5. Bash
Chapter Five
BASH
I wipe down the bar counter, making sure every inch is spotless before we open for happy hour at the Silver Coop.
The front door swings open, and my twin brother Brett walks in.
“Hey, bro,” I call out, grinning at him. “Long time no see.”
Brett chuckles and slides onto a stool. “Good to see you too, Bash. How about a drink on the house for your favorite twin?”
I grab a whiskey glass. “The usual?”
“You know it.”
I pour him two fingers of Macallan and slide it across the bar. “So what brings you by, brother? Just missing my charming company?”
Brett takes a sip and smirks. “Always. But actually, I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a check, and holds it up between two fingers.
I raise an eyebrow. “Did we have a bet I forgot about? Because usually, I’m the one taking your money.”
“Har har.” Brett rolls his eyes and sets the check on the bar. “Denise and I have been doing some fundraising for Diamond Dreams. We heard what happened with Trevor and wanted to help.”
I swallow hard, touched by their thoughtfulness. “I don’t know what to say. Thanks, bro.”
Brett slides the check over to me. “I know it’s not enough to cover everything Trevor stole, but it’s a start. We’re not going to let that asshole destroy all the good you’ve done.”
I whistle lowly as I pick up the check and see the amount. “Well damn. You two have been busy. “I’ll make sure this gets where it needs to go.” I tuck the check in my pocket. “But anyway, what’s new with you? How’s everything at Sugar Breeze?”
Brett and his wife Denise have made the Sugar Breeze Bakery into a local institution in Barton Beach. People line up out the door for their famous cinnamon rolls and pecan pies.
Brett’s face lights up with a proud smile. “Sugar Breeze is booming, man. Denise has been killing it with these new seasonal cupcake flavors. We can barely keep them on the shelves.”
“Well, I’m glad business is booming for you two lovebirds. You deserve it, putting in all those long hours.”
“Speaking of lovebirds,” Brett leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Word on the street is that you’ve been spending an awful lot of time in Houston lately.”
Fuck.
“Care to share with the class, Bash?”
I groan, setting down the glass I’m cleaning. “Who told you?”
Brett chuckles, clearly enjoying watching me squirm. “I have my sources.”
Damn small towns. You can’t even take a shit without the whole neighborhood knowing about it. I love Barton Beach, but sometimes living in a place where everyone is all up in your business can be a real pain in the ass.
I sigh, knowing he’s not going to let this go. “Alright, fine. I have been spending more time in Houston lately. Melissa Graham has been helping me sort out that mess with the stolen scholarship funds.”
Brett’s eyes widen in shock. “Melissa Graham? As in, your tutor from high school? The one who used to hate your guts?”
I nod, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “The very same.”
“Damn, bro. I thought she swore off ever speaking to you again after you asked Amber to prom instead of her.”
I wince at the memory. “Yeah, we’ve grown up a lot since then. Water under the bridge and all that.”
Brett leans back, studying me intently. “So what, you two are friends now?”
I shrug. “Something like that. She’s a damn good lawyer. We’ve been working together on this scholarship fiasco. “
“Working together, huh?” Brett smirks knowingly. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Oh fuck off,” I grumble, tossing a bar rag at his head.
He dodges it easily, laughing. “I knew it! You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?”
I scowl at him. “None of your fucking business.”
“Holy shit!” Brett slaps the bar, his face splitting into a wide smile. “Man, I’m happy for you. I know you’ve been head over heels for Melissa since we were teenagers.”
“Yeah, well, it’s still early days. We’re just seeing where things go.”
But inside, my heart is doing fucking cartwheels at the thought of Melissa being mine. It’s only been three weeks since Melissa and I have reconnected, but they’ve been the best three weeks of my life.
The more time I spend with her, the harder I fall. I can’t get enough of her quick wit, gorgeous smile, and how her eyes light up when she’s talking about something she’s passionate about. And don’t even get me started on what that woman can do in the bedroom.
Jesus Christ.
I’ve spent the last two weekends in Houston, finding any excuse to be near her. Helping with the case, taking her out to dinner, spending lazy Sundays tangled up in her sheets. It’s like I’m addicted. I crave her presence like a fucking junkie.
Brett is still grinning at me like the cat that caught the canary. “Man, I haven’t seen you this googly-eyed over a girl since...well, since Melissa back in high school.”
I flip him off good-naturedly.
Brett raises his glass in a toast. “Well, here’s to second chances and getting the girl.”
I clink my glass against his, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ll drink to that.”
“So, does this mean you’re planning to move to Houston? Or is Melissa gonna relocate to Barton Beach?”
I blow out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “Honestly, man, we haven’t really talked about it. Hell, we haven’t even defined what this is between us yet.”
“But you want to.”
It’s not a question. Brett knows me too well.
I nod slowly, my gaze drifting off into the distance. “Yeah, I do. I mean, I know it’s fast, but...” I trail off, trying to find the right words.
Brett claps me on the shoulder. “I get it, bro. When you know, you know.”
His words echo in my head as he drains his glass.
I know it’s probably way too soon to be thinking about forever. But damn if I don’t want to march right up to Melissa and tell her exactly how I feel. To claim her as mine and never let her go.
My hand tightens around my glass as I imagine slipping a ring on her finger. Making her my wife. My partner in every sense of the word.
Fuck, I’m in deep. And for once, I’m not even a little bit scared.
Because when it comes to Melissa, I’m all in. She’s it for me, and I’m going to make sure she knows it.
I excuse myself and head to my office behind the bar. It’s time for my daily call with Melissa. I’ve been ringing her up at 6:30 on the dot for the past week, right when she gets off work.
It may not be the most romantic gesture, but I want her to know that she can count on me. That I’m reliable. That I’ll always be there for her, no matter what.
I shut the office door behind me and sink into my chair, pulling out my phone. My fingers itch to dial Melissa’s number, desperate to hear her voice.
But before I can hit call, my phone starts vibrating in my hand.
Speak of the devil.
Melissa’s face flashes on the screen. My heart does a little flip as I swipe to answer.
“Well, hello there, beautiful. I was just about to call you.”
There’s a long pause on the other end of the line. Then, a sniffle.
I sit up straight, instantly on alert. “Melissa? Baby, is that you?”
Another sniffle, followed by a shaky breath. “Bash, I... I’m sorry to bother you at work, but I just needed to hear your voice.”
Fuck. She sounds wrecked.
“Talk to me, sweetheart. What’s going on?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “It’s nothing, really. Just some work stuff.”
I lean forward, wishing I could reach through the phone and pull her into my arms. “It’s not nothing if it’s got you this upset.”
She sighs heavily. “I know. I just...I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”
“Hey,” I say firmly, my heart clenching. “You could never be a burden to me, Melissa. I’m here for you, always. No matter what.”
Another sniffle. “Thanks, Bash.”
I swallow hard, wishing more than anything that I could be there with her right now. To hold her and tell her that everything is going to be alright. “Why don’t we talk about it tomorrow? I’ll get one of the guys to cover my shift. We can grab dinner, maybe go see a movie. Just you and me.”
“That sounds nice,” she says softly, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’d like that.”
“Good. It’s a date then.” I grin, already counting down the hours until I can see her again.
We chat for a few more minutes, keeping things light. I tell her about Brett’s visit and the check for Diamond Dreams. She tells me about the dinner she had with her mom. But I can tell her heart isn’t really in it.
As we say our goodbyes, I pause, gripping the phone tighter. “Melissa?”
“Yeah?”
I take a deep breath, the words on the tip of my tongue. I love you. I’m in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.
But I catch myself at the last second. It’s too soon. I don’t want to scare her away.
“Just...call me if you need anything, okay? Even if it’s the middle of the night. I’m here for you.”
“I will. Thanks, Bash.”
“Anytime, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hang up the phone, my heart aching for her.
Tomorrow suddenly feels like a lifetime away. I hate the thought of Melissa crying alone in her condo, with no one there to comfort her.
I make a split-second decision. I grab my keys and head back out to the bar area. Brett looks up from his phone, arching an eyebrow at me.
“Everything okay, bro?”
“Can you tell Mike to cover for me tonight? I have to go.”
Brett frowns, concern flickering across his face. “Go where?”
“Houston. Melissa needs me.”
Understanding dawns in Brett’s eyes. He nods, waving me off. “Say no more. I've got you covered here. Go take care of your girl.”
I flash him a grateful smile before pushing through the door and jogging to my truck. I peel out of the parking lot, tires squealing against the asphalt.
Hang on, baby. I’m coming.