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ChapterEight
BRYCE
The next morning I was due back at the station for another shift, but tonight was Monday Night Football. It was me and Jake, along with Todd, Luke, and a few other volunteers at Bulldog Bar and Grill–another Minden staple. There was no better place to grab wings and fries with friends while watching the Colts play.
Everyone in the restaurant cheered as the Colts got an interception. I had the Colts defense on my fantasy team, and Todd had the opposing quarterback. I pointed at Todd and grinned. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
Todd buried his head in his hands. “Come on! Can’t a guy catch a break?”
The broadcast flipped to a commercial, and I turned back to my food. “Where’s Charlotte this week?” I asked Luke. His wife was some sort of recruiter and traveled all over interviewing candidates for churches and nonprofits. I worked for Luke’s landscaping business part time, plowing during the winter and mowing in the warmer months on my off days from the station.
“She’s working with a church in Dallas. Helping their leadership team interview potential new lead pastors.”
I nodded. “I think it’s so funny how she comes to little First Baptist of Minden every week and then works with all these huge mega churches during the week.”
Luke smiled. “We’ve definitely talked about that. It gives her an interesting perspective…”
Luke’s voice continued in the background, but my thoughts focused across the bar as my eyes found Krystal, sitting at a table with Kenny Woodhouse. What was she doing here? On a date with Kenny? I didn’t even realize they were friends.
I realized Luke had stopped talking, and I looked back at him. “I’m sorry, man. I got distracted.”
His eyebrow raised and he looked across the restaurant. “Who’s that?”
Jake clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Thatis none other than Krystal Daughtry. She’s my man Bryce’s lost cause. The one that got away. Dude’s been pining for fifteen years.”
I shook my head to deny it. “Not even close. We’re just friends. Wealmostdated once upon a time. But then graduation happened and life started and we didn’t. So it’s no big deal.”
Jake raised his hand. “Yo, Krystal!”
“No, don’t do that.” I tried to pull his arm down, but of course Jake had the biggest biceps in the department. I could hang on his arm like a preschooler and he wouldn’t have to lower it.
Instead, I waved a halfhearted greeting to Krystal and Kenny.
To my surprise, Krystal stood from her table and made her way over. Kenny followed.
“Hey, guys. How’s it going?” Krystal’s voice was friendly and her smile wide.
I smiled back and mentally recounted the ways I would pay Jake back later for his interference. “Hey, Krystal. Good to see you.” I pointed across the table. “Have you met Luke Brand? And this is Mark.” Mark was a teacher at the middle school and a good friend of Luke’s.
“Nice to meet you both. You know Kenny? He came over to help Mom fix a few things around the house, so I’m buying him dinner as a thank you.” She flashed an expression that I immediately knew meant she was not entirely thrilled with the arrangement.
“Totally unnecessary,” Kenny said, “but I would never turn down such good company.”
Out of their view, I saw Jake make a gagging expression. Sometimes he acted like a teenager. Of course, right now I couldn’t help but share the sentiment.
“It was nice of you to help out,” I said, ignoring the flare of jealousy. I knew Kenny. He was a nice enough guy, if you liked scrawny and jittery. I turned to Krystal. “Are we getting together on Wednesday?”
Her smile brightened, and I couldn’t help the wave of satisfaction that rolled through me.
“Definitely. I’m looking forward to it.”
I saw Kenny’s face redden. That’s right, Kenny, she’d rather be with me.
“Me too.” I winked at her. “Have a good dinner, you two.”
As they walked back to her table, I saw Krystal turn around. I raised my glass in her direction, and she stuck her tongue out at me.
I smothered a laugh at her antics and took a sip of my drink. She didn’t like Kenny. Well that was good news. Then I frowned. So what if she didn’t like him? Why was that good news for me? I saw Krystal’s head tip back with laughter at something Kenny said and my smile faltered.
