“No, it was me,” another one said.
“She’s too young for both of you.”
“Oh, hush. My body may be weak, but my mind is still strong.”
“Hey, Calvin and Joe,” one of them called out with a nod.
“Who’s the girl, Calvin?”
“That’s his Airbnb guest,” Joe said.
“Airbnb?” The old man looked confused.
“Like a hotel at your house,” Joe explained.
“I should start me one of those,” the old man said with a chuckle. “Pretty girls only.”
Their conversation continued as we disappeared inside. Grace was already at the bar ordering three beers when we walked in. It wasn’t too busy yet, just around ten people at the bar and a few playing a game of pool. Nearly all of them noticed Grace—even the women. We didn’t get a lot of visitors out here, so any new person always sparked intrigue. Several patrons bobbed their heads at Joe and me. Many looked surprised to see the two of us in here together. Maxie, the bartender, smiled. She was practically a fixture of Rustic Pine Tavern, which had all the trimmings of a dive bar: slot machines, neon signs, pool tables, dartboards, and old men bellied up to the counter.
Joe picked up his pace and helped Grace with the drinks.
“Here you are, Calvin,” she said, handing one over. “First round’s on me.”
“Thanks.” I tilted the glass back, drinking nearly half of it in one big swig. Nothing better than a freshly poured beer.
Joe stood between us—always in the way. “You two down for a game of 301?”
“What’s 301?” Grace asked.
“Darts. It’s easy. Let me show you.” Joe took her hand and led her toward the dartboard in the back. I didn’t like that. He was being overly friendly with her. Typical.
I followed closely behind and picked up a set of darts from Maxie, the thin woman in her fifties who had been tending the bar since she was old enough to drink. “Glad to see you and Joe here,” she whispered. I nodded but didn’t say anything and made my way to Grace.
“You throw a dart before?” Joe asked.
Grace glanced over at me and smiled before answering his question. “Kinda. It led me here.”
He gave a quizzical look. “Well, all right. Let’s see whatcha got.”
Grace took her spot and concentrated on the dartboard, holding her dart up and squinting her eyes. When she was ready, she fired it off. Bull’s-eye.
“Holy shit,” Joe said. “We got a shark on our hands.”
Grace jumped up and down and threw her arms around my neck for a hug. I held her for a moment, breathing in her sweet scent. Maybe it wasn’t fate that brought her here. Maybe it was skill. When she pulled away, my eyes lingered on her lips for a moment too long.
Joe held out another dart for her. “Let’s see if you can do it again.”
“All right.”
She went back to her spot. Her fingers pinched the barrel. She brought the dart in front of her eyes, concentrating for a moment before throwing. Bull’s-eye. Grace turned around with eyes wide open.
Joe shook his head in disbelief. “Well, damn. Shots are in order after that.” He clapped his hands and walked toward the bar.
“Am I gonna hurt your brother’s ego?” Grace teased.
“He’ll be fine.” I chuckled. “He is competitive though, so get your game face on.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, it’s on.”
Grace drank the rest of her beer in one swig and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The girl I met five days ago wasn’t the girl I was seeing right now. She was like a chameleon, fitting in with whatever backdrop she happened to be a part of. I liked it but it left me wondering who the real Grace was.
“Here you are.” Joe handed us each a shot.
“What is it?” She eyed the amber-colored liquid filled to the rim.
“My friend, Jack.” Joe winked. He clinked his glass against mine and hers, tapped it against the table, and then threw it back. “Cheers,” he said, placing the shot glass upside down. Joe drank Jack Daniel’s like it was water, evident by the lack of reaction he had after slamming it.
Grace looked to me. Together, we tipped back the shots. She shook her head and swallowed hard after the liquid hit her tongue. Whiskey, like most people, wasn’t something you enjoyed right away.
“Not your cup of tea, City Girl?” Joe teased.
“I’m more of a vodka girl, Country Boy,” Grace hit back with a small smirk.
“You’re up, bro,” I said, patting him on the back. Joe smiled, gave a quick nod, and took his place in front of the dartboard.
“Having fun?” I asked.
“Always.” Grace batted her eyelashes.
“I figured that much, since reading and running are fun for you.” I let on a smile.
“Oh, stop.” She playfully patted my shoulder.
I laughed and picked up our empty beer glasses. “Want another?”
Grace nodded, and I left her standing there. After I ordered another round, I turned back and spotted Joe leaning against the table beside Grace.
“Here you are, Calvin,” Maxie said, setting the beers down.
“Thanks. Go ahead and put it on my tab.”
“You got yourself a looker there.” She pointed over at Grace. I followed her finger and found that Joe had moved a little closer to her. “Glad to see you out and about.” She tilted her head. “But you might want to keep Joe away from her,” Maxie warned.
“It was an accident,” I said in a low voice.
“Some people around here don’t believe that.”
I shook my head. “Don’t go on believing them rumors.”
She squinted her eyes, and I knew then that some of her famous advice was coming my way. Maxie was more than the town’s barkeep; she was the town’s therapist too. Unofficially, of course—she didn’t have a degree. She just knew everyone’s problems and knew what everyone needed to hear.
“What one person calls a rumor, another calls the truth. I wouldn’t be so quick to determine which one it is.” She slapped the palm of her hand against the bar top, picked up a wet rag, and started wiping it down.
“He’s my brother, Maxie.” I tilted my head.
“Ted Bundy had a brother,” she quipped.
“Half brother.” I turned back toward Grace and Joe, watching him closely.
Maxie had a point. Maxie always had a point.
When I reached the table, I wedged myself between the two of them.
“Whoa, bro,” Joe said as he fell back a step or two.
“Didn’t see ya there, little guy,” I jabbed.
I handed him the beer, but his eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. The golden liquid finally distracted him, and he brought the glass to his lips.
“Here you are, Grace.”
“Got another one of those?” a high-pitched voice called from behind me. I turned around to find Charlotte. Her long, silky brown hair hung freely and her freckles were prominent. She must have been outside today.
“Hey, Char,” I said, pulling her in for a half hug.
“I saw Joe’s truck when I drove past and decided to stop. Didn’t think I’d find you here too.” She tilted her head.
“Didn’t think I’d find myself here either,” I said.