On The Rocks

Standing at the bar, I look back over the inventory sheets that Brody had filled out and try to make my purchase list for the upcoming week. It’s one of the things I dread about Saturday the most… trying to figure out what shit I have and what shit I need to buy to keep the doors open and my food and drink flowing.

I look up briefly to see Brody stacking new glasses, his head bent… quietly working. Our relationship has been strained this past week, ever since his blow up with Alyssa. I tried to talk to him about it the next day, but he firmly told me it was done, he wasn’t apologizing, and he wasn’t talking about it. Since then, he’s lapsed into being more of an introvert and only speaks when spoken to.

Glancing out the back door onto the deck, I see Gabby out there with her crew, finishing up the final build out of the covered roof. It looks fantastic, and I cannot wait to open that area up to customers… just in time for the start of the tourist season.

My thoughts drift back to last night. When we started kissing on the couch, all thoughts of Ricky Bobby, snorting, and spider monkeys completely obliterated, I reveled in the fact that we just made out for like an hour. Soft kissing, our hands stroking each other, whispery sighs from Gabby… it went on forever and I still could have kept at it, but then Gabby whispered that she wanted to go to bed, and well… that was that.

My feelings for Gabby are deep. I mean, really, really deep. Part of me wonders how it happened so fast, but part of me wonders why it took so long. There was something between us five years ago, something I stupidly froze out. She’s been my friend for most of my life. This may, in fact, be the slowest buildup of a relationship in the history of the universe.

I hear banging on the front door of the bar, which is still locked, as we haven’t opened back up yet for the lunch hour. That will come week after next, when the roof is completely finished.

Setting my pen down on the bar with the inventory sheets, I head toward the door as I dig my keys out of my pocket to unlock the internal deadbolt.

When I swing it open, I’m stunned to see my agent, Keith Carr, standing there. Pulling his sunglasses off, he flashes me a Hollywood smile and holds his hand out. “Good to see you, Hunter.”

I reach out to shake his hand. “Yeah, Keith. Good to see you, too. What are you doing here?”

Keith tilts his head and gives me a disapproving look. “Come on, man. You’re stalling and dodging me. You seriously think I wouldn’t get on a plane and fly my ass to the east coast to talk to you?”

I step back from the doorway and motion Keith inside. When it boils down to it, I guess I’m not really surprised he’s here. He’s been pushing me with repetitive calls and emails to accept the new endorsement deals on the table, which will effectively enter me back into the Tour race for the following year. I’ve been thinking it over, but I haven’t been ready to commit.

“Come on in. I was just doing some inventory.”

Keith follows me to the back bar, and I motion for him to take a seat on one of the stools. There’s no one in here but Brody, and I could care less if Brody hears this conversation. After I settle myself on a stool next to Keith, I say, “Brody… I want you to meet my agent, Keith Carr. Keith… my brother, Brody.”

Brody turns and leans across the bar to shake Keith’s hand, never saying a word, but at least giving him something less than a glare.

“I sort of figured this was Brody,” Keith says with a laugh. “I mean… you two are identical.”

“Can I get you something to drink?” Brody asks, taking a swipe at the clean bar top with his rag.

“Nah… I’m good,” Keith says affably, and then turns to me. “So… Hunter, this place looks great. Everything going well?”

“Yeah… going great. Almost finished with some remodels to give me some expanded seating,” I tell him as I point to the back glass door to Gabby’s crew, who are hard at work.

Keith nods, gives the back door a glance, and then turns back to me. “Have you given any more thought to the endorsement offers?”