Page 71 of It Runs in the Family

Mary Ellen shrugged. “Okay, but the offer still stands.”

“For Simco and the Pink Ladies,” Ava said. “And, of course, T-Birds on the weekends.”

Mary Ellen started to draw what looked like an amorphic blob on the Saturday square with her blue ink pen. It took me a few seconds to realize she’d tried to draw a bird.

I sat back and took a sip of my beer, ruminating on my life choices. Would I be stupid to turn down their offer? Unemployment was rampant in the area, and my qualifications for a decent job were thin. Sure, I’d hate it, but didn’t most people hate their jobs? Besides, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. And my bank account balance made it clear I couldn’t afford to be choosy.

A man walked through the door and headed to the booth in the back with the group of guys. Seeing him reminded me that part of the reason I’d agreed to come was to look for Selena’s ex, but I didn’t want my cousins realizing what I was up to or they’d make a big deal out of it.

My beer was almost gone, so I could head to the bar for refills as an excuse to talk to the bartender about Selena’s ex.

“I’m gonna get another beer,” I said. “Do either of you want one?”

Ava was bent over the calendar. “Yeah. Sure.” She was using the peach-colored pen to draw something on Friday.

Mary Ellen waved a hand. “No thanks, I’m the designated driver.”

After the ride here, like hell she was the DD, but I also suspected she’d fight me over it. I could ask Garrett to come pick me up, but I decided I’d deal with the question of who was driving later. Neither of them seemed to be in a hurry to leave.

I gave Ava a soft push so I could slide out. After she settled back down in her seat, she drew a hot pink circle on Wednesday, presumably a bowling ball. I did a double take when Mary Ellen lifted her hand from the Friday square.

“Is that a dick?” I asked.

Mary Ellen giggled. “We like to make things pretty clear.”

“I guess so,” I said dryly.

“You could use some yourself,” Ava said. “Dick that is. Boone looked pretty willing.”

“Not Boone,” Mary Ellen shot a glare at her sister. “We can find someone else for her on Friday at T-Birds.”

Oh, lord. I wasn’t in the mood to go man hunting, even if it was six days away. I headed up to the bar, making sure I was far enough away from the two old men so I wouldn’t encourage a conversation.

The bartender, a burly, middle-aged man with a beard, walked over. “What’ll it be?”

“Two Coors Lights.”

He nodded, then grabbed a mug and pulled the tap.

“Say,” I said, leaning closer and lowering my voice. “Do you happen to know a guy named Tommy T?”

The dark look he bestowed on me gave me momentary pause.

I offered a tentative smile. “I respect that you might want to protect your customers, so I’d be willing to just leave my name and number for you to pass along when you see him next.”

“Do I look like a delivery service to you?” he asked dryly.

“No, but…”

“Don’t know him,” he said, setting the first mug on the counter. He grabbed a second glass and got started in on that. “So, don’t waste your time leaving any notes because they’ll just end up in the dumpster out back.”

“Okay,” I said in defeat.

He finished filling the second mug and placed it on the counter. “That’ll be fifteen dollars.”

Oh crap. My money was in my purse in Garrett’s truck. Why hadn’t I thought about that sooner? “Do you take Apple Pay?” I asked, trying for a hopeful smile.

He gave me a dubious look. “Does this look like a place that takes Apple Pay?”