Chapter 5 Dean
five
Dean
It’s the first time in the seven years I’ve been fully in charge of the bar that I’ve called in sick—well, not exactly sick. I called my older brother, Dash, to cover the bar for me tonight.
Wilder texted me earlier today to let me know that Lainey and Dawson are having their first date tonight at the outdoor ice skating rink. The unopened bottle of whiskey sits next to me on the side table, the ice ball melting quickly as the warmth of the fireplace turns it into liquid.
My plan for tonight was to get drunk enough to completely block out all thoughts of Lainey on a date with my younger brother.
Unlike now, when I close my eyes, all I see is Lainey and Dawson having their first date--their first kiss.
The future kids they have after they get married, who call me uncle instead of dad.
A sharp knock on my front door snaps me back to the present. Before I can gather myself to get up from the chair and answer it, Dawson is already pushing the door open with an anxious look and holding a bouquet of roses.
“I can’t do it.” He slams the door shut, stomping into my living room. “I can’t go on a date with Lainey. I’m in love with someone else.” His confession makes me sit up straight in the recliner.
“What do you mean you're in love with someone else?”
“Esme from the flower shop.” He drops the bouquet on the coffee table, flopping down on my couch as he runs his hand through his hair.
“If you could have seen her face at the flower shop when I bought the roses. She looked devastated. I wasn’t even serious when I filled out that dating questionnaire.
” He gives me a sheepish look. “To be honest, when Wilder asked me to fill one out, it was before I met Esme. I didn’t even answer the questions the way I normally would.
Instead, I filled them out the way you would have answered them.
” It takes a moment for his words to sink in—he didn’t match with Lainey—I did.
“Why would you do that?” There’s no anger in my tone, only confusion.
“I don’t know. When Wilder handed me the questionnaire, I froze.
I had no idea how to answer the questions.
I found myself answering them like you would have.
” Dawson rambled on about how he doesn’t want to hurt Lainey’s feelings by canceling their date, but he doesn’t want to hurt Esme’s feelings any more than he already has.
“I’ll do it,” I say, causing Dawson to pause in the middle of his sentence, blinking in confusion but not saying a word. “I said I’ll do it--I’ll take your place and go on your date tonight with Lainey.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt your plans for tonight. Dash said you asked him to work for you tonight.” The relieved expression on Dawson’s face betrays his concern for my nonexistent plans for tonight.
“I’m sure Jameson won’t mind if I cancel our plans for tonight.” I shift my gaze to the bottle of Irish whiskey sitting on the table next to me.
Dawson shrugs his shoulders, not understanding my little joke, “Here, you can take her the roses I bought.” He picks up the bouquet of red roses from the coffee table and hands them to me.
“No, red roses are too predictable for Lainey.” I hold my hand up and shake my head. “I have a better idea of what to get her.” I don’t mention that I need to talk with Esme at the flower shop because I’m pretty sure, judging by Dawson’s behavior, he didn’t explain anything to her.
“Thank you, brother.” Dawson exhales deeply. “I owe you big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” It’s about time I pulled my head out of my ass and claimed Lainey as my own.