Page 62 of Wasted Oil

“Yes, ma’am thank you for reminding me Ms. Lynn, I should get going.”

I excuse myself heading to the bathroom, my thoughts eating at me. Ms. Grace has a point Mel, Maybe you should hear him out and see what he has to say? But what if he doesn’t want to talk to me? What if I did something to warrant Rhett to act like that? Does he still have a thing for Janelle after all these years?

All these points and I'm still letting them fly by.

Turning I take one last look at Rhett working hard behind the bar.

I hope you know how much I love you cowboy is my last thought before vanishing to the back.

Chapter seventeen

“Over my dead body”

Rhett

Tink. Tink. Tink.

The sound of tapping on a champagne glass pulls everyone's attention to the small stage at the front of the store where Mel and her band have been playing all night.

“Thank you everyone who has come to help celebrate my dear friend Kathryn and the release of her new book.” Alex praises with a gesture to the front row where Kathryn is standing. Everyone applauds with some low hollers whistling overhead and she turns around to face everyone, waving both hands mouthing thank you to everyone, then sending a kiss to the stage to the hostess of the evening.

“Also, thank you to those who have put up with me these past few weeks getting the store ready, I know I can be a lot sometimes.” Standing behind the Cafe bar next to me, Alex’s little brother RJ cups his hands around his mouth to shout over everyone,“more like all the time.”

Bursts of laughter filter through the room with some people nodding their head up and down because he’s not wrong. Alex can be a little bit dramatic but like she always says, “hey, someone has to be and I’ll gladly wear that crown.”

She lifts her hand with the glass of champagne to the air with her empty hand in a dramatic shrug. Glancing around, I watch as everyone smiles and is giggles but what halts me is the sight of Mel standing at the corner of the store, just off to the side of the stage. Looking up at her best friend trying to put on a smile, but I for one can see it's forced— almost painfully. Almost as if she can sense being watched her eyes wander around then stop once she’s reached my sight. Her smile falls and eyes gloss over. Her eyelids flutter to shake the tears away. She turns to look back up at the stage as Alex goes on talking about the book that that this party is for but I can’t peel my eyes away from Mel.

I’ve hurt her and I’m scared this has changed everything. I need to hurry up and talk to her, about the stupid game and how important she truly is to me. I fucked up, I knew what it meant to parade a girl in front of Mel and it being Janelle was entirely low.

This woman drives me crazy with every fiber of my being.

But I’m also crazy in love with her.

Now if I can find the balls to actually tell her, that would be great but that's the funny thing about men.

My dad told me back when I was still in high school that, boys have the balls to break someone's heart with no remorse but none when it comes to emotions or feelings. It takes a man to own up and take responsibility for what he’s done or wants.

Watching him with my mom made me strive to want that. What they had. Pure happiness and deep love, a wife, a best friend to grow old with. It’s forever that's the goal and I can't help but think it’s no coincidence that Mel is back home and we are both single and finally have crossed that line for it to not be end game. Part of me always knew she was it even if I didn’t admit it and when I was going to, she vanished. I’d like to think my dad played a part in getting her back here by giving me that second chance. I won’t let him down, let alone myself.

She’s mine.

She’s always been mine.

I plan to wake up tomorrow with that title being official.

“Cheers and congrats Kathryn on another great release. I truly can not wait for what else you have in store and there is always a shelf for you here at The Den.” Everyone raises their drinks up saying cheers. Strums of a guitar start humming through the building as the band starts playing a cover of Dan + Shay, Glad You Exist. Everyone goes back to mingling and getting books signed by the Author of the evening and photo ops with the infamous wall I would ever be so happy to burn after trying to set that up.

I was put to work this evening doing what I do best. Bartending.

"Hey big bro, think you can go take this to Ma? I told Alex I’d help with the Photo Booth.” My little sister Roxy hands me a glass of Alex’s favorite signature summer cocktail, lavender lemonade. Although I’m sure she went a little heavy with the vodka by the smell of it.

"You trying to get mom drunk Rox? This thing reeks of alcohol and only a hint of lemonade.” I tease her.

"She’s already had two. I doubt she will tell the difference. Ok thanks byeee.” Roxy says, heading to the rose wall. I shake my head and go to hand this drink to RJ to get rid of it and make another one with way less or secretly with sparkling water making it a mocktail.

"Wow. Yeah, your sister should definitely stick to making coffee.” RJ winces at the aftershock of the concoction of Roxy’s drink.

"Careful buddy, don’t want to get buzzed, let alone wasted at your sister's event.” I pat him on the back as I make way out from around the bar and walk towards my mom who is talking with Alex and her mom Lynn.

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