Page 4 of Then There Was You

She squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

“I’m good, Paisley.”

She waits until I look up and smiles sadly. “Okay. I guess I should take this order over.” She releases my hand and reaches for the tray again. “If you want to talk—”

“You’ll be the first to know,” I tell her, cutting her off. I appreciate her concern and I know she means well, but there’s nothing to talk about. Talking isn’t going to change anything.

I watch her walk away before moving behind the bar. I catch Ryder’s eye and he nods in acknowledgment before disappearing out the back to bring up another case of beer. There are two other members of staff behind the bar, but even with the three of us, there’s a constant stream of people wanting drinks. Not that I’m complaining. Business is good.

A couple of hours later, I lock the door. It’s been a long-ass night and I’m more than ready for my bed. When the last of the glasses have been washed and put away, I turn to Paisley.

“Do you need a ride?”

“I’m good. Nash is waiting outside for me.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

“You will.”

I follow her to the door, unlocking it and letting her out. I raise my hand in a wave to Nash, who’s parked outside.

“Night, Seb.”

“Night, Paisley.”

A few minutes later, I walk out with Ryder. His car and my bike are parked out back. Up until recently, Ryder rented the apartment above the bar, but he’s just bought a house in Hope Creek.

“It’s nights like this I wish I still lived upstairs,” he jokes, unlocking his car.

I glance at him, only noticing now how exhausted he is. A wave of guilt crashes over me. I know I’ve been taking advantage of him. He’s worked so many hours these past few weeks, often covering the bar when my family’s been in and I’ve wanted to avoid everyone. It’s no wonder he’s exhausted.

“Take the weekend off, Ryder. You need a break.”

He swings his head around to look at me. “The whole weekend?”

“Yes. I haven’t been pulling my weight over the past few weeks. You’re going to burn out if you carry on putting in the hours you have been.”

He drags his hand through his hair. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He slides his eyes to mine. “Is everything okay, Seb? I’ve noticed you’ve been a little distant lately…” He trails off.

I sigh. There’s no point lying and telling him everything is okay. Still, I don’t need anyone else knowing the reasons I’ve been distant, so I don’t go into details.

“I have some stuff going on, but I’m working through it.”

“If you need to talk, I’d like to think we’re friends as well as work colleagues.”

I smile. “We are friends, Ryder, and thanks. I appreciate that. Get yourself home and I’ll see you Monday. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving. See you on Monday.”

I watch as he drives away before powering up my bike and leaving Eden behind me. As I ride through Hope Creek, my mind swirls with what a total asshole I’ve been. I’m so caught up in my own head, I failed to notice that my bar manager is almost on his knees. He was right. I have been distant, and it seems he’s not been the only one to notice. I need to do better.

I ride into my underground parking garage and kill the engine. I sit on the bike for a few minutes before I force myself to climb off and head up in the elevator to my empty apartment. While I might hide away in my office at work, I’d rather be there than alone in my apartment. At least there’s music and voices and laughter at work. Here, there’s nothing but silence, and more often than not, it’s the silence that’s deafening.

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