2. Leo #2
“Just the luck of the draw, my friend,” Cooper said, his broad shoulders shaking as he laughed. He gathered the cards and shuffled. “And skill…and talent…and good looks.”
“I don’t think that last one has anything to do with poker,” Gabe muttered before looking up to greet us. “Hey, guys. Perfect timing, because I can’t handle losing another game. Leo, good to meet you.”
“I lose to Hal. You lose to me. It’s just how it works.” Cooper shrugged before turning to me with an easygoing smile. “Hey, Leo.”
Gabe gave Cooper a look. “Well, no, because you beat both of us.”
“Huh, yeah.” Cooper grinned. “I guess I do.”
Wes slid in next to Cooper, while I took the spot next to Gabe.
“New guy is already turning heads,” Cooper playfully commented, sliding the cards back into their box.
“You’re getting a warmer welcome than I did, that’s for sure,” Gabe said. “I was only getting glares for the first couple of weeks. And there was the whole bet on what would happen when I got to town.”
Wes gave Gabe a look, which had him quickly saying, “But it’s all fine! Golden Falls is a great place to move to.” Gabe leaned toward Wes. “How’d I do?” he whispered.
I let out a laugh. “Hey, no need to convince me. I believe it. If anything, I’d be worried if the residents weren’t staring.”
“True.” Cooper nodded. “People are nosy as fuck here.”
“Hope you’re including yourself in that,” Wes teased.
“Uh, yeah, of course.” Cooper gave Wes an obviously look. He then turned to me. “My grandma and the ladies in her knitting club always know what’s going on. Oh! And Louise, who is the other bartender at Lake Ridge. If you ever need a rumor cleared up—or spread, for that matter—that’s where to go.”
“It’s true,” Gabe confirmed. “Louise was also the one who won the town bet.”
“Jesus,” Wes said, running a hand over his face.
“Noted. Sounds like I should be meeting the knitting club ladies instead of hanging out here,” I joked.
Now that I was sitting, I took the time to look around, noticing the neon blue Lake Ridge sign over the door and the exposed-brick walls decorated with photos and newspaper clippings.
“I bet this guy didn’t tell you”—Cooper hooked his thumb in Wes’s direction—“but Lake Ridge has been on a few ‘must visit’ lists recently for people traveling to Wisconsin and the Midwest. Last summer was the busiest yet, and this summer will likely draw even more people in.”
I whistled. “I believe it. After seeing how busy it is tonight, I can’t imagine how packed it’ll be over the summer.” I’d done my research on Lake Ridge and saw the lists Cooper was talking about, but I hadn’t realized just how big of a draw the bar was for the town and area.
“These doors”—Cooper gestured to the garage doors near us—“open up when the weather’s nice.
Adds extra seating and space, which helps.
” He then turned to Wes, elbowing him. “I knew you wouldn’t mention that.
” Cooper turned his attention back to me.
“Was he nice to you on the walk over? Between us, he can get a little…grumpy with new people. Just ask his girlfriend Jules.”
“I’m right here,” Wes grunted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“See?” Cooper shrugged, as if Wes had proven his point.
I looked between Wes and Cooper, quickly picking up on their friendship. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”
“Big time,” Cooper said with a shit-eating grin. “Stick around long enough, and you’ll hear ’em all.”
The dynamic between the guys was entertaining, to say the least. I had friends in Portland, but not a group like this, and my friends from culinary school, who I was still close with, were all over the country. With our hours and schedules, it was rare to all get together.
We’d gotten into a conversation about music when Cooper craned his neck and said, “Who’s the guy Eliza’s talking to? Just want to make sure he’s not causing her any trouble.”
I glanced over my shoulder in time to see Eliza smile at the same guy she’d been talking to when Wes and I walked in. She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, the light above her illuminating the gold rings on her fingers and her tattoos.
My jaw tightened, and I exhaled slowly before leaning back in the booth and turning my focus back to the guys. It wasn’t any of my business who Eliza was talking to. I didn’t need to get caught up in every little interaction she had.
Wes shrugged. “Haven’t seen him in before. Likely someone passing through from out of town. I think from her smile and laughter she’s doing okay.” He looked over at Cooper. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing.” Cooper quickly shook his head. “Just been a little worried about her lately.”
That got my attention. I sat up straighter. “Eliza is your…” I trailed off, not sure how to finish that sentence or what their relationship was.
“My little sister,” Cooper, thankfully, finished for me, but the damage had been done on where my sentence was going. Wes barked out a laugh, and Gabe set a hand over his mouth to hide his grin.
“That also would’ve been good context,” I said with a huff of a laugh to Wes, who raised his hands apologetically.
“I thought I mentioned it,” he defended.
“Anyways,” Cooper drawled. “I hope she’s okay with Lily moving out of the apartment. I know they’re always going to be close, but it’s a big change.”
Gabe nodded. “It’s been hard on Lily, too. She’s excited that we’re living together, but she misses living so close to Eliza.”
“Considering she’s been giving me the same amount of shit, I’d say she’s doing okay,” Wes said with a chuckle, but his expression quickly softened.
“I’ll keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s taking time to slow down.
Can’t promise anything—that girl does whatever the hell she wants—but she has us looking out for her regardless. ”
Cooper relaxed into his seat and spun his empty beer glass around. “I’m good with one tonight, but you guys want another?”
When Wes and Gabe nodded, I offered to get the next round. “Should probably say hi to Eliza, too,” I added. It’d just be a casual hello. Better now than later, especially since we were going to be working together.
So, I got up and walked over to the bar—exactly what I should’ve done four years ago.