Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
MILES
T he place is starting to fill up, and my excitement grows. The town really came together for me on my opening day. I’ve been told numerous times how beautiful the place is and how excited they are to have me back.
The bartenders and waitresses I’ve hired are killing it. I must have interviewed dozens in the past few weeks and hired them based on my gut feeling. Up until now, they have not disappointed, making sure everyone is taken care of in a timely manner.
Four food trucks, featuring local businesses, line the back parking lot, and people are already taking advantage of the good food out on the huge wraparound deck.
I glance at the stage and see the band setting up to start the first half of the night. It’s a new, up-and-coming band in the area that covers a wide range of the latest country and southern rock hits. I knew when I heard them play and saw their following that they would draw a large crowd.
Link and Seth, my old band members, should be here soon.
They both wanted to come and support me, which means a lot.
I haven’t missed being on the road, but I have missed playing with them, so I’m looking forward to getting on stage with them tonight.
My fingers are already itching for the sticks as I find myself tapping my fingers to a beat in my head.
Grabbing a bottle of wine and a special bottle of bourbon I kept for this occasion, I head toward the big curved booth in the corner that I reserved for my family tonight.
I see my parents and Knox already seated with Ryder and Eve.
Travis and Sophia are across from them with Jake and Lyla sitting in the corner.
I don’t see any sign of Savi and Olivia as I set the bourbon on the table and start to uncork the wine bottle for the girls. Her last text said they were on their way, so they should be here any minute.
“This place looks amazing, honey. I know I’ve said it a million times, but Dad and I are so proud of you. To see our name up there tonight with the lights…” My mom’s voice catches as she struggles to hold back the tears. Dad puts his arm around her and gives her a comforting squeeze.
“It means a lot to both of us and your brothers,” my dad says, finishing for my mom as she collects herself.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without everyone here at this table, so I should be the one thanking you guys. It means a lot that you are all here tonight.” I reach for a wine glass on the table and start to pour a glass for my mom.
“We wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” Travis smiles around the room at the growing crowd. “It looks like the whole town didn’t want to either,” he laughs. “First night and already a success.”
“Between Eve, Sophia, and Lyla, I’m pretty sure there’s not a soul in two counties that doesn’t know about tonight,” Ryder chuckles. “They’ve been telling every client that walks into our businesses.”
“True,” Eve laughs. “We don’t have a single flyer left out of the hundreds we passed out.” She takes a sip of her wine, and her eyes go wide. “Damn, that’s good.” She takes the wine bottle and looks at the label.
“That’s all, Olivia,” I laugh. “I just sign off on the orders.”
“Speaking of Olivia,” Lyla says, her eyes brimming with excitement. “She and Savi just walked in.”
Turning, my eyes scan the crowd before honey-colored hair catches my eye. Her hazel eyes find mine, and everything in the room disappears as we lock in on each other. I feel such a pull toward her that I’m surprised we don’t slide across the floor like two strong magnets.
“Miles is in trouble tonight,” Sophia softly laughs behind me, and she’s one hundred percent right as I take in what she’s wearing.
Her long hair is down tonight in loose curls, and her eye makeup is done up to make her light green eyes stand out even more.
What has my heart going ninety miles per hour is the fact that she’s wearing my shirt.
She must have gotten it from Savi when I gave all the girls some from the women’s line.
She chose the black one with the loose V-neck.
The Montgomery’s logo is across her left breast, and I know without looking that it’s across her back as well.
The crop shows off her tanned stomach, and I blink when I see the diamond dangling from her belly button.
She didn’t have that before because I would have noticed.
I definitely would have noticed because I’m dying to trace the metal with my tongue.
Piercings do something to me. That’s why I have them.
My eyes follow down her body and take in the small black skirt she’s wearing paired with the sexiest pair of black leather boots I’ve ever seen. They hit her right above the knees, making me want to drop to mine.
She finally reaches me, and I force myself to get it together. The last thing I need is a hard-on in front of a crowd. She already drew eyes toward us just by walking to me.
“Hi,” she smiles, her voice dripping with honey. “Look at all these people,” she says excitedly, showing me those dimples that make me want to beg at her feet. “I’m so proud of yo…”
I cut her off with a kiss as my hand cups her neck. I don’t give a fuck at this point that we have a crowd watching us. All I want is her taste on me. I try to keep it PG even though every single part of me wants to take her on the nearest table.
I hear a whistle off in the distance, and she giggles against my lips. “Your parents are right behind you,” she whispers.
“I’m clearly past the point of giving two fucks about that. Are you trying to kill me with this outfit?” I murmur in her ear as we finally break away. “You wore my shirt.”
“I did. I had to represent my boyfriend on his big night. I borrowed it from Savi.”
“It’s yours now,” I softly growl. “I’ll get her a new one. This one is never coming off.”
“Never?”
“Not unless it’s me taking it off. Did you get a piercing today, too?” I reach between our pressed bodies and finger the diamond in her belly button. “You really are trying to kill me,” I softly laugh.
“I’ve had one since high school. I just quit wearing them after I had Bee.
I still put one in every once in a while so it won’t grow back, but I thought I would start wearing it again.
I guess you are bringing out the sexy, fun side of me that I had lost when I became a mom,” she says quietly in my ear.
“I’m glad you trust me enough to bring her back out, cause I plan on keeping both sides of you for a very long time.” I kiss her bee tattoo before turning back to my family.
“I guess you approve of Olivia’s outfit?” Savi grins at a blushing Olivia as she takes a seat next to her.
“You could say that I owe you big time,” I grin back at her as I fill up another glass of wine and hand it to Olivia. “Knox, open up that bottle of bourbon and pour the guys some. I’ve been saving it for this night.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” he says, reaching for the bottle.
“I love your outfit too, Savi. Is it new?” Lyla smiles over at her, and Savi grins.
“It is. I bought it today at the little boutique in town we love. We treated ourselves to new boots too.” She smiles at Olivia to her left.
“Yes, we did. Bee had a blast watching us do a fashion show for her.”
“I’ve seen more material on a Barbie doll,” Knox mutters into his drink.
“Agreed,” my brothers and I say at the same time, and laugh.
“Whatever,” Savi says, waving her arms. “If it were up to you all, I would be in a tracksuit.”
“Well, I think all of you girls look beautiful tonight.” My dad smiles at them before landing on my mom with a wink.
“Thank you, Dad. At least one male at this table isn’t a controlling, domineering ass of a person.” She says, clearly focusing on Knox as they glare at each other before she finally breaks away.
“I would take offense to that, but somehow I don’t think it was directed at me or any of your brothers,” Jake slightly chuckles.
“No, I don’t think it was,” Knox snickers into his drink. “I guess I’m taking one for the team tonight.”
“Thanks, brother,” Ryder laughs. “It’s always nice when you visit and can take the heat off of us.”
“Glad to be of service,” he mutters.
“On that note,” I laugh, “now that you all have drinks, I’m going to check on everything and make sure I’m not needed anywhere. Let Stacy know if you need more wine. I have bottles set aside for you girls in the back.”
Turning toward Olivia, I lean down close to her ear. “You okay on your own for a bit? I hate leaving you, but I need to check on some things.”
“Of course, I’m okay. Go do what you need to do. I’ll be here,” she smiles.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I kiss her briefly on the cheek before heading toward the bar.
“Everything good here?” I ask Vic, the head bartender, as he mixes several drinks at a time like a pro.
“It’s going great, man. Drinks are flowing smoothly, and the feedback has been amazing,” he says, shaking a drink before pouring it into a martini glass.
“Perfect. It’s only going to get busier, so I’ll be helping out when I can.”
The band takes the mic, and I hear them introduce themselves before they go into their first song. It’s a popular country song, and it doesn’t take long before the dance floor starts to fill up.
My fingers tap along my side to the drum beat.
I’ve played this song before, and I know it like the back of my hand.
Although soulful country and southern rock resonate with my soul, I have a love for a wide range of music and plan to feature different genres to keep the crowd engaged.
I don’t want to be known as a country bar or one specific type.
I want to be known as a music bar, bringing the best music I can find for locals to enjoy.
I make my way through the crowd to check on the outside deck, stopping to talk to people I know around town. People are playing pool in the back room, and there’s a shuffleboard game going on as well .