Page 38 of His Last Shot
Then, there is one other thing. Johnny didn’t come tonight.
I can’t help but wonder why, although I know the reason.
Me, I’m the reason. I pushed him away … again.
Plus, he knows I went to the wedding with Drew, so I’m sure that is weighing heavily on his mind.
But what I wasn’t expecting was how much I would miss having him here with me. Knowing that last night was a tourney night, I cowardly called off, not wanting to face him. But then soon after regretted it.
Add it to the long list of regrets I have with that man.
“Hey, Rachel!” I turn to the sound of Ricky’s voice and him waving me over. Ricky and I exchanged phone numbers when I met him here a little while ago when the remodel was almost done. We talked some here and there. He’s a greatguy, just not the guy for me. We have struck up a nice friendship, though, so I always make time for him and his friends when they come in.
“What’s going on, fellas?” I ask, leaning in as Ricky’s eyes rove over my chest. We may not be dating, but he’s still Ricky. Always a flirt and quintessential ladies’ man.
He smirks, addressing me. “Our friend Sam here is driving us nuts.”
Sam rolls his eyes while taking a slow pull of his Heineken. “I don’t need any additional relationship advice, Ricky.”
Big C lets out a huge belly laugh, one that matches his hulking frame. “Yeah, you do.”
Ricky turns back to me. “You see, Rachel, Sam here is dating a woman named Cara.” He shrugs. “She’s okay.” I glance at Big C; his moan, as he rolls his head back with a low, guttural sound, makes me chuckle.These guys are too much.Sam sits and stares straight ahead, completely annoyed. “And he’s obviously still in love with his ex-slash-love-of-his-life. Her name is Maria. She’samazing.”
Sam’s head whips in Ricky’s direction. “I am not still in love with Maria. I love Cara. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“No. You need to keep tellingyourselfthat.”
Sam and Ricky continue to argue as I fill Big C’s Ginger Ale. He must be the DD tonight. “These two always like this?”
“Worse actually.” The glass rises to his mouth while laughing at his two buddies going toe to toe right beside him.
“I’ll leave you to it. But you should start charging a referee fee.”
He lifts his glass to me. “No lie there.”
I open my mouth to continue my conversation with Big C, when the door creaks open, bringing with it the chill of the night air and the faint scent of rain. Johnny enters, and his commanding presence fills the bar as he zeros in on me. A surge of energy courses through me as his determined strides propel him in my direction. But as he nears, the raw terror etched on his face is unmistakable.
What in the heck is going on?
His eyes dart around, searching through the few patrons that remain.
Tracking his every move, I watch him round the bar. This is odd since he always stays on the other side, never stepping into my work space unless it’s closing time.
“Johnny, hey. What are you—”
“Did Dexter come back tonight? Is he here?” he asks with urgency.
It’s an odd question. I chuckle at him, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re not even going to say hi?”
“Is he here?” he asks again through gritted teeth.
What is going on right now? I can’t tell if he’s angry. Or scared? “Johnny, I’m confused. What is—” Something dawns on me. “Wait, how do you know he left?”
“This guy bothering you, Rachel?” Big C interrupts, already beginning to rise from his stool while Sam and Ricky continue to bicker.
Not turning to acknowledge him, I wave my hand dismissively behind me. “No, no, it’s fine.”
Johnny’s eyes flicker to Big C, then his worried gaze, intense and unwavering, burns into mine. “He came to my house.”
