I'm not quick enough.
“Bradley?” he calls and I freeze in place, forcing a smile as I turn to look at him.
“Scout.” It comes out awkward, slightly cold. But that's how I've felt since Nana became ill and was dying.
“I heard about your grandmother. I'm sorry, man. I remember how nice she was.” I nod in agreement, not wanting to cry. I've done it so much, I feel like a baby. “I would’ve made it to the funeral to pay my respects, but I had to work.”
“Yeah, it's hard. It's okay. She would understand.” I don't know what else to say, and I don't want to talk about Nana anymore.
“I can't believe I haven't run into you before now. How long are you in town for? We should meet up for dinner and drinks.”
Honestly, I don't know how we haven't seen each other. It's most likely because I barely left Nana's house since I left school and came back. I had been too afraid to leave her alone. Terrified that something might happen to her while I was out. That she would die and I wouldn’t have been by her side.
“Nana had my focus. I didn't want to leave her side. Right now, I'm here for good. There are some things I need to do for her estate, and I need a job.” Then, under my breath, I mumble, “Like yesterday.”
“Maybe I can help you. Give me your phone.”
He holds out his hand, his eyes trailing from his empty palms to my eyes. Reluctantly, I reach into my back pocket and pull it out, handing it to him. Scout doesn't waste a second and quickly begins typing.
“There, you have my phone number and address. But tonight we're meeting at Paddy’s for some drinks.” He holds my phone out to me, and I see he's added his name to my contacts and sent a text to himself.
“Seriously?” I raise a brow.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean.” He glances at his sister. “And I’ve got to run. Junie Boo has a big spa night to prepare for.”
“Face masks and glitter.” She beams.
I chuckle without even thinking about it. “Sounds intense.”
“You have no idea,” Scout mutters, steering her toward checkout. “Seven. Be there.”
“Okay.” I nod and give a curt smile as I take hold of my shopping cart and rush off down the aisle, ready to get out of here.
I sit in my car outside the hole in the wall bar, contemplating texting Scout and backing out. Sick. Yeah, that would be a good excuse. Maybe I've dropped a table on my foot and broken a bone, now I'm sitting in the ER.
A tap at my window has me jumping, gripping my chest as I breathe heavily.
My head shoots to the left as the tapping resumes.
Scout. Great. Now I can't leave. Unless I can really sell the lie to him.
He raps on the window again with his knuckles, smiling widely at me as he motions for me to roll down the window.
“Come on inside, man.” Then he grins. “Don't even think about skipping out. You're coming inside even if I have to drag you out of that car.”
I blow out a deep breath and roll my window up, turn off the car and wait for Scout to step back, then open my door.
“Dude, I can't believe you were going to ditch me like someone going on a blind date and not liking the person.”
“It's not that. I've just got so much on my mind with Nana's death and the house. Any other time I'd be excited to be hanging out, having a drink.”
Scout steps up beside me, his arm reaching around my shoulder, pulling me to his side as he guides me toward the building.
“Let's get a drink and you can tell me what's going on. Together, we’ll find a solution.” Scout gives my shoulder a squeeze before pulling his arm away.
“Your sister’s gotten big,” I tell him, trying to change the subject. “What's her name again?”
“Juniper. It's crazy how she's twelve now. Already acting like she's a teenager.” I can’t help but notice how he smiles when he says her name. Makes me wish I had a sibling.
