Page 13 of Mine

Finally on the ninth try, he answered the phone in a panic. “Hey! What’s going on? Everyone okay?”

“Heyyyy,” I said casually, like I had been on a Sunday stroll.

“What do you mean heyyyy? West, this is your ninth call? And I heard through the grapevine you were in town, which was weird, but now you’re calling me like a lunatic?”

“What?” I laughed, practically gaslighting him. “I think you’re the one acting like a lunatic.”

“What’s going on with you?” He asked calmly.

“What’re you up to tonight?” I thought polite conversation was a good way to start.

“I was fucking my girl,” he gritted out, making me feel that his words were a thousand percent truthful.

“Well I hope you didn’t leave her hanging.”

“West?” he said slowly. “What the hell is going on? Grams and Gramps told me you flew in yesterday. The whole town has been wondering why you were at Fiddlers. Now you’re calling me at midnight.”

“Nothing is making sense,” I admitted. “And tomorrow you’ll probably find out that I bought Fiddlers.”

“You did what?” He yelled. “What do you plan on doing to Fiddlers?”

“Nothing,” I raked a hand through my hair. “But I went there on a whim and it just felt like it needed a new outlook.”

“From what I heard, the Murphy brothers needed their asses kicked again. If you don’t plan on changing anything other thanmaking sure they’re held accountable for their bullshit then I’d say good job.”

I started pacing across the dark living room, running a hand through my hair, working up the courage to ask him what was really going through my mind.

“The bartender there…” I muttered. “She’s a fireball. And I’m not really sure what to think about her.”

“You mean Blue?” Easton laughed. “She’s amazing. Been practically running that place for years. I don’t know her too well, but I know she’s from Pecan Grove, about Miles’ age so she’s too young for you. And don’t be stupid and fire her. She’s the main reason most people show up.”

“I’m not gonna fire her,” I said. “I made her the manager. She can run it however she wants. I just…” I hesitated. “What do you mean she’s too young for me? I’m–”

“Get to the point,” Easton barked.

“I just want to know more about her.”

Easton was silent for a minute too long and I knew he was comparing my phone call to the one he gave me all those months ago when he met Jesse. Thankfully, he spared me having to explain how it was completely different.

“You’re her boss now, West. Only thing you really need to know is that she’s a hard worker, a decent person, and she hates the Murphy brothers. But I guess you already figured that part out.”

I didn’t respond. Because I had already figured all of that out. It was obvious from the second I saw her. Still, I’d hoped Easton could give me something more. Something to help me get a better read on her.

“Well, I guess you’re right,” I finally said, letting it go, at least for now. There was no reason to have him thinking it was about anything more than keeping tabs on my newest employee.

“You coming to Sunday dinner tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Then I have to drive back to the city for a Monday morning meeting.”

“Well, next time you call me seven hundred times in a day, can you do it while Max is awake? Because once that kid’s head hits the pillow, I take Jesse to bed and show her how much I love her…with my tongue.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and grimaced, shaking my head. “Christ, Easton.”

Some things can’t be unheard. And the last thing I wanted was a mental image of Easton's tongue anywhere near my future sister-in-law.

“Speaking of Jesse,” I added quickly, desperate to change the subject, “when are you going to tell her about the house plans?”

“We’re close,” he said. “I’ve got a meeting next week to finalize everything. Once I have the papers in my hand, I’ll let her know. But don’t forget, this all hinges in whether or not you do what I asked you to do. I won’t move forward until you do.”