Page 1 of Whiskey and Whispers
Chapter
One
Lunchtimeduring the school year was always busy at Tate’s Tavern and today was no exception. They’d been slammed since opening at eleven, and it was just beginning to slow down now that the clock was showing two in the afternoon.
The mood at Winslow University was exuberant and irritable in equal measure. Spring break was a mere two weeks away, and the students were more than ready to migrate—albeit only temporarily—to a warmer climate where there were no exams and studying, only alcohol-soaked beaches and bars welcoming them to five days of unbridled hedonism.
Tate remembered his own spring break adventures in Florida well. It hadn’t been that long ago, but somehow, it felt like forever. Being around these kids every day made him feel middle-aged, and he wasn’t even thirty-five. Yet.
But in the meantime, there was more snowfall, and the temperatures were freezing. This wasn’t the holiday time of the year snow, either. That had come and gone in December when everyone welcomed the white stuff along with Christmas trees, lights, and general goodwill toward mankind.
Now it was the end of March, and the whole town was ready for winter to end. They’d had enough of scraping off their cars, digging out their driveways, and hibernating at home. They were ready for blooming flowers and trees, and temperatures that didn’t require coats, mittens, and hats.
“Are you going?” Cooper asked. “She’s going to be there. I heard she’s back in town.”
At some point during lunchtime, Tate’s brothers had shown up and ordered a couple of pizzas, munching away while chatting with him at the bar between customers. They were all in excellent spirits, celebrating the successful opening of the old movie theater.
Cooper and Zack, with some unexpected help from Sam, had done an amazing job fixing it up. The first thirty days in business were a smash success, far better than they’d hoped. It seemed the whole town had embraced having a local movie theater and the crazy “theme weeks” that Zack and Cooper thought up. Last week, vampire movies from the seventies. Next week, they were doing a beach movie theme to get people excited about warm weather.
“Of course, I’m going,” Tate replied. “They’re my friends.”
He didn’t comment on Cooper’s statement abouther. They all knew whoherwas, after all.
Catherine Townsend - Tate’s high school sweetheart. They’d vowed to love each other forever, but forever turned out to be a damn long time for two teenagers just starting out their lives after graduation.
“I think it’s sort of weird,” Sam said with a shake of his head. “An anniversary party at ten years. Don’t get me wrong, that’s an achievement. But to have a big party like this? I don’t know shit about relationships or marriage, but it seems like people just celebrate among themselves. Is this some sort of gift grab?”
“They specifically said no gifts,” Tate said. “And I guess it is sort of strange but romantic, too. Rachel and Josh have been dating since seventh grade, and they always said they would get married right after college. They promised to have a big party on their tenth anniversary. Here we are.”
Rachel and Josh had always been the kind of couple that made others believe in love and commitment. They’d been happily together for almost twenty years. Hell, they still held hands when they walked down the sidewalk.
“You don’t need a good reason for a party,” Cooper declared. “It sounds like fun.”
Tate didn’t reply, instead going back into the kitchen to check in on a few last lunch orders. When he returned to the bar, Zack and Cooper had left, and only Sam was still there.
“They had to get back to the theater,” Sam explained. “Something about the popcorn machine. To be honest, I didn’t really listen that closely.”
“I don’t think there will be a quiz later,” Tate chuckled. “What do you have on the agenda for this afternoon?”
“Not a thing,” Sam said, wearing a delighted grin across his face. “Unemployment isn’t as bad as everyone says it is. People keep telling me I’m going to get bored or some shit like that, but frankly, I’m having a great time. I may never get another job again. I get up when I want, eat when I want, and sleep when I want. And I don’t have to see or talk to our father. It’s awesome.”
“You might get bored eventually.”
“Doubt it. I have about ten years’ worth of projects I want to work on. Don’t worry about me. I’m good. But I’m worried about you. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Why are you worried about me?”
It was a stupid question, however. Tate knew good and well why Sam was concerned.
“Cat,” Sam said. “She’s here. In town. Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t think I get a vote on whether she’s allowed in Winslow Heights,” Tate replied, stalling for time. He wasn’t sure what to say, to be honest. “She’s here. It’s a done deal.”
“Stop playing games,” Sam said. “You know what I mean. She was important to you once.”
Important.Such a small word for what Tate had felt for Cat. She’d been the air he’d breathed. She’d been the center of his universe. There was nothing he wouldn’t have done for her.
Even let her go.
