Page 19 of Shifting Gears

Matthew smacks the table with an open palm. The drinks rattle dangerously yet again, and a worried-looking Sarah grabs at the bottles to move them out of the way.

“Woah, pump the brakes. We’re all friends here,” Dani says, holding her hands up in a peaceful gesture.

Matthew doesn’t respond well. He stands up, towering over the table and elbowing Ryan out of the way.

“I want a rematch, Cooper. You had your arm set wrong, you fuckin’ cheater.” Matthew’s voice is gravelly in a way that seems put-on, like he’s lowering it to come off as more intimidating. But Dani keeps her composure. She stands slowly, crossing her arms, and even though he’s a few inches taller, Eleanor can see him visibly resist taking a step back.

“Admit that you lost, bud. Don’t make this a thing,” Dani says. There’s a warning in her tone. A protectiveness.

Matthew’s outburst is descending quickly into a grown man throwing a tantrum. “Lost, my ass! You’re a goddamn cheat!”

“Lost your ass? I’m sure you can find it if you take a lap,” Ryan pipes up. When Matthew turns on him, he shrinks back and behind Owen.

Matthew takes a step in their direction, but Owen puts a stop to it with a hand in the centre of Matthew’s chest. He doesn’t need to speak. Owen’s calm presence—and the fact that he’s taller than Matthew by at least three inches—seems to bring Matthew to his senses, but he still points aggressively at Dani.

“I want a rematch,” he says, at a normal volume this time but still visibly angry. Dani waves him off, looking less protective now and more amused at his antics.

“Kick rocks, Matty. Come back when you’re ready to talk out your mouth instead of your ass.”

Matthew’s response is as mature as the rest of him—he knocks the bowl of pretzels off the table, sending them scattering across the floor, and storms away while Dani’s friends yell obscenities at his back.

Eleanor has known that Dani is strong since they met, but watching Dani win against someone twice her size? Watching her barely break a sweat doing so? Eleanor’s body makes its opinion known with a low, deep throb below the waist of her newjeans. She’s genuinely contemplating going home to address the situation with a cold shower when Dani spots her, and much like she did on Eleanor’s first visit here, Dani brightens.

“Nora!”

With a shaky exhale, Eleanor makes her way over to the table. Everyone at it gives a friendly cheer when she pulls up a chair to Dani’s left, which makes her feel warm in a different way. For whatever reason, she’s being accepted.

“Here again, I see,” Eleanor says as she settles into a wooden chair with uneven legs. It tips a little every time she shifts. Wordlessly Dani sets her arm over the back of it, holding it steady.

“Likewise! What brings you here?”

“I saw your truck in the parking lot. I didn’t realize I’d be interrupting a drunken bar fight.”

Dani shrugs. “Matty’s just chirping. He’ll cool off. And I’m not drinking tonight, it’s my turn to DD!”

The table gives a genial yell at that, raising their drinks, and Eleanor is more intrigued than ever. Apparently Dani is attractive, kind, funny, and also responsible. A lethal combination.

While Sarah and Owen set up a game of pool, which they immediately ban Dani from participating in, Eleanor tries to tune into the conversations going around the table. Dani seems delighted that Eleanor has now met and been outfitted by her friend Mila, and when the topic of Eleanor’s new wardrobe comes up Dani’s review is enthusiastic.

“You look great. Really great. Mila knows what she’s doing,” Dani says. She gives Eleanor an appraising once-over that’s even more distracting.

“Did I look so terrible before?” Eleanor teases, trying to deflect the praise. Dani’s answer leaves her reeling.

“Nah, don’t worry. You’re gorgeous.”

Eleanor, her heart fluttering like a swooning schoolgirl, is saved from having to reply by a cheer from the pool table. Someone else is joining the party—a tall woman with smooth, dark skin has just walked through the front doors, and she picks her way across the bar to take a seat on Dani’s other side.

“Naomi! Long time no see!” Dani says brightly, giving Naomi a quick side hug.

“I know, I know. With the evening clinics we’ve been doing, I haven’t had much time.” Naomi turns to Eleanor with a smile. “I see we have a new addition?”

“Oh! Nora, this is Naomi Bates. Owen’s sister, remember?” Dani says, and Eleanor shakes Naomi’s outstretched hand. “Naomi, Nora. She’s here for the summer.”

Even if Eleanor didn’t already know, it’s clear that this is the infamous doctor that Sarah is so smitten with. Dani’s cousin misses her next shot the moment she sees Naomi sit down, and Eleanor can’t blame her. Naomi is quite beautiful. She has warm brown eyes and striking natural curls, and her smile puts Eleanor at ease.

“Owen texted to tell me there was a fight brewing,” Naomi says, a sculpted eyebrow raised. “I see it’s all calmed down?”

“Matty was being a knucklehead. Nothing new there.” Dani says, still unconcerned.

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