Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
When Riot invited me for a drink at Bob’s on Saturday night, I eagerly accepted. Who’s Bob? No idea. I don’t think anyone knows, but the dive bar is a hot spot.
We haven’t had a chance to talk beyond the occasional text since the beginning of the week when he stopped at the house. A lot has happened since then, and I have questions that he may be able to answer.
Like how long has Hannah lived at the cabin? Why didn’t he tell me my new co-worker is friends with her? Has he ever been invited to their book club?
When I arrive a little past 8 p.m., the place is already busy.
I spot Riot across the room with Carson and Ryan.
Riot waves his hand so I can see them. As I get closer, I see Beck, Megan, and Claire huddled together in an animated conversation at the next table.
I thought this was just going to be a quick drink with a friend, but I guess I was wrong. The gang’s all here.
I weave my way through the tables, exchanging greetings with familiar faces. There are off duty cops and EMS sitting in the corner. I return Mason Kent’s nod on my way past.
Bob’s mainly caters to the locals. Tourists tend to stick with higher end establishments and resorts.
I haven’t been here since I was barely legal to drink, but it doesn’t feel like much has changed since then.
The lights are dim, the music is loud, and the floor feels slightly sticky.
I can smell spicy BBQ wings wafting from the kitchen.
I didn’t eat much dinner, and greasy pub food sounds good right about now.
The men are all smiles when I reach them. The women give me mixed reactions. A smile from Megan, a small grin from Beck, and a scowl from Claire. That all tracks. I have my work cut out for me.
Ryan stands and shakes my hand. “Nice to see you again, Logan.” I shake his hand in return.
I don’t know Ryan well, but I remember him being a good support to Hannah and her mom after Mr. Knight’s death.
He is quite a bit older than us but, when you are twenty-one anyone over thirty is practically antique.
Now that I am in my thirties, I’ll have to rethink that.
I’m not sure how my friends pulled him into their group, but Riot says he’s a good guy.
Carson slaps me on the back and pulls me in for a bro hug.
“Long time, man. It’s great to see you. How’s it going?”
I appreciate how chill Carson is being. After I left Emerley, I barely talked to him. He has every right to hate me. At the very least call me out on my own bullshit but he doesn’t. He knows I’ll talk to him when I’m ready.
“Good. Glad to be back.”
I hear Claire snort and Megan shushing her. She was always the peacekeeper. I see some things never change.
“I would love to catch up sometime. What can I get you from the bar?” Carson asks, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb.
“Me too,” I say with a smile. “Beer’s good. Whatever’s on tap.”
“Awesome. Be right back,” he says heading toward the bar.
Claire scowls at me from her spot at the adjacent table. We grew up together, so I know she is a fiercely protective friend, but I have never been on this side of her wrath before.
“Hey, Claire. It’s nice to see you.”
“Oh, wow, look who decided that small town living is good enough for him again.”
She folds her arms across her chest. She’s not trying to hide how she’s feeling about seeing me, and I honestly can’t blame her.
“The town was never the problem, Claire. I was.” I hold her gaze.
I don’t have any excuses or pretty lies. I fucked up leaving the way I did.
“Are you planning on sticking around this time?” she asks, her expression becoming unreadable.
“I didn’t come back just to leave again. I’m here to stay.”
“We’ll see.” She studies me for a minute longer before returning to her conversation.
Riot stands and fist bumps me. “Let’s join these tables together.”
Ryan and I help him push the table towards the girls and adjust the chairs. There’s one extra and I wonder if Hannah is coming but I don’t dare ask.
The thought barely crosses my mind when my eyes are pulled towards the front door.
There she is. Her blonde hair is down and straightened.
That’s new. I’ve never seen her hair completely straight before.
She’s wearing wide legged blue jeans with a form fitting high neck brown tank that is stretched tight around her generous tits.
The sight makes my dick twitch in appreciation.
Dude. Now is not the time. She is smiling so big the corners of her eyes are crinkled.
I have missed that smile. It certainly hasn’t been directed at me since I got back.
Instead, it’s for the asshole I just notice walking beside her with his hand on her lower back.
Apparently, he is telling her a hilarious story.
I’m instantly jealous. It’s unreasonable, but I feel it to my core.
I know she didn’t stay single after our breakup but seeing her with someone else hits me like a punch to the gut.
I elbow Riot in the ribs to get his attention.
“Who’s that with Hannah?” He follows my gaze to the bar where Hannah is now chatting with Carson.
He’s behind it filling shot glasses. I know he works here occasionally so I guess helping himself isn’t unreasonable.
He hands her a pitcher of beer and points towards our table gesturing that they should join us.
She looks over and her smile drops. She shakes her head at Carson, but the man she’s with takes the pitcher from her and heads our way. She reluctantly follows behind him.
“That would be Danny,” Riot tells me with a grimace as he pulls his long hair back from his face into a low bun.
“Danny as in Hannah’s ex? I thought that was over and he moved away,” I question my friend.
Yeah, I know about Danny. How could I not know if she was dating anyone seriously? But Riot has only ever shared the facts, never gossiped.
Riot shrugs. “Yeah. He moved but his parents still live here. Any time he’s back to visit they see each other.”
“They see each other, see each other?” I ask, narrowing my eyes as I watch them.
“I don’t know, man. They have like some kind of situationship going. It’s none of my business. Or yours.” He levels me with a glare.
A situationship? Fuck my life, that is the last thing I want to hear. I have no delusions of us getting back together but… a man can hope, right? Hannah in any kind of “ship” doesn’t bode well for me.
Claire swivels her head to where Riot and I are looking and then back to me.
She bumps Beck in the arm and says, “Things are about to get interesting,” then laughs.
Megan sighs and shakes her head. All three girls get up and hug Hannah while I watch. Her douche of a “friend” puts the beer down on the table and pulls out the last remaining chair for her. Hannah looks over Megan’s shoulder and offers me a weak smile that I’m having a difficult time returning.
“Grab another chair, Danny.” Ryan nods towards an empty one at a table nearby.
“If there isn’t enough room, we can sit somewhere else,” Hannah protests, grabbing Danny’s arm and steps away.
“We can make it fit,” I deadpan.
Hannah’s eyes widen and a light blush rises up her face. I swear I didn’t mean it like that, but if that’s where her mind is going, I’ll follow. There’s my dirty girl.
Everyone finds a seat just as Carson returns to the table with a tray of tequila shots and lime wedges. Behind him is a server with another pitcher of beer and glasses for the table. I could use a shot or three if I am expected to sit here with Hannah and her date directly across from me.
“We didn’t expect to see you tonight,” Beck says to Hannah as she begins pouring beer for the table.
“We were out for dinner and Danny thought it would be fun to come here as well,” Hannah replies as she looks up and briefly makes eye contact with me.
I sit back in my chair and cross my arms across my chest. Carson passes around the shots, and everyone accepts one except Meg who has always been the self-appointed designated driver.
I hope that includes me tonight because there is no way I’m going to be able to get there on my own and Emerley lacks Uber.
“None for me,” Danny says, holding up his hand. “I need to get this one home safely.” He smiles at Hannah as he places his arm around her.
“More for me then,” I say, sliding his shot towards me.
Hannah glowers in response. I refrain from reaching over the table and smoothing the lines between her eyes.
The group begins to chat amongst themselves, but I am barely paying attention. My eyes are fixed on Danny’s arm resting on the back of Hannahs chair while he plays with the ends of her hair. I raise my eyes to see he’s already watching me.
“Hey man, I’m Danny.”
I take in his buttoned up white dress shirt and crew neck sweater. Freshly cut blonde hair and clean-shaven face. What can she possibly see in this guy?
“Logan.” I raise my chin in greeting.
“Logan,” he repeats.
I watch him realize who I am. So, she’s talked about me. Good to know.
“Hannah didn’t tell me you were visiting.”
We both look at Hannah and she gives a weak shrug.
“It never came up.”
“Not visiting. I just moved home,” I say, still watching Hannah for a reaction.
The entire table is paying attention now.
“So, Logan…” Claire grabs my attention. “You have changed since I last saw you.”
She raises her hand and wiggles her fingers up and down. Hannah’s head snaps to where Claire is sitting and subtly shakes her head as if to ask her to drop it. It’s okay, I can handle Claire, I know what she’s doing.
“Yeah, I guess I have.” I lean back, run my hand through my hair and look down at myself.
I wasn’t a bean pole growing up but, I have definitely filled out in the last decade.
“A different career path as well I hear.”
The entire table falls quiet, and all eyes are on me now. I reach for a shot and down it before answering.
“You could say that,” I say with a laugh.