Page 67 of Falling With You
I glared at my staff and then shucked off my apron and put it on the hook. “Fine.”
“And if you act like a petulant child any more, I think I’m going to have one of your brothers slap you,” Beckham said. I flipped him off then sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry. I’m in a mood.”
“You don’t say.”
“How has no one ever punched you before?” I asked.
“No one wants to hurt this pretty face,” Beckham said with a wink, although something did pass over his eyes when he said it. I wondered what the hell that meant. But I had my own problems, and the fact that Beckham was sometimes a broody asshole and sometimes a sarcastic one wasn’t something I could deal with right then. He acted like the rest of us, so I couldn’t really blame him.
I walked out to the bar where Olivia and Derek were sitting, Derek tilted to the side, so Olivia’s chair was right between his legs. They were looking at each other as if they were the only two people in the world, and I couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy.
I didn’t remember when I had decided that I wanted that with Sienna, but it’d just happened. We just had this thing, and then it’d turned into me wanting her in my life. But I couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when. Should I be able to?
I didn’t know. Maybe that was part of the problem. But I looked at the way Derek and Olivia were with each other, and I realized I wanted that. Yes, I wanted that, but maybe Sienna didn’t. Perhaps I was the one who wanted too much. Just like before. After all, I’d had to use a kitten to get Sienna to date me. Maybe I wasn’t good at this. I already knew that she was better than I was, and she was slumming it to be with me, but I hadn’t known it would hurt like this.
But I was getting ahead of myself. I would just push that away and talk to these two.
“Hey. You came,” I said, clearing my throat.
“It’s a nice place,” Olivia said, smiling.
“You mentioned it, and we thought we’d stop by. But you’re probably getting busy. You don’t have to be out here too long.”
“No, I have a few minutes.”
Beckham chuckled under his breath and went back to cleaning the glasses. I flipped him off discreetly under the bar. Apparently, not discreetly enough since Derek started laughing.
“No, really, the place is great. I think we came in here before. I don’t know, maybe a year ago or so, I’m not quite sure. It has the same vibe as before, but maybe a little different?”
I swallowed hard and just smiled. Business. I could do this. “Yeah, when our dad passed away, the bar came to us. We’ve changed a few things but tried to keep it what it’s always been, the Connolly Brewery.”
“I’m so sorry,” Olivia said quickly, reaching out to grip my hand tightly for a moment before letting go.
“Yeah, sorry. Didn’t mean to bring that up. The two of us know better than anyone what it means to try and move on and pick yourself up after you lose someone close.” The two of them shared a look that was so private and filled with pain yet hope that I felt like I was intruding. I didn’t ask what they were talking about, but I nodded. “Thanks, we’re doing okay. We’re figuring things out. But the fact that the place is getting busier is a good thing.”
“Tell me about it.” Derek just shook his head. “Restaurants keep popping up all over the place down here, and then they fade away just as quickly. I’m glad this place is staying, though. You’re only a couple streets down from my shop.”
“Which is a good thing, considering I’m still thinking about what my next tattoo should be.”
“We’re here for you whenever you need us, but we gotta put your name on the waiting list.”
Olivia bounced in her seat. “He’s full-time now and actually has a waiting list instead of just walk-ins. It’s a big deal.” Olivia did a little booty shake in her seat, and Derek just rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, it’s a big deal, but the shop and its name kind of helps with that.”
“And probably your talent, too,” I said.
“Speaking of talent, we’re getting those nachos that I’ve heard so much about, and the people next to us had when we first walked in. They look and sound delicious.”
“Then I should probably get back and make sure I make them for you personally.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.” Olivia shook her head quickly. “I mean, we’d love you to, but if you have other things to do, just do your thing. We’re just here. We just wanted to say hi and thank you for dealing with us at the game. We were sad that you left early.”
I sighed. “Those assholes in front of us got a little handsy.”
“We know,” Olivia said quickly. I gave her a look, and she just smiled. “Sienna and I exchanged numbers, and I texted her to make sure that she was okay since you guys didn’t come back, and we didn’t hear from you. That’s why I didn’t ask right when we walked in how things went. But I’m glad you’re both okay, and I’m glad we’re here. I think Sienna said she might be stopping by later, too, right?”
I tried not to stiffen at the sound of Sienna’s name or mention of any plans she might’ve had. I just nodded. “She comes in often with her sister and friends. Two of them are dating my brothers, so they tend to come here often.”