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“Sure. I like beer.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Trevor stated, and then Charlie returned.
She felt that jolt of happiness at seeing him again. It was then that she realized she did care for these three men together as much as individually. The more her heart, her body, and mind reacted to them and to her emotions, the more confused she got.
* * * *
They waited for their food to arrive and talked about the apartment her father had them building.
“So, you’re sure about moving out there alone?” Dante asked her.
“I wasn’t expecting that when Maggie, Ben, and I arrived home. I’m kind of looking forward to having my own place.”
“How come Maggie and Ben wouldn’t take it? There’s going to be two bedrooms in there?” Dante asked.
“She didn’t want to. She likes being back home with my mom and dad nearby. I guess she feels safer.”
Dante looked at Charlie, who now leaned back in his chair and played with the rim of his beer bottle.
“Being in your own place is quite the responsibility. You know with everything going on around the area lately, it might be better to hold off on moving in there.”
“I can handle it, Charlie. I’ll lock all the doors before I go to bed at night.” Dante watched Charlie and Lori staring at one another and he didn’t want them arguing again. Charlie was so stubborn and bossy. They were used to it, but Lori was tough and independent. He decided to change the subject.
“So did you register completely for college yet?” he asked her, knowing how determined she was to achieve her college degree.
“Yes I did, and I signed up for some online courses, too. Thanks to busy nights at the bar I pretty much have the first semester paid for. I’ve asked the other bartenders to call me first if they need a night covered. Even if they need a day covered, I’ll do it. College is expensive.” Lori took a sip from her mug of beer. The waitress brought it over when she brought over the round of beer bottles from the bar.
“It sure is but once you have a college degree, no one can ever take that away from you. So you think you’ll stay working at Carl’s for a while?” Charlie asked, and she knew he didn’t like her working there. That had become obvious.
Lori folded her hands on her lap then locked gazes with Charlie.
“Charlie, I have no choice. Bartending brings in good money. I can’t hold off going to college. I’ve waited so long for this.”
“I realize that, I do, it’s just that damn uniform, the guys talking about you. That night when the drunk guy came over to you at the table, what if we weren’t there, or what if he followed you out to your car?” He reached across the table for her hand. She raised one up and placed her hand into his. He had such big hands and her hand felt so delicate and feminine in his. Trevor placed hi
s hand on her knee under the table and Dante placed his arm over her chair and she felt his fingers on her shoulder.
“We don’t like it,” Trevor said.
“We could help you find something better. We know a lot of people,” Dante replied.
She shook her head. “I’ve worked at worse places than Carl’s, guys. I’ve always taken the extra precautions. Didn’t you see me with Gus? I asked him to walk me to my car that night because of that guy. I can take care of myself. I have no choice. Sure, my parents could probably help me out a little but why should they? You know I’ve been taking care of myself, Maggie, and Ben. They’ve been my responsibility. Everything I’ve earned has gone into keeping the three of us safe, fed, clothed, the basics. Now we’re all back home where we belong and I can start to focus on myself a little. For me to achieve this on my own will be more than just a college degree. It will mean that all the sacrifices I’ve had to make over the years, all the steps backward, all the putting my family before me, will mean something even more.”
“My God, Charlie, can you just imagine how I’ll feel when I walk up to the dean of the college and receive my degree?” she asked, looking away from him as if imagining the moment. It was obvious she was determined to achieve that goal.
“You’ll do it, Lori, I know you’ll do it and if you need any help with your classes, you just let me know.” He squeezed her hand. Trevor and Dante nodded their heads in agreement as the waitress brought over their food.
They ate and talked about the area and about Mr. Cantrell. Dinner was great and soon they were sitting back waiting for coffee and dessert.
“So Tom wants to talk to us about partnering up?” Dante asked.
“Yeah, he has some concerns. I think some business guy stopped by his place pushing for him to sell. He looked pissed off when I left this afternoon.”
“I hope we’re wrong about the dead animals being left behind,” Dante said.
“What do you mean? You think someone is trying to get Mr. Cantrell to sell his property by threatening him?” Lori asked.
Charlie, Trevor, and Dante looked at one another.
