Page 70 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“Lord knows you have the supplies in your nightstand for ample content.”

I thanked him for his help and squared my shoulders. The next time I saw Mitch, I would be ready.

Ready to suck.

24

MITCH

Cal looked at me the whole time I drove into town. Studied practically.

“What?” I asked, finally having to break the silence.

He scratched at his beard like he was unraveling a mystery. “You’re smiling.”

I waited for more. “And?”

“And you never smile.”

I rolled my eyes at the accusation. “That’s not true.”

“There’ve only been five official smiles on record.”

“You’ve been keeping track?”

“Me and Leo.”

This was premium horseshit. Cal spent too much time in his recording studio. It was draining badly-needed oxygen from his brain. To hear it from them, I was some dour sourpuss.

“I smile. You’re never around for it because you never say anything funny.” I turn into the main drag of this small town. Small businesses hanging on by a thread dotted the street.

“You think you’re smiling when you’re around us, but it’s not a real smile.” He put his thumb to his chest. “We can tell.”

Cal wasn’t going to distract me from parallel parking. My dad drilled this skill into my head when I got my learner’s permit; it made me the king of downtown Sourwood before they built a separate parking lot. I could always find a spot.

“Cal, if recording jingles doesn’t pan out for you, you should look into being a private detective.”

I put the truck in park and hightailed it into the Walgreens. Sadly, more storefronts were being taken over by chains here. Fortunately, Leo had put an ordinance in place that prohibited national chains from setting up shop in our downtown. It kept a small-town vibe that made Sourwood such a wonderful place to live.

I was on the hunt for lighters, but I needed duct tape to shut up Cal.

“Why are you so concerned with my smiles?” I asked him once he caught up to me.

He touched random things on the shelves. He was a big kid at heart. “Because I want to know what’s making you smile that big, gushy smile.”

“Uh, it’s my daughter’s wedding? The moment every parent dreams of. She’s marrying a wonderful man.”

“Yeah, that’s not it.”

I plucked a box of matches off the shelf and pushed past Cal, hoping he didn’t see my cheeks heat up.

“I can’t be happy for my daughter?” I tossed over my shoulder.

Cal met me at the cash register, once again examining my face for clues. This time, he’d only see stone. I couldn’t let it get out what I’d done with Charlie, even if my face had other plans.

He finally gave up and shrugged with disappointment. “I’m sorry, man. You’re right. You seem really happy about Ellie. We all are.”

I clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s okay.”

---