Page 51 of Keeping it Local

Chapter 19

Johnny

“Hey, man. Yeah, I’ll be there in five. I’m driving over now,” I said.

“Everything okay?” Lane asked.

“I’ll just talk with you when I get there. See you shortly.” I was short on the phone, but I needed help. Lane was one of my closest friends, and if anyone knew how to handle issues with owning a business, it was him.

I parked my truck in the still mostly-empty parking lot, hopped out, and stomped up to the door, walking into the place that was one of my mainstays but feeling completely out of sorts. I looked at my usual stool by the door and decided against it. I didn’t need everyone in town knowing my business. Instead, I saw the open booth in the back and sat down, running my fingers through my hair, trying to solve my issue without having to open up if possible. I knew it wouldn’t work, but it was worth a shot.

“What was so important that you cut me off on the phone and requested I come in two hours before I was planning to?” Lane took a seat on the opposite side of the booth and pushed a black coffee to me.

“Thanks.” I took the cup in my hands, just holding it, letting it warm my fidgety fingers.

He knew me well enough at this point that he just sat back in his seat, sipping his coffee, waiting for me. I was lucky to have a friend like him nearby—one of my closest confidants.

“The credit union is pushing back on the loan.” I ran my fingers through my hair again.

“What do you mean? I thought they gave you the tentative green light?” Lane furrowed his brow.

“They did, but it was contingent on how many other small business loans they secure. Basically, they can only allow so many loans at once—at least, for smaller businesses—and I didn’t make the cut. They pre-approve more loans than they can allot because they assume some will fall through. I’m on the waitlist for the next round.”

“That’s bullshit,” Lane said.

“Yeah, I agree.” I leaned back in my booth, crossing my arms and looking him in the eye.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Not sure yet. I just found out. Any insight?”

He paused for a moment, then chimed in. “Not really. I haven’t had to get any funding for anything since we opened. Any chance you can get another loan?”

“It’s possible, but I can’t count on that—obviously. Let alone it going through in time for the closing.”

“Yeah, I know Tara over at Crosslakes Credit Union if you want another option.”

“Already went there. She can’t underwrite it. Also already went to a couple other local banks prior. They said I don’t have enough history of success to lend to. That’s why I needed to go through this special program.”

“Ugh. Sorry, that sucks.” Lane hooked his arm over the back of the booth, leaning back.

“I really thought this was going to be a turning point, you know? Getting into the bigger stuff.”

“Still can be,” he said. “Just need to find a different route.”

Just then, Megan walked in. She headed straight to the register, and I watched as Lane followed her movement with a slight frown.

“Actually,” he started, still watching her, “I might have an option for you. How much do you need?”

“Seller agreed to a land contract, so it’s about a hundred thousand for the down payment.”

“Okay. Give me a few days.”

I looked to him, then to Megan, then back again, not knowing what he was thinking. “Okay? I need to let the seller know a status next week. I’ll have to back out if I’m not able to get secured funding. What are you planning?”

“I’ll text you with an update, but there might be another option—” He cut himself off. “I don’t know, let me look into it.” Finally, he looked back toward me and away from Megan.

He was acting standoffish compared to how he usually was, and I didn’t get it. I knew he and Megan had some sort of history, which had led to them not getting along but still.