Page 32 of Waiting for Acceptance
“It’s very…” I still don’t even know. It’s fucking cool as shit, and so much different than most of the other bars around here, but I doubt he’ll believe anything I say by the way he’s glaringat me right now. I clear my throat and unbutton the top of my dress shirt instead. “Macallan, neat. Please.” He nods and grabs a coaster and a glass, pouring the drink as he studies me.
“You lost?” He chuckles, making me relax a little more in my seat.
“Um, no. I came in here on purpose, believe it or not.”
“How come?” I take a moment to bask in the hushed chatter from people around the bar and the low volume of the music coming from the jukebox. Appreciating the fact that I can actually hear liquid being poured into a glass in this establishment.
“I like the quiet.” He hums his approval, or agreement, I’m not entirely sure which, then puts the bottle back on the shelf.
“You’re not from around here.” It’s a statement, not a question and I laugh.
“What gave me away?” I ask sarcastically. This time when he looks at me a flash of realization comes across his face before his eyebrows raise and he busies himself with moving empty bottles from the place next to me.
“You’re wearing a three-piece suit and look like the tornado from Oz spit you out on the sidewalk.”
I tilt my head in disbelief. “You talk to all of your customers like this?” My brows draw in as I finish off my drink.
“Depends on the day. Typically, yes.” What an unusual person. He smirks and I admire how straightforward he is.
“Outstanding.” I pull a one hundred dollar bill from my wallet, dropping it on the counter and nodding as I go.
His eyes widen and he looks up at me. “Have a good one,” I say, nodding at him. He nods back at me and keeps working, and on my way out I recognize a familiar giant of a person walking through the front door. He glares at me then gives me a playful smile before making his way behind the bar, greeting the guy who was just serving me and I inwardly groan.
I guess Lauren’s guard dog just so happens to be friends with the guy who owns the only bar in town I have the desire to visit again. I’m still unsure of his actual relationship to her and it pisses me off that I’m bothered by not knowing.
CHAPTER 18
LAUREN
Girls’ night got canceled this week due to Leah being out of town with Sawyer, Shane being sick, and Taylor covering someone’s shift at work. However, Ruby and I thought it would be simply absurd to miss the opportunity to hang out in our sweats and help Poe work on his crawling.
“He’s so close. He’s got the Army crawling down, he’s just gotta get those little knees up!” I encourage him in my best Auntie Lauren voice. “Come on, Poe. You got this, buddy.” His drool-filled smile makes me laugh and I scoop him up into my arms.
“How is holding him going to get him to crawl?” Ruby asks with an eye-roll.
“Simple. He doesn’t need to crawl. He has me, and my legs aresuper fast.” I run in place as the little baby giggles fill the room.
“Um…” Tank enters the room holding his phone in one hand, rubbing the back of his neck with the other. “Allen had a stroke.” A skin-pricking chill runs through my whole body. I sit down with Poe in my lap and stare blankly as Ruby asks questions.
“What? When?”
“Um. Earlier today I think. He didn’t make it. Sawyer just texted and said Leah broke up with him as soon as he dropped her off at her mom’s tonight. Did you guys not know about any of this?” I feel a pit forming in my stomach and a nauseating feeling washes over me.
Allen is gone?
“I gotta go.” I shake my head, wiping a tear from my cheek. I set Poe down and kiss his head, snatching my purse from the counter. I think I say bye to Ruby and Tank, but before I make it to my car I hear the front door slam again.
“Hey, hey hey. Give me your keys.” I look up at Ruby and start sobbing uncontrollably.
“Why wouldn’t she tell us? We should be there for her! And for Loretta. Oh my god. She’s been alone this whole time wai—waiting for her to get back?! Why wouldn’t they call us!” I suck in a shaky breath and she pulls me close to her chest.
“I don’t know. I’m sure they had their reasons. If I had to guess, Leah looks about like you right now, so maybe she just needed time to process it first.” She continues trying to console me and I feel like an asshole for even saying any of that. Of course they’re processing and needing time together before telling us.
“You’re right. I’m just… We always go through things together. I just don’t want them to be alone, you know?”
“It’s okay. They’ve got each other, and you’ve got me, okay? No one is alone in this. Ever.” I think back on all our childhood memories that Allen was a part of, how he would always try to scare us during our Halloween movie marathons that Leah hated, or how he would randomly sing on Saturday mornings to wake us up. He was the best dad to Leah and loved Loretta so deeply. I squeeze my eyes shut as the warm tears roll down my face.
“Why do thegoodparents have to go so soon?” I whisper.
