Page 33 of What About Us

Xander didn’t do that today. He didn’t put a spotlight on me, he simply introduced me to his teammate. To his friends.

And I’m so socially awkward that I made a fool of myself. I will replay every horrifying moment for the rest of my life.

I will also likely punish myself for it.

It’s cold in the bar tonight. Mother Nature is only flirting with fall at this point, but I can feel the change in the air. And we have the windows open to the sidewalk so customers can enjoy the fresh breeze.

Not to mention, I don’t know if I can pay the fucking electric bill, so I’m avoiding the AC. If I can keep it cool in here with open windows, so be it.

Taking a breath, I turn to skim my eyes over the bar. It’s old. Nothing in here has been updated since before I was born. The tables wobble, the floor is scratched from sliding chairs. The few booths we have are torn. We keep the pool tables nice because they bring in business.

And I love this bar top. It’s at least a hundred years old, but we take care of it because it’s beautiful and a part of history.

Ben and I make sure the entire place is clean, and we have newer TVs to show the various sports games.

But there’s no hiding the fact that Lucky’s needs an overhaul.

Badly.

Given that we’re the only watering hole in Silver Springs, we don’t do too bad, and we have our share of regulars, but we could do so much more if this place were completely remodeled and we added a full kitchen.

A shiver runs through me, and I rub my arms as I turn to wipe down the bar, but the door opens, catching my attention.

And in walks Xander, Easton, Cooper, and Britney.

Ugh, really?

I was hoping to nurse my mortification without them being privy to it tonight, but I lift my chin and put my big-girl panties on, determined to act like a normal human being.

Xander’s already staring right at me and leading them all this way.

“Hey there,” I say, forcing a smile. “Do you boys want your usual?”

Easton grins. “Yes, please.”

I glance at Xander, and his lips twitch. “I hate being predictable.”

“Whatever,” Cooper says and smiles at me. “I’d like a beer. Local, if you have it.”

“Light or dark?”

“Dark.”

I nod, already reaching for a glass. “Got it. And you, Britney?”

“An espresso martini,” she says with a wink. “God, I love your hair. You had it braided earlier, and now it’s loose and curly, and that color!”

I feel the heat filling my cheeks and press my lips together as I pour the beer. I like my hair. When it’s down like this, it falls almost to my ass, and it’s thick and has curl from the braid earlier.

But I’ve never learned how to take a compliment.

“Thanks.”

“Seriously, so pretty,” Britney insists.

To my surprise, the group of them don’t go to the pool table. They choose seats at the end of the bar where it forms an L shape, so they can talk to each other, and I serve their drinks and make sure they don’t need anything else before I make my way down the counter, clearing away empties and serving refills.

I take a tray around the rest of the room to do the same, since I’m down a person tonight. One of our bartenders called out with food poisoning, and of course my mom didn’t bother to come in at all.