“Fine,” I concede.“I’ll go to The Hideaway for a bit.I won’t be out long, and I’ll have my phone on me.Call me if you need anything at all.”
“I will,” Mom promises.“Now go.Visit.”
Bending, I kiss her cheek as the ladies ignore, then grab my keys and head out the door.It’s a short drive to the Hideaway, and from the looks of the parking lot, it’s a full house tonight.Bowen always used to say he was going to open his own bar.He made it happen, and I’m proud of him.I’m not sure I’ve ever told him that.I need to.
He’s not the only one.Macklin always swore he was going to join the bull riding circuit, and he did that, as well.He was at the top of his game when he retired.I called him to congratulate him and asked why he retired so early.He told me he wanted to be able to enjoy life and not end up living in pain from injuries.He’d invested well and made a good living; it was time for him to come home.Home to him was still Magnolia Ridge.
Then there’s Dixon.He’s always loved working on cars, and he, too, made that dream a career.Out of the four of us, I was the only one who deviated from the plan.That causes an ache in my chest, because no matter the phone calls and the text messages over the years, I’m not a part of their lives.It’s going to be hard to get that connection back—if we even can.That’s a reality that I’ll have to learn to live with if that’s the case.
Grabbing my phone out of the cupholder and my keys out of the ignition, I climb out of my truck and make my way inside.I’m not even to the door yet, and the slow twang of a country song greets me.Walking inside, I scan my surroundings, something I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing after my years as a Marine.I’m also taking it all in, witnessing for the first time in person, my best friend’s dream coming true before my eyes.
The place is packed, and the dance floor is full of couples, swaying to the beat of Koe Wetzel over the sound system.After pushing my way through the crowd, I settle at the bar and order a beer.I’m driving, so this will be it for me tonight.I might as well get it over with and out of the way.
“Thanks.”I nod to the bartender, passing him some cash and waving him off when he asks if I need change.The bottle is barely to my lips when someone steps up beside me.
“Am I seeing things?”Dixon asks.
I don’t bother with my first drink.Instead, I place the bottle on the bar and hug one of my best friends.Fuck, it’s been too damn long.“Hey, Dix,” I say, slapping him on the back, before pulling out of the hug.
“How’s your mom?”
I nod.“She’s hanging in there.She’s a fighter.”
“I know she is.The guys and I wanted to come see you, but we knew you had a lot on your plate.”
“You’re always welcome,” I tell him.
“Yeah, as long as it’s on your turf, or your mom’s turf.”He chuckles.
“Venturing out into town wasn’t something I was interested in.You know that,” I say, this time taking a long pull of my beer.
“I know, but you’re home for good now, right?”His voice is hesitant, as if he’s always afraid to hear my answer.
“Yeah, Dix.I’m home for good,” I tell him.
“So, no more hiding from her?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the p.I never hid from my friends why I wanted to avoid town on my visits home.
“We’ve got a table.Why don’t you join us?”he offers.
“Who’s we?”
“Me, Mack, and Bo.He’s supervising from our table.”He laughs.
“I don’t want to impose.”
Dixon rolls his eyes.“What the fuck, Cope?Grab your beer.”He signals the bartender and holds up two fingers, then points to their table.I guess one of them isn’t drinking.My guess is Bowen, since this is his place.
“Look who I found,” Dixon says as he pulls out a chair and takes a seat.
“No shit?”Macklin stands and pulls me into a hug, then Bowen does the same, before I settle next to Macklin, where Bowen and Dixon sit across from us.“Glad you’re home, brother.”Macklin tilts his beer bottle toward me, almost in salute.
“Good to be home.”I mean every word.I’ve missed out on so much by letting my pain keep me away.It’s only been a little over a month since I’ve been back, and already, I know I should have stuck with the plan, no matter what I was coming home to.
“How’s your mom?”Bowen asks.
I nod.“Hanging in there.She’s geared up for a fight.”
