"Will do." Things feel awkward with Delilah, and it's my fault. "I'm just going to, uh, get ready. I can't walk in there looking like this."
Before my friend says anything else, I hightail it back to my room. Out of the Ashes will be a good distraction. For now, at least.
It's still weird coming to Out of the Ashes as a regular patron and not someone who works here. There's also no line wrapped around the building. I bet Delilah is happy she doesn't have to deal with the folks who were unhappy about the wait to get in. But there was nothing we could do back then. We didn't want to break fire code.
The music is loud as I open the door. It's not live music, though. It's pumping through the speakers. I guess live music only happens on the weekends. It makes sense. That's when the bar is busiest.
The person standing behind the host stand is new. I've never seen them before, and I'm glad Delilah isn't working every night the same way I was. The bar was growing faster than we could keep up. It's nice knowing Angie and Carlos have a team behind them to make it an enjoyable work experience.
"Hi, can I lead you to a table?"
"No, I'm fine. I'll sit at the bar."
"It's open seating. Help yourself." She waves toward the bar.
"Thanks."
Luckily there are open seats close to the door. I want a quick escape plan just in case I chicken out and leave before I see anyone. This is a newish feeling for me. When I left home at eighteen, I swore to myself I'd never let anyone make me feel like a disappoint. But this is the other way around. I'm terrified of disappointing these people who mean so much to me.
A tall guy with short hair rushes toward me from the other side of the bar. He must be new as well. "What's your poison?"
He leans against the bar and lifts a corner of his mouth into a smirk. He's attractive, and he knows it. That's a dangerous combination, and I think he's trying to gauge my interest. I glimpsed him on New Year's Eve, but I didn't engage with him at all. Once I realized Devin was on the stage, he had my full attention.
"Cut it out with the flirting, Eric." Carlos's voice is loud enough to be heard over the music as he makes his way toward me. So much for attempting to sneak out before anyone saw me. It's shitty, I know. But I'm doing my best to not feel like a complete outsider with all the new people in this place where I practically lived. "She's not interested."
"How do you know?" Eric glances toward Carlos. "She hasn't even spoken yet."
"He's not wrong." I shrug my shoulders. "And I'd like a martini, please."
Carlos lifts an eyebrow. "Since when do you like those? You've always had margaritas."
"I'm allowed to like other drinks." Rolling my eyes, I get out of my seat and wrap my arms around Carlos's waist. "It's good to see you. I’ve missed y’all so much."
"Are you sure?" He chuckles and I forgot how much I've missed this man who has always been like an older brother to me.
I pull back from him. "Yeah, why?"
"Because you haven't been around for half a year. And...there wasn't so much as a call."
He's not even that much older than me and he's doing the whole protective parent thing. Not only that, it seems to be sharpened. Like he grew up and has new responsibilities. What happened while I was gone?
"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall off the face of the earth. I just needed some space." I take a deep breath and sit back down on the stool. I also knew if I talked to anyone here, other than my infrequent texts to Delilah, I'd come back sooner than I was ready.
He says nothing else, just slides onto the stool next to me. Giving me those moments to gather my thoughts.
The bartender, Eric, slides my drink in front of me and hands Carlos a bottle of water. "Thanks," I mutter. "Any chance you know of rentals available?"
"Why do you need a rental? I figured you'd be staying with Delilah again."
How do I say this without seeming ungrateful? "I am staying with her, but it's not the same as before. I walked in on her and Bryce making out. I don't want to cramp her style." And I really don't want to accidentally see anything happen. "She has her own thing going on, and it's not fair of me to barge into it."
"You can stay with me." Eric is pouring a drink for a customer, and leaning against the bar. He's pretty good at the whole multi-tasking thing.
"How?" Carlos tilts his head to the side. "You don't even know each other?"
"And?" Eric scoffs. "We can get to know each other."
"I'm not dating you." He's needs to know that upfront before he gets any ideas in his head. I didn't come back to Asheville to jump into a relationship.
