Page 48 of Whiskey Neat

INDIANA

Holding Salem’s hand, I lead him straight through the bar and out of the front door, not bothering to announce our departure. The guys will figure it out soon enough.

“You good to walk from here?”

Salem nods. “Sure.”

It’s only a couple of blocks back to the house, but a few steps in, we’re stopped by a curious voice.

“Salem?”

He tenses next to me, his hand tightening around mine before he lets it go. To our left, a man steps out of the candle store.

“Jackson,” Salem says with a tight smile.

“It is you.”

Jackson has a big smile on his face, but Salem doesn’t seem at all receptive.

“Yep.”

“How have you been?” Jackson asks. “I thought you left Willow Bay a long time ago.”

Salem, shuffling his weight, glances at me with what I can only read as… shame? His cheeks are turning pink and he looks like he smelled something off.

“I lured him back,” I say, jumping in with what I hope is a Hail Mary. “I’m opening a bar and restaurant and really wanted Salem in a management position.”

Salem blinks rapidly, exhaling slowly as he drops his shoulders. “Too good of an opportunity to pass up, and I was ready to leave the corporate world.”

“Oh wow,” Jackson says. “You’re the owner of the old Jimmy’s?”

“Co-owner,” I answer.

“Wild. We could definitely use some new entertainment in town.”

“You live here?” Salem asks.

Jackson nods. “Yeah. Came back about six months ago when my dad got sick. Now I’m helping my mom fix up the house so she can sell it and downsize.”

“Oh, sorry for your loss.”

“He’s alive, but he’s in assisted living now. Stroke.”

Salem nods. “Oh, um, this is Indy. Jackson and I went to school together.”

Jackson extends his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“Are you leaving again after you get your mom settled?” Salem asks.

Jackson nods but shrugs at the same time. “Maybe? I’m not sure. I got divorced two years ago, and it’s been ugly. She wants to move to Colorado where her family is, which means I’d be far from my kids. I don’t know.”

“She?” Salem repeats, then clears his throat. “Sorry. Sounds rough.”

Jackson frowns. There’s obviously some kind of background here making them both uncomfortable. I decide to interject again. I don’t like seeing Salem sad.

“If you’re still in town when we open, you should stop by.” I take Salem’s hand and pull him just a little closer. “We should probably get going.”

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