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One of the wooden stools at the bar turns around and a bearded man wearing a Harley-Davidson T-shirt, arms covered in tattoos, stumbles to our table with a beer in his hand. “Ladies! Where’s Shannon?”
I don’t have the slightest clue who this man is or how he knows Shannon. I scan Brooke’s and Madison’s expressions hoping they do.
“Shannon’s not here, Richard.” Madison stands from her stool, crosses her arms, and stares directly at the man who is now leaning his elbow on the table.
“You’re spilling your beer,” I say, pointing at the wet spots absorbing into the tips of his work boots.
“And what of it? Who the hell are you?” He looks at me, righting his glass and slamming it down.
I slide my stool closer to Brooke as the energy shifts.
“Take a hike, Richard. She’s not here, and we have nothing to say to you,” Madison says while she searches the restaurant behind us. I turn around just as the bartender sets the drinks in his hands on the counter. He lifts the bar flap and heads over.
“All right, Richard, let’s get something to eat.” Smiling apologetically, the bartender puts his arm around Richard and attempts to move him.
“I ain’t doing nothing wrong. Just chatting with these ladies, trying to figure out where my wife is.” The barman rolls his eyes and guides Richard away from us.
Madison returns to her seat. “Unfreakingbelievable. That guy needs to learn when it’s time to quit. Sorry, that was an unpleasant, unexpected scene.”
“I thought Shannon was going through a divorce?” I ask.
“She is, and now you see why. Richard is a piece of shit. Shannon tried so hard to straighten him out, but he’s hopeless. They were high school sweethearts, and everyone in town thought they’d make it. It’s so sad what booze can do to someone. But this is her story to tell. I shouldn’t have spewed all those details. You guys will get to know Shannon soon enough. She deserves better. I wish he would let her go. He’s hanging on for dear life. It’s kind of scary,” Madison says, picking at her nails.
“Oh my goodness, that is so sad. I love high school sweethearts. They’re so cute. I always thought I’d marry mine. Shannon will find someone. She’s so nice and so pretty. Do you think she’s ready to date? How is she handling this?” Brooke asks, her hands placed over her heart.
“She’s fine, Brooke. Seriously. She’s ready to move on. She wants to put this behind her. And no, she’s not ready to get out there yet.”
“Wow, that’s heavy. I’m not gonna lie—Richard gives me scary vibes. They should stop serving him.” As if on cue, Richard stands alongside another man in a biker jacket, and the muscles in my chest tighten watching them get closer.
“Nothing but a bunch of bitches. I’ll go make sure she’s OK, seeing you three couldn’t give a shit where she is.”
They head to the exit, rendering us speechless. Seconds later, we hear the revving of their bikes in the parking lot as our waitress arrives with a tray of steaming food. The smell snaps our focus away from the door and to one another.
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Brooke’s eyes cloud with tears.
“I’ll take care of this.” Madison storms to the exit faster than I can get my thoughts together.
I leave the table and run after Madison. Whatever is about to unfold was not part of tonight’s plans.
21
Leaving Solia behind in that parking lot felt like slowly ripping off a Band-Aid. Her legs crossed on the tailgate drove me wild. I don’t know if she’s aware how insane her body appears in that white dress. Her sexy shoulders held nothing but a thin white strap, forcing her cleavage front and center.
It didn’t go unnoticed how her dress rose just enough when she hugged me to reveal irresistible white lace panties. I’m a fraud, pretending to be strong enough to keep my sexual urges at bay. I want to avoid hurting her at all costs, but I’d be lying if I didn’t want to say “Fuck it, let me have you for three weeks. I’ll show you exactly how much I want you.” But I need to lead with my head, the one resting on my shoulders.
Later in the week, I’m driving down Main Street, annoyed to see Green Breeze Enterprises making their presence known. Two of their trucks pass me going in the opposite direction. This company doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. At the corner of Main and Summer, I spot several land surveyors with the GB logo on their chests. They’re assembling their tripods and measuring equipment. My blood boils. The audacity of these guys thinking they’re going to pull this off.
I stop to get an update from Gerry and let him know I spoke to Solia. Leaving the store as I’m entering is my vacation-mode sister.
“Hey, little brother,” she calls out, running over. “Where have you been hiding?”
“You know where to find me. My usual triangle—home, work, store, repeat.”
“Speaking of work, I had a teacher meet-up. You didn’t tell me Solia is under consideration for a job at Meriden Elementary. It surprised me to see her. She’s great, by the way. She hit it off with Madison and their new team member Brooke.”
“I don’t know how I missed telling you that. These past few weeks have been a blur. Did she get the job?”
“I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t. Everyone loves her. Come on, Jackson. You need to stay on top of this info.”
