“Three times but he boomerangs back.” She turned to the man who sat on the stool in front of her. “Ike, how’re you doing? What’ll you have?”
“Same.” Ike reached for the beer nuts. “Pete, how you doing?”
“Can’t complain.”
In fact, he was grateful. It was in the daily routine of this bar that he’d found relief from his shame. How the one person he loved more than anything, the one he believed would share his life, the one to whom he’d given his heart, had humiliated him in front of millions.
It took him over a year to abandon the idea she did it on purpose. As if performing the world’s most elaborate prank. Then Robbi came along and proved to be a good boost to his confidence.
In the last year, Gus had mellowed. During the slump between lunch and happy hour, he listened to the old guys tell wild, exaggerated tales of surfing the “big one,” or of wrestling with a swordfish.En garde.And he found a rhythm that healed his scarred heart.
When the singer arrived at night with her guitar, he served drinks and wiped down the bar, letting the lyrics of hope and love seep in.
Maybe, just maybe… One day. Years from now. He’d fall in love again. Truth be told, there were enough love songs in the world—including the entire Beatles’collection—to win him back to romance. To trust another woman with his heart. He just needed gobs of time.
By the time he’d sliced the pile of limes then lemons for happy hour, the first wave of spring breakers arrived, sunburned and shivering.
“Helene, I’m going to bus some tables.” Filling a bucket with hot water and soap, Gus grabbed a clean towel and an empty bin for the dirties and headed out to the tables.
Out on the deck, he collected dishes and wiped the tables, his mind drifting back to Daffy, his true identity and duty, and the reality that John’s wedding was a mere eight weeks away. The ball? Seven weeks. Gus must do a smashing job for John because his brother did nothing less for him.
His past must not continue to impact the future—especially his brother’s future. Gus must take back control of his life.
Wringing out his towel, Gus looked out over the beach toward the ocean and the pinkish red sunset. He’d miss this place but it was time—
“You want to tell me what’s going on?” Helene reached for the tub and began clearing the last table. “How was Adler this morning?”
“Delirious with joy, chasing the Frisbee up and down the beach.”
“Don’t make her like you more than me. She is my dog.” Her deep chuckle carried the rasp of a former smoker.
“She adores you.” Gus moved to wipe down the table.
Helene anchored the loaded bin on her hip. “You have something to tell me, Pete? Or should I say, Prince Augustus?”
He paused in mid-motion, then went back to wiping the table. “How long have you known?”
“Since you handed me your papers.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I read up on you. I understood why you were here. I wanted to give you space.”
“Thank you.” He dropped the dish towel in the bucket with a splash. “I almost feel myself again.”
“But?”
“My brother’s getting married and I need to be there for him.” Gus reached for the bucket as a group of bikini-clad girls approached the deck. “I’ve shirked too many duties. It’s tradition for the brother or sister of the groom to host a wedding ball, which takes place the week before the ceremony. More than host really, I’m responsible for the entire event. From planning to execution. To make it all about the happy couple. My brother was there for me when I was getting married. Never complained that his little brother would stand at the altar before him. I should have gone home sooner. But I wasn’t ready. Told myself I didn’t want to leave you in a bind.”
He still wasn’t ready to face the media, but he was ready to see his family and friends.
A clatter sounded from the kitchen. Helene called toward the kitchen. “Roswell, everything all right?” The old cook answered like a drunken sailor. Helene grinned and turned for the door. “I’d better get in there. When do you want to leave?”
And just like that, his time in Florida was over.
“Next week, I reckon.”
Helene hesitated, then walked over for a one-arm embrace. “I’m going to miss you. I’d like to say you were the son I never had, but even I couldn’t believe I’d ever give birth to a prince.”
