Page 6 of The Other Room

The sweet and sour flavors combined with the salt from the rim and I closed my eyes, letting the tequila work its way into my aching body.

Matt shifted beside me, and I saw him glance at the last open stool on this side of the bar. The stool that would seat him next to me. One cautious move at a time, he slid into his seat, pausing to look at me before settling all his weight down.

“You gonna throw elbows if I sit here? I’ve been on the receiving end of those bad boys a couple times. You’ve got some bony ass elbows and they hurt like hell.”

I tossed him my best side-eye, daring him to continue his half-assed groveling.

“Hey guys!” Hanson came around the corner and tossed drink coasters in front of them. “What are we having?”

“Pitcher of margaritas and a round of Bernies, please,” Aaron answered. “You want a Bernie, Jo?”

Scrunching my nose, I shook my head. “No, thanks. I poured enough of those tonight, so I never want to see one again.”

“Coming right up.” Hanson smiled and spun around, heading for the tequila bottles.

“Not guzzling beer tonight?” I asked, turning my body to block Matt out of the conversation.

“We stopped for beer along the way, but you can’t come to JJ’s and not do margaritas and Bernies,” Aaron answered.

“Valid.” I lifted mine and took another sip.

“So, what’s it like over here in Sister Bay? We rarely make it over here. But Tony agreed to drive tonight so Matt and I can booze it up.”

“You’re driving next weekend,” Tony answered, pointing a finger in Aaron’s face.

“Deal.”

“Sweet.” Tony grinned, his white teeth gleaming as much as his perfectly shaved bald head.

“It’s good. My cabin is pretty awesome, and right on the water, which is amazing. And it’s right over there.” I jutted a finger out the window pointing in the direction of the cabin I’d inherited just a short jog away.

“I can’t believe you scored waterfront property in Sister Bay. That’s freaking awesome.” Aaron shook his head.

“Yeah. It’s pretty crazy.”

When my great uncle passed away this winter, my mom, his only heir, had inherited the property. Since my parents had a house they loved out in the country, they’d offered it to my sister, Jenna, and I. She’d taken one look at the small “rustic” cabin and turned her nose up at the offer to split it, choosing to stay in the fancy new house she’d just built. I’d been overjoyed at the thought of getting out of my apartment and getting my own place on the water... even if it did need a little TLC.

Okay, a lot of TLC.

Hanson arrived carrying a pitcher of margaritas, setting three glasses down then returning with three Bernies.

“I’m driving,” Tony said, pushing the shot away.

“Oh shit, that’s right.” Aaron grimaced, then his lips pulled into a smile. “Jo can do it.”

“Oh God, I do not want a Bernie.” I laughed, but Hanson pushed it my way.

“You earned several Bernies tonight, Jo. It will help numb the pain you’re going to feel later tonight.”

“Oh, that pain is already alive and well.” I chuckled and picked up the cinnamon and sugar-coated orange that was lying on top of the glass. “Why the hell not?”

“Cheers!” Aaron lifted his orange and tapped it against mine, the traditional way to take a Bernie. He leaned over me and bumped his orange against Matt’s, and all eyes fell on me while Matt held his orange slice waiting for me to give him the obligatory cheers. Rolling my eyes, I bumped his hard, nearly dislodging the piece of fruit from his grip.

“Cheers,” I said, then licked the cinnamon mix off my orange and we all downed our shots then chomped into the fruit.

“God that’s good!” Aaron announced as he chewed on the remains of his orange.

The warm liquid burned a trail down the back of my throat, but in only a few moments I felt it start to work its magic. The tension from my busy night slid off my shoulders and I relaxed into my seat.