“You would be,” I agree, and back down the driveway before turning onto the road. “You love talking to people, and you’ll be able to do that more behind the bar than in any other position there. Plus, I know for a fact you’ll get good tips.”
“I hope so. I’m just nervous about remembering what all the drinks are. They had me watching what happens back there, and I think I can actually do it. I just have to go to some bartending classes to get my license.”
That will mean getting to spend less time with her, but I won’t hold her back if this is what she wants to do. And if the off chance we start traveling more places with the band, it’s something we’ll need to revisit. I can’t chance losing her again. Not when I just got her back.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m sure Carlos and Eric had their own little cheat sheets to remember drink combinations until they got the hang of it. Besides, you can’t compare yourself to them. They’ve been doing this a while.”
“You’re right.” She reaches her hand across the seat and places it on my knee. “It’s just new and scary. You know, probably better than anyone, that it takes me a while to get adjusted.”
She’s not wrong. When we dated the first time, it was like pulling teeth to get her to let her guard down. She always had one foot out the door, ready to run, in case she got hurt. I don’t blame her, though. All the issues with her mom, and not feeling like she was safe will do that to you. I can’t imagine growing up without supportive parents and family members. It makes me cherish them that much more, even when they do things to drive me nuts.
“You’ve got this.” I turn onto the street where my sister lives. I would take her to her new place, but this is where her car is. “And if you need someone to help you practice drinks, I can always help.”
“You don’t drink anything besides beer.”
“Neither do you.”
“Actually, I’ve found I like variations of martinis.”
Huh, that’s new. It must be something she picked up while she was away. “You’ll have to show me some of them.”
I pull up to the curb at my sister’s house and put the truck in park. Bryce’s car is parked next to Lisa’s, and it’s weird seeing it there. My shy, sweet sister found the person who adds to her happiness, and is moving forward in their life together. I hope like hell Lisa and I can do that eventually, even if I’m making music professionally.
“I guess I should go.” Lisa pulls the door handle of the truck, cracking it just enough to let the wintry air inside.
“Are you going to stay here a bit, or head home?”
“I’ll probably go home. I don’t want to wake your Del.”
“Good point. She’s grouchier than you in the mornings.” Except this morning. She seems to be in a really good mood, and I’d like to think I’m part of the reason.
Before she exits the truck, she slides close to me giving me a quick peck on the cheek. “I have the coffee to thanks for less anger toward the morning. Thank you for that.” She pushes the door open and climbs out of the truck. “I hope you have a good day at work. Maybe I’ll see you later?”
“For sure. I’ll probably come by the bar when I get off.”
“See you then.” She grabs her stuff and the coffee cup and closes the door.
I watch her run to her car, unlock the door, and slide in. I could have used that moment to tell her I think I’m in love with her. But she already has one thing shaking up her work life, I don’t want to add anything that can cause her stress outside of that. And those few words would do that. There’s no telling what she would do with the information. Tell me she feels the same way about me? Or, take off again? It could go either way, and I’m not willing to chance that. Besides, we’re still new despite being in a relationship before.
Sighing, I pull away from the curb. My brain is too tired to work through all the “what ifs” and I need to get to work. It needs to be an easy day, but it’s going to be a good one before I got to spend the morning with my favorite person.
13
Lisa
I’m sittingin the driveway of Eric’s. I’m mean…my house. I’m not sure what to do when I get to the door. Do I knock, or use my key? This probably would have been better to do at normal hour instead of at barely seven in the morning. Who knows if Eric is even awake. I don’t want to be the reason he gets up at a time he isn’t used to. I know he’s here because I pulled in next to his car.
My only other option is to sit in the car and wait until it’s not so early. Except my heater doesn’t work all that well, and it’s cold. Not exactly the best combination of things. Screw it. If I wake him up, so be it. We’ll figure out how to work around it as the days go on.
Turning off the car, I pull the key out of the ignition. I grab my bag and the coffee cup before opening the door. Thank God Devin gave me his hoodie. The little cardigan I was wearing last night is not enough for the early mornings in winter. I bump my door closed and weave between our cars to get to the walkway.
My steps are rushed as I approach the door. The wind is picking up speed and I have a feeling it’s going to be a very cold day. One of the days I’ll remember to check the forecast before I may any sort of plans so I can be prepared, but today is not that day. I set my coffee on the ground and shuffle through the keys on my keyring. You’d think it would be easy to find the one for the door, but it’s not. I have a key to Delilah’s house, the bar, my car, and even some old keys from places I’ve stayed in the past. The problem is most of them look the same, aside from my car key. I need to go through and get rid of the ones I’m no longer using. Or get keys made in different colors so I know which ones belong to the correct doors.
My eye catches a newish looking one, and I slide it into the door. My fingers tremble from the wind and I turn. Please be the right key. The lock clicks and I celebrate the victory with a little dance. Normally, I’m not this awake in the mornings, but something about waking up in Devin’s bed and the added benefit of coffee has my mood soaring.
I turn the knob and push the door open before grabbing my coffee and walking inside. Sweet, sweet warmth. Pushing the door closed behind me, I reach back and lock it. It feels strange not being in Del’s house, but it’s something I know I’ll get used to with time.
The house is quiet as I make my way down the hall toward my room. Eric’s door is shut tight, and I’m guessing he’s still asleep. It’s not like he’s out and about without his car. I open my door, and grimace at the amount of work that needs to be done to put things away. I planned on taking a small nap, but forgot to blow up the air mattress before I left last night. The noise would wake Eric, and that’s the last thing I want to do. It would put me at the top of the shitty roommate list.
