Page 47 of Fear of Falling

While itwasa little smaller than some bars I’d been to, I liked the look of it. A long bar took up half the space, lined with barstools. Behind the counter, a man and woman worked, mixing drinks and popping beer bottles for customers. Scattered around the room was a mix of high and regular tables, many of them already crowded with patrons.

Near the back of the room, boisterous laughs and taunts came from around three, huge, pool tables as people played. On the other side, there was a well-worn dance where a few clearly intoxicated people swayed to the music.

The place was busy, but not overly so, as we grabbed ourselves a table.

I wonder if they purposely make the outside look like shit, so it’s not slammed with hockey fans since it was just around the corner from the arena.

“Gentlemen!” I looked up as the bartenders waved at us with welcoming smiles.

I guess they come here often.

A few patrons joined in the greeting, but for the most part it seemed like most of the people couldn’t give two shits that star hockey players had just walked in the door.

Okay. Now I see the appeal of this place.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” Bryton looked over at Trevor, eyebrows raised. “There’s no puck bunnies in sight.”

“First off, fuck off. Second, I don’t need to go out partying after every single win. The guys will survive without me tonight.” Trevor shook his head at his friend. I was surprised the guys would choose this place over a club or somewhere else to celebrate their first win in six games. Trevor was the life of the party and was constantly seen leaving clubs and bars with different women after games.

“Thanks for gracing us with your presence tonight then.” Wyatt joked. In return Trevor flipped him the middle finger.

As the three of them joked, Mila butting in a few times, I looked around the bar. I liked the old-school vibe the place had. It’s somewhere Dad would have gone for a few beers after work, to talk shit with his friends and play a little pool.

A moment later one of the bartenders appeared at our table. All three guys greeting the guy like old friends.

“What can I get you guys?”

I looked at Wyatt, unsure what to order. “Do you like beer?” he asked.

“Of course,” I smiled.

“Are you hungry?”

I nodded, realizing I was ravenous. “I could definitely eat. Whatever you order will be fine.” I let Wyatt order for me before the others chimed in with their own order.

As soon as the bartender left to put in our drinks and food Trevor launched into a story about him and Wyatt in Uni.

“So, it’s freshman year, and we’re literally days away from the draft. This one,” Trevor jerks his thumb towards Wyatt. “Decided to get drunk; I’m talking piss drunk. Having practice the next day seemed to have escaped his mind. Of course, Coach went full out during practice, and when I looked across the ice I saw Wy was looking green,” Trevor laughed loudly. “Minutes later, as we’re in the middle of suicides, he throws up everywhere.”

I laugh along with the others, imaging poor Wyatt sick as a dog at hockey practice. Wyatt winced at the memory.

“Bet you didn’t drink for a while after that,” I teased.

“Was a good month if not more.” The look on his face made me giggle.

The bartender showed back up a moment later, filling our table with pints of ice-cold beer and platters of fries, onion rings and sliders. I eagerly grabbed one and bit into it, the beef patty tender and flavorful.

Not bad for a dive bar. No wonder the guys come here.

For the next hour, the five of us sat around drinking, eating and laughing. Trevor telling stories about the three of them and the stupid things they got up to their first few seasons in the league. It was fun learning about Wyatt through the perspective of his best friends. I also learned more about Bryton and Mila.

“Our first date was to a Marvel Convention. Bryton showed up to my place in a Spiderman costume.”

“Hey! Come on,” Bryton protested, “You’re ruining my street cred in front of the newbie!”

“What street cred?” Trevor scoffed. “You’ve always been the nerd of the group, through and through.” We all laughed, though I noticed the way Mila and Bryton gazed lovingly at each other. They were the cutest couple, and more than once, I’d had to look away as they kissed or stared at each other with lovesick eyes, feeling like I was intruding.

“Everyone knows stuff about marvel. Like the game Thor gets addicted to inAvengers: Endgameis Fortnite.” Bryton said it so casually like we’d all know that.

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