I turn back to Luke who looks like he’s starting to realise something, still turning his head between me and my girl.
“Wow. You’re a brave man,” he says, nudging Hope in the side with his elbow. Hope splutters out her drink and nudges him back.
“Hey, guys,” I say sheepishly, running my hand through the back of my hair.
The girls openly glare at me, wide eyed, with deep hurt and betrayal running through them. Mabelcontinues to face towards the bar; refusing to even look in my direction. You could cut the tension with a knife. Suddenly, a loud tapping echo’s through the bar, and Cole stands up at the microphone, making sure it’s working.
“Can y’all hear me?” He shouts, a high-pitched noise piercing through our ears.
“Ouch, sorry about that. Are y’all ready for the man of the hour?” He speaks at a safe distance away from the microphone.
The ever-growing crowd whistle and cheer from every direction. From what I can see, they’re no longer gawping at me, thankfully.
“Apologies guys, but I’m needed,” my brother smirks, pushing past my large frame, hand back on my shoulder.
Watching him wiggle his large frame through the crowd to the small stage located to the side of the bar, I try not to make myself look too uncomfortable.
Even though I’ve never felt so small in my life. I need to attempt to own this sudden barging back into my hometown.
“How y’all doing tonight!?” Jake shouts into the microphone, pulling his guitar strap over his head.
He’s met with even more cheers, including a whistle next to my ear. Iris can still do her famousloud ass whistle with her fingers. I turn my face to look in Mabel’s direction, but yet again she still has her back to me, her attention focused on my brother on the stage.
I keep my eyes firmly on her as another shot of clear liquor goes to the back of her throat. She’s refusing to look at me and even though I don’t blame her, I wish she’d stop throwing down so many shots.
Concern sweeps over me, reminding me of that protective streak I always had when it came to her. Before the cave man exterior can begin to take over, I hear my name.
“Y’all give a hand to my brother, who we all haven’t seen in a while,” my brother raises his bottle of bud to me.
I offer him a subtle nod as faces turn and look at me. Some in amusement, others not so much. Mabel turns her face to me, her eyes swollen and red, yet again, the tears forming once again.
“How about we get the Bennett Brothers back tonight?” Jake howls through the speakers.
Sorry… What?
My head snaps back to my brother’s direction.
Oh no, no, no.
Jake gestures to me to head toward the stage,however I don’t budge. Shaking my head at him with my palms raised, the fear deep in my eyes. I haven’t sung, hell, I haven’t even picked up a guitar in thirteen years.
Times have changed.
“Come on, bro’, one for the road? Just like old times?” Jake winks at me.
Fuck you, Jake.
Feeling the pressure, my feet start moving on their own accord and I head towards the stage where I’m met with some cheer, not as much as my brother had gotten not mere moments before this. Climbing up the small step to the stage, I feel my hands tremble.
Some would call this stage fright; I’d call this pure fear. Leaning into my brothers ear, I ask what he thinks he’s doing.
“Relax, its all-good bro’. Happy to have you home,” he says, placing the microphone in my hand.
Dick.
I scan the crowd and my eyes automatically, as if on instinct find Mabel’s eyes. She is staring at me, deep into my soul, pure anger spread across her face. I wince, knowing I’m the reason her night just turned to utter shit.
Feeling the microphone between my fingers and my palm, I take a gulp to try and soothe the dryness that has now descended in my mouth.
