Page 8 of Camera Stays On

“Well, considering there’s not a single building or house for five miles on all sides, I think we’re safe.” He winked as I ducked under his arm and went inside. I was grateful he was behind me so he couldn’t see how hard I was blushing.

I paused near the door and took in the room. On one side was a small dance floor and a pool table. On the other side was the bar, with exactly eight stools. The rest of the space was sparsely filled with tables. The walls were covered with neon signs and country music star posters. It was a far cry from the bars in the city, but...I wasn’t mad about it. We went to the bar and sat on the stools. A moment later, the bartender came over and asked if we wanted anything.

“Whiskey for me, and...” Asher turned to me, and I perked up, excited to order my own drink this time tonight. That excitement quickly turned to mild embarrassment.

“The cheapest beer you have, please.” I shrank in my seat. Ash noticed and shook his head at the bartender.

“Tonight’s on me. What do you really want?”

Scrunching my nose up, I debated his offer. In general, I didn’t like to take handouts. They often came with strings. However, looking at Asher’s earnest expression, I knew there were none.

“Gin and juice?” I asked the bartender. He nodded and turned to get our drinks.

“Gin and juice.” Asher nodded in approval. “Interesting. I like it. Now, why don’t you actually tell me how you’re doing?” He crossed his arms on the bar top and leaned my way.

“What do you mean?”

“It was obvious you didn’t want to tell Sawyer anything about what you’ve been up to. Which, I get. After what he did, I don’t think he deserves access to you anymore. Even if he still has feelings for you.”

I shook my head. I hadn’t wanted to think about it, but it was obvious Sawyer was still interested. The very idea made me cringe.

Ash cleared his throat. “But just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean I’m not still your friend.”

“Then why didn’t you come find me?” I blurted, slapping my hands over my mouth as my eyes widened. Ash stiffened, his hazel eyes growing as large as mine. He frowned, and when the bartender came around, he grabbed his drink and sipped.

“That’s fair. I think we both know why I didn’t try to look for you, Andi. You needed to do this on your own.”

“I’m sorry, Ash, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s...” I inhaled deeply. “Been a lonely five years.”

“Sorry to hear that.” He raised his glass to toast. I did the same, and he nodded. “To... You know, I don’t know what to toast to.” He chuckled.

I considered it for a moment and raised my glass higher. “To Angel.”

“To Angel. Rest in peace.” We clinked glasses and drank to my mother’s passing. I set my drink down and thought about her for the first time since I heard she was gone.

She really was...gone.

A pit in my belly grew. Guilt, sadness, anger—all of my emotions over her death swirling and twisting my insides.

“Do you want to talk about her?” Ash offered, pulling me from my thoughts. I shook my head and reached for my glass.

“Hell no, I came here to enjoy my evening, not—” I shuddered as flashes of the funeral home, Carly, and Sawyer rippled through my brain. “Deal with everything else.”

“Sounds good. Drink up.” He spun around on his stool and slammed his drink.

“Why?” I laughed, taking a sip.

He nodded to the small dance floor, where a few older couples dressed in leather biker garb danced to the country music playing through the speakers.

“Care to dance?”

I raised my eyebrows and quickly finished my drink. Setting my empty glass down, I hopped off the stool and took his hand, letting him lead me to the dance floor. They played a few classics by George Strait and Reba, then mixed in some more modern artists like Thomas Rhett and Ella Langley. Not a lot of people listened to country music in the city, but it was one of my guilty pleasures. Between dancing, we paused to get fresh drinks two, three, four, or five times. It grew late, and we continued dancing, catching up, and having a good night. It felt like old times, but…different.

Exciting different.

The upbeat music shifted to a more intimate vibe, and the room felt it. My heart hammered in my chest as Ash’s large hands slid around my waist, pulling me against him as “4x4xU” by Lainey Wilson came on. We stopped laughing, and our grins turned into soft smiles as we stared into each other’s eyes.

Why did this feel so right?