Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
tristan
Today we break ground on the studio. It’s happening a lot faster than I anticipated. When you have a popular band as the owner of the property, I guess that moves things along at a faster speed. Or, this was in the works before they filled in the rest of the crew. Which is totally plausible.
Dale pulls me away from the rest of the group. “Did you get the flowers ordered?”
“Yep.” I will not be elaborating on what else went down. I’m still trying to figure it out myself.
“They didn’t charge you extra?”
“Not at all. It was the same price as they charge everyone else. We barely made the cut off time.”
A small white lie won’t be the end of all things.
“Good deal. You’re a lifesaver, man.” He pats me on the shoulder and turns to walk toward the rest of the group.
“Actually, I’ll need off for a bit. I’m just not sure when.”
“Anything you need.” He waves the request away. “We’re only working on the studio for the next few months. No tours or side gigs.”
Damn. I guess I really need to look into a rental property. I’m still getting paid for helping out with the build and making sure everything is ready to go. It’s one of the perks of working with them. As last minute as they can be with a lot of things, they take care of their crew.
“Not even an impromptu show at Out of the Ashes?”
“Well, I don’t really consider that a side gig. At this point, it’s like coming home.”
He’s not wrong. Who knew a rock band from the city would like spending so much time in a town so small. Definitely not me.
“Sounds like the next few months will be less chaotic.”
“For sure.” He nods in agreement. “It’ll do us all some good to have down time.”
“I’m still needed around, right?” Job security is something I never thought I’d need to think about with them since we’re on the road so much, but being in one place for a long period of time could mean they won’t need me here.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t we? Every one of the crew will be here, and still get paid. Please, don’t worry about that.”
Whew. Thank God. Not that I can’t go out and find another job to carry me over, I don’t want to. As inconvenient as some of the requests are, I love my job.
“That’s a relief.”
“Unless, of course, you’re ready to move on.”
“Not at all.” I shake my head. How many people can say they get to tour the world with a popular band.
“Good. We’d hate to lose you.” He continues toward the construction site. “If you don’t want to stay at the house we’re renting out, it may not be a bad idea to check out some local real estate. Especially since this will be home away from home.”
“It’s already on my list.” I call out to his retreating back.
Now if Paula would let me know the dates of the family vacation, I can get it squared away. I can’t believe I even agreed to do it. I wasn’t lying when I told her all she had to do was ask. Putting my feelings aside may be another issue altogether.
“What can I get you?” Eric asks from behind the bar. I don’t know why he thinks I’m going to order anything other than my usual whiskey and coke. It’s my comfort drink.
“The usual.” I glance around the bar to see if anyone I know has come in. So far, no such luck. I keep hoping I’ll run into Paula. Though she probably doesn’t want to see me yet.
“I hear you’ll be in town for a bit,” he says as he pours the whiskey into a glass.
“Yep. Dale suggested I start looking at property to rent or buy because it looks like this will be Crooked Halo’s second home.”
“That’s good to hear. I love you guys.”
“Um, thanks.” It’s hard to hear folks complement me like I’m part of the band. Knowing what I do as part of the crew is important, is completely different than accepting praise for it.
He finishes adding the coke and hands it over to me. “It’ll be good to see you in here more often. Pretty much half the town comes in for lunch. You can get the small town feel like the locals.”
“Thanks, man.” I lift my drink in the air and slide some cash into the tip jar.
Taking a sip, I enjoy the perfection he has with this drink. It’s the perfect balance all the way around.
The door opens and my eyes shift to the front of the building. Sadly, it wasn’t Paula walking through the door. My shoulders sag, and I take another drink.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Eric asks as he pours a drink.
“Nope.” I have to stop keeping an eye out for her. Any interest outside of our deal is off the table. She’s made it more than clear where she stands on relationships.
“One of these days you guys will be honest with me when I ask that question.” Eric shakes his head.
“What do you mean?”
He sighs before passing the drink to a waiting patron and leaning against the bar. “I know what it looks like to like someone and be waiting on their every appearance. Hell, it was me when my girl started working here.”
“And you think that’s what I look like?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I know. So, who’s the lucky person?”
“Technically, we’re not dating. At least, not for real.”
“The plot thickens.”
“I’m supposed to be her boyfriend on her trip with her family.” I tap my glass against the bar top. “I may have bitten off more than I can chew.”
“Wow, you’re having doubts already and it hasn’t even happened yet?”
“Not doubts about pulling it off, but keeping my feelings in check. I do like her. I have since I met her the first time in this bar. But, I’ve never been great at hiding how I feel.”
That’s the whole reason I was part of the stage crew in high school theatre. Schooling my facial expressions has never been easy. If I didn’t come out and say what I was thinking, or feeling, my face would.
“So, you’re really only doing this out of the goodness of your heart. You don’t have ulterior motives?”
“No other reasoning. Despite what she thinks, I care about her happiness as a friend. Nobody should be ordered about the way her family seems to do.”
Eric laughs and hits the top of the bar with his palm. “Good luck, man. She’s going to eat you alive. And if she doesn’t her family will.”
“Are they really that bad?” Maybe this was a bad idea, and I’ve bitten off more than I can handle. It wouldn’t be the first time. But…those usually involved the crew when I was in high school theatre. Thinking I can do more than I actually can isn’t one of my best traits.
Eric doesn’t answer right away, and it does nothing to quell the worry building in my stomach.
He’s the person I’ve learned to go to if I want information on anything.
He may know more than the little old ladies I’ve seen gossiping when I come in for lunch on occasion.
One of the perks of being a bartend, I guess.
Everyone spills their guts at some point.
“It’s not that they’re bad.” Finally, he speaks. “They are very involved. Or, at least, try to be. Paula doesn’t make it easy for them.”
“The rest of her siblings do whatever their parents tell them?”
I have an older brother, but he’s much older. By the time I was getting to my annoying stage in life, he was off at college.
He shrugs. “Pretty much. They don’t have a reason not to, and I think they really enjoy being a part of the business.” He points over his shoulder. “We have a contract with them to sell their wine, and it flies off the shelves.”
“Can you pour me a glass when I’m done?”
Who knows if I’ll like it. I’ve never been a fan of wine. The after taste isn’t my jam. Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy it. If not, things will be awkward on this vacation.
“Sure thing.” Eric gives a quick wave and moves on to another customer.
I guess I was taking too much of his time. But when I glance around, I notice the bar has filled up. It’s a shock he didn’t bail on me sooner. Being too inside my thoughts is never a good thing, clearly. Most people don’t pay so little attention to their surroundings as I do.
This whole thing with Paula is kind of a big deal. At least for her it is. The last thing I want to do is screw it up for her.
I gulp the rest of my drink. After this next glass, I’m done for the night. Hopefully I can call one of the guys to give me a ride home.
Before my glass hits the counter, Eric is sliding a wine glass toward me. “Here you go, I took the liberty of choosing a flavor for you.”
“Thanks.” I nod at him. Him picking out the wine is good thing because I can’t tell the difference between each one.
Studying the glass, I lift it to my lips and take a small sip. As soon as the liquid hits my tongue, I expect to want to spit it out, but I don’t. It’s sweet with a touch of a tang I can’t quite place.
I take a bigger drink in case the first one was a fluke, and I was forcing myself to enjoy it. But it wasn’t. It’s really good. Who would have thought I’d be into wine. Well, this one specifically. I make a mental note to ask Eric which kind it is.
“That better be made by my family.”
I choke on the wine at the sound of her voice. How does she manage to sneak up on me like that? I’ll have to ask her as soon as I know I’ll live through this coughing fit.