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A grin spreads across his face before he kisses my hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal, baby.”
A couple of minutes later, we are pulling up to The Saddle. We sit in the car for a few moments like he’s trying to psych himself up.
Finally, he gets out of the truck and walks over to open my door and help me down. We walk hand-in-hand into the bar, which is fairly crowded because it’s a Friday night.
Country music plays through the speakers throughout the dimly lit space. Mismatched tables are scattered around, and there are a small stage and dance floor toward the front of the area. Neon signs hang on the walls advertising every kind of beer imaginable.
Jonas scans the room. Finally, he spots his mom and brother sitting at a table near the corner. It looks like Jared sitting there, and I wonder where Jessie is.
Jonas leads me across the crowded room to where they sit. When his mom spots him, she stands up to kiss him on the cheek. She whispers something in his ear, but the music is too loud for me to hear what she says.
She then turns her attention toward me and pulls me in for a hug. She whispers something to me, but this time, I’m able to hear her.
“Thank you for convincing him to come.”
I wonder how she knew that I had anything to do with it, but when she pulls back, she just gives me a wink.
We take a seat at the table, and Jonas looks so uncomfortable. My hand finds his knee under the table and gives it a reassuring squeeze. He gives me a weak smile and sets his hand on top of mine.
An awkward silence hangs in the air for what feels like forever.
Jared is finally the one to break it. “So Andi, are you sick of this schmuck yet?”
I chuckle. “Not yet.”
He winks at me. “Well, you know where to find me when you do.”
“In your dreams, asshole,” Jonas growls.
Jared erupts in laughter. “Bro, I’m kidding. Calm down.”
Annie speaks next. “Andi, honey, how did the fried chicken turn out?”
Now, I start laughing. Embarrassed, I respond, “Well, I burned it, started a fire, and almost burned Jonas’ house down. So, I’d say it was a hit.”
Now, we all laugh, and I’m grateful for the break in the tension.
Annie says, “Come over to the house one day, and we will go over it step-by-step.”
I chuckle. “Maybe I need to start with something a little less ambitious. I don’t know anything about cooking.”
“Well then, we will start with the basics.” She smiles.
I’m glad she doesn’t make me feel bad for my lack of knowledge. The tone of her voice is nothing but sincere.
“Where’s Macey tonight?” Jonas asks, changing the subject to Jared’s daughter.
“Jenna came over to watch her since she’s not old enough to come to a bar anyway,” Jared answers.
Jonas turns toward his mom. “Speaking of which, whyarewe in a bar? Is that the best idea for Jessie?”
Jared and Annie both exchange glances as though they share a secret that the rest of us aren’t in on.
“What the hell is going on?” Jonas asks, growing impatient.
Before either of them can answer, someone else walks up to the table.
“Hey, bro,” the unfamiliar voice says.
