Page 4 of Stacked
“What’s up, man?” he asked. “Heard you were in town again.”
“Yeah, I live here now, actually.”
He cocked his head. “Wait, didn’t your mom move to Florida?”
“Yep, but I bought the old Owens place out on the state route.”
“Wow.” He put down the glass he’d been polishing. Kevin and I had been classmates at Lincoln High but hadn’t kept in touch much. I wasn’t even sure if I followed him on social media, though, I didn’t follow many people from New Burlington on any of my accounts. Until six months ago, I hadn’t expected to see most of them ever again. My life had been in New York City and centered squarely on Manhattan, not here.
But now things were different.
“That’s a commitment,” he added.
“It’s still in good shape.”
“Expensive, though.”
“Not compared to real estate in New York.”
“Probably true.” Kevin pointed at the chalkboard at the far end of the bar. “We’ve got a few specials tonight, and appetizers are half off until seven.”
I eyed the selections, which were written in assorted colors of chalk. “I’ll take the pretzels and beer cheese, plus a Rhinegeist Truth.”
“Coming right up,” he replied. “And the beer is on the house, okay?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I do.” He grinned. “And I’m glad you’re back.”
“Thanks,” I said, and as he turned away, I realized the smile I gave him was genuine. I was glad I was back too. I hadn’t ever expected to come back to New Burlington, but now that I was here, I had a feeling it would soon become home, and the place I could plant some roots.
New Burlington was the opposite of New York City in every way. But I needed that change. Desperately needed it.
And now I was about to make myalternativedream come true. Out with the old, in with the new.If I don’t screw it up.
CHAPTER THREE
