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“Well, everyone here is really good,” she starts. “Gray was just patched in, making it official. Slayer is thrilled, of course, but I think Ellie Mae is just happy he’s not leaving the nest yet.”
“That’s great.” Other than Ivy, Gray was my best friend despite our two-year age difference. “Tell him congratulations from me.”
“Griffin is driving now, and he’s already talking about getting on two wheels, which scares Hazel to death. She doesn’t know Saint’s been teaching him how to ride for a few months now. And he’s been teaching Lillie, too.”
“Lillie?” I frown. “Isn’t she still a kid?”
“Twelve going on twenty-seven,” she answers with a laugh. “Oaklee is a beauty, Stone. She’s going to cause Slayer and Ella Mae a lot of trouble, and I’m here for it!” Ma’s laugh is loud and full of amusement. “Everyone is great. They miss you. I’m so excited to have you home.”
“Me, too, Ma. I love you.”
“Love you too, son. See you soon.”
Ma ends the call, and the smile on my face refuses to go away. She’s crazy as hell and always in my business, but I miss her most of all.
I’m going home.
CHAPTER FOUR
Ivy - Present
“Are you listening to me, babe?”
I turn from my vanity to my boyfriend, Gray, stretched out on my bed. He’s been watching me for the past few minutes and babbling on about something. And no, I’m not listening. I’m too busy painting on a bright red mouth to get ready for my shift at The Barn Door.
“Sorry, babe,” I say, checking myself out and then flashing him a smile. “I was distracted. Getting my lips to look this good takes concentration. What were you saying?”
Gray’s brows dip into a frown. “Why does a bartender need to look so fucking gorgeous?” he growls.
I laugh and toss my dark hair back as if his comment doesn’t bite. “First of all, I’m not just any bartender. I’m the lead bartender, thank you very much.” I blow him a playful kiss that I really don’t feel right now.
I love Gray. He’s wonderful. Handsome and protective, sweet and funny. It’s just that lately, I’m restless. Is it the stress at my job? My life in general. Or am I having an existential crisis? Truth be told, I can’t really tell.
Gray’s face lights up in a smile, his chocolate brown eyes glow with laughter, and he sits up and leans in, pressing his lips to mine. “I stand corrected, lead bartender. I still don’t see why you have to look so fucking hot to whip up cocktails for threesomes and orgies, babe.”
I roll my eyes playfully, smile, and then wipe away my lipstick from his lips. I’m being silly, I tell myself. I’m not restless. Gray is great, and things with us are great. It’s just what I need in my crazy life.
“It’s called tips, Gray. And the better I look, the friendlier I am, the bigger my tips are. Tips are how I pay the bills.”
“I get it. I just don’t like it,” he grumbles under his breath.
“Well, until we hit the lottery, this,” I stand up and motion to my face, and then my body, clad in a tiny black skirt and a slinky red tank top, “is the money-maker. You could get a job there as well, you know.”
“I’d rather ride my bike, beautiful.” Then his brown eyes study me with a fair bit of heat, and my nipples go hard instantly, proving that I’m being ridiculous. He scoffs. “Are you upset that I’m patched into the Reckless Bastards now?”
I frown and check my face one more time in the mirror. “What? No!” Then I turn back to Gray and soften my tone. “I know this is what you’ve wanted since you were a kid. I’m proud of you. Happy for you.”
“Then what’s wrong? And don’t say it’s nothing.”
I open my mouth to tell him he’s being paranoid, but I can’t. I refuse to lie to Gray. “I don’t know. I think I need a new dream. A bigger one.”
“You’re not happy?” His confusion hits me like a punch to the chest.
I drop down beside him on my bed and squeeze his strong thigh. “It’s not unhappy, Gray. For so long, I’ve been in survival mode, working hard to pay the bills, making sure Sage stays out of trouble, and everything else. Now that I’m more than just surviving, I feel…fuck babe, I don’t know. God, I sound stupid and entitled.”
“Not at all.” Gray settles his hand on top of mine. “I get it. You’re head bartender now, and that’s what you’ve worked for since you started at The Barn Door. Sage is grown up and helping pay the bills. What else do you want?”
“Not sure. But I guess I have to figure it out, right?” I turn to him and smile, running my fingers through his thick, sable hair. “It’s not you, Gray. You know that, right?”
