stool just as Autumn finishes making the coffee and slides a mug toward her.
“What’s this?” Eileen asks, frowning at the black liquid steaming from the glass cup.
“Irish coffee,” I tell her. “Full of whiskey. It’s only for our special customers so don’t tell anybody else.”
I hear Autumn snort behind me. She’s no help at all.
“Take a sip,” I urge Eileen. “Don’t be a spoilsport.”
Turning her words back on her is all it takes for her to actually do as she’s told. She lifts the cup to her lips and wrinkles her nose as the smell of hot coffee assails her. “Haven’t drunk a coffee I haven’t made for myself in years,” she says.
I’m guessing that’s due to Mylene owning the only coffee shop in town.
“This one is specially imported,” I tell her. “From Brazil.”
God I’m getting good at lying. But it’s for a good cause.
“Oh my, I can taste the whiskey in this,” Eileen adds, taking another, longer sip. “You’re a bad girl.”
“So people keep telling me.” I smile at her.
She looks around the bar, her eyes trying to focus on the optics behind me. “Your dad would be so proud of you.”
“He would?” My throat tightens.
“Oh yes. Look at what you’ve done. This was always his dream, to have his family here. And now he does.”
“If I count as family.”
“Well of course you do. And…”
“Is that Mylene I see?” Autumn says quickly.
Fast as a whip, Eileen turns around to look. “Where?”
“Oh, it was just a mirage,” Autumn says. I frown at her. What’s she trying to do here? Make Eileen dizzy?
Thankfully Jesse chooses that next moment to walk back in and over to where we’re all standing at the bar.
“Hey,” he says, taking the three of us in. “I think I’d better head out. I have to work in the morning.”
I give him the brightest smile. “Thank you so much for all your help. And for playing tonight. I’m going to book you so many gigs your head will spin.”
His eyes are warm as he leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”
It isn’t enough. I hug him tight, smelling the low notes of his cologne as he holds me, dipping his head into my hair and kissing it softly.
Then he says his goodbyes to Autumn and Eileen before he leaves. Eileen takes another sip of coffee and lifts a brow.
“You two are very friendly,” she says, sounding approving.
“Not like that ,” I tell her.
“Of course not. He’s not the one I see sneaking around your place desperate to see you.” She grins at me, and panic suddenly washes through me.
“What?” Autumn asks.
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “She’s confused. She probably sees Jesse come over most evenings after work. It’s only to chat.” I look at Eileen. “There’s nothing going on between us.”
“I know that, silly.” She wrinkles her nose. “That would be ugh. Especially when he’s your…”
“Eileen!” Autumn shouts out, her voice lifting an octave. There’s something in her panicked tone that makes me do a double take.
I look from Eileen to Autumn, who is pointedly not meeting my gaze.
“What’s going on?” I ask, completely aware that they both know something I don’t. Autumn lets out a strangled groan.
“Oh God.” Eileen takes another sip of coffee. “She didn’t hear me, did she?”
“I didn’t hear what?” I ask Eileen. I’m confused, but it’s the kind of confused that you’re on the edge of de-confusing.
Like the darkness right next to the light.
“What were you going to say about Jesse?” I demand.
“I should go home,” Eileen says, putting her cup down. “I’m very drunk.”
“No.” I put my hand on her shoulder, gently, but firm enough to stop her movement. “You said Jesse is my…” I trail off. “What is he?”
Autumn lets out another groan and I turn to look at her. “Who is he?” I demand. “What was she about to say?”
“I’m sorry.” Autumn shakes her head. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
“Like what?” I’m so confused. I feel like an animal, cornered and unable to move. “Who is he?” I ask again. “What are you all trying to say?”
“Oh honey,” Eileen says, patting my arm. “I knew it was bad, everybody keeping this from you. I said from the start that secrets can only lead to trouble.”
“What’s the secret?” I demand, my voice low and thick.
She takes a deep breath, looking like she’d prefer to be anywhere but here, drunk on my bar stool. “Please don’t be angry,” Eileen says. Over her shoulder I can see Autumn’s face wrinkle in angst. “But Jesse is your brother.”