I figure he knows Kelsey’s staying there. Back when we were kids, Sara, Kelsey, Logan, and Tyler were inseparable and they always knew where to find each other.
“Your dad told you where to find me?”
“Yeah, he said, ‘That Connelly boy is back in town, causing trouble across from the new Brian home. Haven’t seen him in years, not since his father and Sara’s couldn’t decide who was going to take over that old bar.’”
Tyler chuckles once he finishes his impression of his father and I join in. When the laughter fades Tyler scratches the back of his neck and looks past me.
“Is, uh…Kelsey really watching the house for a few months?”
“That’s what she says.”
“Is she home now?” He looks nervous and avoids making eye contact with me. Something is up with him and I don’t like the idea of him acting like this around Kelsey. If it freaks me out, it will definitely freak her out too.
“Ah…no. Actually, she left early this morning. I was…watering a plant.”
Fuck.
I sound like an idiot. Why am I lying to him? It’s not like Kelsey and I are together. She should be able to talk to any guy she wants.
“Oh.”
Please don’t question anything about her car in the driveway.
“Well, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll see her later. Are you free tonight? We should meet up for a drink if you are,” he says and jumps in his truck, shutting the door before I can reply. I wave from the sidewalk and he drives away. A lot has changed since I’ve been here and I don’t think all of it is positive. Not with Tyler anyway.
A flicker across the street grabs my attention before I head inside. Kelsey’s eyes instantly grab mine from behind the curtain she’s peeking around. She gives me a slight nod and then disappears. Was she hiding from Tyler?
I don’t have enough time to wonder about it before my phone rings once again. I don’t even look at the screen before I answer. There is only one person it could be.
My father.
Chapter Eleven
Kelsey
“On time again?” Sara puts her hand on my forehead. “Nope, she isn’t sick,” she says to Logan, who’s sitting next to her at the bar.
“Hmmm.” He rubs his chin. “Could a certain new man in town have anything to do with this punctual thing you’ve got going on?”
He chuckles slightly and Sara giggles. I swat her arm away from my face and walk around the bar to put my purse in the cubby. I can get very little past Sara. When you put her and Logan together, it’s like they are one smart-ass person with this creepy power that makes you admit anything and everything with just a look.
“I won’t deny it. I’m happy to see Ethan again,” I say flatly. But his running off at breakfast a few days ago? Not impressive and not a good sign, considering I haven’t seen him since then.
“I knew it!” Sara shouts, kicking her chair back as she stands and points a finger in my face. “You were into him even when we were kids. Ahhh! This is so exciting.”
“Are you just figuring this out?” Logan asks, returning her chair upright.
“No, I always knew. I was just waiting for her to admit it.”
“Sure you were.” Logan joins me behind the bar. I wipe off the counters as I make my way to the sink at one end and turn on the water. I’ll let those two enjoy their moment. If they can ever figure out their own relationship, I could see many double dates in the future. A high squeal comes from their end of the bar, and I look to see that Logan is now tickling Sara from behind.
Why would she want to leave this? Most people are happy when they talk about traveling, but there wasn’t a smile on her face when she told me she was leaving. Just a mention that her father said if she wants him to fund it, it’s now or never.
“Okay, stop, stop. I need to talk to Kelsey about girl things and you need to finish doing that inventory count in the back.” She pushes Logan away and he grins until he’s out of sight. God, those two drive me nuts.
“So, you and Logan?” I raise my eyebrows a few times to tease her.
“No, I don’t think so. We need to talk about you and Ethan. Do you really think it’s a good idea?” She laces her fingers together on top of the bar and gives me a serious look.
“What, him being the manager? I think it will work out fine. Why?”
“No, I’m talking about the idea of you and him. Together. In a relationship. I think it’s a bad idea.”
“Whoa.” I set the rag down, cross my arms, and lean my hip against the counter. “First, we’re not in a relationship, and second, five minutes ago I thought you were excited about this.”
“That was best friend Sara talking. This is Boss Sara.”
“Ohhh, I see. Well, boss, nothing has come up about dating. We’re just friends trying to catch up. That’s all.”
Lies. All lies. I’m totally into him.
“Well, I hope so. He called to tell me he would be working tonight after he made a huge deal last night about not working. I assume it’s because of you.”
“Really?”
“I trust you, Kels, but the look on your face just now doesn’t say ‘just friends’.”
I want to prove her wrong. Instead, I spend most of the night watching the door, waiting for him to show up. When he finally does, I struggle to keep my eyes off him.
Sara’s going to hate me if I screw this up.
Ethan
I should be learning everything I can about this place, but these people seem to think the only thing I know how to do is change a keg or bring them more alcohol. I grab another box of plastic cups from the storage room and head toward the bar. Logan and Kelsey are the only bartenders tonight; Beth and Abby are on the floor. I thought we’d need more people than that, but since it’s Monday and the BA closes early, a small staff is all we need.
I’m relieved to have Logan around. There are mostly females employed here, and it’s not that I don’t enjoy it or that I’m sexist, but it can be overwhelming trying to keep them all happy. The guy I met on my first day was Lucas. He only works every other Saturday, so I don’t plan on seeing him much.
I knock on the bar to get Logan’s attention. “I moved that keg for you. Do you need anything else?”
If my dad were here, he would be flipping out at my offer. “Connellys don’t do favors for others; people do the favors for the Connellys” is his favorite saying.
Funny thing is, I’m a Connelly and I like helping other people. I’m not like him.
“No, I’m good,” Logan says and tilts his head away from the bar. “What do you think so far? Is this something you can handle?” There’s a touch of humor to his voice as he asks me this. He nods toward the corner where Abby is waiting on a group of men. They all look to be about my age and they’re all watching her every move. She laughs and the entire group does the same.
“I guess that’s one way to make tips.”
“You’ll get to see some pretty unique stuff around here. Especially during the school year. Last fall, some guy came in here every Friday night to sit in Beth’s section. He was a student and all so it wasn’t anything weird, but he left her at least fifty bucks every week.”
“Really, what was he drinking?”
“Water. He finally worked up the courage to ask her out. She said no and the guy hasn’t been back since.”
I chuckle. “Money can’t buy everything.”
I lean back against the wall at the end of the bar, crossing my ankles, and watch the scene in front of me. Everyone, both customers and employees, seems at ease here. Being in a bar isn’t just about drinking. This is where people come to visit, meet up, or cool down after a busy day at work. A lot goes into creating an environment like this. Does my dad know what he would be getting into? If he ever got his hands on that account number, would he take that away from these people?