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I, however, slip back into my happy waitress role. I should feel better after his apology. I should feel like things have been resolved between us. But I just feel all the more confused.
Does Jay like me or do I just turn him on? And even if he does like me, why would I want to spend more time with someone who clearly needs to work on anger management?
CHAPTER 11
JAY
Idon’t plan to see Hannah often, but she insists that we need to hang out once a month to maintain our sibling bond, whatever the hell that is. She usually picks a bar outside of Maplewood for us to go to, which is good because the last thing I need is to have a few drinks with my usual crowd of customers.
This time, she’s picked a bar almost thirty minutes away. I grumble about the drive, but it’s a Wednesday night. I wouldn’t be doing much business at The Rusty Oak anyway. Jerry can handle it on his own.
Once inside the bar, I can’t help it. I start analyzing every feature and comparing it to the atmosphere in my own bar. The setup doesn’t make sense because the main bar is at the far back. I would have to weave through tables to get there. Plus, that means there’s no one near the door if someone tries to walk out on their tab.
I also think the music is too loud. It makes it just a little too difficult to have a conversation. While you want to have an atmosphere that promotes fun and partying, you also want to be able to hear the people you came with.
Once I’ve assessed the bar, I realize that Hannah is already at a table near the back, waving at me with a big smile. As I pass a few tables, I can’t help but think of ways The Rusty Oak does everything better. Maybe I’m biased.
“Hey, big brother!” Hannah chirps as I slide into the seat opposite her.
“Hey, Han. What’s up?” I pat her hand across the table. Hannah grins at me like she has big news. She’s grinning like she knows something I don’t, and my mind starts instantly racing with what it could be.
As I settle on an answer, my stomach sinks. She’s pregnant, isn’t she?
“Not much. Just needed to get out of the house and see you. Work was so boring today. I mean, it’s boring every day, but today, it topped even its normal level of boring. Plus, it’s been forever since we hung out.” She signals the waitress and orders us a couple of beers. I add on a shot, looking at Hannah to see if she wants one. When she shakes her head, my fear is confirmed.
“I just saw you last month and the month before that. Don’t act like I don’t come to the things you organize.”
“I organize? If I cared about your opinion and tone, that comment would have offended me.”
“Good thing you don’t then.”
The waitress is already hurrying back with our drinks, and I have to at least be impressed with that aspect of this bar. Fast service is something I appreciate.
Hannah thanks the waitress and wraps her arms around the cold glass of beer, but she doesn’t take a sip. I watch her with an eagle eye, waiting. If she’s pregnant, she wouldn’t drink beer, would she?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You didn’t want a shot.”
“It is a Wednesday. As much as I hate my job, I do still have to show up tomorrow.”
I don’t buy her excuse. Hannah has never used a day of the week as an excuse before. Why would she start now? After looking at her for another moment, I make a silent toast to myself and down the shot, embracing the shudder that runs through me.
Hannah is still smiling excitedly.
“You have something to tell me,” I say, determined to get her news out of the way.
Hannah nods. “I do. Yes, you’re right about that. How could you tell?”
“Because your face gives everything away.”
“Not everything. You don’t know what my actual news is. You just know that I have news. So…”
“No, I know what your news is.”
“You do?” Hannah looks sorely disappointed. “Did Charlie tell you?”
“No, I haven’t talked to Charlie. But it’s obvious.”
