The implication was clear, even if she didn’t mean any harm by it. Holden had a habit of putting all his eggs in one basket. All his energy into one friend or one partner and when those relationships fell away, he found himself alone again. It was another reason he’d grown so used to the quiet in his life. He regarded it more as a companion than a threat.
“Making friends as an adult is stupid,” he told her.
Hannah laughed. “Yeah, but you should try it sometime.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, a text from Bryce flashed across his screen. His sister must have seen theexcitement on his face, because she leaned back and laughed at him as he swiped to read it.
Bryce
Might have found a job.
Have you ever heard of a club called Rapture?
No, but that’s good.
I just finished talking to the owners. Do you want to come meet me for a drink? If you’re off work.
He’d finished work and his only plans had involved going home and trying to pretend he wasn’t waiting to hear from Bryce.
Me: Sure. Send me the address.
“Do you need to go?” Hannah asked him.
“He wants me to meet him for a drink at a bar he might be getting a job at.”
“That’s sweet.” Her smile fell away and her expression turned serious. “There’s nothing wrong with the way you love people, Holden.”
“I know,” he agreed, even if he didn’t believe it entirely.
“Say it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with the way I love people.”
“Will you call me tomorrow? Let me know how it goes?” she asked.
“I’ll text.”
“I’ll take it.” Her smile was back and she picked up her phone. “I love you. And I’m lucky to be lovedbyyou.”
“Love you too, Hannah.”
He hung up the phone before she could, the screen flashing with a text from Bryce that had a dropped pin location forhim to follow. The bar wasn’t in Silverlake or anywhere near it, which was not ideal, but getting to Pasadena so late at night shouldn’t be too hard. He hoped the place wasn’t fancy because he was dressed for work in sneakers and jeans and a t-shirt that probably had ink stains on it somewhere.
Holden made it to Pasadena and double-checked the location Bryce had sent him because he’d ended up in a dirt parking lot behind a massive church. He sent Bryce a text to confirm.
Not sure I’m in the right place
Bryce answered quickly, like he’d been holding his phone.
lol you are. I’ll meet you outside.
Holden turned off his car and headed for the steps, his breath hitching a little when the massive wooden doors swung open and Bryce’s silhouette appeared.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Bryce asked, stretching his hand out for Holden.
He was too caught off-guard to do anything besides slide his palm against Bryce’s and let the other man haul him up the rest of the stairs.
“I found this place entirely on accident,” Bryce started yammering immediately, and Holden had to admit he found it briefly endearing. “I was looking for something else and it turns out they were looking for a new bartender, and I thought two birds, one stone, right?
