Page 180 of Mountain Daddy
I’m still darting my gaze around, looking for Luther, when Jessie steps back into the bar.
I try to look casual, unbothered, as she circles back around behind the bar.
“How’s it going…?” Jessie sounds like she regrets the question before she’s even done asking it.
And I know she knows.
We both glance at my dad, but he’s still talking about the game.
I shrug in reply, not able to give her a real answer. “How are you?”
She bites her lip and shrugs herself. The movement makes her step to the side, and she reaches out to grip the bar. “Sorry,” she snorts. “I’m a little drunk.”
I choke on a laugh.
Dad turns his head. “Miss Jessie, did you just say you’re drunk?”
Jessie nods, trying to suppress a smile.
“Does Rocky know?” Dad glances around like he’s just realizing his bestie isn’t here.
I lift my drink and suck down more.
Her gaze darts to me. “He’s, um, drunk too.”
“Seriously?” My dad laughs. “Where is he? I want to give him shit.”
Jessie shakes her head. “He’s asleep. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Asleep here?” Dad keeps asking the right questions.
Jessie nods. “We had a sibling drinking contest. He lost.”
Dad huffs. “Lightweight.”
I suck down more of my drink.
Sibling drinking contest. I have theories about that.
Jessie leans her elbows on the bar and rests her chin in her hands. “How’s Buddy?”
“Good. We just picked him up a doghouse,” Dad replies.
Jessie hums. “That’s cool. I bet he’ll like it.”
Air rattles through my straw, and I release it from my lips.
I wonder for a second who told her about Buddy, but it had to be my dad.
Or I guess Dad could’ve told Luther, and Luther told Jessie, but no one heard it from me.
I befriended the fox the day Luther broke up with me, and I haven’t seen him or Jessie since.
I’m not right for you.
I push my glass across the bar, making eye contact with the tall guy.
He nods and starts to make me a second drink.
