12
HAWK
"Hawkie!"I heard the voice right before someone all but jumped on my back.
I twisted just enough to avoid Nick's sloppy kiss on my cheek. As far as I knew, Nick was as straight as I was, but he got affectionate after a few beers. By the look of his wide grin, he had more than a few.
"Nickie-boy!" I stepped away a little and patted him hard on the back. "How's it hanging?"
"A little to the left," he said, as he always did. He saw Becca and his eyes lit up. "Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Nick. Nicholas William Jung, the third, to be precise." He stuck out his hand.
"Becca," she replied. "Rebecca Anderson, the first."
He burst out laughing. He turned to me and whispered loudly. "I like her."
I smiled, unable to help it. "Me too."
Nick looked back to Becca. "Hawkie here and I have known each other since the dawn of the dinosaurs."
She regarded him for a moment. "I feel like I should remember you if we went to school together."
"Becca and I went to the same high school," I said. No need for more details yet.
"So you two go back to the formation of the planet." Nick nodded. "And you're still talking to him? Naw, just kidding. Hawkie is one of the nicest guys I know. Helped me out of a tight spot more than once."
"He still gets into those tight spots, though," I said. "Someday, he might learn."
"I really do, and I probably won't," Nick said. "Word of advice. Never marry a woman who calls you Nicholas."
Becca looked as though she was struggling to hold back a laugh. "Thank you. I'll remember that. Especially since my name is Becca and I’m not into women like that."
"For real." Nick leaned on the bar beside me. "Hey, can I get a coffee, please? I need to sober up a bit."
The bar attendant nodded and turned on the coffee machine at the end of the bar. I remember Vera questioning the need for it, but Brody insisted.
"It will be popular at the end of the night, or for those who don't drink," he'd said.
Vera looked at me for backup, but all I could do was shrug. I was the silent partner in Waves, the one who put up the money. I left running it up to them. The place was doing so well, they'd pay me back in a couple of years. I didn't care if they never did, but both were proud people. Getting them to take a cent was hard enough, but for the good of their kids’ futures, they had.
"I'd love a coffee too, please," Becca said.
"Me three." I peered out the back to see if Brody was almost finished for the night. In spite of having mercilessly suggested embarrassing story after embarrassing story, he was good company, and he and Becca got along. That should earn me a few points toward our bet. Right?
Nick might help there too. Or ruin it. I wasn’t sure.
"Hey, let's get a table." The place was only a quarter full this late, but wouldn't close for at least another hour.
"Sure," Nick said. "The others should be along shortly." He offered Becca his arm. To my surprise, and his, she accepted it.
"Others?" she asked. "More of Hawkie's friends?" She shot me a teasing smile over her shoulder.
"Yeah. His and mine. Well, his anyway." Nick chuckled. "I'm just along for the ride most of the time."
"He's usually the one driving," I said dryly. "That's why you all get into so much trouble. They follow you right in."
"Yeah, yeah." Nick waved a hand. "You're usually there right along with us."
"Trying to be the voice of reason," I said.
