Twist--A Dive Bar Novel(39)
Didn’t I know it.
“Mom’s going to go see Nell’s grief counselor,” he said. “Have a talk with him.”
“That’s good.” I gave his hand a squeeze. “She seems so lost.”
“Mm.” He sighed. “Eric’s throwing himself into the bar, keeping busy. Wants to help out with the construction as well.”
“I guess I’d want to keep busy too.”
A nod. Followed by another flash of a not-so-believable smile. “Maybe I’ll come visit you in Seattle once the job’s finished. We could celebrate, go to a nice restaurant or something.”
“That’d be great.”
He didn’t say anymore and neither did I. There didn’t seem to be any need. We sat in silence, enjoying the afternoon light. Brilliant autumn colors were slowly coming in, turning the green trees shades of blazing orange, red, and pink. I bet winter here was beautiful. A pain in the ass sometimes to deal with, but beautiful nonetheless. Maybe Joe could send me some pictures since I wouldn’t be here to appreciate the view.
Surely we’d still be friends from afar. I couldn’t imagine losing him from my life completely.
* * *
“Alex, can I have a moment?”
Well fuck. I put a calm smile on my face and turned to face her. “Hi, Star. Sure.”
It was my own fault for coming downstairs in search of caffeine. Except Joe and I had gotten desperate and apparently Star’s deliveries to upstairs had dried up ever since he’d refused her romantic advances. Fancy that.
I leaned my hip against the service counter, waiting on Lydia to make the two take-away coffees. Over behind the bar, Eric was keeping busy. Seemed like he never stopped moving, finishing one job then rushing on to the next.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I’m worried about Joe.” Silver bangles tinkled on her arm as she tightened her regulation ponytail. “I know you’re trying to help him. But I don’t think you understand him as well as you think you do.”
I just blinked.
“Men like him, they need the time and space to sort things out for themselves,” she said, her gaze searching me intensely. “You know?”
“All right.”
“I don’t know if you realize, but, he’s taken a lot of blame for the accident on himself.”
“Mm.”
She wrung her hands, taking a deep breath. “And what with Stan … that’s his father, by the way—”
“Oh, okay.”
“Well, Stan is a bit of a moody silent type himself,” she said. “So Joe’s always used his work time to think things through, you know?”
I said nothing.
“But now, with you being here, and I know you’re trying to help and that’s so great of you,” her smile turned anguished, “it’s just, I’m worried you might be hindering more than you’re helping.”
“I see.” I frowned.
“Also, Joe’s told me a little about your business and how you’re from Seattle and everything. Eventually, sometime soon, you’re going to have to go home, right?” A certain light shone in her beady little eyes. The day after a funeral with all of this heartbreak happening around her and she wanted to throw down with me over this flimsy bullshit? What a woman.
“Yes.”
More wincing. “Is it really fair to Joe if he gets used to having you around and then you have to leave?”
More nothing from me.
“I’m guessing you and Joe are close?”
“What is it exactly that you want to know, Star?”
Her mouth opened and closed. “Oh. Well. It’s not really any of my business.”
“No, it’s not.”
“I just worry about him.”
“That’s nice.” I wiped my dusty hands off on my equally dusty jeans. “And I can see you’ve really given this a lot of thought.”
“I care about Joe a lot. I love him, I always will.” She gave me a pitying look. “We were together a long time, Alex. A bond like that doesn’t just disappear.”
“No, it wouldn’t.” I wanted to smack the prying, manipulating cow down so bad. But I didn’t. “But I don’t think leaving him alone to mess his arm up worse trying to keep up with the project is the answer. Thank you for your concerns, Star. I’ll give them some thought.”
“You don’t know when you might be leaving?” she asked with just a touch too much eagerness. If ever I’d been tempted to scratch someone’s eyes out, this boho bitch was pushing me right up to the edge. “The fact is, I’m here now, Alex. He doesn’t need you. He has all of his family and friends. You putting your life on hold isn’t necessary. Surely you can see that.”
Well. “Wow. I’m glad you feel you can be so open and honest with me. But the thing is, Star, having an opinion doesn’t automatically make you right.”
“Here you go.” Lydia slid the two take-aways onto the counter, giving us both wary looks.
“Thanks,” I told her with a genuine smile. At least not everyone here would be chasing me out of town with pitchforks. “I better deliver these while they’re hot. Star, I’ll be sure to give what you said lots and lots of thought.”
Her smile was a fleeting thing.
Whatevs.
I stomped back up the stairs, just a wee bit pissed off.
Joe looked up from coating the freshly sanded wooden window frames. “You okay?”
“Living the dream, baby.”
“Mmhmm.” He cringed ever so slightly at my use of the endearment.
I winked at him, throwing in a slightly tired smile. “Here. Caffeinate.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip. “I think you’re real pretty with all that sawdust in your hair.”
“Do you, now.”
“Oh yeah. Brings out those cute little freckles on your nose.”
I smiled for real this time. “Took me hours to get it looking just right.”
Pain filled his eyes and he gritted his teeth, bracing his bad arm. “Damn it.”
“I think we need to move up your doctor’s appointment.”
“It’s tomorrow. Why bother?”
From his back pocket he pulled out a strip of painkillers and popped a couple. “Stop frowning, Little Miss. It’s first thing tomorrow morning and I’m definitely going.”
“Good. What time are we meant to be there?”
His gaze softened. “Mom wanted to drive me.”
“Okay.”
“You sure?”
It stung a little, of course. “Yeah. Whatever works.”
“Thank you.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “I think you’re the best female friend with occasional benefits I’ve ever had.”
“Shucks.” I quickly ducked my head, hiding the hurt. I was not going to cry. It was just all of the emotion going on these days getting to me, that’s all. My heart had taken one knock too many. But no biggie, I’d survive. So that’s where we were right now. Of course I’d known, it just sucked to hear him say it out loud. Especially after Star’s bullshit inquisition downstairs. “You’re a sweet talker, Mr. Collins.”
“Hello?” called a voice, followed by Stan stepping into the room. For some reason he seemed hesitant. “Morning.”
“Hi,” I said.
“Dad.” Joe stepped forward, dusting off his hands.
“Looks like it’s going well.” Stan wandered about the room, inspecting everything.
“Yeah, with Alex’s help we’re pretty much keeping to schedule.”
“That’s good.”
I took a sip of my coffee, uncertain if I should be here or elsewhere. In the end, I picked up my paintbrush, turned my back on them, and got back to work. Rembrandt had nothing on me these days. My painting expertise was moving ahead in leaps and bounds.
“I wanted to talk to you about that,” said Stan. “I’ve, ah, been giving some thought to what you said about the business.”
“Right?”
“And you’re right. It’s time for you to take over.” The shuffling of feet. “You’ve been doing the bulk of the work for a long time, heading up projects. I just didn’t want to admit it.”
Holy shit.
“Huh,” said Joe, surprise clear in his tone.
“I’d like to keep helping out where I can, but with my arthritis, I’m not up to doing anywhere near as much as I used to. It’s the truth.” Stan sighed. “Think it’s about time Collins and Son became Collins and Father.”
“Dad … I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything, put me to work,” said Stan in his gruff voice. “Let’s get these apartments done. After that, I’m taking your mother to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. About time we had a proper vacation.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” said Joe. “Mom’ll love that.”
There came the sound of backslapping, low happy chuckles.
“Hey,” said a deep male voice. Patrick stood in the doorway, checking out the almost finished apartment.
“Pat, man. How is Nell doing today?” asked Joe, going over to do some more of the dude backslapping and handshaking.
“Better. Your mom’s visiting with her,” said Pat. “Nell told me to get out of her face for a while. To go do something. I’ve closed the shop for a few weeks and it seems like they’ve got downstairs running pretty well. Figured I’d come see if you could use a hand.”