Cash smiles. “I’ve spent a lot of time over at Lie’s house, as you know, and I think you’re being a little naïve to think that they’re going to be okay with it.”
“Are you discouraging Lie from…”
“No,” he says, huffing and throwing a couple peanuts at me. I chuckle. “We support each other in everything, including bad decisions.”
“This is a bad decision, is it?”
He holds my stare, waiting for me to admit to myself that it absolutelyisa bad decision. I sigh. “What do you suggest?”
Cash shakes his head, glancing around the bar. “We’re in the middle of making bad decisions together,” he says, shrugging. “That’s part of growing, right? We have to make mistakes.”
I flinch at the world. “Mistakes,” I murmur.
“Sometimes mistakes and bad decisions grow to something more,” Cash says. “I just think that whatever happens—in your situation and mine—the consequences are going to be big and we all need to be prepared for that.” He leans forward again, and I look into his light eyes. “I don’t regret my mistake. I’d do it all over again, every single time. Lie feels the same way about his decisions.”
“You need anything else?” I ask, looking at his mostly untouched drink.
“Yes. I’d like a crème brûlée with passionfruit glaze and a truffle on the side that melts on my tongue.”
“A brownie it is. Be right back.”
I pass Lie and his parents. Lie is mixing a drink, laughing with his father. Miranda is watching with a smile, looking between Lie and Nason. I’ve seen that look many, many times. She loves to watch her husband and son. I think she loves the relationship they share.
I don’t say anything to Lie as I pass behind him, but tell Sam that I’m heading to the kitchen for a second. We have your average bar foods, and crème brûlée isn’t one. Not at this kind of bar, anyway.
I stick a brownie in the oven to heat through for forty-five seconds while I scoop a heap of vanilla bean ice cream into a bowl. The brownie goes on top, a heaping pile of whipped cream, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top it with a cherry. I don’t stop at one cherry though. I circle the perimeter with cherries too.
“Need a sugary pick me up?” the chef Ernie asks.
“Yes, but I won’t find it in a brownie sundae.”
He chuckles as I return to the bar. The spot where Nason, Miranda, and Lie were when I left two minutes ago is empty. A quick scan and I locate them closer to Cash.
But so is Benson. Nason is on his feet as Benson yells at Cash.
I set the brownie down and hop the bar, pulling Benson away from Cash. Ben’s furious eyes meet mine. “This is your one and only warning, Benson. I’m finished with your bullshit. If you bother any of my customers again—on any fucking day in the future—you will not play on Kala again. Am I clear?”
“You can’t?—”
“I can and I will. Grow up. You’re not a twelve-year-old anymore. Your fits are completely out of line. It’s time to act like a fucking adult or you can leave and not come back. Am I clear?”
It’s rare that the bar gets quiet. There’s a crowd around us, including Ben’s bandmates. Lie is standing on the other side of the bar with Sam at his side. I feel Nason at my back, ready to help me if need be.
Just like old times.
Other patrons are there. Watching. Waiting.
Ben pulls himself away and gives Cash another disgusted glare. Cash looks small in the corner as he watches. I’ll give it to him. He doesn’t look afraid at all. There’s no fear of his brother.
I’m not sure if that’s smart. I think if Ben’s pushed too far, he will resort to physical violence. Especially since he’s not getting the reaction from Cash that he wants to. Especially because Cash is pushing back, no longer willing to be verbally abused and pushed around by his brother.
Benson turns and heads to the stage. The crowd splits for him. If Whiskey Horizons had any fans here today, they just lost some.
I look at Onyx. He’s looking at Cash. Cash is looking at Lie. Lie is scowling after Ben.
“That was exciting,” someone murmurs.
Cash snorts, though he doesn’t look at anyone except Lie. Miranda gets closer to Cash and wraps an arm around his shoulders, giving him a motherly hug. I smile and head for the bar gate as she asks him, “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
