Solution achieved. I’m basically a genius. Who has better experience handling drunk people than the owner of a brewery?
“I’ll be right there, Nana.” Looking up into Cole’s eyes, I add, “With help.”
Then I hang up, because I’m not interested in exchanging niceties with her.
“So, what do you say, old buddy, old pal?” I ask, still staring into his eyes. “Want to help me save an innocent man from my grandmother’s clutches?”
“What’d she do this time?” he rumbles.
While my mother’s shenanigans are famous in this town, my grandmother’s ill deeds are more so. Everyone remembers the last time she convinced producers to give her air time, several years back, and although people are excited about the moneyMatchmaking the Richwill bring in, no one is looking forward to her getting an even bigger head over it.
“She basically roofied Tina’s friend, and now he’s asleep on her couch. No big deal. But we absolutely need to go save him. Like, yesterday preferably.”
“She didwhat?”
“She slipped moonshine into his drink.”
“Jesus. She’s…” He pauses, like he’s not sure he should go on.
“Feel free to speak your mind,” I say, getting up. “She and I have never gotten along. After what she did to Bryn, I told her I was done with her.”
His gaze rakes over me, and he smiles. “You know, your ass is covered in powder.”
“So be a champ and wipe it off for me.”
He does, very thoroughly, and if I weren’t more concerned about the fate of Harry, I might have let it distract me.
“Look,” I say, feeling a sudden prick of remorse for having volunteered his time. “You don’t have to go with me. I’m sure I can frighten him awake by telling him stories about my grandmother. Or hunt down Tina and Zach. I figure he must be staying with them, so they’re bound to get concerned before too long.”
“Of course I’m going to help,” he says, sounding annoyed. “Where are we going to bring him if you can’t find Zach and Tina?”
“We’ll take him to my place.”
He gives a slight nod. “Let’s leave through the back exit.”
I wonder if it’s because he doesn’t want to be seen with me. The thought’s not without its doldrums, because even though I don’t want to be the subject of town gossip any more than he does, I hate being his dirty little secret.
We put on our coats and leave, but we make it exactly two steps from the staircase before we practically run into the woman who helped me get the computer parts the other day. Brittany, I think. Her gaze shoots from Cole to me, taking in the sweatpants and baggy shirt I’m wearing.
“We were trying to make cookies, and we got covered with flour,” Cole blurts.
I start laughing uncontrollably, because it’s at least partially true, but it sounds incredibly suspicious.
“Um, sure,” she says, her eyes glimmering. “I thought you were working on Jane’s computer up there?”
“We got a craving,” I say through laughter.
Cole doesn’t look amused, so I should probably pull it together, but I’m feeling a little punch drunk.
“What’s going on, Brittany?”
“That guy is back,” she says, her expression souring. “The one from the other day. Only he’s dressed differently.” She makes a face. “Actually, he’s dressed like what a rich city boy thinks mountainfolk look like. He wants to see you.”
“Tell him to fuck off,” Cole says, messing with the keys in his hand. “I have to go somewhere with Holly.”
I’m tempted to laugh harder, but I’m also interested in this development. What mystery guy are they talking about?
“It can wait,” I tell him. “He’ll probably still be passed out by the time we get there.”
