Everything, and everyone, is bathed in neon lights, and the walls are covered in pictures of either long-neck bottles or people drinking beer from a long-neck bottle.Very clever.
There’s a stage at the front of the bar and a doorway to the right-hand side of it that leads to an outdoor patio, which is really just a small fenced-in patch of dirt where string lights are hung overhead and tables have benches made out of tailgates.
Callie grabs my hand and leads me toward the bar, heading directly toward a bartender who looks to be about our age. He has sandy blonde waves sticking out of his ball cap and a perfect coat of stubble across his jaw line.
He leans onto the bar with both his elbows. “Hey, Cal!” His beautiful blue eyes catch on me as he asks with a smirk, “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Olivia,” she says with pride. “Olivia, this is Jax. We went to school together for years and became friends in high school.”
Jax reaches his hand out to shake mine. “Nice to meet you, Olivia. You wouldn’t happen to be Olivia Parker, would you?”
My stomach sinks. “How does everyone in this town know who I am?”
“It’s a small town. Don’t worry. I’ve only heard good things.” His perky smile and magnetic charm draw me in immediately and help me forget my nerves over the fact that people in this town are talking about me. “What brings you to town?”
“I’m just visiting my parents for a bit. My job is pretty demanding, so I’m taking some time off to reconnect with family.”
“Roots is the best place you could come to slow down a little. It doesn’t look like it now, but I promise you, this place is usually far more quiet when the Callahan sisters aren’t coming to play. Plus, I make some of the best drinks you’ll ever taste.” He leans back on the bar. “Speaking of, what can I get you to drink? I already know Callie wants a Ranch Water.”
“Don’t forget the lime!”
He rolls his eyes. “You remind me every time. I couldn’t possibly forget. I have nightmares about forgetting your limes.”
Callie eases back in her seat with a smug smile on her face. “Good.”
“I’ll take an Old Fashioned,” I say.
Callie’s jaw falls to the floor. “Olivia! You badass! I like the energy. Tonight is going to befun.”
Jax gives me an approving nod as he turns to make our drinks.
“So, did you ask Rhett to come out with us?” She wiggles her brows.
“I may have mentioned it, but he said no, just like I expected.”
“Text him. Tell him I want him to come. It’s not too late.”
“No, that’s okay. I want to hang out withyoutonight.”
“That’s so sweet, but I’m having a real dry spell with men these days, and Ireallywant to live through you right now.”
“Why don’tyoudance with Rhett then? Or Jax? Jax is super cute.” I lower my voice. “Did you see his eyes? And you two seem to have some sort of banter going.”
Jax swivels around and sets our drinks down on the bar. “Here you go, ladies. Should I just go ahead and open a tab?”
Callie slides her credit card across the counter. “Yes, please. Olivia, we can square up later.”
Jax takes the card. “I hope I’ll see you two later,” he says, giving me a smirk before he rushes off to help another pack of thirsty Roots customers.
“Sorry, you were saying I should go for Jax while he was busy flirting with you?” Callie teases.
“What? No, I?—"
“I’m kidding.”
“Why haven’t you gone for Rhett or Jax? They’re two of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen.”
Callie grabs her straw, swirling the lime in her drink around distractedly. “I wouldn’t touch Rhett with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole, butyou can.As for Jax, heiscute, but he and I are just friends. He’s been my buddy since sophomore year of high school, and I’ve never looked at him as anything more.”
