Page 19 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)

Hunter

I walk out of the bar fifteen minutes later and put my hands in the pockets of my Levi’s.

Looking around, I take in the mountain view that was behind me and smile to myself.

Somehow, I just convinced Olive that we can save this place together and that means I will get to spend a lot more time with her.

We decided to meet here tomorrow morning before Whiskey Jane’s opens for the day. That way I can shoot some footage of the atmosphere, and I can pick something written on one of the walls that jumps out to me for the first video.

I unlock my truck and hear someone yell for me to wait. I turn to see the big guy that works in the kitchen walking towards me. I step away from my car and meet him halfway in the parking lot.

“Hey, man,” I say.

“Hi. I never formally introduced myself. I'm Rob.”

“Rob,” I reply, looking up to him. “You’re massive, dude. Has anyone ever told you that you should play football?”

He snorts. “Yeah, I’ve heard that a few hundred times in my life before. I hate sports, though. Not my thing.”

“You don't say.” I laugh.

“I just wanted to catch you before you left and let you know that I really appreciate what you’re trying to do for the bar.”

“Yeah, no problem. I want to help if I can. The bar seems really special.”

He looks back at me quizzically. “Yeah, well, I wanted to let you know the bar is a tough nut to crack. It can be intimidating and stuck in its ways but if you are worth it, the bar will notice.”

I stare at him and give a small smile. This guy is on to me way too quickly. “Listen, I only have good intentions with the bar. I promise. I just want to make the bar smile.”

“Her smile really does light up a room, huh?” he replies.

I raise my eyebrows in response.

“I mean the bar , of course.” Rob chuckles. “It’s been alone for a long time, and I think it’s lonely. No one wants to be lonely.”

“Yeah, I feel the same,” I say.

Rob leans in towards me suddenly and says in a low tone, “And you better not do anything to hurt her if she does end up liking you. Olive is like a little sister to me. You hurt her and I will hurt you.”

Oh shit. He switched up quickly. “Makes sense, man,” I respond, putting my hands up in surrender.

“The only reason why I'm even talking to you right now is because I have a good feeling about you,” Rob continues. “My intuition is usually right.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. It feels nice to know that Rob is rooting for us in some sense.

“Alright. Well, I’m headed back inside, bud.” He claps me on the back. “Appreciate you talking with me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sounds good, thanks again, Rob.”

He nods a final time and heads back towards the bar. I turn away and walk to my truck. The dude is intimidating to say the least. He has nothing to worry about, though. The only thing I want is to make Olive happy; she owes me nothing in return.

When I get back to my house, I’m relieved to see that Dennis’s car isn’t in the driveway. The last thing I want is his company when I’m trying to edit skate footage today.

As soon as I unlock my front door, Dog is there to greet me. I pick her up and give her a kiss on the top of her head, but she quickly leaps out of my arms and saunters off. That’s her social battery for today.

Suddenly, my stomach rumbles and I realize I never ate lunch, so I walk to the kitchen to make something. Once I get there, I see a note sitting on the kitchen table. I scoop it up and read.

HUNTURD,

Went out to meet with my bitcoin guy. I don’t have a phone still after Ivy caused me to smash mine. Will be back later tonight, maybe with a chick? Don’t wait up .

I roll my eyes and throw the note in the trash. He is the human version of a fedora. I don’t understand how any woman sleeps with him.

Also, Dennis trying to blame Ivy for him throwing and breaking his own phone because of his poor anger management skills?

Ridiculous. Ivy seemed pretty normal from the few minutes that I talked with her.

So, what kind of spell did he put her under?

If Dennis is her taste in men, I’m kind of scared of what her taste in best friends is.

I shake off the thought of a female version of Dennis.

My phone rings in my back pocket and I see Eddie is calling. I hit the accept button and rest my cell on my shoulder while opening the fridge door.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hunter! How’s it going, man? Are you back in town?”

“Yup, just flew in last night,” I respond, sniffing some takeout on the middle shelf. I gag at the smell and toss it in the trash.

“How was Skate Park of Tampa?”

“It was sick. Nice to have an indoor park to film in.”

“I bet. I saw the new video of Colby Brunn you posted today. Dude is insane.”

“I know, the kid is oozing talent. I felt lucky to film him.” I grab some yogurt and accept the fact that I just need to go grocery shopping.

“Who are you filming next?” Eddie asks.

“I’m actually going to be staying in town for a little while. I have a new project I’m going to work on here.”

“Oh, cool. Why so mysterious?”

“I just worked out the details today,” I say. “I’m going to make a documentary series about a local bar that's at risk of closing.”

“That’s something new for sure,” he agrees. “What made you decide on that?”

I clear my throat. “I just liked Whiskey Jane’s when we went and when I heard they might be closing, I wanted to help the bartender save it.”

“Wait, they’re closing? You’re trying to help the bartender? The one you knocked out? Is she okay? She wants to buy it?” he asks rapid-fire questions then stops. “Oh shit, you like her.”

I can feel his smile on the other end of the line.

“Did you take your Adderall today?” I joke. Eddie has a serious case of ADHD.

“No, of course not. Don’t change the subject. When did you spark up a conversation with the bartender about them closing? We were with you the whole time.”

“I ran into Olive the next day. It was insane, man.” I run a hand through my hair. “It feels like something special.”

“Awwwwww, Olive ,” Eddie teases me. “Hunty is in love.”

“Oh, shut up, don’t make it weird, Eddie,” I say.

“Okay fine, but I’m going to still make jokes about it occasionally. I have no self-control.”

“Yeah, I know that.” I snort.

“ This is so exciting !” Wes yells out.

I look down at my phone to check that this wasn't a three way call this whole time. Only Eddie’s name is on the screen. I should have known they would be together.

“Hey, Wes, what are you guys up to?”

“On the way to Basil Tattoo. I’m adding to my left sleeve,” Wes responds.

“What are you getting?”

“A duck wearing a suit.”

“I’m glad to hear that your tattoos always have meaning.”

“Yeah, the meaning is I like a classy duck.”

I laugh.

“Hey, we just pulled up to the shop,” Eddie says.

“Alright, I'll let you guys go. Text me later.”

I hang up the call and chuckle to myself. I can always count on the two of them to act like my brothers, reliable but usually busting my chops.

Today really has been the best day.

First, I got to see Olive and look into her mesmerizing doe eyes this morning.

Second, my house is Dennis-free right now.

Third, I have friends that support me and get me.

I throw away my empty yogurt and head upstairs to my room. I set down my phone and keys on my bed and then I walk to my master bathroom so I can relieve myself. Standing over the toilet, I begin to unzip my pants when I look down and see a fucking “floater” in my toilet.

That’s it. Dennis is out tomorrow.