Page 98 of To Belong Together
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John stepped up to the window of the food truck and nodded to Asher, the owner of Superior Dogs. The temperature had reached fifty degrees by eleven a.m., and John had decided that, when the band took a break for lunch, he was coming here, to Main Street, for his first Superior Dog of the season.
The occasion served as a poor distraction. What he most wanted was to hear from Erin. He’d parted ways with her about eighteen hours before. She probably had all kinds of responsibilities—not to mention grief—to work through.
Determined to let her reach out first, he’d gone back to work.
Drumming hadn’t been the escape he’d hoped. He’d learned to drum one-handed for short periods to compensate for losing or breaking a stick, but to not pick up a new stick and go into fills with both hands left him scrambling so badly he’d thrown off Gannon and Philip. Repeatedly.
By the time lunch rolled around, they’d all been on edge.
The afternoon might not go any better. Before tomorrow, he’d research new drumming techniques. If he didn’t hear from Erin in the next few hours, he’d text her to check in. Combined, the efforts might improve the outlook for the following day.
Asher stepped away from the grill and propped his hands on the windowsill. “What can we get you guys?”
John stepped aside to look back at Tim, who studied the menu with his mouth popped open. Surprise like that must mean the manager hadn’t made it to Superior Dogs before.
Asher chuckled. “When in doubt, can’t go wrong with the Super Superior.”
“Okay.” Tim nodded, gaze still locked on the menu. “Do what you do best.”
“Make that two.” John pulled two bills from his wallet and paid before Asher returned to the grill.
John and Tim stepped to the side to wait.
After learning Issy would be stuck at Gannon’s all day while her dad and the band worked, Adeline had offered to take the girl to lunch. Whether it was to avoid hot dogs or more time with her father, Issy had accepted. Gannon and Philip had already stopped at the food truck a few times during John’s time off from the band, so they’d also opted out of this expedition, leaving John with only Tim for company.
John had run out of excuses to let Tim’s presence at his house continue unexplained. “How long do you have Isabella for?”
Tim’s crow’s feet appeared, but not with a smile. “Why do I feel like you know?”
“All I know is what a thirteen-year-old said.”
“Which was plenty, by that smug look on your face.” Tim dusted a hand against his jeans. “Why didn’t you do this in the car?”
“Headache.” They came less often and responded better to the over-the-counter medicine, but this morning’s had been a doozy. Probably a result of the stressful weekend. Thankfully, drumming hadn’t brought it back. “Why? Is this talk spoiling your lunch?”
“Yeah. She’s got a lot of nerve dumping Issy like that.”
“Dumping her, or dumping her on you?”
“Both. I don’t know the first thing about thirteen-year-old girls. What am I supposed to do with her?” Tim scowled at the used clothing store behind them, as if the fact that they probably carried some clothes in Issy’s size made them responsible for answering.
“Bring her to camp at my house, obviously.”
Tim huffed at the sarcasm but was saved from replying when Asher presented their orders. Carrying their loaded hot dogs, they started down the street in the direction of a small park overlooking the Lakeshore marina.
Asher had stuck a fork into the messy combination of hot dog, barbecue pork, and macaroni and cheese. Tim moved the utensil aside and lifted his food for a bite as they walked. Fillings plopped to the cardboard boat, but Tim nodded approval at what had made it into his mouth. He wiped up with a napkin. “I’m here to work.”
John’s mouth watered, and he wished for two good hands so he could eat and walk too. “That’s an excuse.”
“Then why am I so busy? Gannon and Adeline don’t know how to set up a business, so there’s that. And you’re drumming again. You guys are doing a show.”
Gannon and Addie might not want Tim’s help with their non-profit, but John didn’t interfere—he had his own battle to fight. “What about today’s session makes you think that’s a good idea?”
Hands full, Tim shook his head to dismiss the concern. “You’ll figure it out.”
“You’ve already started to spread the word.”
