Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHELSEA
T wo Years Ago
I grin at the “Merry Christmas, Hellsy” text from Tony and type out a reply before sliding my phone back into my pocket to slide a tray of rolls into the oven.
This is the first time Tracey and I have had Christmas dinner at our house instead of with the rest of the Sheppards. Since Audrey passed away in the spring and we lost Robert just a few months later, we all agreed to celebrate separately instead of letting their loss overshadow the holiday. In an attempt to make the day easier on Tracey, I encouraged her to invite her friends since a lot of them are transfers without family in town.
Joey moved back to Thorngrove for college last year, and it didn’t take long for him and Tracey to start a relationship. When they met Skyler and Devon at Freshman Orientation, they all became fast friends. It’s like I’ve gained another daughter and two sons. Especially since Skyler started working for me at the coffee shop.
I’d been tempted to invite Tony tonight, but when Tracey told me that Joey and Devon would both be out of state for the holiday, I chickened out. Not because I don’t want him here, but because I don’t know that I could keep my feelings for him secret without anyone other than Skyler here to distract Tracey’s attention.
“Are you girls excited about the New Year’s Eve party at the cabin?” I ask as we sit at my small kitchen table with our plates.
“Yes, ma’am. We’re bummed that the guys won’t be there, but we’re determined to have the best time without them. Right, Sky?” Tracey beams toward her friend.
Skyler nods before biting her bottom lip nervously.
“You girls just make sure to stick together at the party,” I tell them seriously, knowing that Skyler’s anxiety will be high without Devon there to keep her attention.
“You should come to the party, Chelsea,” Skyler says, and I laugh at the glare Tracey shoots her way.
“Don’t worry, Tracey. Your momma isn’t going to ruin your fun.” She has her own plans.
Tony
I almost drop the glass in my hand when Chelsea walks into TG’s and takes a seat at the bar in front of me. Our New Year’s Eve crowd is a little older than usual since all the college kids are at her daughter’s party. But I’m still surprised to see her here.
“Look what the cat drug in,” I tease.
She laughs as she plays with the braid hanging over her shoulder. “Speaking of cats…how’s my Mistletoe? I miss him.”
“Fat and sassy. You should come visit him tonight.” I wink as I add the ingredients for a Margarita to the blender.
“I think I will,” she says with that little smirk that sets my blood on fire.
We spend the night making small talk when I’m not helping other customers, and I find myself wishing that every night could be like this. She’s only here tonight because none of her daughter’s friends will see her. Her latest excuse for keeping us a secret is how the rumor mill would affect Tracey.
She gets up from her stool a few minutes before midnight and I tell my other bartender I’m taking a break before following her down the hallway where the restrooms are located. She steps out of the ladies’ room and smiles when she sees me leaning against the wall.
“Did you think you could come into my bar and flirt with me all night without getting kissed at midnight, Hellsy ?” I close the distance and pin her to the wall just as the countdown begins.
“I didn’t…” Her words are cut off by my mouth crashing down on hers just as the crowd cheers in the main area of the bar.
I back away with just enough restraint left to send her up to my apartment while I let the rest of my staff know that I’m knocking off early. I barely get my front door closed before she’s back in my arms…where she belongs.
“I’ve wanted to do this all…damn…night,” she pants between kisses as she runs her fingers through my beard.
“You should have,” I tell her as I set her on the bed to strip out of my clothes. “Unlike you, I don’t give a fuck what people say.”
She scoots back to make room for me to crawl between her thighs without acknowledging my remark. But that’s okay. Her showing up at my bar tonight is a step forward that I wasn’t sure she would ever take.