34. Whiskey On You
Chapter 34
Whiskey On You
Asher
I wake up on a random couch. My mouth is dry, my head is pounding, and there’s a continuous scribbling sound.
“What the fuck?” I groan as I sit up and take in my surroundings. I press the heel of my palm into my eyes to put counter pressure on the throbbing happening behind them.
“Well good morning, sunshine,” a voice calls from my left. My eyes shoot open, and I take in the back of the man who was just talking. He looks over his shoulder, and I recognize him as the owner of this place.
“What the fuck happened?” I ask.
“What the fuck happened is you had five too many and tried to pass out on my bar top. I threw you back here to sleep it off, and sleep you sure did. I’m just about done with counting the drawers.”
I watch him paperclip a stack of fives, and then he turns to give me all of his attention.
“I don’t know who she is, but you either need to go get her ass back or get the fuck over her, son.”
I go to speak up, but he holds up a hand to cut me off.
“Listen, I don’t care about what you gotta say. Go home, drink some water and shower. You have whiskey leaking out of every orifice. Once that’s done, think about what I’m saying. Now get out.”
I don’t question what he says and instead get up and leave. I have a lot to think about.
* * *
I’ve showered, eaten some breakfast, and drank enough water to fill a small pond. The headache is still there, but anything to help distract me from the pain in my chest will do. I hang my head in my hands and try to think about what the bar owner said to me. I need to talk to Peter, and soon. I need their side of the story and to figure out why exactly they didn’t tell me that she was leaving so soon.
I leave my trailer and go to the house to find him. He’s sitting at the kitchen island with the newspaper in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
“We need to talk,” I state.
“That we do,” he says. He shakes the paper out and folds it up before putting it down. He lifts his mug to his lips and blows lightly before taking a swig.
“You go first,” he says.
“I need to know.”
“Know what?”
“Did you know that she was leaving last night?”
He hums in understanding and takes another drink before making an ah sound.
“Yes, we did.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I say, my voice raising. I can feel myself getting hotter knowing that he didn’t have the decency to tell me.
“Well first of all, mind yourself, boy.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I come across the table and choke him. I’m livid. They fucking knew?!
“We are under no obligation to tell you anything. Listen, I’m sorry you’re upset, and we wanted to tell you. We really did, but she asked us not to. She said it was important for her to tell you, and we didn’t want to butt in and do wrong by either one of y’all.”
I let the words wash over me and realize that they were really just trying to do their best. I look up at him, and he’s staring at me.
“We didn’t want either one of you hurt really.”
I nod my head in understanding. As upset as I am, I can’t really say I blame him.
“But I can say,” he says, clearing his throat, “she loves you.”
I feel my eyes bulge from my head.
“What?” I stutter.
“Come on. You don’t think that we’re that na?ve, do you? We know y’all have been sneaking around. And why else would you be so pissed?”
I guess the guy has a point. I feel my face flush with embarrassment.
“If you love her like I think you do, go after her. Don’t let her walk away. Go get her back. Ya know, we can always take care of chores for a few days.”
I nod and push away from the counter. I need to pack my truck and get on the road.
* * *
I’ve loaded up the truck, told Peter how to care for Bruno, and I’m on the way. I know the general direction for how to get to California, so I’ll just wait until I’m closer to figure out where she is. I have my gun in my bag, as well as handcuffs. Once I have her back, she’s coming with me.
I roll my windows down, turn the music up, and get ready for a long-ass drive.