He pulls his hand away. “You’re welcome.”
I watch him out of the corner of my eye. He’s so exhausted. More so than usual. Even talking seems to cost him something. He’s been that way since Christmas Eve. Maybe he just needs a break? Maybe his shifts are wearing him out or something.
Or maybe this is about his MRI tomorrow.
That’s probably it. It’s probably making his mind spin with all the “what ifs.”
I chew carefully. There has to be something I can do for him. Something that can get his mind of his pain and that doesn’t cost him so much.
The answer comes so easily I almost smile.
19
VINCE
It’s busy as hell for a weeknight in the end of January, and the concert hasn’t even started.
Declan hired a guitarist to play live tonight, using the tiny stage meant for poetry readings and trivia nights. Apparently Seth knows the musician through his work, and she has a huge following on social media. He thought it would be good for business since things have been quiet.
Clearly, he wasn’t wrong. Once word got out that Ruby Rose was playing, our social media activity kicked up tenfold. The news spread fast.
Now the constant buzz of conversation is reminding me too much of the banging and loud noises of the MRI scan, and it’s making me anxious. I need to stop thinking about it. I’ll have answers next week.
“We’re going to have to turn away people if they keep coming,” Piper says, watching the crowd with me near the door.
“I think Declan should move the concert outside so we can open the patio.”
Her eyes get huge. “Are you crazy? It’s barely fifty degrees!”
I shrug. “Sounds like heaven to me. They won’t notice the chill with this many people.”
Honestly, I’d love for him to pull the garage doors up and let some of the cooler air in. I’m already burning up.
Laughter echoes loudly from the bar, and the air buzzes with that rare, easy energy that makes work feel almost…fun. Don’t get me wrong—I still hate the crowds. But the energy is different tonight.
“Stay here. I’m going to go talk to him.”
Walking to the bar, I get Declan’s attention.
“Nice, isn’t it?” Declan says, coming up to me. “We haven’t had a band play in… damn, a few months at least.” His grin practically reaches his ears.
“Yeah, but it’s getting crowded, don’t you think?”
He frowns.
I tip my head toward the garage doors. “Let’s move it outside. Open the doors.”
He considers it, then nods. “Yeah, okay.” Before I walk away, Declan grabs my arm. “Hey, Vince. I told River and Jordan to keep an eye on things tonight. So don’t stress if it gets too busy for you.”
My stomach sinks. Declan hadn’t meant it as a jab—just the opposite—yet it floods me with shame. He shouldn’t have to make alternate plans on busy nights or second-guess if I can do my job.
“I’ll be fine,” I say a little harsher than I mean to.
He waves me off. “Oh, I know. I just meant, with the crowd tonight, it’ll be good to have more people keeping watch. I want everyone to have a good time.”
Behind him, Jordan scoops some ice into a glass, shaking his head at the crowd.
“I forget how crazy it can get,” Jordan says. His long, dark hair is tied back in a braid, and he’s wearing a plain black button-down. It’s nice having him back, even if it’s only a couple of days a week. The rest of the time he’s working on his books. Fletcher is a big fan of them.
