“He can’t stay here,” Keets murmurs to Shannon, who nods her head quietly.
“I know,” she whispers. “You need to help me get him home.”
“Are you going to be okay?” he asks, indicating with his head toward me. “Addiction is a horrible thing to overcome, he’s going to be an asshole for a while.”
“Is that really any different than usual?” she grins.
“Hey,” I interject. “I’m still fucking here!”
“Oh come on,” Keets says with a laugh. “You know I’m just kidding.” He turns back to Shannon and wraps his arms around her as she sits in the wheelchair, kissing the top of her head. Jealously floods through me and I growl as I narrow my eyes at them both. She’s fucking mine! My mind screams, and I clench my hands into fists as I force myself to calm down. She’s not yours, I remind myself sternly. I’m too fucked up to get involved with any woman . . . no matter how much I want to.
Shannon has proven to me today that I can trust her, it would be unfair of me to bring her down with my history. And Keets . . . the man is my Army brother. I trust no man more than him. If anyone can help me conquer my inner demons, it’s these two people beside me.
For the first time in years, I feel a glimmer of hope that things will be okay.
It’s been a week since Stone has had a beer, and I honestly don’t know how he’s coping.
He’s been so quiet, often hiding out in his bedroom while I’ve slept in the spare room. I hear him crying at night and it breaks my heart, but I know he just needs time. I can’t begin to imagine what he’s been through, but I know it’s going to be a long time before he feels truly okay.
“Hey, Shan,” Ruth says, walking up to me at the bar with a tray of dirty glasses. “How’s Stone?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, taking the tray and unloading the glasses. “He’s barely said a word to me all week.”
“Just give it some time,” she offers, smiling at a young couple as they take a seat at the bar. “I’m sure he’s got a lot of crap to work through.”
I push my wheelchair across to the couple and quickly serve them their drinks.
“How’s Zeke?” I ask when we get another spare minute.
Ruth sighs. “He’s still not talking,” she says.
“Thank you for looking after him.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she starts, laying a hand lightly on my shoulder. “It’s my pleasure. He’s a good kid, but he’s been through so much with his mom . . .”
“And now his dad,” I finish the sentence for her.
Ruth smiles, but it seems a little forced. “It’ll be okay,” she tells me, glancing up as the door of the bar opens. “Great,” she mutters, quickly moving away. “I’ll leave this one to you.”
“What?” I ask, watching as she darts away.
I sigh in frustration and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, wishing for the hundredth time tonight that I’d worn it up. It’s Saturday night, and the band is just setting up as the regulars trickle in. Unfortunately for me, some of those regulars aren’t all that friendly.
“Effie,” I say emotionlessly, nodding a greeting to Kensington as they take a seat at the bar.
“Shannon,” Effie purrs, looking at my wheelchair. “I heard about your leg. That’s just terrible. I do hope it’s nothing serious.”
I raise my eyebrows disbelievingly. “No, Effie, my injured leg is nothing serious.”
“Oh, I’m so glad to hear it,” she says, completely missing my sarcasm. “You remember Mr. Kensington?”
“Of course,” I reply through gritted teeth.
“Miss Harper,” he says with a fake smile. “I hope you’ve considered my offer?”
“Uh, I’m still thinking about it,” I tell him, desperately looking around for Ruth. “Will you excuse me?” I don’t wait for an answer as I wheel my chair over to where Ruth appears to be flirting with a young guy. I’m a little surprised; I thought for sure things were working out with Keets.
“Ruth?” I say, calling her attention to me. “I have to get out of here.”
She nods understandingly. “Okay. Go into the office and wait. I’ll call Keets to pick you up and take you back to Stone’s.”
“Thanks.” I smile gratefully as I turn the wheelchair around and head for the office, pointedly ignoring Effie and Kensington.
As I wait inside the office for Keets, I can’t get my mind off Stone. I’ve seen him just once since I poured his beer down the sink. I have no idea how he’s doing, but Dr. James and everyone else keep telling me to give him time. He’s been through so much, and it’s important to let the alcohol get out of his system and give him time to adjust. Kind of like a period of quarantine.
I know he hasn’t eaten. I’ve left meals outside his door every night, and every morning they’ve been untouched. No one can go that long without eating and still be okay, can they? Where the hell is Keets? I need to get home. I need to check on Stone.
I sit up straight, my eyes widening and my mouth dropping open slightly. What the hell are you doing, Shannon? It’s not ‘home’. You’re there until your leg gets better, no longer, my brain practically screams at me. A short, stabbing pain enters my chest at the thought of leaving Stone’s house. When did I start caring so much? He’s a friend, and I don’t want anything more. But even as I think that, I know it’s not true. Somehow, Stone has worked his way into my head, my heart. This goes beyond wanting to help him. I want to be a part of his life.
The main part.
The office door opens and I look up, giving Keets a smile as he enters. “Hey, buttercup,” he says fondly, using the nickname my daddy used to call me. Tears spring to my eyes and he sees them before I can dash them away.
“Ah, hell,” he curses, dropping to his knees and enfolding me in his large arms. I hold on to his shirt and let the tears flow. It’s such a relief after holding everything together for so long. Keets is strong, dependable, my best friend. He’s been there for me through the darkest moments, and I’m so thankful he’s here now. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, stroking my back as he places a soft kiss against my hair.
I sit back, exhausted, and wipe my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I tell him on a choked laugh as I look at the large wet stain on his white tank top.
“Don’t,” he says firmly, fixing me with a hard stare. His hand gently wipes away the remainder of my tears, letting me know he’s not angry. “Don’t ever apologize Shan. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for, do you understand?”
I swallow hard and nod in agreement.
“Good,” he answers, standing up and moving to the back of the wheelchair.
I keep my head down as he maneuvers me through the main bar area, hiding my tear-stained face from curious onlookers. He pauses for a moment and speaks to Ruth, but I don’t intrude by listening in. I just want to leave. When we finally get outside, Keets helps me to settle in the back seat of his truck with my injured leg propped up before folding up the wheelchair and placing it in the back seat.
I’m silent for the whole trip, and so is Keets. I think he understands that I’m deep in thought, that I just need time to process everything that’s happening as well as these new feelings that are emerging.
There’s no question that Stone needs help, but am I the right person for the job? I’m not an expert, but I don’t think Stone helping out at the bar was the right decision. I need to stop him from being at Saddles altogether. It’s going to be difficult, but I’m sure Ruth and Keets can handle things until I get back on my feet. It’s the right thing to do, for Stone.
When we pull up outside his house, all the lights are out. I wonder if he’s eaten anything yet.
Keets grabs the wheelchair from the back of the truck and jogs around to the passenger side, opening the back door and lifting me into his arms. But instead of putting me into the wheelchair like I expect, he starts carrying me up to the front door. “Keets.” I laugh. “What are you doing?”