Chapter 5
Troy
The Lucky Tap is busier than I expected for a Tuesday evening.
I push through the front door behind Levi, Kevin, and Ace, and get hit with the smell of fried food, beer, and conversation layered over something country and low on the jukebox.
The lighting is dim but warm, with exposed brick on one wall, dark wood tables scattered throughout, and a long bar running the length of the room with a mirrored back wall lined with bottles.
It's the kind of place that feels lived-in. Comfortable. The place where locals come to unwind after work instead of getting blackout drunk.
"Bar or table?" Levi asks, already heading that direction.
Kevin's gaze locks on the bar. More specifically, on the blonde bartender wiping down the counter with methodical precision. "Bar," he says without hesitation.
I follow them, weaving between tables. Levi and Kevin both did me a solid—gave me references for the rental, helped me line up the job with Thompson Construction. We all served together, though at different times and in different capacities. They're good guys. The kind you want watching your six.
Ace I just met today on the job site—construction worker, hometown boy, easy to work with. When he heard we were heading to The Lucky Tap after shift, he invited himself along with a grin that said he knew something we didn't.
As we get closer to the bar, I spot her.
Ainsley.
She's at the far end, back to us, pouring a draft beer with the confidence that comes from doing something a thousand times.
Her dark hair is pulled up in a high ponytail that swings when she moves.
Black tank top, tight jeans hugging every curve, boots.
She laughs at something a customer says, and the sound carries over the noise of the bar—bright and genuine.
My chest does something complicated.
This morning she was rumpled, flustered, cozy, and sexy as hell, standing in our kitchen in sleep shorts and an oversized T-shirt, looking at me like I'd just dismantled every defense she had. Here, she's in her element. Confident. Relaxed.
I should've stayed home.
"You coming or you gonna stand there staring?" Ace calls back, grinning.
I cross the rest of the distance and take the stool beside him. Kevin's already at the bar, and a blonde woman approaches—Steph, based on what Levi mentioned in the truck.
"Evening, Steph," Kevin says, voice careful. Gentle.
She glances at him, and something in her expression softens. Just a little. "Kevin, usual?"
"Please. And whatever these guys want."
She nods, then looks at the rest of us. "You three?"
"Whatever's on tap," Levi says. "Something that pairs well with bad decisions. And can we get some food going? Loaded fries and wings?"
"You got it." Her gaze lands on me and Ace. "Same for you two?"
"Yeah," Ace says. "Whatever you recommend."
"Same," I add.
She nods and moves down the bar to pour. I watch Kevin watch her, and it's so obvious I almost feel like I'm intruding. The guy's got it bad.
Levi leans over, nudging me with his elbow. "Steph's great. Been through some shit, but she's tough. Kevin's been waiting her out for months now."
"Waiting her out?"
"Her ex was a piece of work. Controlling. Abusive. She finally got out, but she's still skittish. Kevin's playing the long game." Levi grins. "Patient bastard."
"Seems to work," I say, watching Kevin's expression go soft when Steph returns with our beers.
She sets them down. Kevin's comes with a lime wedge on the rim. He didn't ask for it, but she put it there anyway. His fingers brush hers when he takes the glass, just for a second, and I see the way his jaw tightens like he's holding himself back from something.
"Food'll be out in fifteen," Steph says, then moves to help another customer.
Levi raises his glass. "To first days and cold beer."
"To not screwing up in front of the boss," Ace adds with a grin.
Kevin and I clink glasses with them. The beer's cold, smooth, and exactly what I needed after a day of hauling lumber and learning the rhythm of a new crew.
"So how was day one?" Levi asks, turning toward me. "Ace treating you okay?"
"Better than you did in basic," I say.
Levi laughs. "That was character-building."
"That's what you're calling it?"
"I'm calling it effective. You're still here, aren't you?"
Ace looks between us. "You two serve together?"
"Different units, but we crossed paths," Levi says. "We kept in touch after we got out."
"Which is how Troy ended up here," Kevin adds, taking a long drink. "We told him Evergreen Lakes was a good place to land."
"And that Thompson Construction was hiring," I finish.
Ace grins. "Well, welcome to the crew. And to the town. It's a good place. Small, but the people are solid." He glances around the bar. "And the beer's cold, the food's good, and the bartenders are—"
"Ace," Levi warns.
"—professionals," Ace finishes innocently. "I was going to say professionals."
"Sure you were."
"Alright, they’re beautiful. My brother-in-law did well with hiring," Ace says, turning back to me. I appreciate he isn’t leering at Ainsley or Steph, because I’d hate to punch out my new co-worker.
"Levi mentioned you're staying with someone in town while you get settled. Who'd you end up renting from?"
Before I can answer, Ainsley's voice cuts through the noise.
"Hey, guys."
I look up, and there she is.
She's standing right in front of us now, ponytail swinging, a bar towel slung over one shoulder. Her smile is friendly, and her gaze skips Levi, Ace, and Kevin before landing on me.
For half a second, her smile falters. Her eyes widen, and I see the exact moment she realizes I'm here. At her bar. With her friends.
"Ainsley!" Levi's grin widens. "How's it going?"
"Busy," she says, recovering. She wipes down the bar in front of us even though it's already clean. "Trivia night last night wiped me out, but Tuesdays are usually quieter. You guys just get off work?"
"These guys did. I’m getting ready for a nature trail with a new group for a long weekend." Levi takes a sip of his beer. "This is good, by the way."
"House brew. Simon's been tinkering with it for a while. He finally got it right." She tucks a stray curl behind her ear, and I try not to stare at the curve of her neck.
"How's Rachel?" Ainsley asks. "And your daughter?"
"Both great. My girl started preschool and is already bossing the other kids around."
"That tracks." Ainsley laughs, then glances at Kevin. "Are you doing okay, Kevin?"
There's weight in the question. Something unspoken.
Kevin nods. "I'm good. You?"
"Fine." She meets his eyes, and some silent understanding passes between them. Protector and protected, maybe. Or just friends who've been through enough to know when to check in.
Kevin seems satisfied, because he lets it drop.
Ace, on the other hand, grins like he knows something I don't. "Hey, Ainsley, have you met Troy? New guy on the crew. He just moved to town yesterday."
Ainsley's eyes flick to me before glaring at Ace, who has a big grin on his face. There's heat on her cheeks. Just a touch. "We've met."
Ace smirks. "You have?"
Ainsley glares at him. "He's renting my spare room."
Levi bursts out laughing. "No shit," he says. "You're the roommate?"
Ainsley's cheeks go from pink to red. "Yes. He's the roommate."
Ace looks between us, grin widening. "So you're living together?"
"We're roommates," Ainsley says firmly. "There's a difference."
"Is there, though?" he asks.
She narrows her eyes at him. "Do you need another beer, or are you just here to annoy me?"
"Can't it be both?"
She rolls her eyes, but her mouth twitches like she's fighting a smile. "Food'll be out soon. Let me know if you need anything else."
She turns to leave, but Kevin stops her. "Is everything really okay, Ainsley?"
The question is careful. Weighted.
Ainsley's expression softens. "I'm fine, Kevin. Promise. You don't need to worry."
"Just making sure." His gaze flicks to me, then back to her. "You know if you need anything—"
"I know." She glances at me, something unreadable in her eyes, then back at Kevin. "I'm good."
Kevin nods, and Ainsley moves down the bar to help another customer.
The second she's out of earshot, all three of them turn to me.
"You're living with her," Levi says, still grinning. "And you didn't mention this earlier because...?"
"Didn't come up."
"Didn't come up," Levi repeats, laughing. "Man, that's perfect."
Ace leans back on his stool, arms crossed. "So what's it like? Living with Ainsley?"
"Fine."
"Fine," he echoes. "Come on, give us something. Is she as Type A at home as she is here?"
I think about the labeled bathroom cabinets. The laminated house rules with footnotes. The five-page packet of annotated examples. The way she stood in the kitchen this morning, clutching her coffee like a lifeline while I tested every single one of her boundaries.
"She's organized," I say.
Levi snorts. "Organized. That's code for something."
"She made a rule sheet," I admit.
All three of them crack up.
"Of course she did," Ace says, wiping his eyes. "How many rules?"
"Ten. With footnotes."
Kevin's trying not to smile. "Sounds about right."
"You know her well?" I ask, looking at him. Annoyed at how close they seem to be and hating the jealousy that’s flaring in my chest.
"Well enough." His expression shifts, turning serious. "She's a good person. Good friends with Rachel and Autumn. Been through some shit. Her ex-best friend cleaned out their joint savings account and bailed."
"I know."
His eyes sharpen. "She told you?"
"Came up when I moved in." I won't elaborate. Don't mention how her voice went tight when she said it, or the way she tried to play it off like it didn't matter.
Kevin studies me for a long moment, reading between every line. "People around here look out for her," he says. "Simon especially. If you hurt her, it'll be a problem."
"I won’t hurt her," I say.