“Didn’t know you had it in you.”
Dom toasts the sentiment before sipping from the glass of water he has behind the bar. “Bars in Portland would charge twenty bucks for that.”
“Maybe Derek will let you trial a craft cocktail menu.”
Dom scoffs. “Doubtful. It was hard enough to convince him to order imported beer.”
“Maybe you should be working somewhere you’re appreciated,” I tell him. “Or even opening your own place somewhere like Portland.”
“Judah.” His voice is quiet. “Don’t.”
“Why not? You’re clearly talented. You shouldn’t be wasting it?—“
“I saiddon’t.”
The sharpness in his tone makes me stop. Dom sets down the rag and braces both hands against the bar, shoulders tight.
“I’m fine where I am.”
“Doesn’t really sound like it.”
I watch Dom’s jaw work, watch him swallow whatever he really wants to say. “You really don’t want to have this conversation with me right now.”
I just stare at him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
He blows out a hard rush of air. “Fine, let’s do this. Did you know Mabie got offered a job?”
The non-sequitur throws me. “She did?”
“She did,” he repeats. “Some yacht gig that would have her traveling for months at a time. And she hasn’t been able to work out the nerve to tell you about it.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because she’s worried about what will happen to you if she leaves!”
I glare back at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You fell apart when Mason left and there’s no reason to think he isn’t about to do the same thing all over again.” Dom won’t look at me, staring blankly at the growing crowd as he lowers his voice so only I can hear him. “It took months for you to become functional the last time and you’ve spent every minute since entirely focused on taking care of this family. We can’t repay you by leaving when you need us the most.”
“Wait…” My hand squeezes so hard on the cocktail glass that I’m worried I might break it. “Are you saying that both of you are only staying in town for me?”
Dom sighs. “That’s a way of putting it.”
“I never asked you to do that.”
“You didn’t have to ask. That’s just how family works.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
I set the cocktail down carefully. Then I set my hands flat on the bar, fingers spread, pressing hard against the wood until I can feel the grain biting into my palms.
My family put their lives on hold. For me.
Dom, who just described dreams of getting out of this town that he buried so deep he practically forgot they existed. Mabie, who has a job offer she’s too scared to even mention because she thinks I’ll crumble without her.
Because I crumbled once. A decade ago. When I was barely old enough to vote.
“Dom.” I wait until he looks at me. “I was twenty when Mason left.”
