Chapter 9
Casey Joe
We got to the Roadhouse before the event was scheduled to start. Figured it would help Jack if we were there to help instead of showing up with the crowd.
Luckily, we’d walked over because I needed some time to clear my head and work out some energy.
Bryce’s jock had thrown me for a loop.
I knew what a damn jockstrap was. Hell, I’d played sports. My boys had played sports. That wasn’t the problem.
The problem was my brain couldn’t wrap around Bryce wearing a jock outside of a sporting event. When he told me the why behind wearing that type of underwear, I’m pretty sure major synapses inside my gray matter ceased to exist.
Images from middle school and high school flashed through my mind. Back then, confusion, fear, longing, and curiosity blanketed my thoughts as heavily as the thick steam from the locker room showers.
And, if I was being honest, that same soup of emotions—
Nope.
Not going there.
There was no damn reason for me to be thinking about underwear or asses.
Not back then.
Not currently.
And definitely not when it came to Bryce fuckin’ Armstrong.
“So, I was thinking we’d have everything outside since the weather is nice,” Jack said as he carried a covered tray to the outdoor dining area.
“I have pitchers of sweet tea, unsweet tea, lemon cucumber water, and sangria.” He winced.
“Is that all too summery? Should I have gone with more fall-ish drinks?”
“Summer is still holding on,” Lance said. “I think you’re fine. You can switch things up next time.”
Jack relaxed and nodded. “The bar out here is stocked for pretty much anything as long as it’s not too terribly complicated.
” He gestured toward the table. “I decided on a peach chiffon cake with raspberry preserves, a key lime and dark chocolate cake, and a brown butter caramel cake. I don’t think we’ll have so many people we’ll run out of cake. ”
“Oh, you sweet, sweet child,” Hudson crooned as he pressed himself to Jack’s side and wrapped him in a hug. “You could have zero guests show up, and you’d still run out of cake. Just let me loose with a fork.”
I smacked the back of his head. “Don’t be greedy. We all get some.”
I knew damn well I needed to watch what I ate.
I was still consuming way too many sweets.
I’d done pretty decent with cutting down on the fried, fatty foods, but snacks were my weakness.
Chips, honey buns, cake. Part of it was because it all tasted so damn good, and part of it was my brain telling me no one got to tell me what I could or couldn’t eat, and if I wanted to eat junk, I could.
Add in the fact I’d kept up with trying to kick the cigarettes, and snacks were damn hard to get rid of.
“Everyone can have a full-size piece of one cake or a sample-size of all three,” Jack said.
“There’s plenty.” He walked around the open area.
“I think there’s room for everyone. People can talk, we’ll have music playing, drinks.
Henry made a great veggie and fruit spread.
” He turned panicked eyes my way. “Oh god, what if no one shows up, and I look like a total loser with all this food and no one wanting to socialize?”
“Fuck ’em. We can all socialize. We don’t need nobody else.” I grabbed Jack and ruffled his hair.
“Yeah,” Hudson agreed. “Just don’t let Dad pick the music or everyone will ask for their senior discount and leave early to get home to watch the early news before soaking their dentures and heading to bed.”
“Go home,” I groused. “Children aren’t welcome at the Lemon Drop Social Club.”
Hudson laughed and dodged the arm I sent out to grab him.
The anxiety on Jack’s face eased, and a grin softened his face when Henry came outside with a very large platter of veggies, fruit, cheese cubes, and dips.
“Mmm, I’ll try the cake, but that looks amazing,” Bryce said. He truly looked like he was almost drooling over carrots, broccoli, and strawberries. “Oh my god, is that a cream cheese dip?”
“Yep, there’s a brown sugar one and a strawberry one,” Henry said with a tiny grin under his beard. “And a garden pesto dip for the veggies that’s to die for.”
“It’s sooo good,” Jack said as he stole a carrot and dunked it in the dip.
“Damn, man. Leave some for us, and no double dippin’.” Glancing around for a bowl of chips or pretzels, I gave up and snatched a bell pepper. The dip looked like ranch. “What the fuck is a pesto?”
“Basically, just basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and garlic,” Henry said. “I made the dip from mayo, sour cream, pesto, and lemon juice. I think it’s best on veggies and pretzel sticks.”
I took a bite and chewed.
Henry eyed me. Jack bit his lip.
“Well?” Bryce asked. “Is it good?”
“Be better on a chip,” I said, “but it’s good.
” I reached for a carrot. Fuckin’ rabbit food.
But the pesto dip was fuckin’ delicious—not that I was gonna tell them that.
Almost like a bag of chips—like when you can’t stop reaching back in for more so you can keep the crunch and the flavor coming—my taste buds savored the dip and begged for more. “I could eat it if I had to.”
Henry huffed and shook his head. Jack grinned like a parent proud of his kid for eating all his green beans. And Hudson shouldered his way in front of me to dip another carrot into the dip.
“How ’bout we save some for everybody else?” Lance suggested.
I grabbed one more carrot and scooped up some dip. “Anything we can help with?”
Jack glanced around and shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. As long as people show up, I think things should run pretty smoothly. Maybe if you see people not really socializing, you can pull them into conversation?”
“Do you want to say a few words at the beginning just to make sure everyone knows what’s going on? Set the expectations?” Lance asked.
I’d helped Jack with the flyers, so I knew he’d explained the point of the Lemon Drop Social Club, but I also knew people didn’t pay attention worth a shit.
Jack bit his lip and pulled the collar of his shirt up to rub along his chin. “Yeah, that would probably be for the best. Does anyone want to help with that?”
“Maybe we all can back you up?” Hudson asked. “You start it off, and we’ll add in anything you might miss? We can see if anyone has questions and go from there.”
Jack smiled and looked relieved. “Yeah, that sounds good. I just don’t want people to think this is stupid.”
Henry put his arm around Jack. “It’s not stupid. It’s a good idea.”
“People like to chit-chat,” I said. “I think it will be really popular.”
Over the next several minutes, folks began to arrive. Everyone was greeted, shown the food, drinks, bar, and tables. People immediately got themselves water, tea, or drinks from the bar. A few filled plates, while others found seats.
About ten minutes after the official start of the event, Jack cleared his throat. “I wanted to take a minute to tell everyone thank you for coming.”
Conversations paused, and the Riggs crew gathered behind Jack as he addressed the guests.
“Most of you know me,” Jack continued. “I haven’t been in Haven Grove for long, but it’s been more of a home for me in the short time I’ve been here than any other place I’ve had the misfortune of living.”
Henry put his arm around Jack’s shoulders, and Jack’s eyes lit up like the gentle touch energized him.
“I wanted to start something that would give people the chance to just visit. Maybe one day, we’ll raise money for something important or get a group together to volunteer for something.
But for now, I just want people to get to know each other and spend time together.
There’s no set agenda. Talk about books, hobbies, cooking, weather, whatever. ” Jack glanced at Henry.
With a soft smile that seemed meant only for Jack, Henry went on. “We didn’t want to set a lot of rules or regulations. For the time being, keep things civil. Treat others the way you’d want to be treated. The Lemon Drop is open to anyone and everyone, but we won’t tolerate bigotry of any kind.”
I cleared my throat. “In case you’re not sure what bigotry includes, let me clarify.
” Swiping my phone screen, I read from the bit I’d pieced together from some online definitions.
“Bigotry can include, but is not limited to, intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, hostility, and stereotyping based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.” I put my phone back in my pocket.
“Basically, don’t be a hateful dick, and everything will be just fine.
But if you want to be an asshole, you’ll be asked to leave. ”
As my gaze swept over the gathered people, I recognized most and knew they wouldn’t bring problems to the group. Only a few folks in town would raise red flags for me, but I thought it was better to make the blanket statement right away rather than have to bring it up if a problem cropped up later.
Jack clapped his hands together and went on. “If you haven’t yet met Bryce, he’s the new owner of Armstrong Health & Fitness. Be sure you make him feel welcome, and chat with him about his plans once the gym opens.”
I didn’t think Bryce had known Jack was going to introduce him like that, but he just smiled at Jack, gave a quick wave, and said, “Thanks for the friendly welcome to Haven Grove. I grew up not too far from here, still have family around these parts. Does a person good to come back home. Casey Joe’s been helping me with the gym, and we hope to have it up and running in the new year if not before. ”
Hudson stepped next to Jack. “One thing Jack is too modest to mention is it costs a decent amount of coin to provide drinks and food for something like this. Jack’s idea for this little club was to have it be free for as long as possible.
However, if you appreciate the drinks, food, and atmosphere, please be sure to pop a small donation in the jar at some point during the evening. ”