Chapter Nine
“So, let me get this straight,” Blake begins, a curious look in his eyes.
“You just happened to be in the elevator of this girl’s building, minding your own business, when it stopped on her floor?
” I nod, bracing myself for where this is headed.
“And then you find yourself standing in front of her door with your elbow in her boyfriend’s neck?
” He sets a glass mug down on the bar, drying his hands with a towel.
I stay quiet, knowing he’s not done yet.
“Ya know, I’ve thought of you as a lot of things, Ez, but a creepy stalker wasn’t one of them.
” There it is. I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a displeased sigh.
He assists a few customers near the bar before strolling over to where I’m restocking glasses.
He nudges my arm and smirks. “So, did you tell your crush that the very building she lives in is the same one you almost went skydiving off of?” He lowers his voice, leaning in closer.
“Without a parachute, mind you.” Sometimes I question why I spill personal information to him that I really should keep under wraps.
I guess it’s because I know he genuinely cares and is looking out for me.
He never pressures me or tells me what to do.
He listens, judges me for a moment, and then cracks a dumbass joke to lighten the mood, brushing off his worry.
And he knows that if he ever spills my dark secrets to Beck or anyone else, I would beat the ever-living shit out of him.
With an annoyed shake of my head, I shoot him a glare, trying to burn through his charming, blue eyes. “Yes, Blake. I also confessed my undying love for her,” I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Holy shit…did you just crack a joke, Mr. Ezra Gray Stone?” He dramatically places his hand over his chest, his mouth wide open. “You’re not so gray after all…” I choose to avoid drawing attention to his childish theatrics.
“So…who are we confessing our love to?” Blake and I both look toward the double doors. Fuck, Beck. I glance back at Blake, who suddenly has his back turned to me, talking to customers sitting by the bar. Fucker.
I quickly turn back to Beck, forcing a tight smile. “Oh, it’s nothing, just your brother running his mouth as usual.”
She gives me a knowing nod and steps in for a hug.
I pull her close, inhaling her familiar scent.
She lets out a soft breath through her nose at the contact.
“I’ve missed you, you know?” Her voice is so soothing.
My hand gently cradles the back of her head, feeling her silky curls wrap around my fingers.
“Yeah, I’ve missed you too, B.” I clear my throat, releasing her from my hold.
She steps back slightly, still keeping her hands around me as she gazes up.
I glance down at her, feeling my heart race a bit beneath my chest. She tilts her head and gently brushes the hair off my forehead.
“Your hair’s longer than usual…I like it like this.
” Out of habit, I sweep it back with my fingers and chuckle softly.
“Oh, really? Maybe I’ll keep it this way then.” Beck gives me an easy smile, her eyes drifting over my shoulder.
Blake suddenly appears behind me, giving my shoulders a friendly pat.
“We really need to hit the lake soon…before it gets too chilly.” He then turns to Beck, pulling her into a quick hug before playfully digging his elbow into the top of her head.
She snaps back with a solid punch to his chest, their usual twin banter on full display.
I glance between them, noting how to most people they look identical.
While I can see the similarities in their features and mannerisms, I also catch the finer details: Beck’s hair is curlier with an auburn hue, while Blake’s is predominantly straight and medium-toned brown.
One striking feature they share, though, is their deep blue eyes, a trait Eric always claimed they inherited from their mother.
I’ve always wished I had my mom’s eyes, but instead, I ended up with my father’s—deep, rich amber hues.
In the light, they shine like fire, much like the flames that have engulfed my life.
It’s almost comical how ironic it all is.
Mom frequently complimented my eyes, often saying they resembled Uncle Jesse’s.
In a way, she was right, but there were times I suspected she was just trying to brush aside the thought of me inheriting my father’s wicked gaze.
The door chimes as more customers stroll in. Blake walks away, ready to take more drink orders, but glances back over his shoulder. “You two pick a day, and I’m in.” Beck runs her fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her ears.
“How about next Thursday?” I suggest.
She pulls out her phone, swiping through her calendar. “Yeah…that works.” Her gentle smile sends a chill down my arms.
“I’ll have a lemon drop, please,” a familiar, angelic voice sounds from behind me.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand as I turn around.
There she stands, elbows relaxed on top of the bar.
Her golden, blonde locks lay delicately around the frame of her face.
Her green eyes find me, holding my gaze.
A playful grin pulls at her glossed lips right before Blake steps into my view of her.
“I’m going to need you to take over. I need a quick restroom break,” Blake chimes with amusement laced into his words. Aggravation coils under my skin as I look back at Beck, giving her a nod of confirmation for our lake plans.
I make my way to the bar, keeping my expression neutral. After quickly washing my hands and drying them with a towel, I take my place directly in front of Raina, the bar counter separating us. “I didn’t know you’d be here,” she says, setting her purse down on the counter.
I had a hunch she wasn’t being entirely truthful, though. I bite the inside of my cheek as I study her for a moment. “Well, since I own this place, I’m here most of the time.”
Curiosity dances around in her eyes. “Oh, good to know,” she replies, tapping her fingernails lightly against the bar top.
I clear my throat, changing the subject quickly.
“I overheard that you’d like a lemon drop…
correct?” She gives a slight nod, her eyes moving to something behind me.
I begin preparing her drink when a hand runs along my shoulder blade.
I tilt my head back, finding Beck standing beside me.
Her attention goes to Raina, her expression holding something I can’t quite grasp.
She quickly brings her eyes back to me. “I’m going to head home. Dad’s wanting to make popcorn and watch a movie together.”
The smile she gives reaches her eyes. She chose to stay there after Blake moved out years ago, she didn’t want Eric living alone. And I love that about her. I set the glass down, placing my hand near her lower back, grazing my fingers along her arch. I smile back. “Tell Eric I said hello.”
She reaches behind, placing her hand over mine and giving it a light squeeze before walking off.
I refocus on preparing the drink, choosing not to look back at Raina.
Once her drink is ready, I place it in front of her and glance back at her.
She gently chews on her bottom lip. I watch as she reaches for the drink.
“I see your girlfriend is here a lot, too,” she murmurs nonchalantly.
I pause for a moment; I can see why it may have looked that way to her.
There has been confusion here before, and questions about what Beck and I really are.
I’ve tried not to draw too much attention to it, knowing how touchy it is for her and, well, me.
I grab a rag, wiping up the small mess from prepping Raina’s drink. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s…a close friend.”
Raina clicks her tongue, running her finger on the rim of her drink. I watch intently as she brings her finger to her mouth, licking off the sugar residue. A slight smile tugged at her lips. “Noted.”
Since we are on this subject, I chime back at her. “Why isn’t your little boyfriend here with you?”
She pauses, letting out a quiet laugh before taking a small sip of her drink. “He’s not my boyfriend. We just…hang out sometimes.”
So they’re just fuck buddies, I presume. My face heats a little at the random thought. “Interesting, so I was right then? He’s a boy toy?”
She slants her stunning, green eyes at me, tucking her hair back on one side.
A testing smirk appears. “Something like that.” She gulps down the rest of her drink, sliding it in my direction.
“He would be here tonight, but some guy randomly elbowed him in the face recently, and well, he’s nursing a black eye. ” Her eyes flick up to mine.
I slightly grimace at her comment before I reach for her empty glass. “Damn, only one? I was hoping for two.” She gives an annoyed eye roll, but her expression is playful. “How did you two end up meeting?” I inquire.
Raina licks her lips, clearly amused. “You seem to have quite a few questions for someone who pretends to be uninterested.”
I give a slight shrug in response to her remark. “I’m just trying to connect with a customer; it’s part of my job,” I explain.
She leans in closer, nodding thoughtfully.
“Fair enough…since we’re connecting and all, I work as a vet tech at the local animal clinic.
Scottie brought his cat in for a wellness checkup, and after about five minutes of checking Fluffy’s vitals, he handed me a torn piece of paper with his number on it. ”
I can’t help but laugh at that. Of course, he’s a cat owner. And really, what grown ass man names his fucking feline Fluffy? Shaking my head, I redirect my attention back to her. “Why doesn’t your ID show the address of your apartment complex?”
She tilts her head slightly. “You’re giving off some stalker vibes there,” she replies.