24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
G rey and I texted practically every day, but nothing held a candle to physically being with him. Although some of his text messages did come awfully close.
Grey:
Time is ticking. I really hope you can get that boat dewinterized before tomorrow…
Me:
You’re hilarious. As a matter of fact, I did, and I finished in record time.
Grey:
I bet I can make you finish quicker.
Oh my god. Play it cool, MJ.
Me:
We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?
Grey:
I’m always up for a good challenge. And thank you.
Me:
For what?
Grey:
For giving me the visual I desperately needed to be able to get through this meeting.
Me:
Glad I could be of assistance, Mr. Prescott, see you tomorrow.
Grey:
Can’t wait, Ms. Morgan.
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow gave me the energy boost I needed to step into the restaurant. A whiff of cleaning products overcame me, which was the ultimate sign that you worked at a bar.
“Hey, MJ.” Dad’s voice echoed from behind the bar.
“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
“The lunch crowd has been pretty slow today, but that’s to be expected. You got any plans this weekend with your days off?”
For a second, I considered mentioning my plans with Grey, but then I realized that would only lead to more questions, so instead I redirected the conversation. “No, not really. I’m going to try and work on getting some words out. Heavy on the try .”
“You’ll get there. All good things take time.” He paused. “Don’t give up.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m trying my best.”
“That’s all you can do. And remember, your mom and I are here to support you however we can. Dreams don’t happen overnight. Take this place, for example,” he said, extending his hands around him. “I always wanted to own my own restaurant. It took me longer than I thought it would to get here, but nonetheless, here I am. Or rather, here we are.”
“Did you ever think it wouldn’t happen?” I asked.
“On more than one occasion. I used to obsess over feeling behind, as if my dream was going to disappear if I didn’t achieve it by a certain time. But that’s the best part about dreams: they don’t have expiration dates.”
“They may not have expiration dates, but can they be less realistic over time?”
“Of course they can. But I know what you’re getting at, and your dream of living in New York and becoming an author is just as realistic today as it was on the first day you dreamt it up,” he said.
Feeling pessimistic, I asked, “Do you really believe that?”
Dad’s eyes softened. “I absolutely believe that. Don’t give up on yourself, MJ. You’re capable of more than you think, and deep down, I know you’ll get there someday. And when you do, we’ll be standing right next to you.”
“That’ll be one of the best days of my life,” I admitted.
“For all of us,” he said.
“I love you so big, Dad.”
“I love you bigger, sweet girl.”
I smiled, grateful to have parents like mine, but then it faded. I understood what Dad was saying, but my dreams seemed further and further out of reach the longer I waited, and part of me always felt like leaving this town meant leaving Liv. I just wasn’t ready to do that. I didn’t know if I ever would be.
Dad’s voice barked up from behind the bar again, pulling me from my wandering thoughts. “Oh! By the way, I told Sam not to worry about coming in tonight. I figured it being a weeknight you could handle the crowd. Plus, it might be nice for you to work solo and cash in on all the tips. That way when you do decide to move to New York you can’t say I never helped.”
“You’re the best.”
He laughed. “I try. I’m going to check on the few tables that are enjoying an early dinner before the late crowd disturbs their peace. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do!” I said, taking that as my cue to get the bar prepped and ready for the night. I started with the rubber mats that were hanging over the deck outside, drying from last night. Pulling them off, I slugged them back behind the bar just as the bell on the front door jingled.
“I’ll be right with you,” I called out.
Throwing the mats down, I popped up, expecting a customer waiting for a table, but instead I was met by an older woman holding a bushel of lilac hydrangeas.
Two dozen lilac hydrangeas, to be specific.
“I have a delivery for Miller Morgan.” The lady smiled.
My stomach dropped in excitement, like I was waiting at the top of a rollercoaster.
“That’s me,” I responded, raising my hand in the air like I had a question for the teacher.
She heaved the vase on top of the bar, the glass clanking against the countertop. “Well, aren’t you a lucky girl.”
I returned her comment with a smile and a “Looks like I am. Thank you!”
She turned back toward the door, and while I was eager to see who they were from—even though I had a pretty good idea—I played it cool, waiting for her to leave before plucking the paper card from the middle of the flowers.
Strawberry Field Flowers was stamped in the center of the card, along with an address. A local floral shop that had been around since before I was born. I flipped the card to the back.
Just a little reminder that I’m not going anywhere — G
I quickly turned the card back over, reeling with excitement. I held the card to my chest and grinned before sliding it into the back pocket of my jeans. The flowers were gorgeous. They were so full they almost looked fake, but the smell radiating off of them proved otherwise. Wrapping my hands around the cold glass of the vase, I lifted them off the counter and placed them next to the register.
I thought about putting them in the back, but part of me wanted them to be seen. Not that anyone would have a single clue where they came from or whose they were, but I’d know, and that made me feel special.
Slowly, one customer at a time, the early evening turned to night and the crowd picked up.
“What can I get you?” I tossed two vinyl coasters down in front of a younger couple who just walked in.
“I’ll take a Coors Light. What do you want, babe?” The guy turned to the girl who sat to his right.
“Uhm, I’ll take a vodka soda with a splash of lime.” She smiled.
I’d never seen them before, but our town did provide the perfect scenery for a romantic getaway. “Of course. Coming right up.”
Snatching a bottle of Coors Light from the minifridge, I popped the top off just as a group of familiar faces walked through the front door. Moving toward the bar was a group of guys I’d known for years, ones I’d grown up with. Most of whom had graduated, moved out of this town and on with their lives. However, they still resurfaced every summer, to shoot the shit with each other and visit their families.
Leading the pack was Caleb Davis. The last boy Liv had her eyes on. The last boy she flirted with the night of the accident. Caleb Davis was still just as attractive as he’d been back in high school, with his slick black hair and dark skin. Caleb and I were nothing but acquaintances. After Liv passed, I sort of kept my head down and to myself for the remainder of senior year, so any greetings I got back then were simply from a place of empathy for me having just lost my best friend.
However, in a town as tight-knit as ours, these reunions made it seem like we’d been a lot closer.
“MJ!” he shouted as he led the group to the center of the bar.
Handing the two drinks over to the couple, I casually tossed my hand in the air. “Hey, Caleb.”
“Eight dollars,” I told them, laughing at the astonishment on the guy’s face. “That’s what you get when you drink in a small town.”
“I’ll take it. Keep the change,” he responded, handing over a ten-dollar bill.
“Thanks. Enjoy Montauk.”
Throwing the cash into the register, I swiveled to face the crowd, landing first on Caleb and all of his friends.
“What’s up, guys?” I said, slinging a bar towel over my shoulder.
“Long time, no see.” Caleb’s voice was deeper than I remembered. “We’ll start with—”
“Let me guess, six Jameson shots and six Jack and Cokes?” I smirked.
A grin spread across his face. “Damn, you’re good.”
“Or you all just order the same thing every time you’re back in town.” I returned his grin with a sarcastic smirk and went to work on the order.
The Wharf was fairly busy but nothing I couldn’t handle. Once most everyone had already been helped, I stayed near the guys as I made their drinks. “How have you all been?”
A few of them popped off quick comments, but Caleb was the only one to give me his full attention. He always made sure to check in with me when he was back in town.
“Things have been good with me. Busy as hell at work, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re trying to move up in a city where everyone is trying to do the same. Can’t complain though. Glad to be home for the next couple of weeks to celebrate the Fourth. How are things here?”
“They’re good. Same as usual. Not much has changed since last summer. You know how it goes.” I slid over the shot glasses full of dark liquor.
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “I do. Have you given any more thought to joining us in the city?”
A shot of doubt flickered across my face.
“Okay, okay, I had to ask just once.” He laughed, handing out the drinks to the guys. “But I’m serious. If you ever decide you want to move, I’m just a phone call away. I’d be happy to give you advice on neighborhoods or any other info you might need.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
This time, the mention of moving to New York didn’t completely terrify me. In fact, it seemed a bit intriguing. Where would I live? What would my apartment look like?
“Can we get some service over here? We’ve been waiting for fucking ever.”
I stopped daydreaming and looked over at the commotion. A group of about five people stood a few feet away, the leader of them a tall bald man. Caleb turned in the direction of the group, and the rest of the guys followed suit.
“It’s okay, I got them,” I said.
“Can you give me a second, please. I’m helping these customers and then I’ll be right over,” I firmly responded. I’d worked here long enough to have seen my fair share of assholes.
Sliding the drinks toward Caleb and his friends, I said, “Cheers, guys! Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Cheers!” erupted from the group as they clanked their glasses together.
“It’s about damn time. If you all were smart, you’d staff this bar with more than one bartender.”
Doing my best to avoid confrontation, because it was obvious this group had already been drinking, I ignored the comment. “Sorry about your wait, what can I get started for you?”
“How about some drinks on the house? It’s the least you could do after the shitty service we’ve had since stepping inside this place.”
“Like I said before, I’m sorry about the wait, but as you can clearly see, it’s just me tonight. I’m doing my best to get to everyone. I’m happy to take your order now, what can I get you all?” I repeated.
Perks of knowing the owner was that I didn’t have to put up with shit from anyone, especially people who were just straight-up dicks.
“We’ll take five whiskeys on the rocks. And make them strong,” he grumbled.
I got to work, pouring the liquor a little heavier than normal because I didn’t want to deal with them any longer than I already had.
“Here you go.” I slid the drinks across the bar. “And if you or any of your friends yell at me like that again I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
I may not enjoy confrontation, but I also wasn’t going to be treated like that. I didn’t wait around for a response. I moved on to the next customer, but not before one of the women from the group muttered, “What a bitch.”
They burst into laughter, but I knew they weren’t worth my time.
The next hour passed quicker than expected due to a burst of post–dinner rush customers.
Caleb and his friends left the bar around ten, as did most of the crowd. There were a couple of local stragglers left, but it was everyone I was used to closing down the bar with.
“Hey guys, I’m going to go take the trash out. I’ll be back, and we’ll be closing down in the next twenty minutes or so.”
One of them said, “Sounds good, darling. I’ll take my check when you get back,” and the rest followed with nods.
“Perfect.” I pulled the two black trash bags behind me, both of them barely hovering over the ground because of their weight. Using my body to push the back door open, I made my way toward the dumpster. Again, I found myself attempting to get the lid flipped open and failing.
After the third try, I grunted, “This is useless.” The bags were going to have to sit by the dumpster until Dad could come and help me.
“Well, well, well, look who it is,” a scratchy voice mumbled from the darkness.
“Hello?”
A sinister laugh strummed from the woman’s mouth. “If it isn’t the local bitch bartender who told you she was going to kick you out of the bar.”
I still couldn’t see their faces as they hid under the cover of the shadows, but I recognized their voices. The bald-headed man and his rude sidekick.
My heartbeat rumbled awake, my senses on high alert. It was one thing to be firm in the safety of the bar, but it was another when confronted in a dark parking lot with no one else around.
“You owe my friend an apology,” the woman chirped as they both stumbled into the light, clearly intoxicated. “If it weren’t for people like us, this shithole wouldn’t even survive.”
“Look, I don’t want any trouble,” I responded.
“You sure acted like you wanted trouble when you were on your high horse in there, threatening to kick me out,” the man barked.
They were both obviously pissed off. Mixed with the fact that they were drunk, it was a less-than-ideal combination. Not to mention, there were two of them and only one of me. My pulse tripled, the blood rushing to my face, making me feel queasy.
I turned, pretending to be calm as I moved back toward the door.
“I’m not done talking to you, bitch.” The man’s tone got more aggressive as their footsteps clunked closer.
My heart rate spiked, pounding so heavily I could feel it in my head.
Get to the door, MJ, just get to the damn door.
Nearly to the handle, I reached out, attempting to pull it open. Within seconds, another hand charged in and slammed it shut. “I said I wasn’t done talking to you. Did you not hear me?”
The air around me filled with the scent of whiskey and I could hear the woman’s cackle not too far away. I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do next, and that in itself scared the living shit out of me.
“Hey, everything okay over here?”
The burly, insufferable man startled at the sound. His body shifted just enough so that I could see who was standing in the distance.
Grey.