Chapter 2 #2
I shook my head and slid off the stool I’d just taken, nodding to Ramsey Holland as he walked up. Ramsey took the stool before anyone else could steal it, and I walked around the end of the bar to join Hudson.
Hudson gave me a quick rundown of where everything was, then left me to handle our group while he checked on some of the other patrons. I took orders and handed over drinks before easing my way down the bar to help the rest of the waiting customers.
The band started to play, a heavy rock sound with a beat that had their fans on their feet and dancing, singing along with most of the music. Hudson and I worked well together, filling orders and keeping the customers happy as the band entertained the crowd.
When the band took a quick break, Hudson thanked me for helping out. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. I never would have kept up.”
“Not a problem. It’s been a while since I’ve been behind the bar. It was fun.”
“Like riding a bike?”
I chuckled. “Something like that.”
“You drink for free forever,” Hudson said.
I shook my head as James Rucker shouted, “Hey! Why don’t I ever get that offer?”
Hudson flipped James off. “When have you ever gotten off your ass to help?”
James scowled. “I’m a cop. I think there’s a law against me being allowed to serve drinks.”
“Then sit your ass down and shut up about it,” Hudson said, a teasing light in his eyes. They were two of the originals, men who’d been friends for years.
I smirked at their easy banter and thought about TooBusy. Talking to her was like that. Easy. There wasn’t any pressure between us, which was nice and new for me. I had no idea who she was, but she said she lived in MacKellar Cove, so I wondered if maybe I did know her.
I shook off the thought. There was no way.
She was a single mom, and she said she worked a lot to be able to take care of her daughter.
I didn’t know any single moms. Even if she wasn’t a single mom, I didn’t know anyone I felt such an easy connection to.
Someone I could say things to that I didn’t admit to anyone else.
The band started to play again, and the crowd pressed in to listen and dance and sing along.
When they announced they were done for the night, they told everyone to get one more drink and to come back to O’Kelley’s soon as a thank you for letting them play that night.
The bar was slammed, three people deep, with happy and excited customers waiting for another drink.
An hour later, the crowd had thinned, and most of the men in the group had left to go home to their families. Andre stuck around, which was nice since he was my ride home, but his nose was in his phone and the smile on his face was his Joelle smile.
“You ready to go?” I asked him.
He shoved his phone away before I could see what they’d been texting, but I didn’t need to see it to know I didn’t want to see it.
Hudson thanked me again for helping out and reiterated that I would drink free whenever I wanted.
I thanked him, knowing I owed Hudson way more than one night behind the bar.
If it weren’t for him, I’d still be nursing my resentment toward Andre and Joelle and would probably have ruined the only relationship I had left that wasn’t blood.
“I didn’t know you were a bartender,” Andre said when we were in the truck.
I nodded. “Two years in college. It was a good job. Decent money, lots of phone numbers, and the hours never interfered with classes.”
“You didn’t have morning classes?”
“Sure, but I had enough time after I got off work to get a few hours of sleep and be up. You know I like the morning.”
Andre chuckled. “Yes, you do.” He pulled in behind my shop and slid the truck into park. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yes, Dad, I’m fine.”
Andre flipped me off. “We worry about you.”
“Tell Joelle I’m fine. I promise. I want what you two have, but I know Reegan wasn’t the one for me to have that with.
It’s all good. It would be even better if you stopped asking me if I’m hung up on her or talking to her or want to get back together with her or whatever the hell else you’re going to come up with. ”
Andre smirked. “Yeah, but how would I get you out if I didn’t do that?”
“Asshole,” I mumbled as I opened the door. “Thanks for the ride.”
“See you in the morning.”
I waved as he backed out, turning around and disappearing around the side of the building.
I let myself in the back, then went up the stairs to my apartment.
I loved living in the same building as work.
At first, it was cheap, and I was sinking all my money into making the store a success.
After years of living and working under the same roof, it was home.
It certainly wasn’t special, and it wasn’t fancy, but I loved being there.
It was just big enough for me, and that was all I needed.
I turned on the TV and grabbed a beer from the fridge. I sat down on the couch and pulled my phone out, reading TooBusy’s message again before I typed out a response.
DirtyLife
I think that’s a pretty nice compliment, too. Sounds like you have a great kid.
I didn’t expect a reply from her since it usually took a few days before she wrote back, but three dots appeared next to her name, then a message popped up.
TooBusy
I meant, what’s a compliment you’ve never forgotten? But yeah, she is pretty great.
DirtyLife
I honestly can’t think of one.
TooBusy
None? No one has ever given you a compliment that you never forgot?
DirtyLife
Nope. I’ve had people tell me they like my work or they appreciate me, but something like what you said? Nope.
TooBusy
I’m guessing that means you don’t have kids.
DirtyLife
No kids. No wife. No husband. Not even a pet.
TooBusy
What makes you feel appreciated?
DirtyLife
In a relationship or what?
TooBusy
In general. In whatever way you want or need to feel appreciated.
DirtyLife
My work is important to me, so I guess hearing I did well is good.
TooBusy
What about in a relationship?
DirtyLife
I thought you said in general.
TooBusy
I changed my mind. What would you need in a relationship to feel like you were appreciated? To feel like it was good.
DirtyLife
That’s easy. Someone who wants the same things I do. A family, a future together, a commitment. What about you? What would you need?
TooBusy
Um, sorry. I need to go. I’ll talk to you soon.
She signed off the app before I had a chance to say anything else. Was it me? Or did she really have to go?