Page 36 of Guarded Secrets
Her mom came home from the library, which gave Keeley half an hour to change and get to Easy Money.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
She was glad she’d kept expectations low about anything changing between her and Owen because when she showed up for her shift, his face morphed into his usual made-for-Keeley frown. By the way he acted, the events of the night before last never happened. Fighting the melancholy left over from interactions with her dad, she stowed her purse—keys carefullyinher purse this time—tied on her waist apron, and hit the floor.
Three hours later Keeley took the last stool at the end of the bar, arching her back as she settled onto the seat. It felt like she’d been moving at a dead run for every one of those hours.
Owen’s Mid-Week Minis were a popular draw for Happy Hour, and it had brought in a sizable after-work crowd who’d devoured the mini pizzas with their drinks. They’d hit the lull between Happy Hour and dinner, and she could finally take her half-hour break. At least being busy had boosted her mood.
Owen slid a plate of the mini pizzas and a glass of cranberry juice in front of her. “Eat.”
That was exactly why Owen confused her. He’d been all gruff and grumbly since she started her shift, but then felt compelled to put food in front of her.
“Why are you feeding me?”
“I don’t want you passing out from hunger.”
“Right.”
He busied himself checking supplies in the well. She didn’t think he was paying attention to her until he raised his head and skeweredher with his typical grumpy glare. “Is the douche with a man-bun bothering you? That why you were upset when you came in?”
“Who’s the douche with a man-bun?” Then it clicked. “Oh, you mean Jaxon. He spends a lot of time on that man-bun, I’ll have you know.”
He waited. “Well?” he finally asked.
“Well, what?”
“Keep up, princess. Is he bothering you?”
“No. I mean he was, but I blocked him on my phone.”
“He being aggressive?”
“Not particularly, more manipulative than anything. I don’t understand why he wants to get back together so badly. I thought he’d already moved on.”
“You’re selling yourself short.” He filled an order, then returned. With arms braced, he leaned on the bar. She struggled not to sigh. “That’s not why you were upset.”
She shifted her focus to her glass, using the tip of her finger to wipe at the condensation on the side. “No, it’s Dad. We were having a good time this afternoon. I’d gotten some vintage records and was playing them on an old record player of his that I found in the attic. We were singing along to the Rolling Stones, then his mood flipped on a dime, and he’s yelling at me because I won’t let him call a friend who’s been dead four years.”
“Fuck.”
“That sums it up pretty well.”
Owen used a towel to wipe the bar. “You and Abby are doing your best, and the records were a good idea. Even though it didn’t end well, it was still a good idea and he was enjoying himself until he wasn’t. Take the wins where you can.”
Her phone vibrated with a text from Sawyer. He’d created a group text with her and Owen. She read the message.
Sawyer: Fernando admitted to being dropped off at EM parking lot. Won’t ID driver. Instructions were to steal K’s purse. Driverwas to pick kid up half hour after bar closed. Payment of three hundred dollars if he had the purse.
Keeley: Did he admit to knowing me?
Sawyer: Yeah, he knew you.
Owen slipped his phone back in his pocket. “That attack wasn’t random, you were targeted.”
“It seems like, but I still don’t understand why. I don’t see how this has anything to do with my tires.”
He shook his head. “There’s a connection. Not understanding what the connection is doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Starting now, Easy Money house rule is no one is to go out of this building alone. You don’t take the trash out, and you don’t walk to your car alone. The rule applies to everyone, but I’m most concerned about you. If I’m not here, you get one of the others to walk out with you.”
