26. Henrik
TWENTY-SIX
HENRIK
My mind often drifts to thoughts of where I’d be and what I’d be doing if opie season hadn’t been canceled again.
One thing I know for certain is that Carina and I wouldn’t be as close as we are.
Since returning from sea in December and finally introducing myself a few weeks later, we’ve spent so much time getting to know one another.
It’s easy to get lost in each other and forget the rest of the world exists.
This morning, as I lounge in bed while Carina gets ready for work, Eirik texts and invites me to grab a beer and play pool tonight.
I realize I’ve spent little time with my best friend since Carina and I got together, and his text is the reminder I need to keep myself in check.
Even though my relationship with Carina is new and still very exciting, others in my life matter too, and I can’t ignore that.
“Carina,” I say when she walks back into the bedroom, pulling her cardigan on.
She smiles at me as she sits on the bed with her socks in hand. “What’s up?”
“Eirik just invited me out for beers and pool tonight at Chevy’s.”
Her blue eyes light up. “Oh, Chevy’s. That place is so fun. They have the best jukebox music.”
Moving up behind her, I kiss her neck. “Then you should come.”
She shakes her head. “No, thank you. You should spend some one-on-one time with Eirik. Maybe Mia can meet me for a girls’ night.”
I place another kiss on the soft skin behind her ear and whisper, “Maybe you can have your girls’ night at Chevy’s and we can team up for a game of darts.”
She shifts her body to look at me. “If Mia says yes, we’ll be there, but other than a round of darts, I’ll be on the other side of the bar, hanging with my friend while you’re doing the same with yours.”
Leaning forward, I kiss her lips. “Deal,” I say against them before I pull away. Carina stands up, showcasing her plump ass. I playfully swat it, then laugh. “Now, get to work before I drag you back into bed and make you late.”
Ten hours later, Eirik and I stroll into Chevy’s, a turn-of-the-century barn that’s been refurbished into a saloon.
The bar top, with wooden stools for patrons, runs the entire length of the far wall.
Several pool tables and dart boards are set up in the back.
There’s a small dance floor in the middle of the space, and round tables with chairs fill the rest of the room.
Wanting to make sure we get a pool table before it gets busy, we head on back.
Just as we’re racking the first game, a young brunette waitress approaches. “Hi, guys. Can I get a tab started for you?” Eirik gives her a nod and a loaded grin. “Okay. What are you drinking tonight?”
We both order Bud in the bottle and then go back to our game.
Eirik lines up his cue stick and breaks, sending the balls scattering across the table.
The red three ball goes into the pocket.
“Solids,” he calls as he figures what ball to try for next.
While he’s chalking his cue stick, he asks, “We’re playing eight ball, right?
” I nod. Over the years, our game has improved, although neither of us can claim to be a shark.
“Two ball, top left corner,” he calls before lining up his cue stick and shooting.
Just as he predicted, the ball travels in the direction he said, and he gives off a cocky grin.
“You haven’t won yet,” I mumble. When it’s my turn, I move to the easiest striped ball.
And Eirik laughs. Our beers arrive, and before we know it, we’re tied.
The winner is whoever can sink the eight ball, and it’s still my turn.
Lining up, I narrow my eyes to check my angle and make sure it’s exactly where I want before I shoot.
Pulling back the cue stick, my forearms tense, trying to remain in alignment with the ball and its nearby pocket.
“Is that Carina, I see?” Eirik says a second before I release, and I turn my head slightly. My stick hits the ball at the wrong spot and sends it close, but not in the pocket.
“Damnit,” I mutter, standing tall to look for my girlfriend. During a run earlier, I had mentioned she and Mia were doing a girls’ night. Looking at my watch, I realize it’s still too early. “She isn’t here yet.”
He gives me a mischievous smile. “My mistake. I was sure I saw her.”
Doubting him, I say, “Sure, you did.” Like the cocky asshole he is, Eirik saunters to the table and with barely any effort, sinks the eight ball, winning the game.
“I’m breaking next,” I say as I adjust the rack into position, the balls clicking against one another.
Still frustrated by the last game, I hone my focus even more.
I sink three striped balls after I break.
I smile wide as I attempt my fourth. Hearing my name from nearby, I lose my focus, and almost miss my ball.
“Shit, not again,” I grumble just as Carina and Mia appear next to our table.
“Did I make you mess up?” Carina asks in a soft voice.
I shake my head at my gorgeous girlfriend. “It’s just a game. We’re blowing off steam. It’s nothing. I’m just incredibly competitive when it comes to Eirik.”
Mia laughs. “He isn’t kidding. The stories I could tell would keep you laughing for days.”
“Mia,” I growl.
“Don’t worry, big brother. You don’t need to be so growly. I’ll keep my lips sealed. I don’t know why you’re so afraid. Most of my stories make Eirik look bad, not you.”
Surprised, I laugh. “Well then, by all means, entertain us with just how stupid we get when we’re being competitive.”
Eirik steps forward. “We don’t need to relive those times. How about we finish this round, play another, then beat the ladies at a game of darts?”
“Sounds good,” I say.
Mia clears her throat and crosses her arms, challenging him. “You think you’re going to beat us?”
He smirks at her. “We are definitely beating you.”
Mia rolls her eyes, and I fight back a laugh. “Come on, Carina. I need a drink to ease my nerves if we have to play these two,” my sister says, and Eirik makes a disapproving sound in his throat.
An hour later, with fresh beers in our hands, we leave the pool table to make our way over to the girls’ table.
I’ve heard their laughter the entire time they’ve been here.
But when my gaze finds Carina as we get closer, her stiff posture screams at me.
And I see Mia looks pissed. Widening my focus, I try to find whoever is causing them discomfort.
There’s a man. He doesn’t look familiar to me, but he’s obviously making them uncomfortable.
He leans into Carina, almost whispering in her ear, and my hackles rise.
In protector mode, my grumpy demeanor returns in full force.
From beside me, I feel Eirik giving off similar vibes.
“Carina,” I say just as Eirik says, “Amelia.” They both look up, their expressions pleading for help.
When we arrive at the table, I make a grunting noise, drawing the man’s attention.
His eyes widen in surprise as he straightens.
Eye to eye, I see we’re about the same height, but I’ve got about forty pounds of muscle on him.
Puffing out my chest, I say. “Hey, man. Whatcha doing? Is there something I can help you with?”
Undeterred, he shakes his head. “I was just catching up with my coworker, seeing if we could ever go on the date we talked about months ago.”
“Date?” I ask, my gaze flying to Carina’s.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she speaks slowly. “Stephen, we never went on a date because I wasn’t interested in you more than a friend, and I didn’t want to give you the wrong idea. I thought you understood that. We’ve worked together for months since then and you never said anything.”
“Well, I’m saying something now. I like you a lot, and all I’m asking for is one chance,” he pleads.
I feel kinda bad for the guy, because what’s not to like about Carina, but he needs to take no for no. “Sorry, bud,” I say. “But you’re too late. Carina and I have been dating for months.” Stephen deflates at my words. A moment later, he walks away, defeated, without another word.
Still processing what just happened, Carina forces a smile. “Thank you for stepping in. In all my interactions with Stephen, he’s never been that bold.”
“I doubt he’ll give you any more trouble.” Holding my hand out to her, I ask, “Care to break up the tension of the last few minutes and spin around the dance floor with me?”
She looks at Mia. “Do you mind?” Mia shakes her head.
As soon as we step onto the dance floor, I pull her into my arms. Kissing her softly, I hear the starting notes to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran come from the jukebox. We sway back and forth as Ed serenades the love of his life and I dance with mine.
When the song finishes, Carina pats my chest and gives me a sly smile. “Ready to lose in darts?”
I just laugh as we make our way back to the table. Mia and Eirik are busy with their phones.
Reaching for my beer, I take a swig before I noisily set it back on the table. Both Eirik and Mia look up. “Who’s ready?”
“For?” Eirik asks.
Carina smiles. “For you and Henrik to lose in darts?”
Eirik smirks. “We aren’t losing unless you’re a professional dart thrower. This one”—he points to Mia— “couldn’t hit a bullseye even if she were inches away.” Mia stands up, scoffs at him, and walks away. Carina follows her, an apologetic look on her face.
“I guess darts are off the table. It’s still early. What do you want to do the rest of the night?” I say.
“I’m starving. Let’s go grab something to eat,” he replies.
“Sounds good. I’m just going to say bye. I’ll be right back.” I find Carina and Mia by the bar. “Looks like Eirik and I are going to grab dinner, but I wanted to say goodnight first.”
“Night, Henrik,” Mia says, then turns back to the bar. My brow furrows at my sister’s uncharacteristically cold response, and I look at Carina. She looks confused too, so I shrug my shoulders.
Leaning down, I place my lips on hers. “See you later, gorgeous. I hope you two have a great rest of your night.”
Carina texts me later when I’m in bed.
Siren
You up?
Me
I am. Just lying in bed. I wish you were here.
Siren
Just leaving Mia’s. I can be there in a few minutes. Save me a spot, will you? I’m exhausted.
Me
You can have as much room as you want. See you soon.
She’s slept over most nights since that first night we spent together.
There’s something special about having Carina tucked into my side, and I can easily relax and unwind.
Even though our sleep is majorly disrupted by naked wrestling in the sheets, I’ve gotten some of the deepest and most re-energizing rest I’ve ever had.