Pulling up to the bar, it’s busy. There are tons of people crammed inside, so I decide to head in and grab a spot at the bar while I wait for Nash. Luckily there are two spots right at the end of the counter, which I swoop and then try to decide what to order.
Since I need to be able to drive home tonight, I decide to stick with beers, but my nerves make me want a shot. I can always call Amanda to pick me up…she doesn’t drink…so when the bartender comes over, I order two beers and three shots. As she sets everything in front of me, I hand her my credit card to open a tab and knock back a shot. The cool burn of the alcohol and the warmth in my stomach is my favorite.
“What up, brother?” Nash asks, sitting next to me grabbing one of the beers. “Is this for me?”
“Sure is,” I tell him, grabbing mine.
We clink bottles and he asks, “How are things?”
“Not good.”
“Didn’t get the news you were hoping for?”
Shaking my head I take a swig of my beer. “No, maybe even worse.”
“What? Why?”
“The hospital is moving her to a facility an hour from our house and the doctor won’t even be frank with me about the prognosis.”
“Can you get a second opinion?”
“We did. The other doctor agreed that rehab is the best thing for her.”
“Damn, man, I’m sorry,” he says.
“Me too,” I tell him and knock back another shot, he does the same, and fortified, I admit my fear, “I don’t know what to do, man.”
“Is there anywhere else that she can go?”
I shake my head as the bartender approaches. “We’ll take another round,” I tell her.
“Why don’t you move closer to the place she’s going? I’m assuming that it’s going to be long term?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it is.”
“You’ve been wanting to get your own place for a while now, this will just help you make it happen. I bet Amesha could find you something sick and pretty quick.”
“That’s not a bad idea. You got her number?”
“Hell yeah, I do.” He pulls his ginormous phone out of his pocket and scrolls through his contacts. “I’ll text it to you.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m glad you asked me to meet. I wanted to talk to you about the whole…” he looks around the bar to make sure no one we know is there. “The engagement.”
“You still thinking her birthday?”
“I am, but with everything that’s happened with your mom, I completely understand if you want me to stay in town for a while.”
“Absolutely not. Book your trip, and ask her. Amanda will be back at work soon and I need to keep busy.”
“You sure?”
I grab a shot and slide one to him. As much as I’m hurting inside for my mom, she’s going to be okay. I have to believe that. Right now he needs me to step up, and he’s helped me so much. It’s the least I can do. “To the future,” I toast. We raise our shots to each other and leave it at that.
“How’s the ankle feeling?” I ask Amanda.
“It’s good. I’m ready to start teaching classes again, that’s for sure.”
“When are you thinking?”
“I was gonna try next week, but with no weights or anything.”
“Make sure you tell Candace and just take it easy, okay?”
She glares at me, she’s tired of me babying her.
“Hi, Nate,” an unfamiliar voice says from behind me. I look over my shoulder to see a cute brunette standing with her hands on her hips.
“Hey,” I respond and look at Amanda. She has a smile on her face and I know exactly what she’s thinking. I’m hesitant to turn around. Most of the women that come up to me here are after one thing…my money. But I will myself to turn anyways. Being the owner, I don’t want to be an asshole, in case this chick really does have a legitimate question. She continues to stare at me with her brown hair and big eyes. I can see right through her contacts that they aren’t really blue.
“Did you have a question?” I ask her.
“Oh, yeah…sorry. I was…I was wondering if I could book some private lessons with you?”
Immediately I shake my head. “No can do, I don’t give lessons. But Amanda does.” I turn to see her still watching us. “Isn’t that right, Amanda?”
“Sure. Wanna take a look at my calendar?”
Then the chick completely catches me off guard stepping to me, touching our bodies together and wrapping her hand around one of my biceps. “Please,” she whispers, looking up at me with the most pitiful eyes.
Before I can react, Amanda jumps in, saving the day. She separates us and wraps her arm around my waist. “The only one he gives lessons to is me. Got it?”
As I hold Amanda back, I chuckle, especially watching the way this chick changes. “I’m sorry, I had no idea you two were dating.”
“Well, now you know,” Amanda retorts.
She turns and walks away, clearly embarrassed. I turn to Amanda with a huge grin on my face. “Thank you,” I say and give her a hug.
“I’d do anything for you. You know that.”
“Thank you, I just never thought pretending to be my girlfriend would be one of them.”