Page 84 of See It Through
I stopped at my truck but didn’t get in. Another night by myself in Graham’s house sounded like hell, so I kept walking until the neon lights of Joy’s Elbow Room beckoned me. It wasn’t particularly busy, and I was grateful since I was in no mood for conversation. My only desire was a couple hours where I wasn’t alone with my thoughts.
The quiet little waitress, Alice, came by my table and took my order. She moved efficiently, writing everything down on her notepad, then scurried away with barely a murmur. My beer came fast. My burger took more time, but that was okay. My mouth was filled with sawdust, and I didn’t know if I’d be able to choke anything down anyway.
My head was on upside down. I couldn’t make sense of what had just happened on Hannah’s doorstep. I was certain I hadn’t been alone in my feelings. Hannah had been right there with me, falling just the same. There was no way she hadn’t.
And then…nothing.
“Hey there.”
I looked up from my burger, my eyes landing on one of the blondes who’d read me poetry. Pretty sure this one wasn’t Teller, but her name failed to come to me.
“Hello,” I replied, dread pooling in my already soured gut. I really didn’t want to fucking do this.
Her hands resting on the back of the empty chair across from me, she bent forward to give me an ample view of her tits. “My night’s looking up now you’re here,” she slurred. “Are you all alone?”
Being as polite as I could without giving her room to work her way in, I answered, “Just grabbing dinner before heading home.”
She pushed her lips out, looking duckish. “No Hannah?”
“Not right now, no.”
“Seems like you two are attached at the hip. You should be careful, though. Her last boyfriend had to scrape her off like a barnacle, you know.”
Stomach clenched, I cocked my head. “I didn’t know that. He tell you that before or after he stepped out on her?”
Pink flared in her already flushed cheeks. “He didn’t tell me anything. It was Sarah, Hannah’s former best friend. She had a lot to say about her. I should probably tell you so you don’t make the same mistake Watt did. She’s pretty, but—”
I was through being polite. I didn’t want to listen to another word this woman had to say. Not about Hannah or anything else. “Is there something you need?”
“I’d love your company, Remi. It’s not too often we get new guys in town—” she flapped her hand haphazardly, “—well, you’re not new, but same difference. Anyway, I’m sure you have fascinating stories to tell, and I’dloveto listen to them.”
I picked up my hamburger and brought it to my mouth. “Just having dinner. Not interested in talking tonight.” I took a big bite to punctuate my point.
She didn’t seem to get it though, giggling as she pulled out the chair. “I love a hungry man,” she cooed. “Men with big appetites need to—”
I’d never know what she was going to say because she was cut off by the clacking heels of Lily Smythe-Kelly. With her coiffed silver bob, silk blouse, slim-fitting skirt, and what had to be a designer bag hanging from the crook of her elbow, she stood out in a townie bar like Joy’s.
“There you are, dear,” Lily announced in her own regal way, shouldering not-Teller out of the way. “Thank you for keeping Remington company, Tina. You can go now.”
Tina’s dark eyebrows popped in surprise. “Excuse me, Mrs. Kelly, but we were—”
Lily, who had to be in her late seventies but didn’t look a day over fifty-five, shot Tina a look that would have made my balls wither and fall off.
Tina visibly swallowed. “Of course. Have a good night, you two.”
She stumbled from the table, stopping a few times to steady herself on the backs of chairs. My attention returned to Lily as she took the seat across from me, putting her wineglass down beside her clutch.
“Thanks for the rescue,” I said.
Lily sipped her wine. “Mmm. I’ve gotten used to most aspects of small-town living but having to see the same few abysmal people on a regular basis still gets under my skin. Fortunately, those types are few and far between in Sugar Brush.”
“Lucky for you, living out on the ranch, you are pretty isolated from the Tina types.”
“One would think, but I’m a people person, Remington. Connell is happy as a clam surrounded by horses, steer, and family, but I have to come into town several times a week, or no one would like the person I’d become.”
Despite the storm brewing within me, I had to laugh. “Pretty sure Caleb is the same.”
“And my Lachlan too. The Kelly men were born to be ranchers. Though we’ll see about our Jesse-boy. He marches to the beat of his own drum, that one.”