Ryder
Mirroring the arched brow Axel shoots me when I order a beer, I hold his gaze until he relents and sets a pint of amber liquid on the bar in front of me. It’s a reward I figure I earned after several hours of cleaning, but as I lift it to my lips all I smell are the chemicals I’ve been using all day that seem determined to linger on my skin.Figures.
“Know how you’re getting home?” Axel asks as he wipes up a spill, as if he’s making casual conversation instead of checking up on me.
I bite back the urge to tell him my tolerance is high enough that one beer won’t keep me from spotting the difference between chatting and babysitting. Instead, I roll my eyes. “I’m not breaking any rules by drinking a beer.”
“You’re doing community service because you got a DUI. It’s a fair question.”
Axel’s lived here all of four months and thinks he’s local enough to call me on my shit?
“I’m off the clock. There’s no stipulation that I can't drink, just that I can’t drink and drive. And I’m doing community service, not AA, because I’m not an alcoholic.”
Axel’s chest deflates as he shakes his head, seeming to say,“I’ve heard that before.”Maybe he has, but in my case it’s true. I don’t have to drink. I choose to. I could choose to stop and I wouldn’t have withdraws or some shit like that, I just don’t feel like being sober.
“How’s the volunteer stuff going?” Axel takes another stab at playing babysitter.
“Now we’re pretending I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart?” I miss being drunk. At least that way I didn’t notice all the bullshit comments and false realities people paint to try to make my life seem better than it is. Usually by this time of day, I’m well on my way to oblivion, but my “volunteering” has me behind schedule.Fucking Carter.
“Fine. How’s your court ordered restitution going?” Axel’s smile is tight, which instantly lifts my spirits.
“That’s better.” I take a few gulps of beer and wipe my mouth with the back of my wrist. “It sucks ass, what did you expect?”
“Maybe that you'd be grateful to be back on the mountain?” He fills a glass from the tap and sets it on the bar for another customer without looking at me.
“I’m not on the mountain, though. I’m playing janitor.”
That gets his attention, and I school my expression to look blank before he has a chance to study it. The last thing I need is for Carter to get wind I’m pissed about being forced to clean since that’s keeping me off the slope, which is in fact thelastplace I want to be.I’ll have to be more careful about mentioning that little detail.
“I thought the whole point of this gig was for you to be an instructor.”
“Maybe they don’t have enough customers to teach. The place seemed pretty empty today.” I lift my shoulder indifferently and finish the last swallow as I signal for another.
“You sure man? Carter pulled a lot of strings so you didn’t lose your spot on the snowboard circuit.”
“I’m aware. And again, no one said I couldn’t drink, just that I couldn’t drink and drive.”
He takes my glass and gets me a refill, lips pressed in a firm line.
This perk of people being afraid to say the wrong thing works in my favor. No one gives me an outright “no” even when they think they should.
“So, how are you getting home?” He sets my drink in front of me.
“No offense, dude, but just cause you’re dating Lennon doesn’t mean you know me or my life.”
“No offense dude, but if I’m serving a guy I know has a record because of his drinking I need to cover my ass and make sure you have a plan,” he fires right back.
“Touché.” I lift my glass in a mock toast. “Since you’re so curious, I didn’t drive here. Carter took my keys, so it’s the free bus for me.” Using my finger, I swirl it in the beer to settle the froth—Axel’s a better biker than bartender—and take another sip.
“I saw Blake earlier.” My body goes still at the mention of my former best friend’s name. “I bet he’d take you home.”
“I’m good with the bus.”
“When are you gonna let go of this bullshit grudge with him? You know he isn’t the one who hurt your brother.”
Once again, my body goes stiff. Axel doesn’t know Blake well enough to defend him, he’s only doing it since his best friend Jace is boning him. And their boyfriend.
The shitty thing is Axel’s right. Deep down, I know Blake’s isn’t the one who broke Chase’s heart, driving him out of town to lick his wounds. What I didn’t know until recently—what my supposed best friend never told me—is that he’s gay. As if I give two shits who hefucks. What really pisses me off is that Blake didn't think he could trust me with that information. Information that could’ve helped Chase.
