Page 58 of Debts and Desires
September 30
Day Thirty-Four
140 Hours to Go
“Let’s get this over with,” Carter sighed, shutting the engine off and getting out. He opened my door and helped me out of his Blazer. “Just remember, you don’t have to say shit to anyone.”
“I know.” I smiled. He nodded, and we began walking toward Pete’s Sake Bar.
As we approached, my eyes darted involuntarily to the dark alleyway, my steps faltering at the memory. My heart raced, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. Panic washed over me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred as the flashback consumed me.
“You’re gonna count to thirty before you turn around,” he said, pressing the gun harder into my ribs. “You turn around before that, I’ll shoot you. Understand?”
The voice was haunting, becoming familiar once more in the back of my mind. Would that man be here? Would he recognize me? Would I recognize him?
The gravel crunching beneath Carter’s boots had stopped,and he looked back at me, his expression changing from casual to concerned. He followed my eyes.
“That where it happened?” he asked, voice soft. I managed to nod, my throat too constricted to speak.
Get it together, Emmy.My body wouldn’t move. I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights. He stood in front of me, blocking the view as if he knew to sever the hold it had on me.
“When I find out who it was…” he trailed, his jaw clenching. “C’mon, baby.” He offered, his hand finding the small of my back and ushering me slightly to the right. The warmth of his hand on my back was a lifeline, pulling me from the racing memories. I forced my shaky legs to move, leaning on him heavily. I knew what it might look like to a passerby, but he didn’t seem to care. Even if he said otherwise to Tyler on the phone.
Carter knew the right things to say and do, and it made it harder for me to want to leave. Instead of dwelling on the memory of my attack, I started thinking of ways I could tack more hours on so that I could stay. I knew it was wrong. But that little bit of protection Carter showed me rang true and clear. Carter, who barely knew me, showed more care and kindness in our short time together than anyone else ever had. More than my ex, more than my parents, more than most of my so-called friends.
Minus Mia, of course. And that thought sobered me some. I needed to call her, make things right, even if I wasn’t at fault. Maybe she could talk some sense into me.
Having his touch calmed me, and he kept it there until we got to the front. Carter held the door for me and I walked in. The sense of familiarity was welcomed.
When I was here last, I was only in the back and on stage. I hadn’t had the chance to look around. Pete’s Sake was mostly empty, as expected on a weekday, even if it were later in the afternoon.
The angled entrance was open some, allowing space to come and go without bumping into anyone. The low murmur of conversation floated through the air, mixing with the tunesdrifting from the digital jukebox on the wall. Tables were scattered and booths along the walls to the left and right, offering cozy spots for friends to gather or for folks to enjoy a quiet drink alone.
The bar was the first thing you’d see when you walked in. Behind the bar itself, shelves laden with bottles of various spirits stretched towards the ceiling, illuminated by the warm hue of the string lights below each shelf.
A corner area directly to the right had two billiard tables and a dart area.
There was a door to the far right, still behind the bar, that led to the kitchen. And a door to the left that led to the back room area and stage access. Opposite from the bar was a door that led to a hallway with the bathroom and ATM, and just past that was a door for presumably more storage.
The stage was parallel to the front windows. It was a faded cherry wood, elevated and rounded, with lots of wear from over the years.
Despite its age, the bar bore the signs of loving care and attention, with fresh coats of paint and carefully chosen decor adding touches of charm throughout.
It got a little quiet at first, but the glare on Carter’s face must have sent a warning to everyone.
Tyler greeted us behind the bar with a huge grin as we approached. “Nice to see you again, Emmy,” he said to me, then looked at Carter. “Hey, dickhead.” Carter gave Tyler the finger before helping me on to a barstool. He sat on his effortlessly. The way he positioned us had me somewhat blocked in, as if he were shielding me from everyone.
“Thanks for giving Carter my phone. I’m glad someone found it and turned it in,” I said after a beat.
“Yeah, sure,” Tyler chuckled awkwardly, his brows together as he eyed Carter. Carter clenched his jaw again, his face turning red. Maybe something had happened between them with my phone, so I dropped it. I was just glad to have it. Even if I had no one to text or call but Carter.
“Your usual?” Tyler asked Carter, breaking the awkward tension. Carter nodded. “And what would you like, Emmy?”
“Whatever those wings were last time. And lots of them,” I answered, making him laugh.
“You got it. And to drink?”
“Water, please.” Tyler nodded and set to work.
